Young's literal translation (YLT) of 1 Peter 2:9 reads:
''and ye [are]
a choice race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people acquired,
that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you to His wondrous light;''
I love YLT's old English rendering of the Greek word 'eklektos' as 'choice' instead of the modern 'chosen'. 'Choice race' has a special ring to it.
Some other translations use the word 'elect', which gives the impression that I believe Peter was after.
Becoming a Christian is not a mere change of opinion or mere choosing of a religion. It is walking into a destiny prepared for a special race of people - the choice ones.
The only qualification to be part of this race is your acceptance of the cleansing sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf. This immerses (baptises) you into a divine life and causes you to emerge with a different race. At your core, you become a Priest-King - part of YHWH's acquired and holy nation: The Chosen Ones.
This now becomes your identity.
Nothing else matters. Your previous race, ethnicity, social status etc, etc. all become secondary to God's bestowed identity. He sees and knows the real you and that's all that matters in His Kingdom.
A Jesus follower is not just a 'follower'. He is one of YHWH's divine race of people.
As Paul explained in Hebrews 2:11-12:
' Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.'''
In the Complete Jewish Bible verse 11 is: 'For both Yeshua (Jesus), who sets people apart for God, and the ones being set apart have a common origin — this is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers'
You might have heard some people argue that Christianity is not a 'religion', here is why.
Religion is the adoption of a set of beliefs with their associated practises in the hope of an eternal promise or aim. Jesus in the gospels addressed the religion of the Jews and told them what true religion is. However, what he actually came to give was more than a set of rules and practises. More than that, he came to give his very (own) divine life as a replacement for the defiled human life. So, the argument is that Christians receive the Life of Jesus as a spiritual transplant into their human core; so that makes them not just his 'followers', but his siblings (Brothers). We now share a common origin. This teaching is scripturally sound.
As John the beloved Apostle says:
''Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.''John 1: 12 -13
Hallelujah!
This is our identity after we have accepted the life Jesus purchased for us by his sacrifice.
A realisation of this makes the Christian life a more effortless and divinely organic process. As your new spirit feeds on the word of God and you spend time with YHWH (your life source) you naturally grow.
It's not about trying hard not to sin or to clean oneself up, YHWH does that himself as you remain in him.
The process is just simpler, just like how a baby grows: Food, Drink and Loving care from the mum and he grows; Spiritual Food (Bible study), Drink (spending time with God's Holy Spirit ) and the Loving care of YHWH and his people will cause us to grow into the maturity of our Big Brother and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Therefore you can rest in this truth. From God's perspective,
''But YOU are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.'', Halleluyah!
[other references: John 15, Ephesians 4:13]
''Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.'' Colossians 3:2-4
''For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.'' John 17:2 -3
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