This verse is a reminder that we have such a rich inheritance as children of God. I thought about the life of Peter and the things he saw. He walked with Jesus, made well documented mistakes, denied Jesus, was redeemed and restored, and preached one of the most powerful messages of all time after the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). He had a first hand perspective of what Jesus desired for us like no other.
A Chosen Generation
In this passage, Peter calls us a ‘chosen generation’. The context of this passage is around Peter defending Christ as the chief cornerstone of this house called the church. It is interesting that the one who denied Christ became one of His biggest defenders. We’re chosen once we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We are set apart for the purposes of God, to be redeemed at the apportioned time of His second coming.
At every single time in history, there are usually about 4 generations living. One generation works to impart the love of God into the next along with their supernatural identity formed in their knowledge of Christ. It is important to know you are chosen by God and set apart for His purposes. It changes the way you live and the daily decisions you make. It is the strongest basis for our identity that keeps us from becoming like the world around us while being influential among those who don’t believe.
A Royal Priesthood
In the Old Testament, royalty and priesthood were separate functions. Levites were the priests while royal families were a chosen few. Jesus died on the cross and removed the veil of separation that gave the Levites exclusive access to the Holy of holies. We now all have full access into the most holy place (Mat. 27:51). Priesthood functions were now given to all believers to enter His presence with boldness (Heb. 4:14-16).
Our royalty is drawn from the fact that we’re children of God. We don’t have to be children of an earthly king. We’re sons and daughters of the Most High. He is the King of Kings and therefore we are princes and princesses, titles ascribed to a King’s children (Revelation 17:14). As royalty, we have right access to the Kingdom that is not of this world. We carry access to an inheritance that is eternal, in the presence of God.
As a royal priesthood, we have access to God to present ourselves before Him in seeking grace and mercy as well as access as sons and daughters who share in our rightful inheritance with Him. A powerful source of identity.
A Holy Nation
He calls us Holy and also says God commands us to ‘…be Holy as I am Holy…’ (1 Peter 1:16). Knowing you’re set apart and holy gives you insight into how the Kingdom of God functions. He is a Holy God who cannot tolerate or accept sinful man in His presence. He has opened access to us because of the blood of Jesus that covers our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. In Christ is found our sense of identity. We’re made holy by His blood. Scripture says we’re washed by His blood so we can be presentable in the presence of a Holy God (Heb. 10).
Christ Our Big Brother
Jesus is our big brother in the faith. He defends and protects us and also makes way for us to enter the presence of a Holy God (Col. 1:15-23). Jesus stands in the gap between us and the Father and tells us the way to the Father is through Him and Him alone. He then leads us, His church, into finding our strength, grace, and identity in Him. In so doing, we find our purpose and destiny.
In Him We Live and Move and Have our Being
The strength of our identity is what grounds us in God as we face trials and tribulations. As we face winds of change and uncertainty, we are constantly strengthened by our knowledge that we are His and hidden in Him. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He is the best foundation on which we can build our lives. After all, Peter calls Him the rock. Build your life on the rock, be humble, and act like a royal priest, a chosen generation, and a holy nation!
Nelson Masinde 