The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Basic Story of Life, #18

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:50,51)

The interpretation today is that such passages apply only to those who are Jewish by race. This is not scriptural. They apply to all who are the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22)

The above passage is addressed to Gentile Christians.

Some are teaching that no Christian will be reproved at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We would remind those teachers and the Christians who believe them that the words of our Lord Jesus will stand, and that if anyone adds to them or subtracts from them he shall be visited with Divine Judgment.

The Scripture teaches that some of the Lord's servants will be dragged weeping, gnashing their teeth, and hurled into outer darkness. Their sin is that of laziness and carelessness concerning the treasures of the Kingdom of God.

The door to the marriage supper of the Lamb will be closed against those believers who allow themselves to become "dry" of the oil of the Holy Spirit.

And so we come to the "third day" of the work of restoration. Christ has remained in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the Day that is coming into view even now.

It is possible that the greatest spiritual opportunities of all history are available to us today. We can be among those who press in and reap a full reward. The choice is ours to make.

On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Joshua was to "pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land," within three days. Hosea proclaims, "In the third day he will raise us up." On the third day Christ (His Body) will be perfected (Luke 13:32).

The glory of the latter house shall be greater than of the former. Much glory was given in the first century. Much glory was lost during the following centuries. But the restored glory will be many times greater than the first glory given. The days of the double portion, the greater works, are upon us.

Christ has kept the good wine until now. Bit by bit, command upon command, rule upon rule, the Holy Spirit has enabled the saints to begin to recover the lost inheritance. The work of restoration is long and difficult. But the glory is at hand and the future is radiant with the joyous wonders that were glimpsed dimly by the patriarchs and prophets.

Restoration, another name for redemption, is a love story. Christ's motive in paying for our sins and gathering us to Himself in our immaturity is His love for us. This is why we must not flirt with other gods and lords. Christ desires us for Himself alone. He has given all of Himself to us. He insists we give all of ourselves to Him. If we do not we surely will come short of the fullness of the inheritance.

Let us dance along with Jesus, for the Christian discipleship is the greatest adventure of all. What Christ has begun Christ shall finish, in the world, in the Church, in your life as an individual. Never, never give up. All His promises shall come to pass if you keep on keeping on.

The glory of the latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

(Haggai 2:9) (from The Work of Restoration)