The gospel of God is in dire need of proclamation. There are not many that have known the Lord and proclaim it. Yet, there are a great many who proclaim it with a righteousness of their own. And the churches are filled with unrighteousness. God has been watching the works of men and women indulged in the gospel and the report is not favoring them. For He said, “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the furnace; they are the dross of silver” (Ezek. 22:18). For this very reason, you and I are called by the Lord God to take His gospel to those that are perishing at the hands of the unsaved.
There is so much emptiness in the churches that continue to claim to be of Christ; the churches are beyond number. Their emptiness is the reason for their inglorious teachings and works. It is known by the lack of God’s glory in them; by the lack of His holiness, works, will and blessings. Each time they perform works in the Name they bring themselves at par with the world. The world lives in its strength fulfilling the work of the flesh. It is well known to oppose the law of the Spirit. Yet, the churches are unable to focus on separating themselves from it. They charade the gospel and use it to fit themselves in the world. Ah, Satan is rejoicing! He’s not falling from the sky like lightening as often as God would like it. Yet, thanks to our God for those few men and women who continue to hold on to His throne. Imagine the glory God receives if we are alongside them. Indeed, God is seeking such glory. He is searching for those who would fulfill His desire. He wants people in His field that overcome every encumbrance through His power. He is looking for men and women who by His strength lay aside the sin with which the devil often traps them. He is seeking the saints.
For if God is to truly receive the glory due Him the dross in the churches must be removed. They ought to be refined so that His people are brought forth as the silver. Do not be misled. God cannot be mocked. Though men may not abide by His desire, He is with such power that begets men for fulfilling it. Who are they that are proclaiming His gospel and are unable to bring forth His righteousness in men? Are they not pretenders and the uncircumcised in heart that bring shame to Him? So, He will act and will not be quiet. He would have been quiet if He did not pronounce the judgment. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 7:19).
Surely, it will happen. Who can escape it? Who can prevent it from taking place? Those who have been bearing bad fruit in the name of Christ will not escape the impending fire. Will their words save them? Will their philosophy and intellectual learning save them? Can they bring them before God and reason for their life? When the patience of God ends, it is time for their demise. How long will they feed on His people? Not for long, since men like you and I were called by God to glorify His name. While His name is being glorified, it means they will be cut down. We have been saved by grace through faith and by no other means. We have been made righteous by faith and not by any work of ours. For we cannot work like the men and women of this age, but in accordance with the will of God; our works rest in His thoughts. He lets us find them so that by them He is honored. So, let us grab every means God avails us in His Son to proclaim His name. Whether it is by speaking His word, serving in His name, in calling others to join us or any other, let us not delay. God intends to end the days of men with false visions, pretense and self-righteousness with our proclaiming the gospel. Let us become the fellow workers along with those whom God appointed.
This is the tune to which we must sing. “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves’” (John 6:53). Let us eat the word of Christ and suffer for His sake. This will bring glory to God. He will honor us. When you feed on His word or meditate upon it, He will show you the path to endure. Expect some sort of suffering when you begin your walk. Or else, you will be caught in a surprise. In any case, pray to God our Savior and meditate on His word. He will give you a way out. He will protect you from all harm and danger, enemies and persecutors and most of all, the devil. He will wrap His cloak around you. And since you have life, you will impart it to others. You will teach them just as you obtained from the means of God. In all of this, do not fear for your provisions. He will make sure you have them. Believe me! God has made me a living example to this.
I was brought up in riches and had them for most of my life. I have been to places, lived in them, obtained knowledge without my concern; God made provisions for me. I had a fantastic job, paid for all living and indomitable honor, and when God called me for His glory, I could not resist leaving everything for Him. Still, I do not lack, since He makes sure I have what I need. I had all things then, but now I am at an advantage. That is to say, I am more content, because of the grace of God that encompasses me. This is the grace that kept me pure all these years by restoring my spirit through forgiveness and leading me to His will, as I called upon the Lord. I may not have the life I once had, but I do know one thing – I will always have God’s blessings, promises and their fulfillment in life. They will stand me on a higher ground; His grace is able for it. For He made sure my life becomes an example to me by filling it with His works. He did so, because I ate His flesh and drank His blood. He will continue to do so, since His grace compels me to fulfill His desire; and I am at it. To this extent God will lead you and enable you as you listen to His call. You are made for His sake.
If you are wondering how God will lead you to His glory, do not wonder. Focus on asking His will. Get directions from Him and leave the consequences to Him. You are now saved by grace. You are given the liberty to approach His throne as and when you can. You know your thoughts cannot yield you apt decisions and results. And if you are still anxious, behold the work of the Lord. “And after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them” (Acts 16:7). If you are committed to His will, He will not let you drift away. He knows how to protect you. Though your thoughts press upon you, the Spirit of your Lord will overcome them; you will know it. This is the indescribable outcome of possessing life through the eating of His flesh and the drinking of His blood. You get all the more intimate with Him. He becomes your friend. His Spirit works in you in all the ways that are common to Him. You become a difference to those who hear your gospel. You will behold God separating the sheep from goats from among the churches that do not have Christ. For many whom God long ago appointed for His glory are under the administration of sin. They are for the gospel. When they hear you, they will turn to you. It will be the work of the Spirit. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17).
The liberty the Lord Jesus provides to their hearts through you enables them to accept you. As Christ said, if they accept you, whom He sent, they have accepted Him, who sent Him. In this is the desire of God fulfilled, as they too become righteous by faith. God opens the door for them to witness what you have also known. For who does not love the liberty that the Almighty God promises, except those who aspire to be at par with the world? They who love it do so, because they have been bound by the chains of sin. They are in hardship, pain, loss, ignorance and dissatisfaction. Though they have been going to the churches, they did not find relief. They have not faced the gospel that comes in righteousness. It avails them the Spirit of the Lord and where the Lord is there is grace. Grace is the reason for liberty, which epitomizes fearlessness. Since you have already found it, there is no doubt you will reach the people whom God desired for His glory.
Yet, do not forget that in this endeavor of yours you will find men that do not desire to entertain liberty. Rather they desire to be blindfolded. They look at their past and fearing the reputation they built for themselves will seek to cause trouble. But, the Spirit of our Lord will lead you safely. God has foreknown them. He deals with them as with dross. When He brings out the silver, you will know that He has dealt with them. He has already announced His mind toward them. “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah” (Jude 1:11).
You will find such people in plenty. They are all over the churches and there are innumerable churches around us. Do not trust everyone you meet, but let the Spirit of God convince you of them. Do not be anxious for results. If God led you to His path there will be results to give you joy. Do not forget to pray and to feed on His word at every opportunity. You will fulfill the will God ordained for you. Then, “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Cor. 1:20).