PECULIAR PEOPLE

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 14:1-21.
KEY VERSE “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth” (DEUTERONOMY 14:2)

According to a story, the pastor of a church got on the trolley on Monday morning to get to work. He paid his fair and the trolley driver gave him too much above his change. The pastor sat down and fumbled with the change; he looked over it and counted it eight or ten times. He realised he was tight that week and this was just what he would need for at least a lunch. He wrestled with himself all the way. And finally, he came to the stop and got up, walked up to the trolley driver and said, “Here, you gave me too much change. You made a mistake.” The driver said, “No, it was not mistake. You see, I was in your church last night when you spoke on honesty and I thought I would put you to the test.”

Our text reveals God’s choice of Israel as His children and gave specific commandments. They were not to put marks on their bodies; not even for the dead. They will not eat any abominable thing, unclean animals as specified, whether on land or in the seas; nor anything that dies of itself. Why? Israel was chosen to be a peculiar people above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Believers are Israel of God today; chosen to be peculiar and secured in Christ.

We are chosen not because of our works, but by His grace. As peculiar people, we are partakers of God’s nature of holiness and righteousness.

The believer who is peculiar is honest and direct in dealings with others. He is different, separated and uncorrupted. God’s grace and abiding presence is sufficient to make you peculiar. Dare to be peculiar!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be a peculiar Christian.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 25-26.

MEDITATION

What made God to call the Israelites His children? v1

1. Holy living v2a
   A person that has a single sin in his life cannot claim to be a true child of God I John 3:8,9.
2. Peculiar lifestyle v2b.
   One of the evidence of new birth is the ability to separate from the world and worldly lifestyle without being ashamed. It is a peculiar life which is strange to unbelievers 2 Corinthians 6:17,18. Read also Titus 2:11,12.
3. Exceptional inheritance v2c
   “above all the nations that are upon the earth”
   The Holy Spirit will not permit any of God’s children to live a life of failure, fruitlessness or mediocrity when compared to unbelieving peers, except if the person is living in ignorance, laziness and disobedience Deuteronomy 28:13, John 15:8,16.
   Q What are the other experiences a truly born again person must manifest before those above can be realistic?
   Q Are you truly born again?
   If you are born again, give God the glory and praise
   If you observe that you are not born again, ask God to forgive you and give you the Spirit of sonship
   Ask God for more grace to live a true and distinct christian lifestyle that is totally separate from the world
   Pray for conviction of sin on religious sinners in your church, backed up with full true repentance

HYMN You must be born again

1. A ruler once came to Jesus by night
   To ask Him the way of salvation and light;
   The Master made answer in words true and plain,
   “Ye must be born again.
   Ye must be born again,
   Ye must be born again;
   I verily, verily say unto thee,
   Ye must be born again.”
2. Ye children of men, attend to the word
   So solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord;
   And let not this message to you be in vain,
   “Ye must be born again.
   Ye must be born again,
   Ye must be born again;
   I verily, verily say unto thee,
   Ye must be born again.”
3. O ye who would enter that glorious rest,
   And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest,
   The life everlasting if ye would obtain,
   “Ye must be born again.
   Ye must be born again,
   Ye must be born again;
   I verily, verily say unto thee,
   Ye must be born again.”
4. A dear one in heaven thy heart yearns to see,
   At the beautiful gate may be watching for thee,
   Then list to the note of this solemn refrain,
   “Ye must be born again.
   Ye must be born again,
   Ye must be born again;
   I verily, verily say unto thee,
   Ye must be born again.”