A Lifestyle Covenant -Part 7

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] peo-ple for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonder-ful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people, once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.” 1Pet.29-10. Amplified Bible.

Beloved,

Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen. We shall continue with our study as we look further into the meaning and implication of ‘The People of God’ from where we stopped in our last letter. It is our desire to stir up your pure mind to desire Christ, and to desire Him to the extend you will say, ‘I must have Him’- “the altogether lovely.” We offer you not an empty pitcher while you are dying of thirst but the water of life; we offer you Christ, who has been given to us as “a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” Isa.42₆. Note that please!

Now, let us continue on our discussion from 1Pet.2_9-10. We note next in v9 the phrase, “…has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” That is to say, the people of God are called and chosen and redeemed by Him. It is an internal, special, powerful, holy and a heavenly calling by the Spirit of grace. And this is out of darkness: darkness of the law, religion, former dispensation, ignorance of the righteousness of God; “without Christ, being alien from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and no God in the world.” Eph.2₁₂. ‘The people of God’ have now been brought into His marvellous light. They were born blind, brought up in darkness and were darkness itself but now have been made light in the Lord. The objects they saw were amazing to them; everything in a spiritual way was marvellous in their eyes – especially the Sun of Righteousness, the Light of the world, the wonderful things of the law, the doctrine of Christ, the Gospel and in the whole and several part of their salvation.

We read in v10, “Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God:” They have a ‘Loami’ (‘Not My people’), put on

them but now it has been changed to ‘Ammi.’ (‘My people’). See Hos.1₉. & 2₁. God’s elect, were, from eternity, His chosen people and His covenant people and as such were given to Christ and they became His people and His care and charge. Therefore, He saved them by His obedience, sufferings and death and redeemed them to Himself, a peculiar people. They are now ‘the people of God,’ being regenerated, called and sanctified. They are avouched by God to be His people and they have the witness of the Spirit to their spirits, that they are ‘the people of God.’ They can claim their relation to God and are known and acknowledged and called the people of God by others. Glory!

Moreover, it is written; “Which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” What a dramatic change of story from, ‘Loruhamah,’ (‘Not having obtained mercy’), to ‘Ruhamah’ (‘Having obtained mercy’) Hos.1₆, 2₁, Isa.54_5-10, Lam.3_22-23, 2Cor.1₃, Eph.2₄ & 1Pet.1₃. Though before conversion there is mercy in God’s heart towards His elect in the covenant of grace, yet is not shown to them until they are born again through the blood of His Son as their Saviour and Redeemer. The people of God have in their regeneration an evident display of the abundant mercy of God toward them and the application of His pardoning grace and mercy through His blood. Let us rehearse the righteousness of God, “in the places of drawing water,” Judg.511, for mutual encouragement and for the praise of His name. Say to your brethren, ‘Ammi,’ and to your sisters ‘Ruhamah.’ Say it, say it to your brethren and to sisters upon every opportunity and with the utmost importunity that it may take impression upon their spirit. Hos.2₁.

Now, it is an established truth from the Scripture that God is eternal and by implication all He does is eternal. Ecc.3₁₄. The eternal God had an eternal plan and purpose in creating man. Though there was a temporary setback yet “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts and plans of His heart through all generations.” Ps 33₁₁. Amplified Bible. The good news is that His plan remains intact for mankind. God’s purpose and plan can never be thwarted.

Isa.14₂₇. God’s purpose was to replicate His family on earth – a people close to Him, a people of His possession, a people dear and near to Him. God has accomplished this purpose in a grand style through the death, burial, resurrection and the ascension of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Just like the first Adam, God has brought the Church, the bride of Christ out of the side of the last Adam. 

So Eph.2₁₀ says, “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above - spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” Amplified Bible. The word ‘workmanship’ is translated from the Greek word ‘poiema.’ This word means something that has been made, a handiwork or something that has been written or composed as a poem. Not only poetry is implied here but also any work of art that expresses the maker’s wisdom and design or ingenuity. We the Church, the people of God – the masterpiece of God’s work are a poem expressing God’s infinite wisdom and divine design. The heavens, the earth and man created by God are not God’s masterpiece, but the Church, the Body of Christ, the people of God, the corporate and the universal new man is a masterpiece. Eph.1_{15 & 23}. When we look at ourselves this way, people of God, we begin to understand our incredible value in Christ. Indeed, as C. S Lewis said, “We are a divine work of art.”

