Peter uses beautiful language to describe the great privilege and uniqueness of the Christian’s position (v9). In grace we are a chosen people, saved not because of any good in us but because of God’s will alone.

We are a royal priesthood, having the great privilege of offering worship to the King of kings. We are a holy nation, set apart from other people for a special purpose. We are a personal treasured possession belonging to God.

This is the privilege but the responsibility (v9b) is to proclaim the excellencies of God. The motivated for this is the grace of God which has called us out of the darkness of sin into the glorious light of the Gospel.

Peter further highlights the wonderful change that has happened to a Christian in that they were not part of God’s people but now are. Once they were without mercy facing God’s wrath but now God’s mercy is theirs.

The change that has happened and the privileges the believer has received should lead to a life which resists the desires of our fallen nature (v11) so as to live a different life that honours God among unbelievers (v12). Is your life different from the world so as to cause others to see God’s greatness?