Chapter 7 the People

Chapter 7 the People

CHAPTER 7

THE PEOPLE And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

It has already been noted that the “we” are those submitted to walking in the Spirit and prayerfully walking in agreement with the will of God through intercessory partnership. Likewise the “we” are those who “love” God – have experienced His friendship – through “all things” which the Father incorporates into the life of His own. The “called,” however, reveals something different, something unique, something special about these who walk in agreement with the Holy Spirit of God.

THE CALLED

The Greek word for “called” in our text means (the invited). It comes from a term meaning (to incite by word). The “called” are those
who have been invited by the Word of God to receive the inheritance of sonship. If one accepts the invitation, they in turn are accepted by the Heavenly Father and become His family.

Since my wife and I have three children, we know what it means to prepare for birthday parties. First, the children select those they wish to invite. They each have many friends but since we cannot accommodate the entire church and school at once, they must select [choose] those whom they feel will, first come, and secondly, those whose company they enjoy the most.

Secondly, the children solicit those they wish to invite. The dictionary uses the word “invite” as a synonym for (solicit). That is, making request of others for a particular purpose. The solicitation is a result of selection and is generally done by word of mouth or, in some cases, by written request.

The third thing which occurs is separation. Some they have solicited are, for one reason or another, unable to attend. This leaves the “selected” few. These select few are separated from all their other friends. It has nothing to do with whether or not the remaining children are better than other children, It simply means they are separated by choice out of friendship.

The fourth thing I will emphasize concerning the selection of those coming to the party, is that they are sanctified – set apart for a particular purpose, I.E. the birthday party. They most certainly are coming because they were invited, and because they wish to do so, and they plan to have fun, too; but the truth is, they have been set apart [sanctified] from others.

Finally one might say that these invited guests are “secured.” They have been selected and solicited. In turn, they are separated from others and sanctified – set apart – for a party. Then they are secured – officially made guests. In essence, they are the “called.”

By now you see the spiritual parallel. The “called” are (selected) to become His children out of His love. Thus we are (solicited) [invited] to become His eternal family. As such, we are (separated) from others; not because we are special or unique in and of ourselves, but because He, our Lord Christ, is special to the Heavenly Father and uniquely the Son of God. Furthermore, we are (sanctified). We have been divinely set apart with purpose, made pure by the blood of Christ, for the glory of God. Then, finally, we are (secured) – officially made His possession, “the Holy Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16-17). Such are the “called” of God – incited by His Holy Word.

EXAMPLE

I suggest you stop for a few minutes and turn in your Bible to the Old Testament and read the ten chapters of Esther. This fascinating story illustrates so well how we are called of God.

Esther, along with perhaps hundreds of other women, were selected – chosen – by the king to participate in a beauty pageant. Although the call from the king went out to all women, the only women solicited for the pageant were virgins for he, the king, was choosing his queen. This uniquely separated these women from all others. For six months they were fastidiously bathed, groomed, beatified, and treated with oils of myrrh. For another six months they were lavishly anointed with the finest perfumes of the kingdom. Thus these select few, then solicited, and separated women were sanctified [purified] for a special purpose, that is, to become the queen. Following the twelve months of purification, one out of all the others was secured and confirmed as the ruling queen.

At this point, one might suggest that the illustration fails because we, “the called,” are many, not “one.” On the contrary, we are one – the Body of Christ. Additionally, the “called One” is none other than the only begotten Son of God and the Father sees us as “one” in His Son. Jesus prayed exactly that in John 17 just before His crucifixion. Pay careful attention to our Lord’s remarks, as He prayed to the Father: “That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they all may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Thus we hold a unique position in relationship to the Heavenly Father. As we pray in the Spirit, therefore, such uniqueness should be recognized with reverence.

THE CHOSEN

Our Lord used the word “chosen” often in reference to His own. John’s Gospel records the words of the Lord Jesus in such context: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16). Again He said we are “chosen out of the world” (John 15:19). The Greek word “chosen” is used twenty-one times in the New Testament and is translated “to (select). We are the “selected” ones; not because we have selected [chosen] Him, but because He, God, has selected [chosen] us.

DEFINITION

Although the dictionary defines “chosen” or “choose” as (to select), a clarification is additionally offered as: (To take or fix upon by an act of will in accordance with a decision made by judgment). “Select”, on the other hand, suggests a preference based upon discrimination. The word “discrimination” has, over the years, gained an ugly connotation but if used properly, simply means (to distinguish between persons or things by noting differences).

Such doctrine often results in spiritual insecurity on the part of some simply because of the fear that perhaps God makes His selection, or choice, by chance. The “choosing,” or selection, is not guess work nor has God made His choice as though picking the best out of a litter of kittens or puppies. The word “chosen” comes from a root, or base, lego, meaning (to lay forth). This same root word, lego, is the base for logos – the Word…The Word of God. Thus, the Heavenly Father makes His choice, or selection, based upon those who responde to the “call” of His Word. They become His “chosen.” Even our word “called” taken from Romans 8:28 comes from a root meaning (to incite by word). It is the Word of God which calls us and results in God’s choice of children – sons and daughters of God.

THE COVENANT

God’s people have a covenant which distinguishes them from others. God secures their relationship with Him through the covenant for eternity and it releases tremendous power when lived by faithfully. It is binding and bounding and unbreakable. It is even confirmed by God’s own Son to insure finality.

DEFINITION

A covenant could be defined as: (Mutual agreements by the confession of promises confirming common interests, guidelines, and boundaries). Although the western mind has little knowledge, and practically no comprehension of the true nature of covenant, Asian and African populations, on the other hand, have been firmly structured by such relationships since ancient times. The closest example we might have in the western hemisphere of such a relationship would be marriage.

Some believe that love constitutes marriage. Many, however, confess their love for each other today but one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. If we were to inculcate with this statistic, all the couples living together who subsequently separate and go their own way, the figures of divorce would be astronomical. Marriage, and covenant, have almost no meaning in today’s society.

If love does not constitute marriage, then what? The speaking, or confessing, of vows confirms a marriage. The couple stands before God and friends and confess not only their love, but their desire – personal will – to give themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. These confessions [vows] are spoken before God, and personally witnessed to insure eternality. Love, therefore, consecrates, rather than constitutes, marriage. The spoken vows, on the other hand, announce a covenant relationship and have their roots in covenants performed by ancient peoples. The Hebrews were equally acquainted with covenant since God Himself established covenant with them. Covenants, I might add, can only be broken by death; hence, the marital vow: “Till death do us part.”

COVENANT ELEMENTS

Although volumes could easily be written on the nature and character of Biblical covenant, I offer here a simple overview for a better understanding of those pages to fallow. In the next chapter, we will take a more intimate look at how covenant applies in light of our partnership with the Holy Spirit in prayer.

In more ancient times, howbeit practiced even today by many tribes, the making, or cutting, of a covenant was the strongest, most binding, form of agreement possible. The word “covenant” means literally (to cut). This comes from the offering of a sacrifice which had to be cut [slain] to offer its blood, and from the cutting of hands or wrists to confirm the covenant between persons or tribes. God’s covenant with Abraham and his progeny was “cut” by circumcision; something totally foreign among the peoples of the earth at that time.

Often representatives were chosen to speak in the be half of tribes and peoples. Later the tribes would join together in celebration of the cut covenant. The representatives would sit and discuss covenant – the agreements they would share. This involved insuring warlessness between them, protecting each other from outside attack, the sharing of crops, the provision of need if, for example one might suffer loss from drought or flood, etc.

Following the agreements, gifts would be exchanged. Sometimes daughters of the heads of tribes would be exchanged in marriage as tokens of total commitment to the covenant. More often gifts such as weapons, the most valued possession of the chiefs, would be exchange as a symbol of their loyalty. Cattle, horses, sheep, and other such valuables might also be exchanged.

An animal would always be sacrificed thus symbolizing the severity of the covenant. The animal would be cut in half and separated, – divided. The blood, and death of the animal, demonstrated the seriousness of the agreement. Anyone breaking covenant would be killed and his blood shed. The sacrifice likewise represented the covenant was until death. The parties involved, perhaps the representatives who had been selected, would then walk about the severed pieces of the sacrificed animal in a figure eight; symbolic of an everlasting agreement – continuous – unbroken.

There, of course, would also be the exchange of promises. The gifts offered were usually representative of those promises but verbal promises were also made. Again, promises of protection, provision, and total loyalty. To confirm there allegiance which they had confess verbally, the cutting of the wrists would follow. As the blood ran from the wound, hands were then raised and they would swear to the covenant. This practice is very likely where modern day court procedures got the swearing in of a witness as they raise their right hand to swear to tell the truth. Sometimes the palms of hands were cut and the participants would grasp hands and swear to the agreement being made. This is perhaps how the practice of shaking hands was established.

During the covenant ceremony, the confessing of blessings and cursings for compliance and breech of the covenant would occur. In this way, everyone involved would fully understand the power, force, behind the agreements made. Even the exchange of names would be a part of the cutting of covenant to insure triable identification.

The final element of the cutting of a covenant would be the covenant meal. The heads of tribes would sit and share a simple meal, often bread and wine, to demonstrate sincerity of perpetual fellowship. The covenant meal confirmed the agreement was sealed and permanent, never to be broken. The celebrations then would begin.

