Be Peculiar!

It really doesn’t seem that terribly long ago little boys sat in the backseat of our car listening getting their “marching orders” with regard to expected behavior.  Most of the time, to our surprise, they were pretty good.  Then, other times, well …

God says His children (those who obey His Voice) are a “peculiar people.” (Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 26:18)  Today, describing someone as “peculiar” (odd, weird, strange) actually isn’t so flattering!  The Hebrew word for “peculiar“ – cegullah -- refers to a treasure, a jewel, something of great worth -- special and valued.  The treasure certainly isn’t the earthen vessels in which we live; no, it’s the essence of who we are in Christ Jesus.  Titus wrote because of Whose we are, redeemed and purified, we will be zealous (eager) to good works (2:14).  In other words, because of Christ the One Who chose us and declared us His chosen treasures, our acts (our behavior) will be honorable.  The Believer’s behavior won’t be a list of do’s and do not’s (marching orders) but rather a spill-over of a heart devoted to The Savior.  The only “drum” the Christian hears and marches to is the perfect Heartbeat of The Father, Which is Love Itself.  Peter writes, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)  By the Grace of Christ, His peculiar people joyfully excel in proper conduct, letting “brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1) in every area of life.  Such a tall order!  In truth, it’s no “order” at all – it’s simply kingdom-living!  You see, it’s perfectly and wonderfully and gloriously okay to … Be Peculiar!