"you are God's chosen treasure.." 1 Peter 2:9-10 (TPT)

We are a Kingly Priesthood, a holy nation of people set apart (made holy) as God’s devoted one. That is a lot to take in all at once! 

Here is an Old Testament reference to this passage:

“Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests.” Exodus 19:5-6 (GNT)

The Hebrew word which defines “treasure” is ségulla, which means “a special treasure” (or possession). 

It is used here to describe “guarded wealth,” indicating the placement of the King’s jewels, treasures, etc., in a safe, protected place because of their extraordinary value. 

God says that each believer is a priest and King, he is a unique and special treasure of great importance—treasure above all other treasures.   

We have great value to our King, we are His family, which represents His enterprise. We have been called to apprentice in a priestly order serving and loving Him, while at the same time becoming kingly servants over the earth. 

This passage isn’t speaking of one kingly position; these nouns are in apposition (“a group of kings, a priesthood” or “a king’s household, a priesthood”). 

There are other possible ways to translate this, such as “a priesthood of kings” or “a kingdom of priests.” We are part of a royal order of kingly priests, which are family; we are brothers and sisters. We are brought near to the King to serve Him as kings and priests that serve Him day and night and do His bidding on this earth. 

This kingly rule is manifested within us as we connect with other brothers and sisters in Christ, not as a solo effort. We are part of a royal family with Jesus being our ultimate King

“He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.” The Greek translation can also be translated as “God’s excellences” (virtues) or “wonders.”  The virtues of God are as the fruits of the spirit described in Galatians; this is the goodness of God:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

We are living examples of what it means to demonstrate God’s excellent virtues, which show His true character to the world.

“At one time you knew nothing of God’s mercy, because you hadn’t received it yet, but now you are drenched with it!” In the Aramaic language, it describes this differently, now these “mercies cascade over you.” The comparisons are from one extreme to another. From nothing at all to something in absolute abundance in perpetuity. 

My purpose in defining this passage in 1 Peter 2:9-10 is to show that we have a destiny that has been set out for us by God Himself even before the world began. It is an extreme calling.

Virtue is the goodness of God active and alive within us as the Holy Spirit changes us and gives us a new mind. We become the “new man” transformed by the power of the living God. 

“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24 (CEV)

As we are transformed we begin to see that our place on the earth has design and purpose, we were made for something greater than ordinary, we were made for something extraordinary, and that is ruling and reigning with Christ in His Kingdom of love.

We live in a world that is bent on destruction, and it was the law that brought the awareness that we had no capacity of truly keeping it, but that is where grace came into view.

God’s grace abounds to us not because we earned it, but because of the overwhelming mercies of God toward us.

“The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us.” Romans 5:20 (TLB)

God was never angry with us, in fact, He was always calling us back to Himself so that we could be restored into right relationship with Him. He had some pretty unconventional ways of demonstrating that, but it is His way which brings us to our knees to help us recognize that He is our Father and we are His children.

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett