Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

.

TOPIC

A chosen people for God’s glory!

---

COMMENT/CONTEXT

Anyone who reads the Bible is familiar with the Scriptures that refer to the Nation of Israel (Jews in the OT) and the Gentiles (in the NT) as the Chosen or Elect of God.¹ Who are the chosen or elect of God? Are they the same or different groups?

Although they are often interchangeable in Evangelical circles, some nuances should be observed. “A Chosen People”² for His Kingdom primarily applies to the Nation of Israel in the Old Testament. When we reach the New Testament era, the Gentiles are brought into the Kingdom of God and are primarily referred to as “God’s Elect.”³ The distinction helps me (at least) to realize God’s sovereignty, that His plan from before time could be counted was for the Gentiles to be brought into His Kingdom.

Lastly, I think it is beneficial to look at the phrase “for God’s Glory.” One of the best texts for this is Isaiah (43:1-7 KJV). The final verse makes it plain: Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

v.7 Even every one that is called by my name: for lI have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Even every one that is called by my name: They are called by my name; I own them for my people and children; and therefore what kindness or cruelty you exercise to them I take it as done to myself. So it is an argument to move those people to let their captives go; or it is an argument to confirm the faith of God’s people, that God would deliver them, because they are his own. I have created him for my glory; and therefore I will glorify my power, and goodness, and faithfulness in delivering them. I have made him; I have not only created them out of nothing, as I did all other people, but I have also formed and made them my peculiar people.

Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, vol. 2 (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1853), 422.

---

Ver. 7 Even every one that is called by my name, &c.] That is called by the name of God, a son or daughter of his; or by the name of Christ, a Christian; whoever belongs to the Lord, whom he calls by his name; and who, being called by his grace, call upon his name, make a profession of his name, and serve and worship him: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, yea, I have made him; all which is expressive of the power and grace of God, in the regeneration and conversion of his people; which is a creation, a formation, a making them for himself, for the glory of his grace, and to shew forth his praise; and therefore he will gather them in, and bring them into a body together, into a church-state, that this end may be answered.

John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament, vol. 5, The Baptist Commentary Series (London: Mathews and Leigh, 1810), 247.

---

DEVOTION

iChristian On Christ the solid Rock I stand…All other ground is sinking sand.

A chosen people for God’s glory!

By Charles Spurgeon and others

“You are . . .
a chosen people,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

This verse is both a comfort and a challenge. It reminds every genuine Christian of their identity in Christ and the purpose for which they were redeemed…

Continued at link above

---

1. List of all references (26 Pages) ↩︎
2. God’s Chosen ↩︎
3. God’s Elect ↩︎