The Reconnaissance of Rebels to the Realm of Glory
The world is dead set against Jesus Christ. The state of rebellion does not typically name the King of kings, as its arch-enemy. Its strategy is to dismiss the carpenter of Nazareth as irrelevant. Only when Christ’s church makes a bold advance, in exposing the wicked (Eph 5:11), do the sparks of friction fly.
The race to displace Almighty God does leave the corrupt world in turbulence. In the quest to be gods (Gen 3:5), men fight with men, incessantly. The call of the false prophet is for world peace, “Peace, Peace!” There is, however…no peace. Wherever competition and striving are in view, there is a quest for superiority. The lust for glory is expected between competitors. Only the exalted Christ is unwelcome in the boasting of sinful men. When He is accurately proclaimed, persecution is sure to follow (Mt 5:11).
There is a loathsome lot who include Jesus in their rhetoric. They speak only of Jesus as a great man. Others speak of Him as a prophet. Still others preach Him, as a possible Savior, who loves everyone, everywhere. Their collective misrepresentation is a powerful deception in the world. They join with the witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion, who scorned His apparent weakness. These are the representatives of all nations, who have unity, in their accord to prevent this Man, the King of glory, from ruling over them.
This King of kings has judged humanity to be unrighteous. His declaration to all people is that His wrath is pending against each one. Humanity surveys His Law, and it only adds fuel to their rebellion, whichever division they occupy (e. g. government, business, education, sports, entertainment, etc.).
Just judgment marks the kingdom of God because the Lord, who is righteous, reigns. When He judges, He is right. He who sits on His holy hill, Zion, does not break the Laws He has issued because He is holy, as is His Law (Rom 7:12).
There are some, a remnant of the rebellious, who have heard the decree of God proclaimed. “Forsake the rebellion and kiss the Son,” is the message from offended heaven. This remnant repents of their sins, turning to God in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. His pardon is full, as is their gratitude.
Christians are not people of cheap grace. They do not receive the mercy of God, only to return to the world of sin (Rom 6). They are members of a new nation, a kingdom of priests (1 Pet 2:9), who serve our Lord Jesus Christ (Mal 3:18). Their witness and testimony carry no shame for His name (Rom 1:16–17). The King of righteousness has adopted these rebels to be His sons (Rom 8:15, 23). For this reason, the wrath of men towards Jesus now visits defectors from darkness (Jn 15:18), who worship and adore Him.
The blessings and benefits granted to the children of God are spiritual (Eph 1:3). Therefore, the rebels cannot comprehend the allegiance these children of light pay to the Light of the world, Jesus Christ (Jn 8:12; Eph 5:8). “Foolishness!” is the collective judgment from unbelieving scoffers (1 Cor 1:18), against those who claim enslavement to Master Jesus (Eph 6:6).
The catalyst behind this transformation is not a decision by the slaves of Christ, who are called “saints.” It is the Holy Spirit of God. The third Person of the Godhead (Trinity) is sent by the Father and the Son (Jn 14:26; 15:26), to reconnaissance elect slaves to sin (Rom 6:6), who are lost in the world. Transferring select members of this chosen remnant, from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13), is the work of the Spirit, who sets them apart (Ps 4:3).
The sole instrument in the arsenal of God’s Spirit is the Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Bible. This inspired book, collected and protected by the Spirit, is itself called, “the Sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17). It is a double-edged sword that cuts and divides men into two groups: believers and unbelievers (Mal 3:18; Heb 4:12).
The Word of God is the Word of life to believing saints because it is the Word of truth that set them free from their evil step-father of lies (Jn 7:17; 8:32, 44). Christians hear the Word and receive it, as dark night receives the dawning sun. It is a love letter from their Enemy, which melts their stony, hardened hearts (Ezek 36:26).
The news told to Christians and believed by them is that the Son of their Enemy has laid down His life (Jn 10:11, 15), in order to save them (Mt 1:21). In doing so, He has paid off their full debt of sin (Col 2:14). On their behalf, Jesus Christ sacrificed His own life (Jn 15:13), shedding His precious blood (1 Pet 1:19), to be the propitiation for sins of God’s elect, from every nation, that is, the whole world (Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10).
God was in Christ, reconciling these to Himself (2 Cor 5:18–20), bringing peace through the Prince of peace (Is 9:6), who offered Himself as the peace offering (Eph 2:14). He is the Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world (Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8). The church, God’s holy nation (1 Pet 2:9), proclaims, “He saved us (Titus 3:5).” And there is salvation is no one else (Acts 4:12).
Friend, your Creator is offended by your incessant transgressions of His holy Law (Ex 20; Dt 5; 1 Jn 3:4). In just judgment (Ps 51:4), His wrath awaits His purposes to be exercised against sinners every single day (Rom 1:18). Will you continue in your rebellion? Then, know without doubt that you will suffer just and eternal punishment (Mt 25:46; Jude 7), with perfect justification, and in total righteousness (Ps 98:9). Therefore, heed the call of your Enemy King, who has promised to have mercy and grant grace to all who come to His Son (Jn 6:37; Rom 9:15), in humble confession and full repentance (Acts 17:30; Jas 4:10). Do not delay.
Christian, remember all that God has done for you from eternity, through history, and His faithfulness to you, today (Dt 32:4). Be very bold in bearing witness to the truth that is in Jesus Christ (Eph 4:21), wherever He sends you (Acts 1:8).
He is the Gospel message to be proclaimed (Col 1:28; 2 Tim 4:2). Tell of His love for you and declare all His excellent benefits, of which you have a foretaste and a pledge of greater things to come (2 Cor 5:5), when Jesus comes again to be glorified in you and all His saints (Mt 24–25; Mk 13; Lk 21; 2 Thess 1:10).
The joy of your boasting in Christ is a powerful spur to weaker brethren (Gal 6:14), who are growing in faith and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus (2 Pet 3:18). Tell men of the peace of God that they do not have and which passes all comprehension (Phil 4:7). Your telling others, by the Spirit, is the catalyst that works to add to the church, daily, those He is saving (Acts 2:47). This is your commission and reasonable service (Mt 28:19–20). He is your reward in the realm of glory (Col 3:24; Heb 11:26).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 14, 2022
