The Daily Word of Righteousness

Called To Be Saints, #5

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8)

God the Father sent the Lord Jesus Christ into the world in order to destroy the works of the devil; to loose human beings from the power of Satan and bring them into union with God. God desires obedience to His will and praise to His holy name on the part of all the peoples of the earth. We are to pray that such obedience and praise come into being.

The world and the worldly churches profess to be greatly occupied with the physical needs of mankind. But many charitable institutions are seeking their own glory it appears.

God is very concerned about the sin and rebellion in the world. God could remedy the physical problems of any nation in a moment of time to an extent a million workers could not duplicate in one hundred years. God possesses that kind of power. God easily could heal every sick person in the world if He chose to do so.

Why does God not alleviate the ills of mankind? It is because He is concerned primarily with the problem of sin. It was sin that crucified the Son of God. As soon as sin has been overcome, the physical circumstances can be remedied easily and quickly.

The Lord Jesus Christ has sent you and me into the world just as the Father sent Him into the world. The world and the worldly churches will not embrace us when they discover Christ is in us. They will reject us. They will hate us. They will persecute and kill us until the hour when the Father opens the eyes of the nations so they may believe (John 17:21).

Let us recognize, therefore, that we are not friends of the world at this time. We are the witnesses whom God has appointed to reveal His Christ, His Nature, His will to the peoples of the world. Let us not become absorbed in repairing pipes or selling cars to the point we forget that our calling in life is to bear the holy anointing oil of our God, to show forth the praise of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:19)

Christ had every right to lead a normal life. He was a righteous, law-abiding Jew. The promises of long life and abundance of material blessings were His. Under the Law he deserved to pursue His trade of carpentry, build a home, buy some livestock, marry a wife, and settle down to enjoy the respect of His neighbors, children, and grandchildren.

If Jesus had done this the witness would not have been borne, the atonement would not have been made. You and I would be dead in our sins.

Instead He sanctified Himself. He set Himself apart to the service of God. He bore witness to the truth. The truth of Christ has set you and me apart today—many centuries later.

To be continued.