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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Body of the Anointed One, #5
In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isaiah 2:2-4—NIV)
The exercise of the ministries and gifts in the body will make possible our return with Christ to assist the nations in the Day of the Lord. We may be able to assist the nations now, although on a much smaller scale. As we are built up we can assist others.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (I Peter 2:12—NIV)
When the Lord returns and the nations are brought up for judgment they will answer for their conduct. The Roman Gentiles of Peter's day were slandering those who had become Christians, accusing them falsely. Peter exhorts the Christians to live such godly lives that when all stand before God, the slanderers will have to give glory to God and His righteousness because the Christians had lived exemplary lives even though they were being mistreated.
The nations are influenced by the behavior of the saints.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16—NIV)
It is necessary that evangelists go forth and proclaim the salvation that is in Christ. It is necessary also that pastors and teachers explain the mysteries of the faith to the converts.
But what the world is waiting to see is godly behavior in the people of the churches. Righteous behavior on the part of the believers is the most effective witness of Christ. The world needs to read living epistles.
In America today, if an individual stood up in court and said, "You know I am telling the truth because I am a Christian," the lawyers, the jury and the spectators would have a difficult time to keep from laughing. The judge would have to remove to chambers to regain his composure.
What does this tell us? It tells us something has gone wrong with the Gospel in America. We may talk a lot about how we should witness for Jesus. The truth is, the witness has been destroyed in America by the conduct of the Christian people.
The Muslims regard America as a degenerate, immoral society. They are correct in their judgment. The Eastern nations regard America as decadent. They are correct.
The problem is, America is considered by the Eastern countries to be a nation of Christians. Consequently much of the world looks at the Christian churches as being immoral and decadent. They are correct.
To be continued.