You Are a Chosen People: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

In Christ, we are not just forgiven—we are transformed into a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. This identity is not something we earn or achieve; it is a gift, a baseline reality for all who are in Christ. Understanding who we are is foundational, because only when we grasp our true identity can we live out the distinctiveness God calls us to. Holiness is not about elitism or moral superiority, nor is it a requirement to earn God’s favor. Rather, it is a calling to reflect the distinctiveness of our holy God in a world that desperately needs to see something different.

Being holy means living as foreigners in this world—residents, but not citizens. We are called to be alert, sober-minded, and forward-thinking, not distracted by the short-sighted pursuits of the world. Our hope is set on the grace that is to be revealed when Christ returns, and this future orientation shapes how we live now. We are not to conform to the patterns of our former ignorance, but to live in anticipation, filtering out the pollution of the world from our lives. The greatest testimony to God’s distinctiveness is a people who are set apart, not by self-righteousness, but by love, reverence, and confidence in the imperishable word and work of God.

The price paid for our redemption was not perishable things like silver or gold, but the precious blood of Christ. This immense cost should fill us with reverent awe and motivate us to live lives worthy of our calling. We are empowered to love deeply, to rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, and to crave the pure spiritual nourishment that comes from God. As we mature, we move from spiritual milk to deeper growth, always relying on God’s sustaining grace. Our distinctiveness is not for our own glory, but to magnify the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. In every sphere—home, work, community—may our lives provoke the question, “Where are you from?” so that we can point to the holiness and love of our God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Identity Precedes Action: Before we can live holy lives, we must first understand and embrace our identity as God’s chosen, royal, and holy people. This identity is not based on our performance, but on Christ’s finished work. When we truly believe we are set apart, it becomes the filter through which we see ourselves and the world, empowering us to live differently. [38:49]
• 2. Holiness Is Distinctiveness, Not Superiority: Holiness is not about separating ourselves in pride or looking down on others. Instead, it is about reflecting the unique character of God in a world that is often polluted by compromise. Our distinctiveness should draw attention not to ourselves, but to the God who is truly different and worthy of praise. [44:23]
• 3. Living as Foreigners with Forward Vision: We are called to live as foreigners—residents, not citizens—of this world, always aware that our true home is with God. This means resisting the temptation to conform to the world’s values and instead living with a forward-looking hope, anticipating Christ’s return and filtering out worldly distractions and pollution from our lives. [53:11]
• 4. Reverence Rooted in Redemption’s Cost: The immense price paid for our redemption—the precious blood of Christ—should fill us with reverent awe. This reverence is not fear in the worldly sense, but a deep respect and honor for God, motivating us to live lives that reflect the value He has placed on us and the sanctity of every life. [58:24]
• 5. Love and Growth as Marks of Holiness: True holiness is marked by sincere, deep love for one another and a continual desire to grow in Christ. We are called to rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, and to crave the pure spiritual nourishment that only God provides. As we mature, our confidence and reliance shift from ourselves to God, and our love becomes a powerful testimony to the world. [64:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [37:49] - Our Identity in Christ: Chosen, Royal, Holy
• [38:49] - Embracing Our Standing Before God
• [40:23] - Living Out Our Identity
• [41:21] - The Call to Be Set Apart
• [42:55] - The Power of Filters: Living Distinctively
• [44:23] - Holiness: Not Elitism, But Reflection
• [46:41] - Alertness and Sobriety in a Distracted World
• [47:32] - Setting Our Hope on Christ’s Return
• [49:10] - Forward Vision: Living Beyond the Present
• [50:30] - Obedience Rooted in Love
• [53:11] - Living as Foreigners: Distinct in the World
• [56:17] - Filtering Out Worldly Pollution
• [58:24] - Reverence for the Cost of Redemption
• [64:13] - Love and Growth: The Fruit of Holiness
• [76:10] - Maturing in Christ: From Milk to Solid Food
• [77:28] - Reliance on God’s Sustaining Grace
• [78:32] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:9-12 (ESV) — > 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. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
> Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 1:13-19 (ESV) — > Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
> And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what four identities does Peter say belong to those who are in Christ?
2. In 1 Peter 1:14-16, what does Peter say should be the basis for our holiness?
3. The sermon described living as “foreigners” or “residents, not citizens” of this world. What does this mean, and how does Peter describe it? [[53:11]]
4. What does Peter say was the price paid for our redemption, and how does this compare to the things the world values? [[58:24]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that our identity in Christ is a “baseline reality” and not something we earn. Why is it important to understand our identity before we try to live out holiness? [[43:24]]
2. The pastor said that holiness is not about being “elite” or “superior,” but about reflecting God’s distinctiveness. How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to be “holy”? [[44:23]]
3. Peter urges believers to live as “foreigners” and to filter out the “pollution” of the world. What are some examples of this “pollution,” and why is it important to be alert and forward-thinking? [[56:17]]
4. The sermon talked about the “reverent awe” we should have because of the cost of our redemption. How does understanding the price Jesus paid affect the way we live? [[58:24]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that our identity as God’s chosen, royal, and holy people should be the “filter” through which we see ourselves and the world. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of this identity during your week? [[43:24]]
2. Holiness is not about separating ourselves in pride, but about reflecting God’s love and character. Is there a situation in your life where you have been tempted to act “superior” instead of loving? How can you respond differently next time? [[44:23]]
3. The pastor described living as a “foreigner” in this world, so that people might ask, “Where are you from?” Is there an area of your life—at home, work, or in your community—where your distinctiveness as a Christian is (or isn’t) noticeable? What could you do to make your faith more visible in that area? [[55:28]]
4. The sermon challenged us to “filter out the pollution” of the world from our lives. What is one specific distraction, habit, or influence you need to filter out this week? How will you do it? [[56:17]]
5. Peter calls us to rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Which of these do you struggle with most, and what is one step you can take to address it? [[01:11:54]]
6. The pastor said that as we mature, we move from “spiritual milk” to deeper growth. What does “craving pure spiritual milk” look like for you right now? Is there a next step you can take to grow deeper in your faith? [[01:16:10]]
7. The sermon said our distinctiveness is not for our own glory, but to magnify God. How can you intentionally point others to God’s holiness and love this week, rather than drawing attention to yourself? [[56:52]]