The Daily Word of Righteousness

Justice for the Nations, #6

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1,2)

A further work of reconciliation to God must be performed before we are ready to appear with Christ and bring justice to the nations. We must be cleansed of sin and self-seeking. We must have Christ formed in us. Then the Father and the Son must make us Their eternal abode.

The purpose of the gifts and ministries of the Body of Christ is to bring each believer to perfect faith in Jesus, to the full knowledge of the Son of God, to the moral image (and ultimately, at His appearing, the outer image) of Jesus, and to untroubled rest in the Father through the Son.

Impossible you exclaim! Not at all. Consider the greatness of God. Consider the greatness of the One who instituted the program. Is He able to do what He has stated? You must give your own answer. I have given mine.

Assuming you have accepted the invitation of God, you must now without delay address yourself to discovering and utilizing the gifts and callings on your life.

Are you an apostle? Lay aside all else and go where God sends you, bringing the knowledge of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Are you able to prophesy? Then walk continually in the prophetic milieu, keeping in the Spirit of God at all times. Don't put yourself in situations where you lose the touch of the supernatural on your personality.

Are you an evangelist? Give yourself wholly to your ministry. There still is fruit for the Master's table waiting to be picked. Follow the Holy Spirit in this.

Are you a pastor or teacher? Set yourself aside that you may feed the sheep. Feed the sheep. Feed them with the Word of God. Disciple them with the Word of God.

Feed the sheep on the riches of the Spirit until they are fat and strong. Then they will overcome the devil and find their place in ministry. The anointing will break the yoke.

Ah, but I am none of these (supposedly) outstanding ministries! Most people aren't. There are not less than five billion other combinations of gifts and ministries waiting to be received by diligent believers, each one of which is as necessary for the maturing of the Body as the five we have mentioned. The angels are waiting on the balconies of Heaven with the gifts of the Spirit tied with bows, just waiting for someone to care enough to ask. Why don't you be one of those who ask?

When you do not find and operate your gift the Body suffers and you suffer. In time past the Lord has been patient with us as we have regarded casually the idea of our being an integral member of the Body of Christ. This patient attitude is now history. The seasons have changed. It is time for the royal priesthood, the holy nation, to be born at once.

To be continued.