“5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” 1 Peter 2:5-8
The peculiarity of the People of God come because we are not confounded by the things of this world. We are good stewards of this world but not confounded by it’s wicked ways. Because we have believed the Cross of Christ Jesus is sufficient to Save us, keep us and carry us through to the banks of the Promise Land where our faith will become site and we meet our Lord and Saviour face to face, there is a rest…a peace beyond all understanding as we are just pilgrims passing through.
This rest sets the Believer apart from the world but it is a rest we must daily choose to partake in. Our sacrifices are spiritual, not physical. They are the praises on our lips as we see this world waxing worse and our redemption drawing nearer. These things the world cannot understand. Forever learning, they will never come to the knowledge of the Truth until the accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
“12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:12-14
Merely ‘knowing’ the story of Jesus Christ and Him crucified does not constitute Salvation. Accepting this ‘story’ as Truth, of which it most certainly is, allows the Holy Spirit to come in to the heart of the believing sinner and create in us a new heart…we become a new creature in Christ Jesus. Man’s words cannot create in us a new heart. Our willingness to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified gives the Holy Spirit latitude to come in to our hearts and superintend the work of God. We are able to discern the things of the spirit and the things of the world. The things of the Spirit of God will always and without fail line up with the Word of God.
The rest of which we have in Christ Jesus is a daily fight of faith to maintain but it is this rest which sets us apart and glorifies the Lord. It is this rest in the Cross of Christ, which allows His strength to be made perfect in our weakness.
It is this rest that makes us peculiar. Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else. His Yoke is easy and His burden is light. We shall find rest unto our soul if we can only believe. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief!
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;” 1 Peter 2:9
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 