“Know ye …we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalms 100:3)

Before any man will bow to God, he must have the understanding that he belongs to a group of people called “his people”; meaning God’s People. There will be no honor, no worship, and no praise of a God that is unknown as your God, your Father, your Savior – until Regeneration.

To know that God has chosen you to be His Child; which makes Him your Father; which shows ownership, “his people”; you must be Regenerated by the Spirit of God. That is, you must be Born from Above. You must be converted. You must be given a knowledge of your election (or of His Choice), of your calling, and of your conversion. To have this knowledge, you must be given a new mind; be made a new creature in Christ; be given a new nature; be made free from the law of sin and death.

The Bible explains this in the terminology of Regeneration; born the second time by the Spirit of God; quickened, raised from the spiritually dead to walk in newness of life; conversion.

This process is called Experiential Justification. Why? Because through the process (or experience) of Regeneration (from quickening; to repentance being worked; to when confession is made), there is an understanding in your spirit, or a witness is given by the Holy Spirit, of His inward work in making you a “new man”; one who desires to please Christ, and now hates the ways of the flesh. Your will has been changed from self to the Savior. You have been raised from spiritual death to spiritual life. (See John 3:3-8; 6:44-45, 63, 65; Ephesians 2:1-4; 4:17-25; 5:1-33; Romans 8:2, 14-16; 6:1-23; 2 Timothy 1:7-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17;  Colossians 3:1-25.)

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16)

This is all based on:

1)    Eternal Justification: where God chose you in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-11; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 13:8). You were Eternally Justified (or declared Righteous) in Christ before the foundation of the world. On this Covenant, or foundation, Christ came to the earth as the God-Man.

2)    Judicial Justification: when Christ came and made Atonement on the Cross for sinners (Romans 3:24-25; 5:1-21; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24, etc.). (See Hebrews 9:22-26; 10:1-22.) The Covenant was ratified in His Blood, or in His Atoning Work on the Cross as your Substitute, Sacrifice, and Savior.

Whereby upon Regeneration, you cry “Abba, Father”; revealing that God is your Father and you are His People.

The text also says, “…and the sheep of his pasture.” The term “sheep” is used figuratively, or metaphorically. (Read John 10:1-31.) The term “sheep” indicates the knowledge of being part of the Flock of God; in submission to the Shepherd; and with complete trust in His Protection and Provision:

“A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalms 23:1)

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” (Psalms 23:2)

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:3)

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4)

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalms 23:5)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:6)

The converted Child of God knows that he is a sheep; he knows without doubt that he is a son of God (by regeneration). He also knows that Christ is:

1)    “My shepherd”; that “He is mine and I am His.” He (the sheep) knows Him (Christ); and not only about Him (Christ), it is a personal relationship.

2)    “The Good Shepherd”; who “giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11); who knows His Sheep and His Sheep know Him:

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14)

“As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10:27)

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29)

“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)

3)    “The Chief Shepherd”; who shall appear unto him (1 Peter 5:4).

4)    “That Great Shepherd”; He that was dead and is alive for evermore (Revelation 1:18).

“Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ...” (Hebrews 13:21)

As Psalms 23:1-6 relates, my Shepherd is my Provider, my Protector, and my Praise. He is the Object (or the Person) of my worship; for He is the God-Man, the Son of Man, who is God – Perfect, Holy, and Righteous.

I worship Him because I am “in Him.” I am an heir of God and joint-heir of Jesus Christ. He is my Redeemer, my Savior, my All in All.

I stand in His Salvation.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

These people, and these alone, are the true worshipers of Christ, the King.