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"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ....But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" 1 Peter 2:4-5,9 KJV
The word peculiar has often been used by the saints of God to refer to our manner of worship. The scripture 1 Peter 2:9 is referenced when using this word peculiar. However the word peculiar encompasses far more than our manner of worship. It covers every aspect of our lives.
The word peculiar used in 1 Peter 2:9 does not refer to “strange” or “unusual” behavior. The word peculiar comes from the word peripoiesis and means an acquisition. An individual can acquire (buy) a car or an antique. A business can acquire another business. The word peculiar as used in 1 Peter 2:9 refers to a purchased possession.
The saints are a “peculiar people” because Jesus bought us with His own blood. So the word peculiar as used in 1 Peter 2:9 means blood bought people.
The Significance of Being Blood Bought
Be careful how you handle Jesus’ blood bought people! Shepherds (pastors) are to be mindful of how they feed their respective flocks!
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28 NKJV
The saints are to glorify (honor) God in their bodies and their spirits. That means they are to live holy.
"For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV
The saints are warned not to be slaves of men.
"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." 1 Corinthians 7:23 NKJV
Servants are to be servants of the Lord, knowing that He takes care of them.
"And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." Exodus 19:3-6 NKJV
Living in God’s Economy
God takes care of His blood bought people. He has the resources to do it. Saints don’t have to be worried about being laid off. Nor do they have to worry about being discriminated against. God ALWAYS has enough resources to pay the saints. The saints live independently of this world’s economy!
"A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." Psalm 24:1 NJKV
"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." Proverbs 13:22 NKJV
"Though he heaps up silver like dust, And piles up clothing like clay-- He may pile it up, but the just will wear it, And the innocent will divide the silver." Job 27:16-17 NKJV
"For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:26 NKJV
Different in Finances
The blood bought people of God are different from the world in how they handle finances. The world plays the lottery. The saints tithe. The world borrows. The saints give.
"'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,' Says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,' Says the Lord of hosts; 'And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,' Says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:10-12
"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8 NKJV
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 NKJV
God gives His blood bought people wisdom to know what to do with what He blesses them with.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7 NKJV
References
Hayford, Jack W., ed. Spirit-Filled Life Bible. New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991.
Zodhaites, Spiros, ed. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible. King James Version. Red Letter Edition. World Bible Publishers.
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