I AM A PECULIAR PERSON

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own SPECIAL PEOPLE…” – 1 Peter 2:9a

In Christ, I AM A PECULIAR PERSON – a Special Person: “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 marvellous light (1Pet.2:9). Peter had been talking about Christ being the Capstone, the foundation of the House of God, whom the world did not receive, but stumbled over. He came like a servant when they were expecting a king. He came to suffer when they were expecting a conqueror. (vv.8-9). However, those who received Him were bestowed with grace and power to become drastically different from the world – to become His peculiar people even in the face of persecution!

Other Bible versions describe Believers as “a people for God’s own possession” (NASB); “a people belonging to God” (NIV); and “a peculiar people” (KJV). The word ‘peculiar’ in Bible days was often used to refer to something belonging to someone – someone’s property. The most common usage today is for someone or something that is uncommon; a person or privilege that belongs exclusively to a person, group, or thing. Christians are “special people” chosen from before the foundation of the earth to be “God’s own possession,” and who are being transformed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Our standing as God’s adopted children, joint heirs with Christ Jesus, and His own special people all make us “peculiar”!

The title “chosen generation” applied to the entire Jewish nation, without exception, people who were in the covenant of God by circumcision, whether they were holy persons or not. They were a chosen or elected race, special unto the Lord above all people on the earth (Dt.7:6). Israel was also a royal priesthood or “kingdom of priests” – a kingdom in which all the subjects offered sacrifice to God (Exo.19:6). They were a holy nation, separated from the rest of the earth, consecrated to worship the one only true God, and abstain from the abominations of the heathen world. Above all, they were a peculiar, purchased people; God’s private possession. None other had any right in them; and they were under obligation to God alone.

Now, these titles apply to Christians: all who believed in Christ as Lord and Saviour, whether Jews or Gentiles, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit. These designations belong to Believers, in their spirit and essence, much more than they could to the Hebrews of old, having been called out of darkness – sin, idolatry, superstition, ungodliness, and misery – into God’s marvellous light. These nomenclatures carry the privileges of exhibiting the praises, perfections, virtues, holiness, and excellences of Him who called them. As royal priesthood, we display the dignity of kings and the sanctity of priests (Rev.1:6). Isaiah 61:6a says: “But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God…”

In Christ, I belong to God’s purchased and peculiar People. Jesus “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Tit.2:14). Therefore, I am His peculiar treasure. I belong to God, and to no other. Like Israel, I belong to God by creation, by formation, by redemption, and by calling (Isa.43:1). I am a member of God’s chosen generation; a priest in His royal priesthood; a citizen of His holy nation; and a peculiar person among His redeemed people.

By creation, I am a special person, created in the IMAGE and likeness of God (Gen.1:26). By redemption, I am distinct and exceptional, with a divine destiny to fulfil, unique reasons for being, and peculiar purposes for living in my generation and location. In Jesus name: I am no longer common or ordinary. I am endowed with the Spirit of Grace and Excellence. I am special in all aspects of life and dimensions of destiny. I am designed for distinction, not for obscurity. I belong to the Company of God’s “own special people” – Proclaimers of His Praise and Reflectors of His Glory!