A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 5: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Charac ter : The Outward Di sc i p l i nes 171

b. God himself is the source of the identity of his people, not their goods and achievements.

(1) The covenant of God with the Israelites at Sinai, Exod. 20.1-17

(2) The new covenant of God with those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah, 1 Pet. 2.9-10 – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

c. God gives of his bounty to the inhabitants of the world as his gift.

(1) 1 Chron. 29.10-14 – Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. [11] Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. [12] Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. [13] And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. [14] But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” (2) Ps. 2.8 – Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.