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We Are God’s People

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; And though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

In Scripture, God helps us to better understand Him by giving us "word pictures" such as "the Rock of our salvation" in Psalm 95:1 and "the most High your dwelling" in Psalm 91:9. Some of the word pictures we prize the most are the "I Am" statements of Jesus found only in the gospel...

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We Are God’s People

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
And though all its parts are many, they form one body.
So it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

In Scripture, God helps us to better understand Him by giving us "word pictures" such as "the Rock of our salvation" in Psalm 95:1 and "the most High your dwelling" in Psalm 91:9. Some of the word pictures we prize the most are the "I Am" statements of Jesus found only in the gospel of St. John:

I am the good Shepherd
I am the gate for the sheep
I am the light of the world
I am the bread of life

But the biblical writers also use word pictures to describe those who believe in Jesus. Four of these statements are found in our hymn:

Bride of Christ Revelation 19:7
Body 1 Corinthians 12:12
Family Galatians 6:10
Temple 2 Corinthians 6:16

In addition our hymn writer uses still another appropriate term—Fire—though it is not specifically mentioned in Scripture as a description of believers.

In Scripture we note that God is concerned about individuals; but yet, the Bible also knows no solitary Christian. Read 1 Corinthians 12, for example or notice the Lord’s Prayer with its use of the plural pronouns:

Our father
Our debts
Our daily bread.

Neither does our hymn.

"We are God’s people
Strong in Him we stand
Let us…walk heart to heart and hand in hand."

Our hymn writer, Rev. Bryan Leech, uses plural pronouns 12 times to describe the Church.

As we sing this hymn, it’s important to ask: What have you done lately to strengthen the health of the body of Christ, especially the local congregation of which you are a part? Have you been praying for your fellow members or written an encouraging note? Have you volunteered to help where a need is noticeably present? Or made a phone call to simply say "thank you".

One of the most important phrases found in this powerful hymn text says:

"Let us share each joy and care
And live with a zeal that pleases heaven."

These words mirror Hebrews 10:24,25:

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together…Let us encourage one another.

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Rev. Bryan Jeffery Leech tells this story about how he came to write "We Are God's People":

"We had at that time very few popular hymns relating to the church. So on a gray, smoggy morning at a friend’s office in Southern California, I decided to work toward remedying this lack by writing one of my own. The day was the 4th of July, 1975. I sat at a typewriter in his office and I did not get up until I had written all 4 verses. The result was "We Are God’s People." It...

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Rev. Bryan Jeffery Leech tells this story about how he came to write "We Are God's People":

"We had at that time very few popular hymns relating to the church. So on a gray, smoggy morning at a friend’s office in Southern California, I decided to work toward remedying this lack by writing one of my own. The day was the 4^th of July, 1975. I sat at a typewriter in his office and I did not get up until I had written all 4 verses. The result was "We Are God’s People." It turned out to be the favorite of all my hymn texts. I love singing it and I like especially the mixture of the metaphors in it, some biblical and some my own, which illustrate the true nature of the church. ‘We are a temple, the Spirit’s dwelling place, formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God’s grace; we die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire: yet joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light, and to inspire.’"

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