Tuesday, January 17, 2012

GOD’S PEOPLE, GOD’S GLORY

The prophet Isaiah said, In that day the remnant left in Israel, the survivors in the house of Jacob, will no longer depend on allies who seek to destroy them. But they will faithfully trust the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return; yes, the remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. But though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant of them will return. Isaiah 10:20-22a (NLT).

The Lord delivered a remnant from Assyria and from the judgment Israel deserved because of their unfaithfulness to the Lord. The Lord called them to completely trust Him and return to Him as their God. They would be spared complete destruction.

Today the church is being called out of the world. In a sense it is a remnant delivered from the destruction of God’s final judgment. One of the purposes of the members of this remnant as the church is to be used of the Lord to call other “believers-to-be” out from the world. The Apostle Paul elaborates on this in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus… God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. … He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. … Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. Ephesians 1:5-13 (NLT).

Everyone in this world will not be forgiven and saved and go to Heaven. And as much as you would like to, you can’t save the world, and neither can I. But that’s not our job. Our job is to use every opportunity to work at leading people to become followers of Christ. We don’t know who will become a believer in Christ and who will not. Some will accept and some will reject. Some will say “no” now and later decide to welcome Jesus into their lives. Fruit doesn’t ripen all at the same time. Your responsibility and mine is to keep going, keep fishing, keeping looking for the fruit that’s ripe, and lead those we find ready to Christ. And God is glorified by His church.

1 comment:

  1. As I read this message I began thinking of the word remnant. I was reminded of all the things that can be made from just a remnant of cloth. It could simply be used as a dust cloth or it could be sewn together with other pieces of cloth to make a beautiful quilt. It made me stop and think what piece of remnant am I within my church. Am I just dusting my seat on Sunday morning or am I creating a beautiful quilt of believers? Lord help me to look for ways to approach people about your word and salvation so that they will want or at least be interested in knowing more about you and Christ. Help me to sew for you a tapestry of love, forgiveness, mercy and kindness from the remnants of my love and obedience to your will. Let your light shine through me so that others will feel your presence. I ask these things in Christ's name...thy will be done...Amen

    ReplyDelete