The Character of a Leader - God's Own People

 This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

In my most recent message I shared about the necessity of Christ-following leaders living a godly lifestyle that demonstrates a life set apart for the Lord’s service.  

Today I would like to continue that theme as we look at 1 Peter 2:9. In the language of the old King James, we are called a “peculiar people”.  The New International version translates this phrase as “God’s special possession”. Other translations use “God’s own people” (RSV) or a “people of his own” (NET).  

I personally like the Amplified version which describes us as “A special people for God’s own possession.” 

What does it mean to be “God’s own possession”?  The apostle Paul answers that question for us in 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20.  “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”  

“Honor God with your bodies.” This is consistent with the key scripture in our previous message.  2 Timothy 2:19b-22 instructs us that “…The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”  Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. So, if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace…”

Returning now to 1 Peter 2:9, we may ask “why are we to be God’s own people”?  What is the purpose or outcome?  Peter explains, it is so “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  We are called to declare his praises!”  What a privilege!  And, what a responsibility!  

We are also called out of darkness and are called to walk in his wonderful light.  1 John 1:5b-7 reminds us that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Because you have been purchased by God through the high price of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, you are his special possession.  You have high value because of the price that was paid.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters