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September 1, 1998, Tuesday
Who can truthfully say that they are one of God's people?
Is it true that some people are not God's people? Does
God exclude some people and not accept them? Does being a
citizen in a certain country qualify one to be one of God's
people?
The Scripture tells us that God created all humanity. As
a member of the human race, we are all brothers and sisters
in humanity. However there is a difference in a person that
makes him one of God's people spiritually. God told Moses
that He wanted His people to be separated from others by
their actions.
God gave Moses 10 commandments. One of those commandments
is to keep the Sabbath holy. It was a day set apart to worship
the true God of the universe. It was an outward sign and action
to the rest of the world's people that God's people worshipped Him
on the Sabbath. What most people immediately understand about
that commandment is that an outward sign and appearance is not
necessarily a true indicator of a person inside. God gave nine
more commandments specifically for that reason. God's purpose
was to make His people a holy people. Most people understand
also that 10 laws or 100 laws does not necessarily make a
person holy. God gave us the law as a teacher.
Jesus told some members of His own religion, country, and race
that they did not belong to God spiritually. He told them that
they belonged to the their spiritual father, the devil. God did
not choose to exclude them, they chose to exclude their own
conscience and the God that created them. For that reason it
was their unbelief in the God of the Universe who sent His
only Son to make them brothers spiritually that they were
excluded and lost.
God's plan remains to be one to include all members of
humanity and make them brothers spiritually. It is not His
will that any should perish but that every one would come
to repentance. He offers His free pardon of sin and a clear
conscience from guilt. He offers His power of liberation from
the burdens that keep people bound. He offers His Holy Spirit
as a Help that will lead His people into all truth and bear
witness of what God has done for them.
Let us remember who is the God that sanctifies us as a
holy people. God's name is Jehová Mekaddesh, He is the
God that sanctifies His people. He is the God that is
making us complete. He completely cleanses us from all
unrighteousness. He completely liberates us from the
power of sin. He completely fills us with His Holy Spirit.
Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today for the fact
that He is the God that sanctifies us!
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