But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).
We are God’s people; His own special treasure. He has saved us for His own purpose which He predetermined in Christ Jesus before time began. Our God and Father chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). This is the inheritance we have received from God through Christ.
We are a people for His name. We have received the power, prestige, and position of His name. There is also much, much more that we have as a result of Christ’s measureless sacrifice on the Cross. He made us a people who were not a people. Now we are in His family. There is something wonderful about being in a family. There is identification with the others, a resemblance that you can see in fathers or mannerisms, a kinship, a history that is shared. In the family fold, you are accepted, affirmed, and strengthened by the association. How much more in the family of God? As we spend time with Him and get to know Him by knowing His Word, we assume more and more of His character as He transforms us bit by bit. He chose us to be in His family.
How was all that accomplished? It was through the shed blood of Christ. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins, for my sins, with His precious blood. Then He makes salvation available to us, and all we must do is to believe. By believing we become saved and reconciled to our Father. The Scripture says, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). By believing, we become part of His family forever! We become His people! “but you have come […] to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22, 24). Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable because he offered it in faith, but this was a better sacrifice! We are accepted because of Jesus’ sacrifice. The blood of Jesus is the guarantee of the New Covenant! His blood, the blood of the innocent, sinless Lamb of God, was shed and is still powerful in its effect! His blood has made an eternal purchase for God! We are now the purchased possession of God by the Blood of the Lamb- Jesus Christ! Glory be to God!