Made to Shine
The Word of God causes men to hear the voice of Christ (Rom 10:17), and the Spirit causes them to respond in faith (Acts 16:14). Faith is the gift of God (Phil 1:29), granted to the elect hearer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Eph 1:4–5).
Spirit-filled preachers are sent to proclaim Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23). The message: Jesus Christ died a sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary, as a substitute offering for the sins of His people (Mt 1:21). His precious blood atones for the sins of those for whom He died (Eph 5:25). He paid the penalty and cancelled out their debt of sin (Col 2:14). God alone can forgive sins, and in Christ, we are forgiven entirely (Eph 1:7; Rev 1:5).
With the burden of sin lifted, the Christian bears witness with the same light of truth, so that others chosen of God can see. We, like the apostle Paul, suffer for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10). Our light, the light of Christ, shines before men. Some see and others do not see (2 Cor 4:4).
The message is simple, yet profound. God chose a people for His own possession via adoption, before Creation (Dt 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Rom 8:15,23; Eph 1:4,5). After man fell into sin (Gen 3), man needed a Savior, and God alone is the Savior of His chosen people (Is 60:16).
Because God is just, sins must be paid for and sin must be done away with by death (Rom 6:23). God sent His only begotten Son to be the Savior (Jn 3:16). He saved His people from the judgment and wrath of God, by taking their place in death (Jn 10:11, 15; 1 Pet 2:24). Christ died for us (Rom 5:8), and His death was accepted by God the Father, proven by His resurrection (Acts 17:31). Thus, God’s elect have been raised to new life in Christ, by His Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son (Jn 14:26; 15:26).
The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver of life, who causes God’s elect to be born again, spiritually, born of God (Jn 3; 1 Pet 1:3). He is the life of God in the soul of man. His regenerating power is the power of God in the resurrection. He makes God’s elect alive to God, alive in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13).
The Spirit of Christ transferred us from the domain of darkness (Col 1:13), and now, as citizens of the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, we serve the Lord, as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). We labor to make King Jesus known to His lost sheep, the people of His own possession still living in darkness. That they may see a great Light, the bright and morning star, who illumined the hearts of His people with the truth of His Word.
The mission of God the Father in election, of God the Son in redemption, of God the Spirit in regeneration and sanctification cannot fail. The cosmic drama of creation, redemption, destruction, and re-creation are as sure as the Author and Architect of it all. All things are from God. He created all things, works all things, and all things find consummation in Him (Rom 11:36).
As the story of God unfolds before us, in our generation, and where we find ourselves, we must rejoice in our sovereign King of kings. He does as He pleases, and He does all things perfectly. Even the wicked bring Him praise, because they were made for His purposes for the day of evil (Prv 16:4).
Christian, this is God’s story of mercy on His chosen people, the church of Christ, the Israel of God (Mt 16:18; Gal 6:16). His motive is love for those He chose to be His bride (1 Jn 4:19). It is an exclusive and perfectly faithful love, as a husband for his wife (Eph 5:25).
May you ever be found praising Him in worship, in Spirit and truth. For this is your purpose in being made to be a vessel of mercy, being prepared for eternal glory in His presence (Rom 9:23). Rejoice in the privilege of letting your light shine before men (Mt 5:16), even as He shines His light within their hearts (2 Cor 4:6). For His glory, you were made to shine.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 26, 2021
