A Daily Devotional

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I Will Build My Church

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

This is the first of 115 occurrences of ekklesia in the New Testament--three times translated "assembly," all other times as "church." It is a compound of ek and klesia, thus meaning "called out" from their previous locations to meet together as a body for some purpose. The three times it is translated "assembly" refer to the town meeting in Ephesus (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). Once it refers to the congregation of Israelites in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), leaving 111 times when it refers to a Christian church, or churches.

Of these 111, at least 86 clearly refer to local churches, each meeting as a body in specific times and places. Individual local churches may come and go, but the institution of the local church will continue at least until the return of Christ. In the Bible's final chapter, after outlining the entire future of the world, Jesus said, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches" (Revelation 22:16). All churches of all times and places, as well as the seven representative churches of Asia (Revelation 2 and 3), which have long since died out as distinct local churches, are thus intended to hear of the world's prophetic future.

This is the last mention of churches, but the first, as cited in our text, has eternal dimensions, for even the "gates of hell" cannot prevail against it. This church actually will be in heaven itself. "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:22-23).

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Teaching Universe

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2)

This familiar psalm, extolling God's creation (vv. 1-6) and God's word (vv. 7-14), begins with a beautiful summary of the testimony of the physical universe. "The heavens" and the "firmament" are synonymous (Genesis 1:, both being equivalent to our modern scientific concept of space. The "glory of God" refers to His infinite power, or energy, and "his handywork" implies the infinite variety and complexity of physical systems, or matter, in the universe. This interaction of matter and energy occurs everywhere throughout space, but also has to operate and be understood in the context of time, "day unto day" and "night unto night."

The entire marvelous complex of space/time/matter/energy is continually "uttering speech" and "showing knowledge," teaching men and women of all times and places that there is a great Creator God who made it all. "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen" (Romans 1:20).

The boundless space, the endless time, the infinite energies, and the innumerable complexities of the matter of the universe all unite in irrefutable testimony to the God of creation. The most fundamental principle of science, as well as the most universal rule of human experience, is the Law of Cause and Effect, stating that no effect can transcend its cause. Thus the great cause of the universe must be infinite, eternal, omnipotent and omniscient. And since we as living, feeling persons are able to think about all this, that cause must also be a living, feeling, thinking person. This is the great lesson engraved on the textbook of the universe for all to read and learn. The whole creation, indeed, declares the glory of God.

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Seven Outgrowths of Faith

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (2 Peter 1:5-7)

"Having escaped the corruption that is in the world" (v. 4) through our "faith" in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we must now grow spiritually, conforming our nature and practice to His. We must put to use the divine nature we now possess, recognizing that He has provided all the resources we need.

In this passage, Peter assumes we already have "faith," thus here our spiritual lives must begin. Peter instructs us to "add to" that faith seven character traits: virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience (perseverance), godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (agape love).

There seems to be both in the text (i.e., "add to") and in practice, a progression here. As new Christians, we should strive for virtue, eliminating sinful actions and thoughts from our lives, as the Holy Spirit brings conviction. A commitment to growth in knowledge, first the basics of the faith and then deeper doctrines, enables us to exercise wisdom in life's choices. A self-controlled, disciplined lifestyle exercises perseverance, even strength in the face of adversity, which in turn produces godliness--an attitude of reverence toward God which strives to please Him by developing His attitudes and priorities. Our relations with others will thus be marked by brotherly kindness toward believers and agape love (self-sacrificing, undeserved love) for all.

Such spiritual growth does not come without effort. He has provided all we need, but we must "give all diligence" to the process, much more than simply allowing the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts to work on our character and habits. Any lack of spiritual growth is our fault, not His.

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The Whole Armor of God

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

This modern age of terrorism, drugs, sexual license, rampant crime, and worldwide unbelief is surely an evil day; and each Christian urgently needs "the whole armor of God" to stand against the devil's wiles today. This armor is clearly described here in Ephesians 6:14-18, but it seems that Satan's wiles have confused it in the minds of many Christian educators. Paraphrasing this passage, their view might be expressed somewhat as follows: "Gird your loins with an open-ended search for truth, and have on the breastplate of value sensitivity, your feet shod with the gospel of academic tolerance; above all, taking the shield of accreditation and legal protection, with the helmet of economic security and the sword of evolutionary thought, praying always to the Department of Education and your academic peers." Such Christian compromise is no armor at all.

How much better to be undergirded with revealed truth, founded on creation and biblical inerrancy, than by a "search" for truth! The true breastplate is righteousness, both imputed and practiced, and the true peace of God through Christ adorns the beautiful feet of those who carry the gospel. The shield is faith, which must be exercised first of all in special creation (Hebrews 11:3). The helmet, protecting the mind, is the genuine hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:. With no armor for the back, since the Christian is "to stand," not to retreat, the chief offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God which meets each particular need. Finally, insistent prayer is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. The "weapons of our warfare" are "mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

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The True God

"Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king of his sons?" (Ezra 7:23)

This decree, given to Ezra the scribe by Artaxerxes, the emperor of Persia, is one of many rather surprising acknowledgments in Scripture by pagan idolaters that the true God is the God of heaven. Abimelech, of the Philistines, and Pharaoh, in Egypt, are also examples (Genesis 21:22, 41:38). Balaam, the false prophet of Mesopotamia, recognized that the God of Israel was omnipotent (Numbers 22:38). Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty king of Babylon, was forced to "praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment" (Daniel 4:37).

The nations of the world and their leaders long ago, however, "changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things" (Romans 1:23), preferring to worship and serve the creature more than the Creator. They are "without excuse," since the very creation reveals the Creator (Romans 1:25, 20). They instituted the religion of pantheism, replacing the Creator with nature, denying any real creation, and this soon led to polytheistic idolatry, the worship of natural systems and forces in nature, personified as various gods and goddesses.

Nevertheless, they have always known in their hearts that there really is a God of heaven who created all things and who, therefore, will someday come in great wrath against all who reject Him. This is no less true for today's modern evolutionary pantheists than for the idolatrous evolutionary pantheists of antiquity, for they are all guilty of the same foolish sin. "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens" (Psalms 96:5).

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The Lord

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19)

The title "Lord," when applied to Christ, is not merely a title of respect, but an acknowledgment of relationship. We belong to Him, just as bond servants (slaves) belong to their owners. He owns us, having bought (i.e., "redeemed") us with His blood, and the distinguishing seal of His purchase is that His servants are expected to "depart from iniquity."

Thus, whenever "Lord" is attached to His name, there is an implied confession of His Lordship in that particular area of life. For example, to be saved, one must "confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus" (i.e., "Jesus as Lord") and "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 10:9; Acts 16:31). Following that, we are commanded: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6).

Even in the mundane affairs of life, He is our Lord. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2:13); "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). Obedience to the Lordship of Christ is, of course, absolutely essential for a truly Christian and happy family. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. . . . Husbands, love your wives, . . . even as the Lord the church. . . .Children, obey your parents in the Lord. . . . And, ye fathers . . . bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22, 25, 29; 6:1, 4).

As our text reminds us, Christ's Lordship implies holiness and full submission to Him. "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh. . . . For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord (Romans 13:14; 14:.

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The Throne of David

"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (2 Samuel 7:16)

No other ordinary human being, not even the greatest of men, was ever given a promise like this promise to David. It can be understood, however, when one realizes that David is a type of Christ and that, in terms of His human genealogy, Christ did indeed inherit the right to David's throne. As the angel Gabriel told Mary: "the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever" (Luke 1:32-33). The coming Messiah is identified as this promised Son of David in the Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7).

Without attempting to discuss the eschatological implications of these great prophecies, it is remarkable just to note the striking typological relation of David to Christ (and, correspondingly, of Saul to Adam). Saul, like Adam, had a wonderful physique and every natural advantage; he was given dominion over a new order of things under God; he received God's Spirit and his seed would have reigned forever had he not failed by intruding into a forbidden sphere; he was then rejected by God because of his disobedience, and finally the Spirit of God departed from him.

David, however, is a beautiful type of the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. Though anointed, he was not accepted by his brethren; he was a shepherd and performed great services for his people before becoming king; but he was rejected and condemned to death. God delivered him, but even then he was only accepted by a few, until suddenly all Israel accepted him and he was promised an eternal kingdom. Christ now claims: "I am the root and the offspring of David"--that is, both Creator and heir of David--"and the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16).

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Three Worldly Powers

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:16)

This well known passage identifies three fountainheads of ungodly power that will, if unchecked and unguarded, ensnare a believer into a sinful lifestyle.

Sensual power (lusts of the flesh) is a body-oriented and emotion-driven reaction to fleshly appetites that can never please God (Romans 8: and is in constant warfare with the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:17). We are told to "flee" these "youthful lusts" (2 Timothy 2:22) that are a "corruption" (2 Peter 1:4) of the "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) God-designed human body.

Visual power (lusts of the eyes) is an intellect-oriented and imagination-driven stimulation of wishful thinking that will take control of behavior (Matthew 6:22-23) if not carefully curtailed (Job 31:1; 2 Peter 2:14). Although impacting men more than women, this kind of "lust" will "conceive" sin instead of merely reacting to it (James 1:13-15)

Personal power (the pride of life) is a self-oriented and ego-driven desire for dominance that has no ethic or limiting factor, other than the praise of men, not God (John 12:43). Such pride, dominated by the "natural mind" (1 Corinthians 2:14) and a "deceitful" heart (Jeremiah 17:9), spirals into a self-love that twists and distorts human behavior into a litany of ungodliness that loves pleasure rather than God (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Giving in to these "worldly" powers may grant us pleasures for "a season" (Hebrews 11:25) but will surely make us an "enemy of God" (James 4:4). May our Lord Jesus grant that we stay armed against such "wiles" (Ephesians 6:11), covered and protected with the "whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:13-17).

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The Last War

"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army." (Revelation 19:19)

The end of World War I, the "war to end all wars," as it was once called optimistically and utterly unrealistically, came finally on November 11, 1918, called Armistice Day at the time, and Veteran's Day in the years since World War II. We consider our nation a peace-loving nation, yet we have been involved in the War of Independence, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and currently the strange War against Terror, not to mention a number of local skirmishes (Tripoli, various Indian "wars," Bosnia, etc.) and the Cold War.

It is probably true that there has been at least one local war going on somewhere in the world every year since history began. But one day a war to end all wars will really take place, the great War of Armageddon. This is the war mentioned in our text which also contains the next-to-last mention of war in the Bible. At that time, drawing nearer day by day, Satan will muster all the armies of the nations for one final great assault against Christ and the armies of heaven.

The battle will not last long. All the devil's hosts will be instantly slain by the verbal sword of the Man on the white horse, and Satan thrown into the abyss of Hades.

Yet there is still one more "battle" (same Greek word as "war") when Satan is released for a time and allowed to "deceive the nations" once more. He will "gather them together to battle" against God one final time (Revelation 20:. But the fire of heaven will destroy them, and the nations shall never "learn war any more" (Micah 4:3).

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God's Final Word

"The Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one." (Zechariah 14:9)

God cannot be defeated in His creative purpose for this earth and its people. In the beginning, there was only God. In the ending, there will be one Lord, and His name one.

In the meantime, He is working out His great plan of reconciliation, as revealed in His word. In the magnificent Book of Revelation, especially the last two chapters, we are carried forward in the Spirit into the never-ending glories of the renewed earth, with the great Creator and Redeemer dwelling there with His people eternally.

But in that final chapter, there are some final words from the Lord to guide and warn us until He returns. There is one final invitation, for example: "And let him that is athirst come" (Revelation 22:17). Then there is a final warning. This completed book of Scripture contains all that man will ever need to know concerning salvation, the Christian life, and God's great plans, so let no man "add unto these things," or "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy" (vv. 18-19). There is no salvation, except through His word.

Next, there is a final promise. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly" (v. 20). Of all the promises of God, there is none more "exceeding great and precious" than this (2 Peter 1:4). In response, there is a final prayer, teaching us that this should be the climax of every believing prayer: "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (v. 20). This is our greatest need!

Lastly, there is a final benediction, the same as the close of each of Paul's epistles, and the most wonderful of all the words of a holy, yet loving Creator, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (v. 21). It is fitting that God's Word, which began with His creation should end with His saving grace!

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The Certainty of Persecution

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)

This sobering prediction is placed in the context of the "last days," when "perilous times shall come" and "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:1, 13). All who determine to live a godly life in Christ are going to be persecuted.

This should not come as a surprise, for Jesus had said: "The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29).

