And They Shall Be My People: God is Looking for a People

“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:”
—Jeremiah 32:28

[This is the first in a series about God looking for a people to which He can be a God.]

God has always been looking for a people to whom He can be their God. In the Old Testament, he began with Adam and Eve. Then He became the God of Israel. Finally, He became the God of the Gentiles, too.

However, God has always been a God to those who have faith and believe and obey.

God has always looked for a people to which HE can be their God.

THIS LIFE: A SCREENING OF SORTS

God created man with free will to choose or reject Him. In this way, God was able to fellowship with those who truly wanted fellowship with Him.

But how to make sure that the people really did love God?

By putting them in this world, with it’s myriad temptations.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
—1 John 2:15

All who ultimately come to God do so through His Son, Jesus Christ.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
—John 14:6

The people who come to God through Jesus have to do so in a world surrounded by sin. They have to reject the pleasures of this world for the promise of the next.

Very few do this.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
—Matthew 7:13-14

Many profess Jesus. Many profess a love of God. Many talk the talk.

Few there be who actually walk the walk.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
—Matthew 7;21-23

PEOPLE OF GOD: FAITH IN GOD, NOT IN THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN

Rejecting the money, recognition and pleasures this present world offers for the sure rewards of the next requires a faith in God’s Word. It requires a faith in God to reward those who have such faith. It requires a resolve only available to those who make such a commitment and receive the Spirit of God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
—Hebrews 11:6

“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
—Romans 8:9,14

So, God has always been looking for a people to whom He can be their God.

His people will choose Him freely. His people will choose Him over the momentary rewards of this present world. His people will choose (through faith) the eternal, unseen rewards of the next life over the tangible, temporary offerings of this one.

His people will choose God even though this world will surely persecute them for making this choice.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
—2 Timothy 3:12

And so, by subjecting man to the temptations, deceptions and afflictions of this life, God chooses His people: those who walk by faith.

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
—2 Corinthians 5:7

Are you one of His?

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
—Revelation 21:3

Or are you a talker?

Is your calling and election sure?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

RELATED ARTICLES

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• Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
• LORD, LORD: Who is Crying Lord, Lord?
• END TIMES FAITHLESSNESS: Faith Not Enough for the Sight-walkers
• Sojourners, Pilgrims, Strangers: Christians are Just Passing Through
• Treasure in Heaven: We Will Leave this World with Nothing
• Vanity of Vanities: The World and the Things of the World Mean Nothing
• Life is Temporary: End Times Survival
• Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/pd

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-15. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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