THE CURRENT REIGN OF JESUS

" For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet."
(1 Corinthians 15:25)

Devotion 1 of  25

INTRODUCTION

    The current reign of Jesus should not be questioned by anyone, but it is. The body of Christ is regularly subjected to a variety of dogmas on this subject, some of which are damaging to the heart. The most dangerous teaching of all is that which presents a distorted view of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing more important that possessing an accurate view of, and relationship with, Him -- nothing!

      The highest expression of Divine love is found in the salvation of mankind -- and it all centers in the Person of Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Although it is not desirable, it is possible to have an incorrect view of human conduct, the manner in which God works among men, and the various responsibilities and organization of the body of Christ. However, it is most dangerous to have a corrupted view of the Lord Jesus Himself. Such a view impacts directly upon one's faith, which is the appointed means by which spiritual life is sustained (Rom 1:17; Heb 10:38).

    Equally true, the highest expression of Divine power and authority is found in finishing the work of salvation begun by Jesus Christ. He started the work by laying down His life, and taking it up again. He is finishing the work by executing a righteous reign at the right hand of God. That reign is immediately related to the salvation He was sent into the world to accomplish. In fact, apart from that reign, salvation cannot be brought to its culmination. Any view of Christ's rule that supposes other priorities is seriously deficient.

    My purpose in this study is to present the relation of Christ's current reign to the Gospel, and to the salvation it announces. I will affirm there is no more noble or lofty purpose than that of delivering men from the power of darkness, translating them into the kingdom of God's dear Son, changing them from glory unto glory, and bringing them to glory (Col 1:13; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 2:10). This work cannot be completed without a reigning Savior -- one who is subduing the enemy, marshaling heavenly hosts to minister to the faithful, and teaching and leading them to the glory of God.

      This is an "eternal purpose" that has never deviated from its original intent. The entire history of the world is bent around this outworking of Divine objective; the joining of Jew and Gentile into a single body in Christ Jesus, thereby making them a suitable habitation for God through the Spirit (Eph 3:4-6; 2:22). This is a remarkable work that the professed church can appreciate far more than is common.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, open my eyes to see more of Your grand purpose, and strengthen me to be an active, insightful, and joyful participant in it.

-- Tomorrow: THE AFFIRMATION: CHRIST IS KING --