By definition, the term “peculiar” has several meanings just as any term in the English language has several synonyms or equivalents and connotations.

Peculiar means special; unique; to have characteristics exclusively of one’s own; to be the property of one; distinct; separate; to belong particularly or exclusively to one, as an exclusive possession of God; treasured possession of God; encircled.

While we may be unique and distinct, we are not odd, eccentric, queer or weird. While we may be peculiar in many aspects pleasing in the sight of God, though not in the sight of men, we ought not to be peculiar in senseless forms or idiosyncrasies in which God would not delight. His peculiar people are not fanatics or cultists. We should not be like those who are majoring in minors and attach undue importance to unwanted practices just to be seen as odd or eccentric. In other words, we are not to be like the Pharisees who trod weightier matters underfoot and were bothered too much concerning lighter and insignificant matters just to be seen and applauded by men.

“While you shall not conform to the world, remember that our faith bears the stamp of singularity, and makes us a peculiar people. Therefore, all odd notions and individual peculiarities and narrow plans that would give false impressions of the greatness of the work, should be avoided. None of the workers should manufacture crosses and duties; for the Bible has given the rule, the cross, the way.”2

The whole earth and everything in it belongs to God (Psalms 24:1; 50:10); yet of all His possessions, there is one that He prizes above all others. His promise is, “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine” (Exodus 19:5).

“We are [God’s] by creation and by redemption. Our very bodies are not our own, to treat as we please, to cripple by habits that lead to decay, making it impossible to render to God perfect service. Our lives and all our faculties belong to Him.”3

This concept of God’s special possession is captured in two unusual words used in the New Testament: peripoiesis (1 Peter 2:9) and periousios (Titus 2:14). The King James Version renders these with the adjective “peculiar.” Unfortunately, this English word can mean either (1) odd, curious, eccentric, or (2) special, distinctive or of own possession. Some people unwittingly attach the first of these meanings to the biblical passages. However, the second meaning, which is less familiar, is actually much closer to the biblical idea. Yet it, too, does not fully convey the true meaning of the words. In 1 Peter 2:9 the church is referred to as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession (laos eis peripoiesin).” In Titus 2:14 the word likewise connotes the idea of people of His special possession.

We are God’s prized possession because of the tremendous price He paid to acquire us - the sacrifice of His Son.

We become the people of God by His creation and redemption. When God redeems us, we become His own. To redeem is to “buy back.” It draws its meaning from the marketplace. This word is used elsewhere to refer to the release of a slave or prisoner by the payment of a ransom. God redeemed His people Israel from slavery in Egypt. More importantly, Christ has redeemed His people from slavery to sin (Isaiah 1:2-9). We once belonged to sin and were held captive by the evil one. While we were in slavery to sin, we could not enjoy fellowship with God. Christ paid a costly ransom price for us in shedding His own blood for us. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Only the precious blood of Christ - not the blood of any man or even any angel - could redeem us.

“All who cherish the Lord as their portion in this life will be under His control, and will receive the sign, the mark of God, which shows them to be God’s special possession.”4

If Christ has redeemed you, then no longer are you to serve sin, but instead your Lord and Master. He owns you now. You are not your own and cannot do as you please! You have been redeemed not only for your personal happiness and gratification, but for His glory. You were freed from sin and are now His possession.

This exalted position of our being God’s special treasure carries with it some weighty responsibilities. We are called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), and we are to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). Just as Israel, God’s treasured people in the Old Testament, was called upon to bear witness in their world, so the church, God’s peripoiesis, is now being called upon to bear witness in our world.

We become God’s people by purification. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and since God is perfect in holiness and hates sin, His people must be purified if they are to enjoy fellowship with Him. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). God cannot look upon evil, and evil men cannot see God. In other words, only holy men can see God, as it is written in Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” So, to become holy, there must be purification (sanctification) so that God will be able to look upon us favorably, and so that we will one day see God.

Every time we sin, we become defiled by that sin. How do we become purified under the new covenant? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We do not need to go through some rigorous, elaborate ritual, but are simply to turn to God in prayer, repenting of our sins, confessing them to the Lord. He will cleanse us. And since God’s grace has then abounded, shall we continue in sin? Nay, God forbid. (See Romans 6:1-15.)

“The religion of Jesus Christ never degrades the receiver. If it finds men and women earthly, common, coarse, unkindly in words, harsh in speech, selfish and self-caring, truth received in the heart commences its purifying, refining process. In words, in dress, in all our habits, there is seen reformation and those things that please God. Then all the world may see its influence in the transforming process.”5

As people of God, we should follow the Lord’s injunction: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16); “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

A peculiar people who bear witness unto the world

We can bear witness only by imitating Christ in our life - not doing things in the natural, carnal way but rather doing everything in Christ’s way. The fruit of the Spirit is described in Galatians 5:22, 23, and there are also several aspects of Christian standards which our Saviour mentioned in His Sermon on the Mount:

Take, for instance, the issue of revenge. The old carnal way meant that if someone wronged me, I had a right to confront him and get my pound of flesh. Then the idea of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was instituted not to give limitless or ultimate rights to retaliate - it was rather intended to restrain by limiting the punishment to a response comparable to the offense. But now Christ has come, and we are a new people bought by His blood. He bids us follow a much higher standard: For example, to be struck on the cheek was a term of insult. It was to hit the other person on the cheek with the back of the hand. When we are insulted, our natural response is to strike back, each blow becoming harder and harder. But Jesus is telling us instead to respond to evil with grace. “Recompense to no man evil for evil” (Romans 12:17). When we do this, we are being like Christ who suffered the ultimate humiliation; He died at the hands of those He came to save. Jesus had every right to be angry, to fight back, to call down the angels of heaven and destroy all of mankind. But instead, He submitted to the evil of men and brought good out of it.

