What makes those who follow the Way such peculiar people as Peter said they were in 1 Peter 2:9? It can't be just morality, benevolence, philanthropy, wealth, or being a good person, for even those who don't follow the Way possess those things—the definition of peculiar means distinctiveness, uniqueness, strangeness, unusualness, oddness, or uncannyness. With every passing generation, the Church is becoming less and less "peculiar" and more like the status quo of the world, settling for the mediocrity of being unpeculiar over the exceptionality of being peculiar. One person suggested that we have to make the Church more sophisticated and less spooky; my reply to that is I kinda understand where they're coming from, but there is supposed to be some inherent spookiness about the Church. We talk about God being a Spirit, the Holy Ghost, spiritual gifts, yada yada, etc., etc.; that's some spooky stuff, if you ask me. We can't dumb down God's spookiness (fearfully and mysteriously strange and fantastic ways) no more that we can deny our humaness. Jesus radically fought against this assimilation, this sameness of the world, so that the peculiarity of God's house could bless the people Matthew 21:12-14. Yet he did not push aside our humanist Hebrew 4:15. The distinctiveness of the people of the Way is found in the words Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman in John 4:24, prophesied about in Joel 2:28, fulfilled in Jesus that people might believe John 20:30-31, endowed to those who follow him Acts 5:17-25/ Acts 8:6-8. Peter also said that those of the Way are chosen, a royal priesthood, and set apart people not just in word but in power and authority of those callings. As our High Preist declared:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:17-20
Paul said: For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
In other words, the peculiarity of those of the Way is not found just in morality, benevolence, philanthropy, wealth, or being a good person—it is found in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. That's the only thing the world can't duplicate and the only thing that makes those of the Way peculiar, not just corporeally but spiritually. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Be well, and stay blessed.
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