Who are the special objects of God's favor?
The world is divided into only two kinds of men ... the godly and the ungodly.
The godly are to be distinguished from the ungodly, by a great variety of marks:
1. The godly fear God.
The generality of people sins without any shame or remorse, Ephesians 4:18-19. But the godly can no longer proceed in such an evil course, 1 Peter 4:2-3.
They humble themselves before God for their past offences.
They guard against sinning against Him, even in thought! 2 Corinthians 10:5.
2. The godly love God.
They are not actuated by a merely slavish fear.
They have the Spirit of adoption given to them, Galatians 4:5.
They sincerely delight to do their Father's will, Romans 7:22.
They account the enjoyment of His favor to be their highest happiness, Psalm 4:6-7.
3. The godly serve God.
Their religion does not consist in mere ineffectual feelings.
It is obvious to all that they are God's servants.
They perform even their civil and social duties with a reference to God, Romans 13:5-6.
They do everything with a view to God's glory, 1 Corinthians 10:31.
What are the special honors which God confers upon the godly?
God has "set them apart," as distinct from those who perish.
1. He has set the godly apart secretly, in His eternal purpose.
His regard for them did not commence after they became godly. Their godliness is the fruit of His love to them, and not the cause of His love! Jeremiah 31:3, 2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 1:4, and Romans 8:29-30. He loved them and set His heart upon them, from eternity past!
2. He has also set the godly apart openly, when He effectually calls them by His grace.
In time, God effectually calls and converts all whom He chose in eternity past.
He inclines and enables them to come out from the world, 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.
He causes them to devote themselves to His service, 1 Peter 2:9.
3. He has also set the godly apart, for Himself.
He makes their souls His own habitation, 2 Corinthians 6:16.
He sheds abroad His love in their hearts by His Holy Spirit.
He preserves them as living monuments of His power and grace.
He regards them as His own treasured possession, Psalm 135:4.
[Charles Simeon]
1 Peter 2:9 ... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Psalm 4:3 ... But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
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