The Daily Word of Righteousness

Our Christian Pilgrimage, #25

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be changed into the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

A brother of Christ. It is to this end that we have been predestined.

The Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers because we have been born of God.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (Hebrews 2:11)

Jesus delights to reveal Himself to His brothers as Joseph, the patriarch, delighted to reveal himself to his brothers.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)

In order to become a brother of Christ we must press forward into the fullness of redemption, into the fullness of eternal life. All spiritual darkness and death must be cast aside. The Lord Jesus is not the brother of those who love the world, who choose to sin, who are filled with their own ways. Rather, Jesus is the Brother of those who do the will of God. He is the Brother of those who, like Himself, are in the image of God and are filled with the Presence of God.

A righteous judge. In Heaven there has been a great rebellion of the angels against the Lord God. Apparently, many of the rebels had been of high rank. From Heaven the rebellion has spread to the earth where it continues to this day. As a result there is a need for judges who will administer righteous judgment in the fear and knowledge of the Lord.

One of the principal problems in the world of our day is the lack of righteous judgment. The innocent are harmed and the guilty go free. The rulers and judges of the nations in many instances do not exercise righteous judgment in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. Each man seeks his own glory.

The members of the Body of Christ are being trained carefully in righteous judgment, for one day they will judge men and angels.

In order for the Kingdom of God to be installed on the earth there must be two armies: an army of judges, and an army of warriors who execute the judgment. The saints constitute the army of judges. The angels, under Michael the Archangel, constitute the army of warriors.

One army could not invade and conquer Canaan. There had to be the army of "judges" (the Israelites bringing with them the Law), and then the army led by the "captain of the host of the Lord" (Joshua 5:14).

Concerning Christ—Head and Body:

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (Isaiah 11:3,4)

To be continued.