The LORD'S Chosen Ones!

The People Of God Are Just Like Jesus Christ

( The World, His Very Own People Israel, Nor His Personal Wanted Him )

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Apostle James R Winfree Sr, Revealing The Truth Of God's Holy Word In His Love:

( My sweet heaven sent wife, Betty and myself, praise the Lord Jesus Christ for Higher Dimension Church Family, For blessing us to be working this morning from motel 6 here in Katy, Tx  )

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

( 1 Peter 2:9–12)  

What are distinguishing marks of the chosen people of God, not the religious called people of religion which separate them from Religion and the World?

Apostle Peter has just been talking about how Christ is the ( capstone), The Cornerstone, The Foundation of the House of God which is true Believers in Jesus Christ and are Born in His Spirit. The world, His very own family nor His personal family did not receive Him, and they will Not receive us; they stumbled over Jesus Christ, ( The Creator God In the flesh ). He came as a servant when they were expecting a king. He came to suffer when they were expecting a conqueror. As the Jews rejected Him at His coming, so has the rest of the unbelieving Jews, His own family and the world rejected and stumbled over Him ever since. Listen again to what Apostle Peter says: God's House is not any human-built buildings, But We are His Saints the Church in Jesus Christ..

And, “A Stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people (emphasis mine). This is the very reason Betty and I and so many like Jesus Christ are overlooked, done wrong, been rejected by our very own Christians family. Personal family living from our car many nights and at a motel at times as the Lord provides.

( 1 Peter 2:8–9 )

However, this is not true for Believers who are real in their faith. In verse 9, Peter begins with “but.” “But you are a chosen people.” Christ Followers should be drastically different from the world. Christ taught the same thing in ( Matthew 5:13,)  He said you are the salt of the earth. You preserve the world from decay. You have tremendous value. He said you are the light of the world (v. 14). Among the people of the nations, there are a people who are radically different.

Because of this radical difference, Christ Lovers often will be mocked and persecuted as was happening to the Believers in this context. Apostle Peter writes to encourage them but also to reinforce why they should continue to be different. In the midst of persecution and suffering for our faith, there can be a tendency to dull the light and the witness of our lives in order to avoid offense. There can be a tendency to begin to compromise. Would you do to Jesus, the God-Man, like you do His chosen ones? the answer is Yes you would... They did to The Green Tree, what do you think they will do to His dry tree?

This seemed to be happening here in this context. That is why Apostle Peter “urges” them in( 1 Peter 2:11) to live as strangers and abstain from sinful desires. Continue to be different, continue to be salty, continue to be light, and do not compromise with sin in the face of persecution.apostle Peter reminds them of who they are and what distinguishes them.

For some of us, this text will be a challenge, as it was to this Church, to continue to remain different, to continue to not compromise in the workplace or amongst friends. For others, it may be a call to repent from ways we have compromised and conformed to this world.We All came from father Adam and mother Eve, One set of human parents and of One blood-line, and yet look how we treat each other that don't have our last name and you pick out the ones you love and respects.

Can the world tell that we are different? In this passage, we will see five marks that should distinguish us as Believers in this world. As we go through these marks, we should ask ourselves are we living out these realities in our lives.

Believers Are a Chosen People who do the works of Jesus Christ and always shows and share the love of God.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

( 1 Peter 2:9-10 )

 What are some of the blessings and privileges that distinguish Christ Believers from the world according to 1 Peter 2:9–10? What ways are these privileges similar or different to Old Testament Israel?

Here Apostle Peter begins to talk about all the blessings and privileges these suffering saints have received from God and that separated them from others. He wants them to know how special they are. They have a call and they are in the center of God’s will even in the midst of persecution. He writes to encourage them as they, no doubt, were discouraged by how they were being viewed and persecuted by others.

Jesus Chosen People

He calls them a chosen people.Apostle  Peter uses terminology commonly used in reference to Israel. Look at what Deuteronomy 7:6 said about Israel: “For you are a people holy to the LORD your GOD. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His   Personal Treasured Possession”.

In the same way, Israel was called to be God’s chosen people on the earth and to be witnesses for him, the church is now God’s chosen people. This choosing is not because we are better than others or because we would respond to him. This choosing is a work totally of God’s grace. Look at what Apostle Paul says:

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

Ephesians 1:4–6

This choosing is all to the praise of his glorious grace, his unmerited favor. This was important for these Christians to hear because they were deemed by others to be the scum of the earth, and therefore, treated as such ( 1 Cor 4:9–13 ). This choosing represented their salvation. They were chosen by God to receive salvation and to enjoy him forever.

