Peculiar People

1 Peter 2:9. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (KJV)

On many summer evenings I end the day with a brisk walk down our country road. This particular evening I started down the road at a fast clip, winding my way along the path created by the tall corn that surrounded me on all sides. There wasn’t much to look at as the uniform rows of this staple crop blocked a lot of my vision. All of a sudden I noticed an interesting sight. While most of the corn was the same height, having been planted at the same time, there was one hearty stalk that stuck out from all the rest. It was at least a foot taller than the other average stalks.

I wondered what had caused that particular plant to grow so tall – was there better fertilizer in that one spot? Was the corn seed bigger than the rest? Or did that one kernel have better genetics? Who knows the answer, but it certainly stood out as very peculiar.

Those who belong to God are called a peculiar people. In a sea of human beings we stand out from the rest – not because we are better than others but because we have recognized the sin in our lives and accepted the remedy that God has provided in Jesus Christ. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but God, in His mercy, sent His only Son to pay the penalty of death that we all deserve. By His death and resurrection we are able to receive eternal life just by believing and asking for it. This makes us different from the rest of mankind.

Today’s verse calls us a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. We have been called to stand out from the rest of the world for the purpose of proclaiming the praises of God who has called us out of spiritual darkness into His marvelous light.

How do we do this? By living as strangers in a world full of sin – by abstaining from the ungodly desires of this world that war against our souls, by keeping excellent behavior among those who do not know God, and by replacing slander with good deeds.

Godliness is the way to live a life that is strange to the world. In standing tall above the rest you will point them to the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. And who knows – maybe someone you know will decide they want to be peculiar too!

Love,

Mama