Light vs. Darkness

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. (Acts 12:1)

 

The church of Jesus Christ is never at home in this world, and the more contrast there is between the children of light and the children of darkness, the more uncomfortable our lives here will be. That is why it is such a sad thing to see Christians trying to be friends with the world.

 

Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Act 12:2)

 

James was not killed because he was doing good things, but he was killed because he preached the Good News. The peace and prosperity of the Jerusalem church was challenged by the brutal tactics of a tyrant king, whose ultimate aim was to be seen as God; therefore, the church of the living God was threat to him, and Satan incited him to violence. Even today, the true church is faced with the demand to bow before the political and cultural gods of this world, or to face persecution at the hands of those “Herods,” who would be God. But the children of light stand apart as pilgrims and strangers in the world, and they have no need to be included or accepted by men. 

 

Our days here may be difficult, and we may never find comfort in this world, but there awaits the crown of life for all who endure to the end. May the Lord give us patience, strength and discernment in these things.

 

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, we look forward to the rule of the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. Until then, give us strength, power, and protection from the enemy. May our witness only get stronger as the opposition increases. Be glorified in Your children. Amen. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Members of His Body

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)   The Lord loves His Church so deeply that He calls us His "body." We are the manifest presence of the Lord on earth, for He abides in us and with us in Spirit. Therefore, He says we are the light of the world, just as He is that Light. He is returning for a perfect church, and we must be found walking in the perfection of the Spirit and the bond of peace when he returns.   Jesus is our Peace. We are to be perfect (complete, healthy, and holy), just as He is; and the members of His church stand as one, just as the Father, Son, and Spirit are One.   Membership in the church is not a matter of agreement to a certain set of rules and regulations, attendance at meetings, or participation in religious enterprises, no matter how noble. Membership in the body of Christ is the spiritual position given to every believer, whereby he or she receives the everlasting life God pours out on tho...
Read more

Only in the Spirit

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)   Everyone and everything on earth that pleases the Father does so according to the leading and power of the Spirit. That is why Jesus insisted His disciples wait before they went out to preach the Gospel —  "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever . . ." (John 14:16)  The "Helper" is God Himself, the Holy Spirit. Just as the Father and Son are God, so is the Spirit; and they are united in their determination to bring many sons and daughters to glory. Thank God in heaven for the ministry of the Holy Spirit here on earth! “(He is) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”  (John 14:17)   The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit is the only difference between the children of God and all other ...
Read more

Rooted in Christ

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9-10)   The Cross of Christ is the only point of contact any man will ever have with a Holy God. The Cross is God's only solution for the sin that would otherwise condemn us. The Cross is not man's idea, but God's. Heaven is real and hell is real, and we all will spend eternity in one place or the other, and that, according to the Cross.   Therefore, we must come to God on His terms, not ours; and we must never follow those who offer a doctrine cheapened with high-minded human philosophy or fruitless religiosity. All true theology and doctrine are rooted firmly in the Cross of Calvary, and it must be embraced by every believer with all gravity and ...
Read more