1Pe 2:9 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:
I consider myself a patriot. I am thankful for and love my country. I respect the one that God in His sovereignty has made our President. (Rom. 13:1-4) I have no problem pledging allegiance to the flag that represents this nation or acknowledging it as “one nation under God.” In fact, I’m thankful to know that ALL nations are “under God” whether they acknowledge it or not. They are all under the rule of His sovereign hand and He works all things concerning them according to His own will. All nations are to Him “as a drop in the bucket.” He raises up and He brings down as history has shown, doing according to His will in the “armies of heaven AND among the inhabitants of earth, and NONE can stay His hand or say unto Him, What doest thou?” (Dan. 4:35) However, my greatest concern and allegiance is to another “nation.” It is to the one that the Apostle Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” My eternal citizenship is in that “holy nation” that is made holy through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. This nation is a people “redeemed… to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Rev. 5:9) “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psm. 33:12) These are the elect of God, chosen in Christ, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ in a substitution and particular and called effectually by the Holy Spirit through the true gospel to Christ. For this reason, all national distinctions we put aside, and seek to follow God’s command concerning them. We do this remembering that patriotism is not Christianity and being loyal to one’s country is not knowing God in Christ! Patriotism and religion are viewed by many as one. Not so with God. His people, His nation, is that people whom He saves from their sins and brings to a knowledge of, confidence in and loyalty to CHRIST! Thus, we “pray for all men” (I Tim. 2:1) and we preach the gospel of Christ and His redeeming, God-satisfying death for sinners to all people. Ours is an “everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” (Rev. 14:6) “Nations shall rise against nations” but only that “holy nation” shall show forth the eternal praises of God’s grace in Christ. This is the nation born in a day! (Isaiah 66:8) The nation IN God because in Christ!