Timothy Keller asks “Do you know what it means that you are God’s workmanship? What is art? Art is beautiful, art is valuable and art is an expression of the inner being of the maker, of the artist. Imagine what that means. You are beautiful, you are valuable and you are an expression of the very inner being of the Artist, the divine Artist, God Himself. You see, when Jesus gave Himself on the cross, He didn’t say, “I ‘m going to die so just you know I love you.” He said, “I ‘m going to die, I ‘m going to bleed, for your splendour. I ‘m going to re-create you into something beautiful; I will turn you into something splendid, magnificent. I ‘m the Artist, you are the art. I ‘m the Painter; you are the canvas. I ‘m the Sculptor, you’re the marble. You don’t look like much there in the quarry but I can see. Oh I can see! Jesus is an Artist!” And you are the crowning achievement, His masterpiece. In fact, a work of art that is one of a kind. You are “custom designed,” “tailor-made,” by the Master’s hand. We are indeed, “fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are His works!” Ps139₁₄.

Beloved, let us take a deeper look at this so that we can gain a high degree of understanding of ‘the people of God.’ There are two conditions necessary to become ‘the people of God.’ In Lev.22₁₁, we have these two conditions put together. “But if a priest purchases a slave, then that slave and anyone born into his family can eat of his food.” The Voice Bible. They are by birth and by purchase; the two indisputable proofs of our rights as the people of God: 

BY PURCHASE: Our great High Priest has bought with a price all those who put their trust in Him. He is their Kinsman Redeemer – a near of kin who has the right to redeem- a Goel – the one redeeming. They are His absolute property, altogether the Lord’s, not just for what they are in themselves but for their own sake they are admitted into all the privileges which Himself enjoys.

BY BIRTH: This is an equally sure way to the privilege of ‘The people of God.’  “anyone born into his family,” the privilege of the family belongs to us and we take our place with the rest of the family. Regeneration, being born again makes us a fellow heirs and of the same body and therefore, the joy, the peace and the glory which the Father has given to Christ has been given to us. Jn17₂₂. Redemption and regeneration have given them a double claim to the permit of this promise. God has become their God and to complement that, they have become the people of God!

Now let us look at the responsibilities and privileges of ‘the people of God.’ 

 A) THEY ARE MARRIED TO HIM BY A COVENANT UNION. Hos.2 _19-20. “And ‘I will’ make you my promised bride [betroth you to me] forever. I will be good and fair [betroth you in righteousness and justice]; I will show you my love [loyalty; unfailing love; lovingkindness] and mercy, I will be true to you as my promise bride [betroth you in faithfulness], and you will know [or acknowledge me as] the Lord.” Expanded Bible. It is a relationship of mutual promise or contract for a future marriage; a betrothal. It is true and real that Jesus condescended for a future contract of marriage. Then, mark, it is forever. He will never break His engagement much less sue out a divorce or put away. Mal.2₁₆. Three times He used the word, ‘I will’; an indication of how impregnable, rather strong His position is concerning the union. Therefore, it cannot fail. See Isa.54_5-10. God’s choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them and not forsake them. See Dt.31₆, Jos.7₉, 1Sam.12₂₂, 1Kin.6₁₃, Ps94₁₄ Jer.31₃ & Rom.11₁. He chose them in His everlasting love and takes pleasure in His people because of His choice. He has before taken pleasure in choosing and saving His people. He is neither fickle nor changeable in His love. “Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.” Jn13₁ See also Hos.11₄, Jn15₁₆ & Mal.1₂. His people are His Hephzibah – His delight. Isa.62₄.

B) THEY ARE A PEOPLE NEAR AND DEAR TO HIM. His people are bought and brought near to Him by the precious blood of His Son. Eph.2₁₃. The purchase of the blood is as precious as the blood itself. The blood of His Son is precious to Him even so the purchase of His blood. They are a people brought near to God for special privileges and entertainment. They are people near and dear to Him. They enjoy discriminating grace and distinguishing regard because they are made special object of His divine affection. Dt.4₇,33_26-29, Ps33₁₂, 144₁₅, 145₁₈ & 148₁₄. He brought them near to showcase them - an envy to the Philistines! Gen.26₁₄ and to do great things for them. 2Sam.7₂₃

C) A PEOPLE OF HIS INHERITANCE. Dt.4₂₀. “But the Lord brought you out of Egypt, which tested you like a furnace for melting iron [the iron smelter] and He made you His own very people [inheritance], as you are now [this day]. Expanded Bible. They are people for His personal possession. “Now if you will hear My voice, obey what I say and keep My covenant, then you – out of all the nations of the world – will be My treasured people. After all, the earth belongs to Me. You will be My kingdom of priests, a nation holy and set apart. Tell the Israelites exactly what I have told you.”  Ex.19_5-6. The Voice Version. As a kingdom of priests, ‘the people of God’ exist to serve as agents of God’s blessing; to bear witness to God’s character and carry to Him the world’s concerns. They belong to Him; all that they have, all they are and all they will ever be. Ex.4_221-23. So when God redeems a people, He gains a people. Therefore, they are to be separated to Him and not to wait for years before they do so. Just like the tribe of Levites (out of the twelve tribes), was separated to and belonged to God and whatever belongs to God belongs to them, even so, all believers are God’s portion and whatever belongs to God belongs to them.  Please see Dt.32₉, Ps74₂, Jer.51₁₉ & 1Cor.3_21-23. 

