June 28

"The people of God." — 1 Peter 2:13.

WHAT a contrast there is between the past and present state of believers! They were enveloped in the darkness of ignorance, but are now irradiated with the light of knowledge; they were at a distance from God, but are now brought near to him; they were as sheep going astray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls; they were not a people, but are now the people of God.

THEY ARE A CHOSEN PEOPLE. Chosen in Christ from eternity, according to the sovereign will of God; chosen to the greatest honors, and the highest distinctions. They are vessels of mercy, fitted and prepared for the Master's use. "Even so, Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight."

THEY ARE A HOLY PEOPLE. We must never separate the fact of the Divine choice from the sanctifying effects. Holiness is to be the believer's aim, his end, and his desire. It is not the creed that makes the Christian; your views of truth may be orthodox, while your life is not so.

THEY ARE A PECULIAR PEOPLE. They are so in various ways. In their origin, for they are born from above; in their principles, these are spiritual; in their habits, they dare to be singular; in their pursuits, they tread in a peculiar track, and aim to discern the footsteps of the flock, and above all, the marks of the Shepherd's feet. In their pleasures, prospects, and eternal destination, they are peculiar.

THEY ARE A TRIED PEOPLE. The present life is one of probation: the future, of retribution. God tries his people in their graces; faith, hope, love, meekness, and all the other graces that adorn the Christian character. He tries their principles, views, feelings, and experience, to see if they will stand the test.

THEY ARE A HAPPY PEOPLE. They have every thing to make them so. If they have the floods of tribulation to toss them, they have the anchor of hope to steady them; if they have the prickling thorns and briars of the wilderness, they have the fragrant rose of Sharon and the beautiful lily of the valley; if they have painful seasons of trial and gloom, they have the pleasing promise, "At evening time it shall be light."

THEY ARE AN INCREASING PEOPLE. There were only eight in the ark; ten righteous persons would have saved Sodom: but how greatly has the number increased! How many means are in operation for this great end. Let us pray that other sheep may be brought into the fold of Christ, more children adopted into his family, and multitudes of subjects yet people his empire. May our desire be to be found in their number!