What were we chosen for His Church?

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Jesus who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:9–10

The text can be interpreted to mean because you are a chosen generation, you are also a royal priesthood, a holy people, a peculiar people. Their election is first, and an election is the source and fountain of all the other blessings and characteristics that distinguish them from others who are appointed to destruction

The Lord Jesus Christ Royal Priesthood, His sons, and His daughters

These chosen Believers were called out from the world to be a royal priesthood. For an audience that was probably primarily Jewish, this would have stood out. In the Old Testament, the monarchy and the priesthood were strictly separated. The priest came from the lineage of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. Only they could approach God at the temple; only they could offer the sacrifices. The rest of the Jews could not.We were birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, His grace, and Not Moses or Levi's Jewish Laws.

Yes, the king was special in Israel because he was anointed with oil by the priest. This means he was equipped and empowered by God to do the task of ruling Israel and fighting the battles of the Lord. We see the Holy Spirit coming upon the kings to win battles. Similarly, the priest was anointed, and therefore, empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister to God and the people. But again, these privileges were not for regular Jews and they were strictly separated. We are anointed by and with Jesus Christ Spirit Himself.

The only way this is possible is because, under the New Covenant, there is no longer a priest who must come from a specific tribal line. The writer of Hebrews argues in Hebrews 7:17 that in the New Covenant, Christ, our high priest, comes from the “order of Melchizedek”, who was the former king and priest of Salem, whom Abraham paid tithes to (Gen. 14:18–20). This was something prophesied about the coming Messiah in Psalm 110:4. He would be a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, a kingly priest.

Christ Believers being royal priests represent the fact that we have been united with Christ. We are his body, and whatever glory Christ receives we receive as well. Romans 8:17 calls us coheirs with Christ. It means we will reign with him eternally, and here on earth, our role is to draw men unto himself and to lead people in the be just like The Very Creator Father God in Jesus Christ.

So many Church Leaders and their members think we were created for worship, But I beg the diff, We were created just like God, to rule and have His power under control in love in this world.

It means we will rule with Christ. Scripture clearly proclaims we will rule in the coming kingdom. We see this in many texts. As mentioned, Romans 8:17 says: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Apostle Paul declares that this rulership will include judging this world and even angels. In the ancient world, coming to the king was like going to court. They would often rule over cases. We see that with Solomon as he decides between two women claiming to be the mother of a child ( 1 Kings 3:16-28) . Look at what Our Brother Paul says,

Do you not know that the Saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life 

( 1 Corinthians 6:2–3 )

In fact, with this kingship that comes in Christ, there is also a measure of authority that should be seen presently in the life of a believer, especially in the area of ministry. We see this in the Great Commission as Christ sends the disciples out to minister in his authority. Christ commissions them saying, “All authority has been given to me, therefore, make disciples”  ( Matt 28:18 ). Say or type, Amen!!!

But also as royalty in Christ, we fight wars on behalf of the kingdom. Ancient kings would go off and fight battles in the interest of their kingdom. What battles do we fight?

Christ said, “The gates of Hades will not prevail against His Church” ( Matt 16:18). The church is seen tearing down the fortresses and strongholds of Satan. When you preach the gospel, you go into enemy territory. When you minister to those in depression and habitual sins, you trample on enemy ground. Paul in Ephesians 6 shows the church as a soldier putting on the armor of God, the armor of the King.

But, we are also called priests. One of the unique roles of the priest was to have an intimate relationship with God. In fact, the high priest was the only priest who could enter into the presence of God once a year on the Day of Atonement. No other person could do that. Well, on this earth, one of the things that distinguish us as Believers is the fact that we can walk and live in the presence of God. You talk to God, and He talks to you.

But not only that, the priest would pray on behalf of the people for the forgiveness of their sins and bring their requests before God. We see the priest Samuel says to Israel that he would not sin by ceasing to pray for them. Listen to what he said, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right” ( 1 Sam 12:23 ).

Not only did the priest have to pray for people, but the nation of Israel was called to pray for people because they were a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). When Israel was exiled in Babylon, God called them to pray for the prosperity of Babylon because when Babylon prospered they would prosper (Jer 29:7). Even though Israel was no longer in their land, that did not change their identity. They were still a priestly nation called to intercede for the nations.

Yes, wherever God has placed you, in a nation, a workplace, a church, or a family, they are to be places that you intercede for. You are to intercede for the leaders to make godly decisions, for strongholds to be broken, and for the light of the gospel to go forth.

