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BY
D. SAMY DOSS—writing
from South Africa
 e
are known for a lot of things. At one time we may be known for our
beauty or handsomeness. At other times we may be known for our shabbiness
or ugliness. Some may know us by our jobs. Others may know us by the
cars we drive or the house we live in. We may be known by our excellence
in certain fields. I think that eventually we, being Christians, will
become known by our Christian living. In fact, God will identify us
as His own only if we live holy lives in harmony with His holy Word.
We live
peculiar lives. Lives that are unique, distinct, distinguished and
denominated.
"God's
people are to be distinguished as a people who serve Him fully, wholeheartedly,
taking no honor to themselves, and remembering that by a most solemn
covenant they have bound themselves to serve the Lord, and Him only.
. . .
"Who are
these?—God's denominated people—those who on this earth
have witnessed to their loyalty. Who are they?—Those who have
kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; those who have
owned the Crucified One as their Saviour."1
This is
the result of having accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Once we have gained the essential knowledge of Him who created us,
we soon understand God's grace and what it truly means to walk with
Christ, who foreknew us from the beginning as His precious, peculiar
treasure. If we are faithful to the core in our belief that we are
indeed a special people of God, then we stand out exceptionally and
remarkably, living a life that is Christlike. All—our character,
appearance, attitude, disposition, deportment, conversation, thoughts,
motives and purposes—will bear the heavenly signet.
What
does it mean to be peculiar?
By definition,
the term "peculiar" has several meanings just as any term in the English
language has several synonyms or equivalents and connotations.
Peculiar
means special; unique; to have characteristics exclusively of one's
own; to be the property of one; distinct; separate; to belong particularly
or exclusively to one, as an exclusive possession of God; treasured
possession of God; encircled.
Not
odd or weird
While
we may be unique and distinct, we are not odd, eccentric, queer or
weird. While we may be peculiar in many aspects pleasing in the sight
of God, though not in the sight of men, we ought not to be peculiar
in senseless forms or idiosyncrasies in which God would not delight.
His peculiar people are not fanatics or cultists. We should not be
like those who are majoring in minors and attach undue importance
to unwanted practices just to be seen as odd or eccentric. In other
words, we are not to be like the Pharisees who trod weightier matters
underfoot and were bothered too much concerning lighter and insignificant
matters just to be seen and applauded by men.
"While
you shall not conform to the world, remember that our faith bears
the stamp of singularity, and makes us a peculiar people. Therefore,
all odd notions and individual peculiarities and narrow plans that
would give false impressions of the greatness of the work, should
be avoided. None of the workers should manufacture crosses and duties;
for the Bible has given the rule, the cross, the way."2
Peculiar
people—people of God's own possession by creation
The whole
earth and everything in it belongs to God (Psalms 24:1; 50:10); yet
of all His possessions, there is one that He prizes above all others.
His promise is, "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for
all the earth is mine" (Exodus 19:5).
"We are
[God's] by creation and by redemption. Our very bodies are not our
own, to treat as we please, to cripple by habits that lead to decay,
making it impossible to render to God perfect service. Our lives and
all our faculties belong to Him."3
This concept
of God's special possession is captured in two unusual words used
in the New Testament: peripoiesis (1 Peter 2:9) and periousios (Titus
2:14). The King James Version renders these with the adjective "peculiar."
Unfortunately, this English word can mean either (1) odd, curious,
eccentric, or (2) special, distinctive or of own possession. Some
people unwittingly attach the first of these meanings to the biblical
passages. However, the second meaning, which is less familiar, is
actually much closer to the biblical idea. Yet it, too, does not fully
convey the true meaning of the words. In 1 Peter 2:9 the church is
referred to as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people for God's own possession (laos eis peripoiesin)." In Titus
2:14 the word likewise connotes the idea of people of His special
possession.
God's
own possession by redemption
We are
God's prized possession because of the tremendous price He paid to
acquire us—the sacrifice of His Son.
We become
the people of God by His creation and redemption. When God redeems
us, we become His own. To redeem is to "buy back." It draws its meaning
from the marketplace. This word is used elsewhere to refer to the
release of a slave or prisoner by the payment of a ransom. God redeemed
His people Israel from slavery in Egypt. More importantly, Christ
has redeemed His people from slavery to sin (Isaiah 1:2–9). We
once belonged to sin and were held captive by the evil one. While
we were in slavery to sin, we could not enjoy fellowship with God.
Christ paid a costly ransom price for us in shedding His own blood
for us. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by
tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
Only the precious blood of Christ—not the blood of any man or
even any angel—could redeem us.
"All who
cherish the Lord as their portion in this life will be under His control,
and will receive the sign, the mark of God, which shows them to be
God's special possession."4
If Christ
has redeemed you, then no longer are you to serve sin, but instead
your Lord and Master. He owns you now. You are not your own and cannot
do as you please! You have been redeemed not only for your personal
happiness and gratification, but for His glory. You were freed from
sin and are now His possession.
This exalted
position of our being God's special treasure carries with it some
weighty responsibilities. We are called to proclaim the excellencies
of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light
(1 Peter 2:9), and we are to be "zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).
