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.