The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Ruler, #20

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

That which is being formed in the saint will never be found in the world or revealed to the world until the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is revealed from Heaven.

There are ambitious believers in our day who are fretted by the sin being practiced in the nations of the world. They would go forth now in the name of Jesus in an attempt to bring the secular realm under the moral control of Christian people. They think it is time now for the manifestation of the sons of God, for the marching of Joel's army. But it is not time as yet. Therefore, the aggressive Christians will bring persecution on the churches.

We still are in the Church Era of witnessing of the atoning death and triumphant resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The hour for the attack is not yet. The present period is to be devoted to cleansing each saint from the love of the world, from the lusts of the flesh, and from self-rule.

When the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed to the world in the fullness of His resurrection Life and Glory, we also, in whom His resurrection Life and Glory have been formed, will be revealed to the world. The supreme majesty and power of that revelation will release the material creation from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

We in whom Christ is being formed are becoming an integral part of His glorious appearing to the world. Every saint who will permit God to form Christ in him represents an increase in the Glory of Christ to be revealed to this world in the Day of the Lord.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

When the world beholds the Glory of Christ in the saints, the world will believe God has sent Christ.

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)

Satan has received authority and power from the Lord God of Heaven to persecute those who are bearing the testimony of the Kingdom of God. In God's appointed time, in the days to come, Satan will be allowed to drive the Christian witness out of the cities of the earth until the testimony of Jesus becomes an ineffectual voice in world affairs.

But Satan never will be able to touch in any manner, whatever the formation of Christ is in a member of the Body of Christ, unless he can entice the believer into immoral or rebellious behavior.

To be continued.