A Holy Nation

If you've moved countries you have probably felt that tension of when to embrace your new nation's identity. For some people, this never happens, even after decades of living in their new home. But regardless of where we live, we actually all have one nationality in common. Peter says that, as believers, we are a holy nation, God's chosen people.

As you read today's passage, really reflect on the language and image of community that Peter uses. We, like stones, are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, a chosen people, and a holy nation. Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God.

I don't know how anyone can read this and believe that engaging in community is optional for Christians. The first image Peter uses is that of a house made of stones with Jesus as the living cornerstone of the house. To be formed into a house, the stones have to come together, they have to be connected, and they need to support one another, all on the foundation of the cornerstone.

The rest of Peter's images draw from Exodus 19:5-6 when God came down in glory on Mt Sinai and made His covenant with Israel. It was the very moment that Israel moved from a collection of slaves to a holy nation: the chosen nation of God. God's covenant was not made with individual children of Israel; it was made collectively with the whole nation. An individual from Israel wouldn't say, "I am saved because of the relationship God has with me," they would say, "I am saved because of the relationship God has with Israel".

By drawing upon this moment to describe the Church Peter is saying that this hasn't really changed. Salvation is received by faith, but this salvation comes by bringing us into the covenant that God has collectively with His people. This doesn't mean you have to attend church to be saved but when we enter a relationship with Jesus, it means we're brought into something bigger than ourselves, whether we like it or not. Our choice is not whether we're a stone in the house or not. Our choice is whether we fulfill the role we already have in the house or whether we weaken it by leaving our space unfilled.

Thought Point

Is community optional for you? How are you fulfilling your calling as a citizen of God's holy nation?

Prayer Point

Ask God for a renewed passion for His People. Ask Him to reveal to you how you can be contributing to your church community.