We have been called to be a peculiar people, people who act just as Jesus did. We are to love our enemies. If you love only those who love you, you do no better than the publicans - those corrupt tax-collectors, the greatest abusers of people in their day. If you greet only those whom you like, you do no better than the vilest pagan. Instead, God commands us to love others as He loves us. The reason why we should be a unique, special and treasured possession of God is that He has called us, ordained us, chosen us and identified us as His own sons and daughters. We become sons and daughters of God through receiving Christ, and “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

To be among the people of God is to obey His commandments and keep His covenant. You will want to please Him because He has changed your heart, writing His law in it. “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6). What an awesome privilege!

But along with great privilege comes great responsibility. Christ is purifying unto Himself His own special people, and if He has chosen you, it is that you may become zealous for good works. Are you zealous? Or are you lethargic, hesitant and indifferent in your service to Christ? God wants people that are serious about His business - doing His will. He did not save you to do His will grudgingly. He did not redeem you to obey His word half-heartedly and render half-hearted service. He is looking for zealots - those who will do anything God says at a moment’s notice with greatest enthusiasm. You may have to try and restore a marriage that is breaking up. You may reach out to someone that is down and out and rejected by society. You might help a drunkard overcome his sin. The Bible says, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

a. Keep the commandments and the faith of Jesus in loving response to His love (1 John 4:19; John 14:15; Revelation 14:12). “ ‘The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as He hath spoken’ (Deuteronomy 26:18, 19). God accepts those who will work for His name’s glory, to make His name a praise in a world of apostasy and idolatry. He will be exalted by His commandment-keeping people.”6

b. Follow a “Thus saith the Lord.” “God’s word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is not to be set aside for a ‘Thus saith the church’ or a ‘Thus saith the state.’ The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.”7

c. Reformation in dress. “When the church is converted, there will be a very great reformation in dress.”8

d. Reformation in Sabbath observance. “What does the Lord require of us? The observance of His Sabbath, ‘as a perpetual covenant.’ God wishes every family to bear this sign. Thus we may show that we are loyal and true to His commandments.”9

e. Reformation in health principles. “[God] calls for decided reformation. All creation is groaning under the curse. God’s people should place themselves where they will grow in grace, being sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, by the truth. When they break away from all health-destroying indulgences, they will have a clearer perception of what constitutes true godliness. A wonderful change will be seen in the religious experience.”10

f. In the world, but not of the world (John 17:16).

“Of the zealous, self-sacrificing disciples of Christ, it is written that Jesus was not ashamed to call them brethren, so fully did they manifest His Spirit, and bear His likeness. By their works they constantly testified that this world was not their home; their citizenship was above; they were seeking a better country, even a heavenly. Their conversation and affections were on heavenly things. They were in the world, but not of the world; in spirit and practice they were separate from its maxims and customs. Their daily example testified that they were living for the glory of God. Their great interest, like that of their Master, was for the salvation of souls. For this they toiled and sacrificed, counting not their lives dear unto themselves. By their life and character they made a bright track heavenward. Upon such disciples, Jesus can look with satisfaction as His representatives. His character will not be misrepresented through them.”11

“Our only safety is to stand as God’s peculiar people. We must not yield one inch to the customs and fashions of this degenerate age, but stand in moral independence, making no compromise with its corrupt and idolatrous practices.”12

g. No guile - pure and gracious conversation. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). It is said of God’s peculiar remnant that “in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5). “If we represent Christ to the world, we shall be pure in heart, in life, in character; we shall be holy in conversation; there will be no guile in our hearts or upon our lips.”13

h. Zealous of good works. Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The Scriptures are provided “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:17).

i. Practicing pure religion. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

j. Studying the Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

k. Propagating the gospel. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

l. Being prayerful. “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18).

a. Growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

b. Rooted and grounded in faith (Colossians 2:7).

c. Having the hope of salvation. “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:26).

d. Having a true conversion. “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

e. Repented of sins. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

f. Hating sin. “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Psalm 45:7).

g. Obeying God’s voice. “Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live” (Jeremiah 38:20).

h. Having compassion and a burden for souls. “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).

i. Having been justified (Acts 13:39).

j. Becoming sanctified (purified) (Acts 20:32).

k. To be glorified (Romans 8:30).

l. Desirous and hopeful of being with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

God sets His watchcare over the people of His own. Jesus has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29). “The Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:9, 10).

“Heavenly angels are commissioned to watch the sheep of Christ’s pasture. When Satan with his deceptive snares would deceive if possible the very elect, these angels set in operation influences that will save the tempted souls if they will take heed to the Word of the Lord, realize their danger, and say: ‘No, I will not enter into that scheme of Satan. I have an Elder Brother on the throne in heaven, who has shown that He has a tender interest in me, and I will not grieve His heart of love. I know and am assured that He is watching over His children, keeping them as the apple of His eye. There is no diminishing of His love. I will not grieve the heart of Christ; I will try not to become a tempter to others.’”14

Should not the fact that in God’s eyes we are His treasured possession be an immense source of comfort and the greatest incentive to holy living? My dear brothers and sisters, dwell upon this awesome truth - what you are to God and what God is to you - especially when you are going through rough waters and troubled-filled times that are consuming all your attention.

May God bless all of us as we have enjoined ourselves to be laborers together with HIM, accepting Jesus Christ as our gracious Lord and Saviour, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of being God’s own treasured possession - His PECULIAR PEOPLE. Let us prove ourselves worthy before Him who has laid His life for each one of us. Let us be faithful to the core, realizing the nearness of the coming of our dear Lord and Saviour. Amen.