A Royal Priesthood Set Apart for God (1 Peter 2:9) | Jonathan Edwards

Deep Dive into Christians a Chosen Generation: A Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People (1 Peter 2:9) by Jonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards begins his discussion of 1 Peter 2:9 by contrasting Christians, who have Jesus Christ as their precious foundation and are built up as a spiritual house, with unbelievers, for whom Christ is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. While unbelievers were appointed to stumble at the word, Christians were chosen by God from eternity, separating them from those reprobates.The title "chosen generation" implies that true Christians are selected by God from the rest of the world and possess a peculiar descent. This eternal election is motivated not by any foreseen excellency, good works, or faith in the individual, but solely by God's own good pleasure, demonstrating the glory of divine sovereignty and grace. Christians are thus a distinct race, descended from God, and are accounted the seed of Abraham and the children of Christ. Furthermore, when they become saints, they are immediately begotten of God, being born again of the Spirit.As a "royal priesthood," Christians hold both the honored offices of king and priest, which were rarely combined under the Law. As kings, they are heirs of a kingdom, promised a reward that involves far greater honor, extensive possessions, and authority than that of any earthly monarch. This authority includes reigning in fellowship with Christ and judging the world and angels. As priests, Christians are granted free and near access to God, a privilege symbolized by the rending of the temple veil upon Christ's death, allowing them to approach the throne of grace boldly at all times. Their priestly work involves offering up spiritual sacrifices to God, which include dedicating their hearts (broken by repentance and flaming with love), sincere obedience, the sacrifice of praise, charitable gifts to the poor and ministers, and the prayer of faith, which is likened to fragrant incense. This spiritual priesthood is an eternal and deeply honorable station.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730