“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
— Psalm 100:3
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
— John 10:14
We did not create this earth or the natural world within it. We did not even create ourselves. A sovereign God placed us here. As God of the whole earth,[1]every person has an obligation to keep his moral law and be thankful to him. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry.[2]
Much more so the blood-bought child of God. Yes, Jesus is Lord of all by virtue of being creator and God. But he is not the Shepherd and Redeemer of all. He only shows that aspect of His character to the elect, the sheep of his pasture. His sheep know that Jesus is Lord, God, prophet king. Wonderful, Counsellor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace[3].
His sheep are a peculiar people[4] zealous for good works.[5] He did not bring us out of the house of bondage[6] of our sin and misery so that we can continue to serve sin. He also did not redeem us from death so that we can be rich and live a life of ease. He leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake[7].
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
— Psalm 100:4
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