Peculiar People

Another verse that came up in both Sunday school and in the Aaronic Priesthood meeting has to do with the Peter’s 1st epistle and the use of the word peculiar.  My post from yesterday became long and I wanted to focus on this word and not tack it on to the bottom of yesterday’s post where it could become a mere footnote. J

 

As President Thomas S. Monson reminded us: “Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us” (Ensign, Nov. 2015, 86).  Going back briefly to King Benjamin’s recipe for putting off “the natural man” (Mosiah 3:19), as we internalize those six attributes (“submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things”), we allow the Light of Christ to shine in our lives.  In this world of increasing darkness, that light will cause us to stand out more to others, which will cause us to be viewed by others as a “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).  One of the definitions of peculiar is “uncommon” or “unusual”.  We become uncommon or unusual because we are reacting in a way that is not natural to the natural man.

Some people look at our religious peculiarities with disdain, others with indifference, still others with curiosity and a few with a genuine desire to learn more about them.  No matter the reaction of the world, the word peculiar has a greater meaning in a gospel setting.  The footnote for peculiar in 1 Peter 2:9 states that the translation of the Greek word translated in English as peculiar is “purchased” or “preserved”.  Considered in this way, we are purchased through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Paul taught that we are “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20).  That price was the Savior taking upon Him our individual sins.  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained: “The Savior’s spiritual suffering and the shedding of his innocent blood, so lovingly and freely given, paid the debt for what the scriptures call the ‘original guilt’ of Adam’s transgression (Moses 6:54). Furthermore, Christ suffered for the sins and sorrows and pains of all the rest of the human family, providing remission for all of our sins as well, upon conditions of obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel he taught (see 2 Nephi 9:21-23). … What an expensive price and what a merciful purchase” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 67)!

More importantly, our Elder Brother purchased us that He “might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14, emphasis added).  Just as Adam and Eve’s transgression, and subsequent fall, cut them off from the presence of Heavenly Father, our sins also cause us to spiritually fall from Father’s presence.  Since “no unclean thing can dwell with God” (1 Nephi 10:21), if there was no way to overcome the stain of our sins, life would be bleak indeed.  However the great perspective of the gospel message teaches us that we need not remain in captivity to our sins.  It is possible, as Isaiah declared, to wash scarlet sins “as white as snow” (1:18) and overcome our personal, spiritual falls “by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11).  Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “Among the most significant of Jesus Christ’s descriptive titles is Redeemer. ... The word redeem means to pay off an obligation or a debt. Redeem can also mean to rescue or set free as by paying a ransom” (Ensign, May 2013, 109, emphasis in original).  This is what Jesus did for us through His atoning sacrifice; He became our Redeemer.  He declared to His meridian disciples that He came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, emphasis added).

The footnote for peculiar in 1 Peter 2:9 goes on to state that the definition of the Hebrew word translated as peculiar is “special possession or property.”  If we accept the Savior's offer of redemption from the stains of our sins through baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we become part of His family—He becomes our rescuing Father and we take His name upon us and renew that familial relationship with Him each Sunday as we partake of the sacrament.  This is why Elder Dallin H. Oaks testified that “Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places” (Ensign, May 2013, 97). 

As we take more fully take upon us Christ's attributes, we become more like Him and we show His “image in [our] countenances” (Alma 5:14) and all of these things work more in tandem in our lives.  As we improve in incorporating the Christ-like attributes listed by King Benjamin, we become a more peculiar people which, in turn, points to our greater reliance on the Lord to preserve us through the purchase or redemption He made for us through His blood.  This allows us to become more like Him and helps us to stay on the “strait and narrow path” (2 Nephi 31:18) when it travels through treacherous areas on our way back to the presence of Father.  If we keep our feet firmly planted on the Rock as we walk along the path, Jesus will preserve us because we have accepted His purchase of us.

We can trust that through the Atonement Jesus “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … was wounded for our transgressions, … bruised for our iniquities … and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).  Elder David A. Bednar testified: “The power of the Atonement makes repentance possible and quells the despair caused by sin; it also strengthens us to see, do, and become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity” (Ensign, May 2015, 47).  Truly, Jesus is our “Redeemer of Israel, … Our King, our Deliv'rer, our all” (“Redeemer of Israel,” Hymns, no. 6) and we are His peculiar people!