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The Daily Word of Righteousness
A Suitable Helper, continued
This is what God the LORD says—he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:5-7—NIV)
The work must be done by Him "who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it." The Person and work of the Servant of the Lord must and shall indeed proceed from the Almighty God who alone created the entire material realm with His Word of power and who alone supports the life of all earth's peoples.
How can we be discouraged? God has spoken. God has promised. God has the power to do what He will. All God has said shall come to pass in detail, and we can be part of it if we will give ourselves to Him without reservation.
It is God Himself who has called us in righteousness. We must mature in righteousness of character and behavior. God simply will not work where there is unrighteousness. The scepter of Christ's Kingdom is a scepter of righteousness.
When we first receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord the righteousness of Christ is ascribed to us. Immediately, if we are following Christ, if we are a disciple and not just a member of the "Christian religion," the Spirit of God begins to lead us into battle against the sin in our life. The Spirit enables us to attain to righteousness of personality and behavior, for the Servant of the Lord is called in righteousness. There is no smallest part of unrighteous behavior that is acceptable in the Kingdom of God.
This is extremely difficult for American Evangelicals to accept. They have been taught for so long we are not to concern ourselves with righteous behavior, only with the imputed righteousness given to those who take the "four steps of salvation." In this we are entirely incorrect. A believer who behaves unrighteously, who is worldly, who is self-willed, is not suitable as a helper for the Lamb of God.
This is easy to understand, isn't it?
The Lord will hold our hand. The task is much too great for us. But when God is holding our hand we can do the job.
The Lord will make us a covenant for the people. This means the people of the future will approach God through us, just as we approach God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church, the Wife of the Lamb, is the royal priesthood. Our destiny is to bring the Presence of God to people so they can be delivered, blessed, and enabled to walk in ways pleasing to the Lord. In this manner we become the Divine covenant to them.
To be continued.