"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10)
The Church of Jesus Christ, His believing Body on earth, recognizes that "our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). The believing Christian agrees that he or she i a migrant and a pilgrim.
To these believers, God has imparted His own nature. They have a distinct sense of belonging to one another while they live - almost as exiles - in an unfriendly world. These earthly citizens of heaven speak a common language - that of their constitution, which is the Bible, the Word of God. They love to sing the songs of Zion, for they are loyal to the same Lord and King. Thus the Christians come together where the life of the assembly is the life of Christ.
This is the Bible pattern. God the Father is there. Christ the Son is present. The Holy Spirit indwells each member. The spirit within us can experience and taste the glories of God in a blessed fellowship now. Such is the joyful purpose of the Church!
Next to God Himself we need each other most. Should we for a moment lose sight of the Shepherd we only have to go where His flock is to find Him again.
~A. W. Tozer~
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Come! Come Quickly!
"Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8)
The people of God ought to be the happiest people in all the wide world! People should be coming to us constantly and asking the source of our joy and delight - redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, our yesterdays behind us, our sin under the blood forever and a day, to be remembered against us no more forever. God is our Father, Christ is our Brother, the Holy Spirit our Advocate and Comforter. Our Brother has gone to the Father's house to prepare a place for us, leaving with us the promise that He will come again!
Don't send Moses, Lord, don't send Moses! He broke the tablets of stone. Don't send Elijah for me, Lord! I am afraid of Elijah - he called down fire from heaven.
Don't send Paul, Lord! He is so learned that I feel like a little boy when I read his epistles.
Oh, Lord Jesus, come Yourself! I am not afraid of You. You took the little children as lambs to Your fold. You forgave the woman taken in adultery. You healed the timid woman who reached out in the crowd to touch You. We are not afraid of You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Come quickly!
~A. W. Tozer~
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