God's Peculiar People

As we continue our study in 1 Pet. 2:9 of the unique characteristics of God's people we learn that they are a "people for God's own possession" (ASV), "a peculiar people" (KJV). "The Greek laos eis peripoieesin means, 'a people for a possession;' that is, as pertaining to God. They are a people which He has secured as a possession, or as his own; a people, therefore, which belong to him, and to no other. In this sense they are SPECIAL as being His; and, being such, it may be inferred that they should be special in the sense of being UNLIKE others (unique) in their manner of life" (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft).

There seems to be here an allusion to the people of Israel in Ex 19:5: "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure with me above all people." God's people today belong to Him because they have been "bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:20). Christ redeemed us from all iniquity and purchased us with his blood (Tit. 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).

In Deut. 14:1-2 Moses tells the people of Israel how God had signified them as a peculiar people with three distinguishing privileges. They were adopted. "Ye are the children of the Lord your God." Secondly, they were sanctified or set apart. "Thou are a holy people unto the Lord your God." Thirdly, they were elected. "The Lord hath chosen thee."

They were to distinguish themselves by a sober singularity and separation from all nations about them, but this they did not do. After Israel settled into the land of Canaan they became rich and well fed and "waxed fat" and then "he forsook God who made him..." (Deut. 32:15) Israel soon lost their peculiarity. Why?

They lost their desire to please God and cultivated the desire to be like the other nations. For this reason they asked Samuel for a king that he might "judge us and go out before us and fight our battles" (2 Sam. 8:19-20). Many among God's people today have compromised with the world about us, forgetting that we too must be a peculiar people. (1 Pet. 2:5,9) Indeed, we live in this world, but we must be constant in our efforts to never become like the world (Rom. 12:1-2). Today in the body of Christ there are those who like ancient Israel are not satisfied with God's will and desire to be like other religious bodies. Consequently, various innovations, missionary societies, benevolent societies and recreational endeavors and other evidences of the social gospel have been attached to the church. Thus, the sad story of division began to be written. Why? We want to be like other nations.

Israel also lacked knowledge. Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). Their lack of knowledge of God's word was so great during the reign of Josiah there was a time when the "book of the law" was lost in the house of the Lord (2 Kgs. 22:8, 13). What a terrible thing for God's word to be lost for so long that its message was lost from the hearts of the people in forgetfulness. During this time sin became so rampant that their rebellion and idolatry brought them into exile. What a pity. There is a great lack of knowledge among God's people today. The evidence is abounding with strange sounds being advanced on issues that were clearly understood a generation ago. Why such lack of knowledge? Someone answers, "We do not study as we should" (2 Tim. 2:15). Certainly, this is true, but perhaps we are not teaching as we should (Cf. Deut. 6:6ff). Parents, Bible class teachers, preachers, elders and all of us must realize our time to teach is precious and the consequences of our failure is tragic.

Israel also lost their peculiarity because of indifference. Jeremiah stated, "Cursed be he that doeth the work of Jehovah negligently" (Jer. 48:10). What are we doing? The church today stands in great danger of losing her peculiarity because of the tendency toward indifference. What could be more dangerous than a "don't care" attitude and what could be more nauseating unto the Lord (Rev. 3:15-16)? Many are caught up in things that are not wrong in themselves, but things none the less that hinder their service to God. Such things as buying oxen, a piece of land or marrying a wife (Cf. Lk. 14:15ff). When we become too busy even with honorable things to serve God, we are too busy! Perhaps this indifference is illustrated most in our attitude toward the lost. The wisdom writer said, "He that is wise winneth souls" (Prov. 11:30). Have we forgotten our purpose? Such conditions of indifference will cause our ultimate destruction.

May the Lord help us that we may not lose our peculiarity as Israel did. There is no middle ground for we are with the Lord or we are against Him (Mt. 12:30). We cannot serve two masters (Mt. 6:24). "Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord" (2 Cor. 6:17).