The Purpose Of his People

This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. - Isaiah 43:21

    This passage of Scripture is a beautiful picture of God’s everlasting salvation and good providence for his people. This one verse reveals the eternal purpose of grace in Christ Jesus, his blessed Son. God’s purpose is to save his people for his glory. Their purpose is to show forth his glory. In this twofold purpose it is all the work of God. The singular purpose for the sheep of Christ to remain on this earth is to glorify the Father and the Son. The singular purpose for the saints to inhabit heaven is the same, to glorify God. The church, the body of Christ, shows forth his praise in three ways, which are inseparable, and of one purpose:

    1). By believing on Christ. Faith in Christ alone, for all our salvation, from start to finish, honors and glorifies the God of purpose, and the purpose of God in Christ our Redeemer. Believing on Christ for who he is (God Incarnate) and what he has done (redeemed his people), shows forth the praises of the Everlasting Father and the Everlasting Son, in whom all fulness dwells. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6); he that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son (1 Jn 5:10).

    2). By being identified with Christ, his Gospel and his people in this world. Contrary to popular opinion, which is—all people of all religions worship the same God and are going to the same heaven, there is but one God, one Lord Jesus Christ, and one Gospel. This one Gospel gives all glory and honor to Christ. This one people believes this Gospel, giving it their allegiance, and will be identified with none other. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Pt 2:9).

    3). By faithfulness and commitment to Christ, his Gospel, and to each other. This is a work of God as well. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Mt 5:16).