The Apostle Peter introduces us in I Peter 2:4 that Jesus Christ is our “Living Stone.” Although the world rejected Him, the Father considers Him precious. We should note Peter’s use of the word “living” in this epistle. In chapter 1:3, we have a “living” hope and we have a living hope because we have a living Saviour! In chapter 1:23, we have a living word, for our new birth experience rests upon the imperishable word of God. Peter went on to identify believers as “living stones” who make up the church, which is a spiritual house (v. 5).
Believers are also identified as a holy priesthood, having free access to God through Jesus Christ. We are to offer up acceptable sacrifices to God because of our position in Jesus Christ. Quoting from Isaiah 28:16, Peter mentions that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone. A cornerstone in Bible times was the most important part of a building’s foundation. The weight of the building rested on the cornerstone. As believers, we rely on Jesus Christ and we have found Him to be precious and indispensable; however, unbelievers stumble on the cornerstone (vv. 6-8).
Peter enumerates the lofty position of every child of God in verse 9. First of all, we are a chosen generation. Just as Israel was God’s chosen people, Peter related that all Christians are God’s chosen ones. God chose us because He loves us, for Deuteronomy 7:6-8 says: “For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Not only are we a chosen generation, but we are a royal priesthood. As believing priests, we have free access to God through Jesus Christ. The writer of the book of Hebrews enjoins us to come boldly to the throne of grace, for Hebrews 4:16 says: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Having discussed that all believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, now Peter says that all believers are a holy nation. Just as Israel was a holy nation, Christians have been set apart for God’s purposes. As believers, our main purpose for existence is to praise the Lord, listen to Revelation 4:11: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Lastly, Christians are also a peculiar people, that is, they are possessed by God; they are God’s own people. The fourfold special position of the believer should bring forth a desire to magnify God for the marked transformation He has wrought in our lives. He has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light (v. 9). We are God’s people, His possessed ones who have obtained His mercy (v. 10). Yes, we ought to praise Him for bringing us out of spiritual darkness, for Colossians 1:13-14 says: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
As believers, we have been saved from the penalty of sin; we are being saved from the power of sin, and one day, we will be saved from the very presence of sin. Yes, we will be saved from the very presence of sin, for I John 3:2 says: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
