Who are the People of God?
God calls them, “My people.” He chose them before He created anything of the physical universe. He gave these people to His Son, as a gift, before the foundation of the world. He chose His only begotten Son to be the Head of this, His body of people from eternity past.
In decreeing the fall of man, He chose His eternal Son to be the Redeemer of those He intended to save from the mass of sinful humanity. God set His love upon His Son, and upon those He would give the right to be called His children.
When Jesus came to save His people from their sins, He came for God’s children, whom He called, “brethren.” Thus, the people of God are the family of God. God demonstrated His love toward His adopted children, when Christ Jesus died for them on the Cross.
The redeemed of the Lord are the objects of Christ’s sacrificial love. He loved them, and gave Himself for them, being their atonement for sin. His precious blood sets His captive people free from bondage to sin, the devil, and the world. He is bringing many sons to glory.
Jesus calls the people the Father gave Him, “the sheep of His pasture.” He knows them by name, and He calls them to come to Himself. God’s elect people hear the voice of their Good Shepherd, when He enters the community sheepfold of this world. God’s sheep follow Christ, when He comes for them, and irresistibly summons them to Himself. Others will not come to Jesus, and will not follow Him, because they do not belong to Him. He is not their God, and they are not His people.
It is the Holy Spirit of Christ, who preaches the Good News of God and His salvation in Christ. He ensures that God’s elect people hear the Gospel, and the Spirit gives these people Himself and the faith to follow Jesus Christ. They hear, and they believe because of the Word preached to them.
God’s gathered flock of people is the church, the bride of Christ. He has chosen her alone, paid for her alone, and come for her alone. She is the Israel of God, His beloved, a precious gem.
In fact, God’s people are called, “living stones,” who are each being fitted into the spiritual temple of God, the place of His presence, where His worshipers worship Him in Spirit and truth. Christ is the cornerstone of this glorious edifice, and the capstone holding it all together.
Jesus Christ is Lord and King of these select vessels of mercy, who are being prepared for glory. He is the sovereign over His holy nation. From every wicked, ungodly nation, God has chosen a people, and transferred them to the kingdom of His beloved Son. His kingdom, in contrast with the domain of darkness, is the kingdom of light, making God’s people…children of light. Together with Christ, they are the light of the world.
As a kingdom, the children of the King are called, “royal.” The princely work of these people, set apart for good works created for them beforehand, is a spiritual priesthood. Worship in the temple is served by these who labor in love for their Lord, bringing the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to Him, who made them His own possession, because they were bought with a price.
Spirit-filled lovers of Christ are strangers and pilgrims in this world of darkness, despite their change of citizenship to heavenly Zion, the city of God, the kingdom of heaven. Fulfilling their days as ambassadors for Christ, they proclaim the excellencies of Him who called them into His marvelous light.
You will know the people of God by the spiritual fruit produced by God’s indwelling Spirit, who is working in each precious saint, to conform every believer into the image of Christ. The Spirit cannot fail and none can pluck even one of God’s beloved elect, redeemed, and sanctified from His hand. These are the people of God, the Israel of God, called from every nation, tribe, and tongue. He is their God, and they are His people…who can’t stop praising Him!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 28, 2021
