The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Administration of the Kingdom of God, continued

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, (Titus 2:11,12—NASB)

It is time for the latter rain to be outpoured. We have believed and preached for many years that the greatest revival of all time is at the very doors. We think the latter rain revival, the double portion, is symbolized by the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation.

We want more of God. But we are watchful. We know Satan would love to move in and destroy any work that seriously threatens his kingdom.

The move of God today concerns righteous behavior. God wants the Christian people to begin to keep the commandments of Christ and His Apostles.

There are several doctrines in Evangelical preaching that work against the keeping of Christ's commandments. Perhaps the most powerful of these is the concept of the "dispensation of grace"—the idea that God no longer requires righteous behavior, only that we believe the facts of theology concerning Christ.

Such teaching and practice is contrary to the Scriptures and destructive of the Kingdom of God. It is the result of men attempting to administrate the Kingdom of God. They proceed blindly, not hearing from the Lord.

The Lord Jesus, the King of the Kingdom, is looking for those who will cease from their own works, their own programs, and listen to His voice. He desires that we make disciples of all nations, teaching them to keep His commandments.

This is how we can determine whether any current "move of God" is authentic. If the exciting spiritual milieu lifts up the Lord Jesus Christ and commands us to practice righteousness, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, then we have reason to believe God is present.

But if the inspirational gathering stresses feelings, manifestations, spiritual phenomena, emphasizes the Holy Spirit and various exhibitions and displays, does not command us to obey Christ and His Apostles, does not stress the requirements of discipleship and the severe demands Christ makes on His followers, then we have reason to believe we are witnessing a deluding spirit that proclaims the name of Jesus but is coming from Satan.

Remember, the girl with the demon spirit spoke the truth: "These men are servants of the most high God who show us the way of salvation." The demons know that Jesus is Christ and they are well able to proclaim His name. Remember also that Satan is wise enough to give a little in order to gain a lot, to sacrifice a lesser piece in order to checkmate the king, to stress Christian works if the program will keep people at a childish level, preventing them from coming to the full stature of Christ.

Ours is a day of deception in Christian circles. If I am hearing from the Lord the problem of deception is going to grow very much worse in the days to come.

There is only one solution. It is for godly men and women, boys and girls, to cease from their own works and to seek the Lord with diligence. We are to take our hands off the Ark. We are to return the right to administrate the things of the Kingdom to the true and only Administrator. As we guard the word of His patience He will guard us against delusion. He will keep our feet on the highway of holiness.

Best of all—when we see Him He will know us. Perhaps we will have not worked great miracles or accomplished mighty things in His name. But He will know us, and, as far as I am concerned, that is all that counts.

How about you?