[b]His treasured possession[/b]
(Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity, or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness", 1662)
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6
God makes . . . many rich, and many great, and many honorable, and many mighty, and many wise, and many noble, and many beautiful, and many successful-- whom He will never make holy.
But in making you holy--God has made you spiritually great, rich, honorable, wise, and beautiful, etc. Holiness is a singular fruit of God's special favor and love.
God has a common favor and love for all men, yes, for the worst of men; witness that common preservation, and common protection, and common provision--which He grants to them. But God has a special love and favor--and this runs out only to His holy ones.
Holiness is a divine beam, a heavenly drop, a choice pledge of God's special favor and love.
O sirs! though the world may slight you, and enemies revile you, and friends disfavor you--yet let this support you, let this rejoice you--that you are God's treasured possession!
_________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
|