But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who were once not a people but now are the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, be your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.1Peter 2:9-12
Peter uses Old Testament concepts to emphasize the priviledges of New Testament believers. In strong contrast to the disobedient who are appointed by God to wrath (v.8), Christians are chosen by God to salvation. A royal priesthood—The concept of a kingly priesthood is drawn from Exodus 19:6 “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak to the children of Israel.” But Israel temporary forfeited this priviledge becaus of its apostasy (departure from the faith) and because its wicked leaders executed the Messiah. At the present time, we the church is a royal priesthood united with the Royal Priest, Jesus Christ. A royal priesthood is not only a priesthood that belongs to and serves the King, but is also a priesthood which exercises rule. This will be ultimately fulfilled in the future Christ’s millennial kingdom: “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10) His own special people—Peter is reminding his readers that from the beginning God has chosen them out of the world, to be His own. And from there, has grafted in a Gentile people as well to become the people of God made up of Jew and Gentiles. Now Peter writes here a very significant reminder to us all, sojourners and pilgrims—Peter called his readers to a righteous life in a hostile world where Christians are foreigners and strangers in a secular society because their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), good advice for us all. By using Christ as our example, believers are to use His life of power over the flesh in the midst of a hostile environment. Abstain from fleshly lusts—Perhaps more literal “hold yourself away from fleshly lusts” in order to have an impact on the world for God. Christians must be disciplined in their walk of faith, and consecrate their lives after Christ, and His Word in complete submission daily, in order to avoid the pulling away from Him by the desires of the sinful flesh (Galatians 5:16) I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Conduct honorable—The Greek word for “honorable” is a rich in meaning word and implies the purest, highest, noblest kind of goodness. It means “lovely”, “winsome,” “gracious,” “noble,” “excellent.” Having been diciplined in the inward man, the Christian must outwardly live in a non-Christian society in a way that reveals Christ’s love by their inward self-controlled life. Which even when men accuse us of being evil, (narrow minded to their liberal ways), be reminded one day, upon Christ’s visitation to the earth, will bring glory and honor to His name.
Beloved friend, Jesus return is eminent. But no one knows the hour of His return but the Father, let us live in such a way, that our lives will be reminders to others around us that we have a Kingdom that has already be prepared for us, and therefore, we will not live in such a way that ever diminishes that great promise from God, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:3).
May the Lord bless your walk with Him!
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