It should be noted that such covenants were called “love covenants” because those involved were intimately bonded by promise. The love covenants were so powerful that no one ever, from the day it was cut, would ever question its validity. Entire nations lived and died by the covenants established. The oriental, with their ninja warriors and samurai, understood such covenants. The African and South American tribes likewise lived by such agreements and gave their lives, if necessary, to protect those in covenant. Perhaps this explanation of covenant will offer insight to the covenant God made with Abraham in the book of Genesis.

As you continue to read the balance of this book, keep in mind that Jesus the Christ is God’s representative sent to offer Himself as the covenant today. He, Jesus the Lord Christ, is come as a “love covenant:” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” He even gave His life to insure the covenant would never be broken and shed His blood to secure His people. His hands, wrists, were scarred from the nail prints to remind us of that covenant cut with God. The mystery of the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is revealed in the part He plays in keeping, or maintaining, covenant relationship with our Heavenly Father. He does this through intercessory prayer – according to the will, covenant, of God.

COVENANT CHARACTERISTICS

As just seen, a covenant has certain elements which are part of it’s nature, that is, those things necessary for covenant establishment. Likewise, a covenant has character – distinctives – which afford effectiveness and performance, without which the agreement is negated.

COVENANT CONCEPTION

The efficacy of a cut covenant was only if one had been conceived I.E. born into, as family. Otherwise, a new covenant would thus have to be cut. If one, on the other hand, was born into a covenant family, all benefits of the covenant were immediately available.

Our Lord spoke to Nicodemus by night and told him he must be born again to inherit the kingdom of God. That inheritance was the covenant for which our Lord Christ came to secure, by the sacrifice of His life, for eternity. It is not accidental that Paul proclaimed: “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Confession must first be made. What is the confession? “Jesus is Lord!” This immediately secures all that He has and can do for you because you have exchanged your life for His and He has already done so for you upon the cross.

Additionally, Romans 10:9 refers to what we must believe: “God has raise Christ from the dead.” This belief is not something mystical or something one must generate before salvation is secured. it simply means “commitment.” In covenant, one must demonstrate commitment. Such was often shown by the cutting, the sacrifice, the blood shed, or the exchanging of gifts. For the one confessing Jesus as Lord, all these things were done for them by Christ who offered Himself as the vicarious sacrifice. As we will see in the next chapter, we only need fellowship – commune with our Heavenly Father – by sitting down to the covenant meal. The Holy Spirit assists us in performing and maintaining this fellowship through covenant prayer. We, however, must believe [commit] and simply submit to the Holy Spirit who has been sent to functionalize the covenant we already have by Christ.

COVENANT CIRCUMCISION

Although circumcision is widely practiced today for reasons of proper hygiene, it originally was practiced by the Hebrews because of God’s covenant with them through Abraham. As stated earlier, a covenant was confirmed by a “cutting” in the hands or wrist. In the case of the Abrahamic covenant, however, God required circumcision; something totally unknown at that time. I suggest that you stop and read Genesis chapters 15 through 22 . Within these chapters you will see the elements of covenant already discussed, including the requirement of circumcision.

The question is, however, why did God require circumcision? Generally, and even in the case of our Lord, the cutting was in the hand or wrist so all could see the scars and recognize covenant relationship. Abraham, and all of his descendants, were required a cutting which was private, unseen, and hitherto unknown; seen only by God. Circumcision speaks of intimacy and singularity. God made covenant with one man at one time and all the descendants of that one man would come under that covenant by circumcision; thus identifiable. The act of circumcision, of course, was symbolic of that which was to come.

Circumcisions were to be performed on the eighth day following one’s birth (Acts 7:8 ). Our Lord arose on the eighth day, that is, the first day of a new week. Thus by His “circumcision” we are covenanted with God (Col. 2:11). Our symbolic circumcision speaks of “newness.” The number (8) in Scripture speaks of a “newness” or “new beginning.” Be reminded once again that during the animal sacrifice in the covenant ceremony, the sacrifice was divided [separated] and the participants walked in a figure eight in and around the two halves of the divided animal. Our Lord traversed life and death eternally when He arose on the eighth [first] day of the week.

As circumcision was given to Abraham and his descendants as a “sign” (Rom. 4:11), so our spiritual circumcision of the heart [spirit] is a sign; private unseen, hitherto unknown, made without hands (Rom. 2:28-29). Circumcision was given Abraham as a “seal” of his faith in God (Rom. 4:11). Such seals in Old Testament times were given by the king, or ruler, of the land to indicate absolute authority. Usually the king’s ring was imprinted [stamped] in hot wax to secure a document, only to be opened by another such of equal authority and power. The “seal” of circumcision was symbolic of Abraham’s faith, thus he, Abraham, was given the righteousness of God. We likewise have obtained such righteousness and been given the “seal” of the Holy Spirit, and thus possess the righteousness of our Heavenly Father (Eph. 1:13). We are even “justified,” by faith whether we be circumcised or uncircumcised physically (Rom. 3:30).

