October 27

A holy nation. - 1 Peter 2:9.

THE Lord’s people, though they consist of large numbers and their number is every day increasing, are not an undisciplined rabble. Observe their nationality. They are a multitude of people under rule and order, laws and a Governor. The worst government upon earth is a thousand times better than a mere mobocracy, where every one does that which is right in his own eyes. God’s people are under authority. They are all subjects. They have a King who reigns over them, and a King who reigns in them too; who “puts his laws into their minds” and “writes them in their hearts;” he “makes them willing in the day of his power,” and they then say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

Secondly, They are a holy nation. Their holiness involves two things. First, Their separation from the world. Thus, under the law, the tabernacle and all the utensils thereof were called holy; not that they underwent a change, but because they were dedicated to the service of God,-“set apart” from common to special uses, from natural to spiritual uses. Thus we are told that “the Lord setteth apart him that is godly for himself,” in his purposes first, then by his grace and providence.

Then, Secondly, By the renovation of their natures. Thus they are holy, not only by dedication, but by transformation; to use the words of the apostle, being “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” And this change is absolutely indispensable. If God were to call an angel before him, he could employ him immediately, without a change; he would be prepared and ready for his service. But if God called a poor sinner in this way, he must “work in him to will and to do of his good pleasure,” and produce in him the principles and dispositions which will render his duty his delight, and enable him to say, after the example of his divine Lord, “My meat is to do the will of my Father which is in heaven, and to finish his work.