7 identities of those who follow Jesus

 Read 1 Peter 2.

Writing to Jews living in exile due to their faith in Christ, Peter's letter encouraged them in their time of suffering.  After reminding believers of what God has already provided, the message moves to who we are in Christ.

Many similes are used in the Bible to describe those who trust Jesus as Savior.  Among them are the family of God, the household of faith, the Church (or called out ones).  Here, we have seven more identities, each is rich with meaning.

1. A living stone. (v.4)
Precious gems are mere pretty rocks, dead, earthly.  Once a person believes in Jesus, they become spiritually alive for eternity.  We living stones are precious to God and are being used for His planned construction project for the kingdom of God.

2. A spiritual house. (v.5a)
Christ is the Cornerstone of this "building" project (vv.6-8).  In masonry, the cornerstone, or sometimes called the foundation stone, is the first stone set in place.  It is crucial because all other stones will be set in alignment to that one.  Jesus is the standard by which this spiritual house is measured.  Ignoring this fact, rejecting God's plan, and trying to build one's life apart from Jesus will only cause a person to stumble and fall.

3. A holy priesthood. (v.5b)
When the Old Testament Law was changed so was the priesthood. (Hebrews 7:12)  With Jesus as our High Priest, New Testament believers in Jesus are the priests who now offer spiritual sacrifices: of themselves (Romans 12:1), of praise (Hebrews 13:5), of good works (Hebrews 13:6), and of generosity (Hebrews 13:16).

4. A chosen race. (v.9a)
When God chose the descendants of Abraham in Genesis 12, it included a blessing for all nations.  Personal faith in Christ brings us into the enjoyment of that blessing.  It is the redemption of the curse of our sin, purchased on the cross.  (Galatians 3:13-14)  Believers, Jew and Gentile alike, are now one in the family of God.

5. A royal priesthood. (v.9b)
Hebrews 7:11-12 explain that the Old Testament High Priest and his priests of necessity were of the tribe of Levi by birth.  But, Jesus was humanly of the tribe of Judah, the royal lineage of Israel.  As the new and everlasting High Priest, His followers must be born again into His family to serve as priests to God.  Therefore, we shall rule and reign with Him in His kingdom.

6. A holy nation. (vv.9c-10) 
We are a people group set apart for God Himself, "his own possession".  We are twice His: once by creation and then by redemption.

7. Sojourners and exiles. (vv.11-12)
Literally, these terms describe believers in Jesus as being without citizenship, traveling in a foreign land.  This was true of those to whom this book was originally written (1:1).  This world is not our home.  Our true citizenship is in heaven. (Ephesians 2:18-22)

Do not miss why God has done this for us?
"...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (v.9d)