Set Apart

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. -1 Peter 2:9

Over the past four months, our men, women, and students have been studying 1 Peter together verse by verse. During this time, we have discussed in detail what it looks like to suffer with joy, strive toward holiness, and live set apart from the broken world around us. In the context of the letter, the Apostle Peter reminds both Jewish and Gentile Christians of who they are in Christ in light of their worldly loss. At the time this letter was written, those who identified themselves as followers of Christ were facing great persecution and martyrdom. This included losing their homes and possessions. Peter, the author of the letter, was martyred for his faith not long after writing this letter. Christians during this time truly understood what it meant to count the cost of following the Lord Jesus.

One of the major themes of the letter is a reminder of who we are in Christ and a call to live not as the world lives, but to live set apart. This call to holiness is a continued theme throughout the New Testament. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Over and over in the Word of God we are called to walk in the ways of Christ and not in the ways of this world. Many of us know this truth but still find ourselves entangled in the culture and rhythms of this sin-stained world. We love God but also love the things and ways of the world. Why is this such a battle for us? Can we really live pursuing both?

The answer to these questions is simple, yet challenging. The reason the ways of the world enamor us is because of the ease of the path. We have been deceived into believing that we know what is best for our lives. In this deception, the world consumes us. John Piper writes, “If you love the world, it will pass away and take you with it.” This consumption is one of a slow fade from truth. Slowly we buy into the lies of the enemy. Gradually we compromise truth to pursue our best life. Leisurely we justify our lives in the fractured shadow of our pursuit of happiness.

The root cause of this fade is centered on our identity. We forget who we are in Christ. We have been born again in Christ. We were dead in our trespasses, but Christ has made us alive in Him. In Him, we are identified as sons and daughters. In Him, we are His righteousness. In Him, we are the Bride of Christ, the Church. In Him, we are a chosen people. In Him, we are a royal priesthood. In Him, we are a holy nation. In Him, we are a people for His own possession. Why? So that we may proclaim the excellencies of Christ who called us out of darkness into marvelous light. We have been called to live differently; to live set apart from the world. 

The call to live a life of holiness is not a call you can accomplish in isolation. Only in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit can we live set apart. We are a people called to live this life together. Only together in His church can we strive toward holiness. Only in community can we identify the attacks from the enemy. Only in Him can we discern His will and truly walk in it. Only in Him can you suffer well with joy. So, I urge you today, to go and put on display the excellencies of the Lord Jesus, locked arm and arm with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Go, live differently than the world. Go, live a life of holiness. 

I love you and consider it an honor to serve as your pastor.

Blessings,

Bro. Kris