Just as Israel, God's treasured people in the Old Testament, was called
upon to bear witness in their world, so the church, God's peripoiesis,
is now being called upon to bear witness in our world.
A
unique and special treasure being purified
We become
God's people by purification. "All have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and since God is perfect in holiness
and hates sin, His people must be purified if they are to enjoy fellowship
with Him. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God"
(Matthew 5:8). God cannot look upon evil, and evil men cannot see
God. In other words, only holy men can see God, as it is written in
Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord." So, to become holy, there must be purification
(sanctification) so that God will be able to look upon us favorably,
and so that we will one day see God.
Every
time we sin, we become defiled by that sin. How do we become purified
under the new covenant? "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
(1 John 1:9). We do not need to go through some rigorous, elaborate
ritual, but are simply to turn to God in prayer, repenting of our
sins, confessing them to the Lord. He will cleanse us. And since God's
grace has then abounded, shall we continue in sin? Nay, God forbid.
(See Romans 6:1–15.)
"The religion
of Jesus Christ never degrades the receiver. If it finds men and women
earthly, common, coarse, unkindly in words, harsh in speech, selfish
and self-caring, truth received in the heart commences its purifying,
refining process. In words, in dress, in all our habits, there is
seen reformation and those things that please God. Then all the world
may see its influence in the transforming process."5
As people
of God, we should follow the Lord's injunction: "Be ye holy, for I
am holy" (1 Peter 1:16); "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
A
peculiar people who bear witness unto the world
We can
bear witness only by imitating Christ in our life—not doing things
in the natural, carnal way but rather doing everything in Christ's
way. The fruit of the Spirit is described in Galatians 5:22, 23, and
there are also several aspects of Christian standards which our Saviour
mentioned in His Sermon on the Mount:
Take,
for instance, the issue of revenge. The old carnal way meant that
if someone wronged me, I had a right to confront him and get my pound
of flesh. Then the idea of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
was instituted not to give limitless or ultimate rights to retaliate—it
was rather intended to restrain by limiting the punishment to a response
comparable to the offense. But now Christ has come, and we are a new
people bought by His blood. He bids us follow a much higher standard:
For example, to be struck on the cheek was a term of insult. It was
to hit the other person on the cheek with the back of the hand. When
we are insulted, our natural response is to strike back, each blow
becoming harder and harder. But Jesus is telling us instead to respond
to evil with grace. "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (Romans 12:17).
When we do this, we are being like Christ who suffered the ultimate
humiliation; He died at the hands of those He came to save. Jesus
had every right to be angry, to fight back, to call down the angels
of heaven and destroy all of mankind. But instead, He submitted to
the evil of men and brought good out of it.
We have
been called to be a peculiar people, people who act just as Jesus
did. We are to love our enemies. If you love only those who love you,
you do no better than the publicans—those corrupt tax-collectors,
the greatest abusers of people in their day. If you greet only those
whom you like, you do no better than the vilest pagan. Instead, God
commands us to love others as He loves us. The reason why we should
be a unique, special and treasured possession of God is that He has
called us, ordained us, chosen us and identified us as His own sons
and daughters. We become sons and daughters of God through receiving
Christ, and "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
To be
among the people of God is to obey His commandments and keep His covenant.
You will want to please Him because He has changed your heart, writing
His law in it. "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God:
the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself,
above all people that are upon the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy
7:6). What an awesome privilege!
But along
with great privilege comes great responsibility. Christ is purifying
unto Himself His own special people, and if He has chosen you, it
is that you may become zealous for good works. Are you zealous? Or
are you lethargic, hesitant and indifferent in your service to Christ?
God wants people that are serious about His business—doing His
will. He did not save you to do His will grudgingly. He did not redeem
you to obey His word half-heartedly and render half-hearted service.
He is looking for zealots—those who will do anything God says
at a moment's notice with greatest enthusiasm. You may have to try
and restore a marriage that is breaking up. You may reach out to someone
that is down and out and rejected by society. You might help a drunkard
overcome his sin. The Bible says, "Let him know, that he which converteth
the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death,
and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).
Visible
characteristics (external—without)
a. Keep
the commandments and the faith of Jesus in loving response to His
love (1 John 4:19; John 14:15; Revelation 14:12). " 'The Lord hath
avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised
thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; and to make
thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in
name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the
Lord thy God, as He hath spoken' (Deuteronomy 26:18, 19). God accepts
those who will work for His name's glory, to make His name a praise
in a world of apostasy and idolatry. He will be exalted by His commandment-keeping
people."6
b. Follow
a "Thus saith the Lord." "God's word must be recognized as above all
human legislation. A 'Thus saith the Lord' is not to be set aside
for a 'Thus saith the church' or a 'Thus saith the state.' The crown
of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates."7
c. Reformation
in dress. "When the church is converted, there will be a very great
reformation in dress."8
d. Reformation
in Sabbath observance. "What does the Lord require of us? The observance
of His Sabbath, 'as a perpetual covenant.' God wishes every family
to bear this sign. Thus we may show that we are loyal and true to
His commandments."9
e. Reformation
in health principles. "[God] calls for decided reformation. All creation
is groaning under the curse. God's people should place themselves
where they will grow in grace, being sanctified, body, soul, and spirit,
by the truth. When they break away from all health-destroying indulgences,
they will have a clearer perception of what constitutes true godliness.
