Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 1 Peter 1:1-2

There are two great titles that belong to us who are Christians.

We are the Chosen People of God. There can be no greater compliment and privilege in all the than to be chosen by God. The word eklektos can describe anything that is specifically chosen.  We, Christians, have the honor of being specifically chosen by God, But there is also a challenge and a responsibility that goes along with being chosen.  God always choses for service.  The honor of being chosen by God is that of being used for his purposes.  This is precisely where the Jews failed by not accepting Christ, and we have to see to it that the tragedy of a like failure does not mar our lives.

We are the exiles of eternity. This is never to say that we should withdraw from the world around us, but that we must be both in the world and not of it.  It has been said that as Christians we must be apart from the world but never aloof from it.  When the Jews were in exile, wherever they were, their eyes were always towards Jerusalem.  They would build their synagogues so that when one entered for worship they were facing Jerusalem.  Wherever they lived, whatever country they found themselves in, they would become useful citizens of that land but his greatest loyalty was always to Jerusalem.

The Greek word for such a sojourner in a strange land is paroikos. A paroikos was a person who was in a strange land but his thoughts were always on his home.  Such a sojourning was called a paroikia; and paroikia is the direct derivation of the English word parish. The Christian in any place are a group of people whose eyes are turned toward God and whose loyalty is beyond the place where he lives.

Again, this does not mean that we should withdraw from the world; but it does mean that we see all things in light of eternity and as a life that is journeying toward God. This is what decides that importance which we attach to anything; it is this which importance which we attach to anything; it is this that dictates our conduct.  This is the cornerstone and dynamic of our lives.

It would be wrong to think that this somehow makes us bad citizens of the place where we live. It is because we see all things in the light of eternity that makes us the best of all citizens, because it is only in the light of eternity that the true value of things can be seen.

We, as Christians, are the Chosen People of God; we are the exiles of eternity. Here lies both our priceless privilege and our inescapable responsibility.