“A PECULIAR PEOPLE”
“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: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (I Peter 2:9-10).
In reading this particular portion of Scripture, I began to ponder the concept of being identified as a “PECULIAR” people, or person. If I was brought before a jury made up of various folks from every profession and description, could they find ENOUGH evidence “without reasonable doubt” to judge me as being a PECULIAR person?
The word “Peculiar” is defined as: different from the usual or normal. I am convinced that one that has been called of God out of darkness into the marvellous light of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and been translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, is going to be identified as a PECULIAR person. If any man be in Christ he is a NEW creature (II Cor.5:17) and this NEW creature is not of the norm; they have been ushered into the Kingdom of God by the supernatural operation of God’s sovereign, ever-ruling grace. These people which I am referencing are identified as Strangers, Pilgrims, and Sojourners as well in this time world. They are marching to a DIFFERENT drumbeat; they hear the voice of the Good Shepherd that the worldling knows nothing of. They have been given the ears to hear the Gospel of their salvation, whereas the worldling is deaf under depravities’ curse. These Peculiar people have been given eyes to see by the miraculous vehicle of the faith of Christ, this glorious Saviour that bled and died on Calvary’s tree on their behalf.
Yea, beloved professor of such blessed hope, are you seen by the unregenerate people that you meander about daily as one that is PECULIAR? Can you laugh at the immoral jokes of the natural man’s humour as others? Does the vulgar God-dishonouring language of the majority become an offence to your ears? Are you vexed with the wickedness of this sin-dominated society?
If these things are not offensive to you as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then one ought to question what has been made PECULIAR in your nature since you have been called to believe? I did once ask myself these very questions and am convinced that there is a part of me that hates sin and the influence of its wickedness. There was a time when I loved sin and walked after it with a rebellious heart against those things that resembled God. There was no fear of God before my eyes and my ears were deaf to the Gospel trumpet. But, when grace came in its mighty power, it arrested me; it slew me prostrate before the Almighty, to whom I was introduced. Sin was revealed as a vile poison to me and I begged for forgiveness as repentance was granted to this wretched sinner. Faith had brought its perfect work, causing me to believe Jesus Christ was who the Scriptures say He is, and that God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
I became PECULIAR through this supernatural experience, never to be the same. This was an experience that occurred 42 years ago in this man’s heart and soul. I stand amazed day by day that I continue to believe in this Christ of whom I have not seen with the physical eye, yet embrace Him as my beloved Saviour!! I often question, how could this be, that one such as me could believe in this supernatural Gospel GOOD NEWS?
I conclude it was ALL by grace that this poor sinner was made to lay hold on such spiritual experience. It is ALL by grace that I was sought, and ALL by grace that I persevere, and it shall be ALL by grace that I arrive at that immortal place which God has prepared for them that love Him. Oh! to be PECULIAR is my heart’s desire, to be seen as STRANGE before a sin-cursed society, and be made to feel as a PILGRIM and SOJOURNER seeking another country whose builder and maker is God, the Almighty!!
O to Christ how great a debtor this poor needy sinner has been made to be……
Grace, grace, free and sovereign grace is my plea, for ONLY grace could rescue one like me.
Pastor Donald E. Martin, Sr.
Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church
Florida, U.S.A.
