A Peculiar people

Recently, I have heard the term “evangelical” or “Christian” used by those in the political realm when they were in front of that audience courting their vote. It always makes me wonder; does anyone know what that means? Before you jump to any conclusions, do you know what the Bible says about believing in God? In 1 Peter 2:9-10, the Bible says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” While these verses cover a multitude of topics, please allow me to focus on a couple.

People who have trusted Jesus as Savior are a “peculiar people.” This does not mean that believers in God are weird (although the world would have you think that), it simply means we are bought with a price and are a possession of God. We are set aside for him. This possession of us by God means we are to reflect Godly values and attributes. We can look at the fruit of a person; look at the testimony of a person and see rather easily whether or not they put their trust in God. In fact, John 12:25 says that “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” Love this life and the poor choices the world has to offer simply mean that what we hold dear we will lose. However if we would hate our lives in this world, we will keep true life forever.  

The second thought I have for you is we are now “the people of God.” Does your life reflect the biblical definition of being a Godly person? 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says this: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Unrighteous people will not go to Heaven. We have no debate here…that is what the Word of God has to say. I love this phrase: “And such were some of you.” Some of us “were” but when we are saved, there is a change. We no longer identify with the world and worldly actions. We are a “peculiar” people, bought with the shed blood of Jesus that washes and sanctifies us. I really enjoy being a child of God. While I am just a sinner saved by the grace of God, I am thankful that he has provided a way to escape the trappings of this world and focus on the next.  Enjoy your coffee.

Love you all,

Pastor Gary