1Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The dispersed Christians were reminded of the benefits they had in Christ – they were a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession. These rights were no longer just for a particular group but for all Christians. And these advantages were theirs for a reason – to proclaim the excellencies of God so that others would be sanctified in Truth.
That you may proclaim – there is an intentional purpose for those who follow Christ. To proclaim here means to publish or to celebrate. Both ensue action, the KJV uses the phrase ‘that ye should shew forth’. We have the privilege of being God’s messengers. Paul reminded the elders of the church in Ephesus of his own boldness in speaking of Christ and charged them with the reminder that they also needed to speak Truth; they were to care for those who were like-minded.
Acts 20:27-28 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Consider. When someone gives you a gift, you respond with thanks. Salvation offered to us is a gift. Do we tend to this gift with gratitude and display it for all to see? Do we share the value of this gift with others? Salvation has not been granted to us to be hoarded and put into the dark recesses of a cabinet. Rather, we are to exhibit the blessings of God by seeking to live a holy life, proclaiming Christ to others.
Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary offers the following response to our salvation –
By proper ascriptions of praise to Him in public, family, and social worship;
By being always the avowed friends of God, ready ever to vindicate His government and ways;
By endeavouring to make known His excellences to all those who are ignorant of Him; and
By such a life as shall constantly proclaim His praise – as the sun, the moon, the stars, the hills, the streams, the flowers do, showing what God does. The consistent life of a devoted Christian is a constant setting forth of the praise of God, showing to all that the God who has made him such is worthy to be loved.
Isaiah 43:21 "The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise.
Our lives are about Him, not us. We are vessels meant for offering praise and glory to God for who He is and what He has done. The 1599 Geneva Bible Notes says, “that by all means possible we [are] to set forth the great goodness of the most mighty God”.
Does your behavior speak of Jesus? How? What behaviors do not honor Christ?
We are to proclaim the excellencies of God. It is impossible to proclaim with any kind of enthusiasm that which we do not know or understand. For example, ask two people to explain how to raise a puppy. One who has firsthand experience and one who has only heard others talk about it. Which testimony would be more compelling to listen to?
What are the excellencies of God? How would you explain who God is and why your faith is placed in Him? There are intrinsic virtues of God, His very essence, His attributes, are what makes Him God. We are to proclaim God’s wisdom, power, truth, goodness, and mercy. Foremost because He has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.
Consider the darkness. This means shadiness or obscurity, either literally or figuratively. There is darkness in trouble and in ignorance. When you are taking a photograph, shadows will keep you from getting a good picture.
Do you let circumstances obscure your view or do you rely upon God’s light to show you the way?
Also consider the shadiness associated with honesty. Are we allowing the world’s message to cast a shadow on our understanding of God?
God has literally pulled us away from sin’s power and control to the blessings, privileges, and power of the gospel. This assurance was given to the nation of Israel while they were being held captive and it is our assurance also, that by abiding in Christ, we are not held captive by sin. “…when the gospel comes to any place, to any soul, light comes. Let us earnestly pray that it may shine into our hearts, and make us wise unto salvation”, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Isa 9:2.
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
Isaiah 42:16 "And I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone."
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Read the account of Paul upon his conversion:
Acts 26:15-18 "And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 'But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; delivering you from the [Jewish] people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'
Also read the words of Paul to the Colossian church:
Colossians 1:9-14 For this reason also, since the day we heard [of it], we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Recognize, we are called out of darkness into His marvelous light! This is more than just an ‘aha’ moment – it is the light of Truth, the gospel, and the wonderful blessings associated with God’s great love for us. He is the light that illuminates understanding in our soul. This is the light that gives hope now and for the future. He is the light which gives strength when we are weak, direction when we have lost our focus, and clarity instead of confusion. God’s light replaces hate with love, it is the source of compassion and patience.
When we consider what we have been saved from and what we are saved to, our response must be to shout God’s praise. Darkness and light are opposites. The darkness – idolatry, ungodliness, willful disobedience, and spiritual death – is appointed for those who reject Christ. God’s children, through faith and trust in Jesus, sit in the glorious light of His marvelous redemption.
1 Thessalonians 5:3-5 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
“As a family, let us remember how the Lord has favored us in his grace, and let each saved one among us remember whereunto he is called. Chosen, royal priestly, peculiar, and beloved of heaven, - what manner of persons ought we to be? We ought to be far better than others, for the Lord has dealt so much better with us. May rich grace rest upon us, and cause us to show forth the praises of our God”, Spurgeon Devotional Commentary.
How will you follow the apostle Peter’s charge to proclaim Christ?
What truths are you reminded of in 1 Peter 2:9 that cause you to praise God?
