The Daily Word of Righteousness

Overcoming the Saints, #12

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:7,8)

Loss of recognition and status may prove to be a stumbling block to many religious leaders. God will pass by the organizational structures and use whomever He will. The pastor or leader who rejoices as he sees God using saints of no reputation will flourish in the Presence of the Lord.

The pastor or leader who seeks in his envy to crush the work of the Lord in other people will not prosper. He is making himself or herself the enemy of Christ.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and on another occasion Aaron and Miriam, made the observation that Moses was no better than they. They were correct in their judgment. But God had chosen Moses, so the three rebels were slain; and Miriam became leprous.

Aaron's rod that budded symbolizes the calling of God. God will choose whom He will. Satan has destroyed himself because of his envy, his self-will, in the area of inheritance and status, Christ received all of the inheritance and the fullness of status. Satan cannot accept this. Therefore his proper home is the Lake of Fire.

All religious leaders who cannot accept the Lord's decision in the area of role and status, but who react in envy, seeking to crush those who are being placed above them, will have the same destiny as Satan, unless they repent.

Whenever Jesus appears the organized churches seek to slay Him. They slay Him by slaying the apostles and prophets whom He sends. It has been the same from the time of Abel. The hatred of religious leaders and of the world for God's prophets will continue until the Lord appears with His saints.

The saints who return with the Lord at His coming will have been perfected in the area of dependence on the Lord, in the area of relationships, and in the area of contentment with their assigned status in the Kingdom of God.

God will give Antichrist authority to sift each member of the Wife of the Lamb in the area of bodily survival, in the area of desire, and in the area of preeminence. To be accepted in the firstfruits of the Bride that now is being called forth, we must be without spot or wrinkle in each area.

As we read these words it is of the greatest importance we make the right choice concerning each of the three. When the Lord Jesus was tested in the wilderness, He was required to make the godly choice.

God is not requiring that we perform heroics in order to be changed into His image. God asks only that we make the godly decision. Then His almighty wisdom and power can bring our choice to fruition. The result is an individual in the image of God and in union with God.

To be continued.