S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The phrase "the people of God" always indicates a clear relationship. God called Abram (later Abraham) in Genesis 12 to leave his land for a new one that God would show him. Once Abram was there, G...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Phil Bloom Supporter retired, BibleCollege graduate

This may be a longer curve to answer the question but, I think that this answers the question in maybe a different point. I wrote this when I was attending Bible College, and it was based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, who was God talking to? This is a portion of that writing.

The Promise, The Action, The Reward:

a) If my people who are called by my name

God is speaking only to His people. He makes this crystal clear. "My people" is a highly specialized Hebrew word (ami) that is used 217 times. 210 of these times are from the Old Testament. The beginning of this people came about when God promised to Abraham a great people (literally 'seed'). This would become the nation that He formed from Jacob, later called Israel. They are God's chosen ones.

Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings.” (Exodus 3:7)

The phrase 'My people' has gained a greater meaning to include all believers.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord: “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Hebrews 8:10)

• humble themselves: to have a meek spirit to have submissive respect
• and pray: to address a petition to God, an act of communion with God, such as a confession, praise, or thanksgiving.
• and seek my face: to return to the ways of God
• and turn from their wicked ways: to repent of the sins they lived under
• then I will hear from heaven: if Israel has a convicted heart
• and will forgive their sin: to excuse or pardon from sins, to make one free from the consequences of the sinful behavior
• and heal their land: to restore the nation of Israel back to the pre-exile condition, one with a right relationship with God. 
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

God tells us that the problem of backsliding and sluggishness of our spirit begins with His people and ends with His people. If the sin of God's people brought them into this situation, then it is their turning from these same sins that will bring the needed help to deliver them from their situation.

In other words, unless we can identify our sins, acknowledge them and take full responsibility for them, then we have no hope. Does this apply to Christians today? Many wonder if this promise applies to New Testament believers. This promise is not only for Jews but also Gentile believers who are part of God's people. God's promises reveal the way He has promised to work with His people. Through Jesus Christ, we now know on what basis God can forgive His people their sins.

We assert this promise is for all of God's children on two grounds.
1. We find the 'my people' to be applied to New Testament believers, and
2. The approach God takes with New Testament believers is similar as here.

6 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

The phrase "people of God" typically refers to those who are in a covenant relationship with God, encompassing both the Israelites in the Old Testament and the followers of Christ in the New Testament. Here are some key verses from the NET Bible that highlight this concept:

Exodus 19:5-6:
"Now if you will carefully listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my own possession out of all the peoples. Although all the earth belongs to me, you will be my own kingdom of priests and my holy nation."

Deuteronomy 7:6:
"For you are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be his own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth."

1 Peter 2:9-10:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy."

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report