A wonderful change will be seen in the religious experience."10
f. In
the world, but not of the world (John 17:16).
"Of the
zealous, self-sacrificing disciples of Christ, it is written that
Jesus was not ashamed to call them brethren, so fully did they manifest
His Spirit, and bear His likeness. By their works they constantly
testified that this world was not their home; their citizenship was
above; they were seeking a better country, even a heavenly. Their
conversation and affections were on heavenly things. They were in
the world, but not of the world; in spirit and practice they were
separate from its maxims and customs. Their daily example testified
that they were living for the glory of God. Their great interest,
like that of their Master, was for the salvation of souls. For this
they toiled and sacrificed, counting not their lives dear unto themselves.
By their life and character they made a bright track heavenward. Upon
such disciples, Jesus can look with satisfaction as His representatives.
His character will not be misrepresented through them."11
"Our only
safety is to stand as God's peculiar people. We must not yield one
inch to the customs and fashions of this degenerate age, but stand
in moral independence, making no compromise with its corrupt and idolatrous
practices."12
g. No
guile—pure and gracious conversation. "For by thy words thou
shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew
12:37). It is said of God's peculiar remnant that "in their mouth
was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of
God" (Revelation 14:5). "If we represent Christ to the world, we shall
be pure in heart, in life, in character; we shall be holy in conversation;
there will be no guile in our hearts or upon our lips."13
h. Zealous
of good works. Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven" (Matthew 5:16). The Scriptures are provided "that the man
of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2
Timothy 3:17).
i. Practicing
pure religion. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father
is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).
j. Studying
the Word. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2
Timothy 2:15).
k. Propagating
the gospel. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature" (Mark 16:15).
l. Being
prayerful. "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians
5:17, 18).
Within
characteristics
a. Growing
in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. "Grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
b. Rooted
and grounded in faith (Colossians 2:7).
c. Having
the hope of salvation. "It is good that a man should both hope and
quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord" (Lamentations 3:26).
d. Having
a true conversion. "Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
e. Repented
of sins. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may
be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence
of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
f. Hating
sin. "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore
God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows" (Psalm 45:7).
g. Obeying
God's voice. "Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I
speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall
live" (Jeremiah 38:20).
h. Having
compassion and a burden for souls. "Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous" (1 Peter 3:8).
i. Having
been justified (Acts 13:39).
j. Becoming
sanctified (purified) (Acts 20:32).
k. To
be glorified (Romans 8:30).
l. Desirous
and hopeful of being with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
The
apple of His eye — God guards His own
God sets
His watchcare over the people of His own. Jesus has promised, "I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). "My sheep hear
my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them
eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck
them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than
all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John
10:27–29). "The Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot
of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste
howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him
as the apple of his eye" (Deuteronomy 32:9, 10).
"Heavenly
angels are commissioned to watch the sheep of Christ's pasture. When
Satan with his deceptive snares would deceive if possible the very
elect, these angels set in operation influences that will save the
tempted souls if they will take heed to the Word of the Lord, realize
their danger, and say: 'No, I will not enter into that scheme of Satan.
I have an Elder Brother on the throne in heaven, who has shown that
He has a tender interest in me, and I will not grieve His heart of
love. I know and am assured that He is watching over His children,
keeping them as the apple of His eye. There is no diminishing of His
love. I will not grieve the heart of Christ; I will try not to become
a tempter to others.'"14
Should
not the fact that in God's eyes we are His treasured possession be
an immense source of comfort and the greatest incentive to holy living?
My dear brothers and sisters, dwell upon this awesome truth—what
you are to God and what God is to you—especially when you are
going through rough waters and troubled-filled times that are consuming
all your attention.
May God
bless all of us as we have enjoined ourselves to be laborers together
with HIM, accepting Jesus Christ as our gracious Lord and Saviour,
as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of being God's own treasured
possession—His PECULIAR PEOPLE. Let us prove ourselves worthy
before Him who has laid His life for each one of us. Let us be faithful
to the core, realizing the nearness of the coming of our dear Lord
and Saviour. Amen.
_________________________
1 Our
High Calling, p. 345.
2 Testimonies to Southern Africa, p. 12.
3 Medical Ministry, pp. 275, 276.
4 The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7,
p. 969.
5 Our High Calling, p. 34.
6 Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 118.
7 Gospel Workers, p. 390.
8 Special Testimony to the Oakland and Battle Creek Churches,
pp. 14, 15.
9 The Review and Herald, April 17, 1900.
10 Ibid., May 27, 1902.
11 The Signs of the Times, December 22, 1890.
12 Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 78.
13 Lift Him Up, p. 326.
14 The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol.
7, p. 922.
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