Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14
After the construction of the temple was completed, God appeared to Solomon and warned him that His blessings were conditional. If the people wanted to experience God’s kindness and not His wrath, they needed to do certain things. We live under a different law today (Colossians 2:14), but the basic expectations God has of His people are the same.
“My People Who are Called by My Name”
- To be one of God’s people is not based upon an empty claim we might make – many will claim to belong to God when they are actually of the devil (John 8:44)
- God’s people will be “called by My name” – the name that we wear was prophesied about (Isaiah 62:2; cf. Acts 11:26)
- Who are those who are called Christians? … those who are like Paul (Acts 26:28-29) – those who believe, repent, and are baptized (Acts 9:5,9,18)
- Many people call themselves Christians but are not
“My People Who are Called by My Name…Humble Themselves”
- The first attitude mentioned by Jesus in the beatitudes is humility (Matthew 5:3) – it is a fundamental characteristic necessary for one to be part of Christ’s kingdom (1 Peter 5:5-6)
- We must no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15)
- We must humbly accept His will in all things (James 1:21)
“My People Who are Called by My Name…Pray”
- Christians are to be people of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6-7)
- Jesus’ model prayer shows us some of the things that we should include in our prayers (Matthew 6:9-13) – praise to God, the kingdom/church, His will to be done, physical needs, and spiritual needs
“My People Who are Called by My Name…Seek My Face”
- This phrase means that we seek God’s favor (1 Peter 3:12) – The “eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous“
- We must be righteous – this simply means we must do what is right (1 John 3:7)
- How do we know what is right/righteous? … we look to God’s word (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Once we know what the word says, we must practice it (James 1:22)
“My People Who are Called by My Name…Turn from Their Wicked Ways”
- “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12)
- If we want to remain in God’s favor, we must turn away from sin (1 John 1:5-6)
- We cannot live as the world – we must be different (Romans 12:2)
“I Will…Forgive Their Sin”
- God extended His grace universally (Titus 2:11) – that means He made it available to all
- But receiving His grace is conditional – He will forgive & save us if we do what He commands
- If we want to be saved, we must be His people who are called by His name & we must act like it
(Adapted from an article by Kristofer Gardana)