D) GOD IS THEIR PORTION. “The portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name.” Jer.10₁₆. See also Ps16_5-6, 73_25-26 & Lam.3₂₄. It is a bilateral union – ‘the people of God’ belong to God and God belongs to them – ‘He is their God.’ God has chosen their inheritance and their portion for them. Ps47₃. God chose their inheritance for them and is all they could wish. “My birth right, My cup is Yahweh; You, You alone, hold my lot secure. The measuring-line marks out for me a delightful place, my birth right is all I could wish.” Ps16_5-6 New Jerusalem Bible. God chose them for Himself and chose their inheritance for them and their birth right will endure for ever! Ps37₁₈. As God said to Abraham, “Behold My covenant is with you”, Gen.17₄ - take or leave it. They have consented to God’s covenant deal and has been brought into the bond of the covenant – a perpetual covenant with the Lord. Ez.20₃₇.

E) A PEOPLE OF HIS HONOUR, GLORY & PRAISE. They are a people of his glory, honour and praise. A people chosen out of the world by God, separated by Him to display the wonders of His glory, wisdom, praise, love and power through them. When a man marries a woman, the woman takes on his name, his honour and his inheritance and they become one. Even so God did for the Church through the covenant; we have become the people of His glory. “For as the waistband clings to the body of a man, so I caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the Lord, ‘that they might be for Me a people, a name, a praise and a glory; but they did not listen and obey.’” Jer.13₁₁ The Voice Bible.  So ‘the people of God’ are called by His name, Dt. 28₁₀, Num.6_22-27, 2Chr.7₁₄ & Isa.43₇, 54₅; they are a people of His glory, Ps8₅, Isa28_5-6, 43₇, 62₃, Jn17₂₂ & 2Cor.8₂₃; and a people of His praise and honour, Dt.26_18-19, Isa.43₂₁, Jer.33₉ & 1Pet.2_9-10. They are people invested with His majesty, honour and glory! Ps21_3,5. 

F) THEY ARE A PEOPLE SEPARATED TO GOD. Jn15₁₉ says, “If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you.” Amplified Bible.  The calling of God’s people is patterned after Abraham’s calling – a call to separation. Gen.12_1-3. The people of God are to dwell alone, Num.23₉ & Dt33₂₈, for God would have His people separate from sinners. He called them His own and called them by His name hence He would have them come out of the world and be separate. Isa.52₁₁, 2Cor.6_14-18 & Rev.18₄. Those who compromise with Christ enemies may be reckoned with them. Our safety lies in dwelling alone with our best Friend. We shall be safe from the baleful influence of unbelief, its pride, its vanity and its filthiness. The Lord brought Abraham from the Ur of Chaldees but he stopped half-way. He had no blessing till having set out to go to the land of Canaan, to the land of Canaan he came. He was safe alone even in the midst of foes. Our safety is in dwelling apart with God.

Let me conclude this letter with a charge to you, dear friend. God said, “When Israel was a child I loved him and called ‘my son’ out of Egypt.” Hos.11₁. You are a son, ‘people of God,’ don’t sell yourself into slavery and bondage through sin. Jn8_{32, 34-35}, 14₁₈, Rom.6₁₆. The servant cannot abide in the house because of a vagrant or vagabond spirit. Gal.4₃₀. Wandering meteors they are, they are not planted in the house of God so they cannot flourish in the courts of our God. Therefore, they are denied of the satisfaction that comes from the house of God, even His holy temple. Ps 92₁₃ & 65₄. As a royal priesthood that you are, it is time to leave the outer court into the holy place and take up the privilege of priesthood. It is time to leave the distance where you look at the sacrifice to enter into the holy place where you seat with the priest to enjoy the sacrifice and the fat of the burnt offering. The people of God are sons of God, so play your part. You have been given not a slavish spirit but the spirit of adoption, so live up to it. You are an heir of God and joint-heir with Jesus Christ, so rise up to that challenge. Rom.8_15-17 & Gal.4_4-7. Hence, God concludes, not man, in 2Cor.6₁₆, “…. I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be My people.” Here is mutual interest, mutual consideration and mutual fellowship. May the Lord help us to know Him as our God and to make use of Him as our God. Amen and amen.

It is my prayer that this will go a long way in helping you to know and accept yourself as ‘the people of God,’ to help repair and restore your true identity, self-image, self-worth and confidence and so conduct yourself accordingly. Amen.

God bless.

Yours in His service

…………………………………..

Pastor David Adeyemi