Pronouns
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We, They, Us, Them. In the Bible, and in our society, who
do these refer to?
You will see bumper stickers that say “God bless America”
(the words "let", "may",
or "pray", are to be understood at the beginning of that phrase), and that is a
good thought, and even a better prayer. But why not a bumper sticker that
would ask the same blessing on any other country? May God bless Spain, Iraq,
and/or Japan, and other political entities. But God has chosen for Himself a
special people, and He has sovereignly chosen that people (that very special
group of people) “from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues”.*
Are we confusing Americans with the chosen people? The
nation of America
with God’s chosen nation? I believe so.
The “us” is us, the elect, chosen of God, those He has
placed in His family,
by adoption.
The “them” are those that are not (and never will be)
in His family,
and will spend eternity separated from Him, in Hell.
The “us” is not Americans! Don’t miss or confuse
this fact.
The “them” is not America's enemies, (whoever that may be at
the time). And the "them" is not those in the American government that don't
happen to think the "we" (individually) do.
You will not be able to understand Peter in II
Peter 3, or the words “they”
and “world” in John chapter 17, if you don’t know the pronouns and who they
refer to in the text.
If we have established the fact, and are satisfied with
the “us” being the
chosen of God who will end up in heaven, and the “them” referring to all
others* (see caveat), then “we” can pursue “our” realtionship to “them”.
Should we be “against” them, “for” them, or just ignore them?
Us and them?
Does not refer to “us Americans” and “them Iraqis”, or
Iranians, Mexicans,
Russians, heathen, pagans, Europeans, or Swedes. It does refer to “us”,
the chosen, and “them”, the non-chosen
Us vs them?
In the Old Testament, we see (mostly) God’s people against “them”
(...hate your enemy…). But in the new “administration” of the same
promise (Eph 1: 9-10), we see the command to love your enemies, “them”.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
everyone, and especially to those who are of the
household of faith. Gal 6:10 (do you see the “us”
and the “them” here?)
"You have heard that it was said, ' YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR
NEIGHBOR and hate
your enemy.' “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you,Matt 5: 43-44
*Caveat— we must, of course, include in the “us”:
those that are elect, but not converted yet (example: your uncle that
you pray for, and will be converted in the future)
those Old Testament saints that were saved by faith in the savior yet to
come
those who havent been born yet physically,
but will be chosen
Last thought: In worship, God is the audience, God
is the one we (believers) are coming to, and He is the one to whom
worship is due.
When "we" come, "we" (plural) come as a body (corporately) to offer [think of
offerings (burnt, sin, grain, etc.)] what He deserves and demands, praise, honor,
and glory.
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