October 18

A peculiar people. - 1 Peter 2:9.

WITH regard to Israel of old, God said, “If ye will obey my voice and my word, then shall ye be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine.” God’s design was to keep this people distinct and separate from all others; therefore we read that when they mingled with other nations and learned their ways they were no longer a peculiar people in character, and consequently no longer a peculiar people in privilege. God destroyed the fences which distinguished his heritage from common ground, so that the garden of the Lord became a waste, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Now, all this can be easily applied to Christians. “What fellowship,” saith the apostle, “hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial, or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God, as he hath said: I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Our Saviour says to his disciples, and to all his followers, in addressing these, “Ye are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” This was the grand design of his mission:-“He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” This peculiarity begins with him. “A new heart,” he says, “will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. They have another heart, and it is not the spirit of the world, but the spirit freely given to them of God.” This peculiarity will show itself outwardly in all proper ways. Not that this peculiarity requires us to differ from others in the common usages of life, or to abstain from the innocent customs which obtain in the neighbourhood wherein we live.

Peculiarity for its own sake is worthless; and regarding it thus is the proof of a vain mind which longs for distinction, and of a weak one that is unable to obtain it unless by trifles and by tricks. If our peculiarity goes no further than the use of the pronoun thou instead of you, or the shape of our apparel, verily it is of little importance, and may conduce to pride rather than humility. But when we can disentangle ourselves from others at the call of truth, duty, rectitude, or usefulness, when we can advance without company or commendation, when we can go forward suffering for righteousness’ sake and shine as lights in the world, this is above all praise! And in this way Christians are called upon to be a peculiar people.

Let us never, therefore, say, if we do so and so we shall be singular. Why, the very things in which we are required to be peculiar are those very things in which people desire to be peculiar. Persons are not afraid of being peculiarly wise, peculiarly rich, peculiarly honourable, and peculiarly valued. There is no beauty, there are no riches or honours, there is no learning or wisdom, to be compared with those that are found in the ways of godliness. In their hopes and fears, their pains and pleasures, all Christians are peculiar. And though it may be surprising to some, yet we may also add, that Christians are peculiar in their failings and infirmities, for their spot is the “spot of God’s children.”