I Peter 1-2

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (2:9). Peter explained that prophecies, the Temple, and sacrificial rituals pointed to Jesus’ work (1:10-12). Now, in Christ, believers embody the Temple because God’s presence is among us, and we are priests because we represent Him to the world (2:5). As priests, Peter urges us to keep our conduct “honorable” as a testimony to unbelievers (2:12), so that we “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into light” (2:9).

As Jesus’ witnesses, our behavior matters. “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (2:16).