It is important for us to remember that God never changes! "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6) Though He speaks of His people as they are in Adam by nature, that does not change His relationship toward them in Christ by His grace. Also, what they show themselves to be toward Him does not change how He always is toward them. An example of this is shown in reconciliation. God does not need to be reconciled to His people; He hasn't changed or done anything to them that requires it. But they have sinned, rebelled against Him and they must be reconciled to Him. Thus, God was in Christ reconciling them unto Himself. Though they act as enemies against Him, they are always His friends. Paul writes, "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10) We were enemies. We needed to be reconciled to God. But how were we so? "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Colossians 1:21). We were enemies in our minds and demonstrated that enmity by relying upon our own works (all of which are "wicked works") rather than Christ and His work! But though this is the case, from Christ's side, He lays down His life for His "friends." Christ's sheep were always and are presently sheep, even if they be yet in their experience "lost sheep." As the "everlasting Father," they were always His children and not the children of the devil. What they became in Adam did not alter what they are in Christ! Grace preceded all that they became and made them one with Christ and thus saving them by His cross death with an eternal salvation before they fell in Adam. They were safe in Christ through His blood, the blood of the everlasting covenant! God never changes His relationship or His affections toward them since He always viewed them in their Covenant Head who is the same yesterday, today and forever! None become His people because He died for them or because they believe on Him. He died for them and gives them faith to believe on Him because of what God in grace made them in Him before the world began!