Upon reading Luke’s account of the Acts of the apostles and Paul’s teachings in both the letters to the Romans and Galatians, we discover there was quite a controversy in the early church over circumcision. Paul and Peter even engaged in debate over it. Some were promoting that circumcision was a Scriptural requirement for salvation. Paul made it clear, however, that such teaching was simply not true. He stated, however the following: And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ (Col. 2:10-11). Christ obtain circumcision for us and then, by faith and confession in Him as Lord, He gives us the circumcision of the heart/spirit (Rom. 2:29). Could this possibly be the symbolic meaning of the piercing of our Lord’s side – near the heart – I.E. the circumcision of the heart?

As the circumcision required by God of Abraham was private, unseen, and intimate, so is the circumcision of the heart. God was the only one able to see [know] Abraham was in covenant with Him and it is thus the Holy Spirit who likewise sees [knows] of our spiritual circumcision: “And God that searches the hearts, knows what is the mind of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will – covenant – of God.”

COVENANT CONFIRMATION

Although the shedding of blood, confession of promises, the exchanging of gifts, the cutting of flesh, and the offering of sacrifices, all demonstrated covenant, these were all signs given to show confirmation. Actually confirmation could only be in evidence as those in covenant lived out their lives. The same is representative in marriage today. Couples may hold a marriage certificate, they may have given blood to be tested, which is generally required by state governments before marriages are granted, they may have confessed their love and devotion publicly before God and friends, they may have exchanged gifts I.E. the wedding rings, they may even live together as husband and wife, but do any of these things confirm a marriage? A marriage is only confirmed by the faithfulness of those whose lives are conducted in harmony. In another words, if the couple practices what they preached – confessed – in their spoken vows. Many Christians today not only have little knowledge and understanding of Biblical covenant with God, but they are simply not faithful to the confessions of the mouth I.E. Jesus as Lord.

While in Bible college, my roommate brought back his fish tank from home one weekend. We got everything set up, including the miniature castles, multi colored rocks, the sparkling geodes with their tiny stalactites and stalagmites, and the pump to freshen the water with bubbling oxygen. Since my roommate had furnished the tank and all of its accessaries, I offered to purchase the fish. We made plans to barrow a friends car the very next weekend, and every weekend thereafter, to purchase some fish; but we never purchased a single one.

We lived in a four-plex on campus and our apartment had the washer and dryer. The other students living in our complex had to come and use the washer and dryer and often they would load the machines and then sit in our living room patiently waiting for their laundry. They often, of course, began gazing at our twenty gallon brilliantly lighted exquisitely furnished, fishless fish tank. After several minutes of studying the empty tank, they always inquired,

“Hey, you guys…where’s the fish in this thing?” Our answer was always the same. Without looking up from our books, we said,

“Oh, they’re in there hiding among the geodes and castles. Just keep looking.” They often lasted several minutes before they realized they were being fooled and retrieving their clothes from the machines, they would vacate the apartment with a snort and a smile.

I use this illustration many times to demonstrate how often it is discovered that people confess salvation without ever truly confessing Jesus as Lord. Many have the appearance of Christianity – They glitter and shine, they function in the element of spirituality, they carry their Bible, they pray, they sing the Christian song, they bubble with the joy of the Lord – but when scrutinized by the brilliant illumination of the Holy Spirit, there is no covenant reflection. Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me, you who work iniquity (Matt. 7:21-23).

Such teaching should not bring condemnation or fear to the heart of one truly walking in covenant relationship with the Heavenly Father. Such acts, on the other hand – preaching the Word, casting out unclean spirits, and the doing of signs and wonders – should indeed confirm that we are covenant Believers (Mark 16:15-20). Such faithfulness in working the works of our Lord should not be an attempt to confirm covenant, but rather should be the evidence that we indeed are covenant people. In another words, we are faithfully married to our LOrd and our love is confirmed consistently by the way we live in Him. In this way, that which is unseen – the circumcision of the heart/spirit – can be seen by those outside of covenant relationship with God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Perhaps Paul described it best: “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3).

SUMMATION And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. It has been previously stated that the “we” are not simply all

Christians but rather “the called.” The called people have been chosen by God because they have heard and responded to the call of His eternal Word. Because of their response, God has made covenant with them through His Son Jesus Christ. Thus, these “called” are able to “know” – see with spiritual vision through faith – that all things are worked together for their benefit. They, the called, indeed “love” – have made friends with God – through all things they face together in covenant relationship. Such a friendship is only possible by covenant. In essence, they who take up prayer partnership with God’s Holy Spirit have embraced the love covenant as God works all things together for their benefit. The mystery of the Holy Spirit is in how He keeps renewing this covenant relationship as He “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Thus, it is of absolute necessity we learn to pray in the Spirit.