First Timothy 2:1–2 Commands Believers to make intercession for everyone, for kings and all authorities that we may live peaceful and godly lives. Praying for everyone is a tremendous amount of work. It’s a job for priests, whom we have been called to be.

The priests were also called to teach the people. We specifically see this with Ezra who devoted himself to the study and teaching of the law of God (Ezra 7:10). Yes, for the New Covenant Believer part of the Great Commission in ( Matthew 28:19 ) is to make disciples by teaching them everything Christ commanded. And The Holy Spirit Is Our TEACHER!!!

The Chosen Believer’s job as a love and grace priest is to learn the Bible, to never let it depart from their mouths, to talk about it at dinner, to talk about it at work. One of the reasons you have been chosen to be a priest is to be a teacher of the Word of God. Most of the world will never read the Bible, but they should see and hear the Bible coming out of your mouth all the time. God told Joshua, “Never let it depart from your mouth” (1:8). God told Israel the same thing, my spiritual family.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. We need to only obey and keep One, LOVE JUST LIKE GOD. PERIOD.

( Deuteronomy 6:6–9 )

When they lied down, when they got up, when they walked along the road, they were supposed to be Biblical. Israel the nation was called to be a nation of priests, even though the specific priestly role was reserved for the family of Aaron. We are in the family of Jesus Christ, The Greatest One!!!.

You, as a follower of Christ, have been chosen to be a royal priesthood. You minister with authority, you will one day rule and judge this earth; you fight the battles on behalf of the kingdom. You, of all people, have an intimate relationship with the Father. You intercede for people and teach them God’s Word. Christians have the privilege of being a royal priesthood.

We Are His Holy Nation

Apostle Peter also says they are a holy nation. This again was terminology used by Israel. In Exodus 19:6, they were called a holy nation. They were set apart by God for good works, to serve him and worship him. In the same way, we have been chosen and set apart for good works. This separates us from the world. Look at what Apostle Paul said about believers: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” ( Eph 2:10 ). Get Busy His People and Do the Works of Christ.

The word he uses here for workmanship is the Greek word ( Poema ) from which we get the English word poem. We are God’s poem—his artistry. Similar to the way a poem is carefully crafted and constructed with each verb, adjective, adverb, noun, and preposition to achieve the desired goal. God has and is carefully crafting and constructing us through various events, teachings, and even trials for the purpose of producing good works for his glory. God chose us to display His beautiful artwork, His character and good works to the rest of the Nations.

Holiness has the positive element of righteousness or good works, but it also has the negative element of staying unspotted or free from the pollution of sin. Apostle James 1:27 says this: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (emphasis mine). The church is a holy nation separated from sin and set apart for the purpose of good works. Are you staying unspotted, unpolluted from the world and the things of this world? Are you practicing a faith that helps and serves others, especially the less fortunate first in the faith?

A lot of Christians have a religion that does not create holiness in their lives. It essentially makes no difference for them or others. This is not a religion that our God accepts ( James 1:27 ). Cain and Abel both practiced religion, but Cain’s Religion was rejected because it was already cursed by GOD HIMSELF. God has chosen to call out a holy nation to represent Him rule in love just like the Lord Jesus and to serve others in His spiritual family first and then all others as He leads you. Many so-called Christians today is just like Cain in their weak flesh, killing the members of their own body, Christ Church.

We Are Chosen People Possessed By God In Jesus Christ,

Apostle Peter declares that the church was a people belonging to God. Again, this was something said about Israel: Deuteronomy 7:6 says, “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” 

Believers are a chosen people with many privileges. They are chosen by God to be His very own sons and daughters,  royal priests, kings, His holy people, Jesus Christ possession of God, and a people who have received love, mercy, and grace.

Believers are a loving people.

We, the Believers, are a people away from home, pilgrims who are waiting and seeking The KING and His Kingdom of God.our heavenly Father

Believers are a warring people fighting against the flesh.

Believers are a people with beautiful lives, especially when faced with persecution.

 What marks is God calling you to especially work on or restore in your life? What is your plan to do so? ( Awesome and Holy Spirit, help us! ) In Jesus Christ Name. Amen.

We Are Leading One and All to our Blessed and Holy God in Jesus Christ our only Savior.

Apostle James R Winfree Sr, Online Love Fellowship Jesus Christ Church And Nations Media Ministries.

We Are Serving Our Lord Jesus Christ, By serving and building Up His true living Church here online.

2 Corinthians 9:7

( Obey God in your giving and sharing )