In some places and times, this persecution may be physical suffering, even involving imprisonment or death. More often, however, it is more subtle--rejection and ridicule, job discrimination, slander, social discrimination, family and peer pressures, legal restrictions, and other means of rejecting the gospel and those who teach it. The Greek word dioko basically means to "pursue"--that is, to keep following after the one whose witness is objectionable until, by whatever means may be necessary, it is stopped.

One possible way, therefore, to avoid persecution is to stop giving a clear witness. It is those who insist on living a godly life and giving a godly witness who will suffer persecution. But such compromises, like Peter, deny the Lord. Instead, we should follow Moses, "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).

Paul finished his course in martyrdom, but he had kept the faith until the end (2 Timothy 4:7). "For our light affliction," he said, "which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

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The End

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)

As Peter wrote his first epistle, foremost in his mind was a desire to encourage the believers to stand firm in the face of suffering and trial. On four occasions he used the term, "the end," focusing his reader's attention on the final resolution of all things. A study of these occurrences gives us a glimpse of the tenor of the entire book.

The first use followed an explanation of the nature and benefits of the various trials in a believer's life. The result would be a pure, effective faith now, as well as "receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1:9), the final ultimate deliverance of our whole person.

Meanwhile, "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1:13). Our minds should be completely ("to the end") ready for action, sober and expectant, focused on the ultimate resolution of all trials.

This ultimate resolution could come at any time: "the end of all things is at hand" (4:7). Our responses should be to "be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." To be sober is to be of sound judgment, making careful decisions, not based on emotion; especially watchful as we pray, with eternity in mind.

Our text gives us the last occurrence of "the end." The time of final judgment on both Christian and non-Christian looms nearer and nearer. But God's cleansing of His people has already begun and it at times is not pleasant, although beneficial. His judgment on those outside "the house of God" will be much more severe, with no opportunity for reconciliation. This warning should motivate us in our ministry to the unsaved.

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Fathers

"I write unto, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning." (1 John 2:13)

Often this widely used term refers to ancestors, both as family lineage (our fathers) or as significant contributors from the past (founding fathers, church fathers). And occasionally to someone responsible for inventing or starting something important (father of modern medicine, father of our country). Sometimes it is used as a title of respect to a leader, a scholar, or a seasoned elder who has gained recognition for wisdom from long experience.

John emphasizes that latter sense in our text, refering to mature Christians who have been involved "from the beginning"--possibly referring directly to those like himself who have firsthand knowledge of the events of Christ's ministry. Such men would have "known him" (twice emphasized, 1 John 2:13 and 2:14) and should provide valuable strength and wisdom for the "children" and "young men" that need their counsel.

But this instruction goes beyond recognizing the contribution of first-generation Christians. Here the single most significant attribute of these fathers is that they have "known" the One "that is from the beginning," emphasizing the Greek idiom which denotes the unique attribute of the Source (eternal existence) of our relationship with God.

These fathers "know" this attribute, not merely as an intellectual concept or theological doctrine, but as the specific word choice demands, a knowledge that is grounded on personal experience. These fathers, having walked with the Lord for the many years of their lives, have passed the intellectual "knowledge" of the mind's eye, however clear and pure that sight may be, to confidence borne out by prayers answered, battles fought, and victories won.

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Misuse of the Bible

". . . his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)

It is vitally important for every Christian to study and use the Scriptures, for they constitute our only real authority (note Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; etc.). In doing this, however, it is just as important that we not misuse the Scriptures, for this can be almost as dangerous as ignoring them altogether.

Many people twist the Scriptures, seeking to make them fit some opinion of their own, hoping thereby to give a pseudo-biblical authority to their peculiar prejudices, instead of allowing the Lord to say what He means. Such distortion of Scripture has generated a plethora of cults and heresies--past and present. This was essentially Christ's view of the Pharisees: "in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

Similar--perhaps even worse--is claiming to receive new Scripture, or perhaps new (and authoritative) insight on existing Scripture. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it" (Deuteronomy 4:2). "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).

Cults and heretics distort and supplement the Scriptures, but still deadlier are the liberals who try to explain away the Scriptures. "If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life" (Revelation 22:19). This act of distorting and then denying God's word ("Yea, hath God said. . . . Ye shall not surely die," Genesis 3:1, 4) was the very lie of Satan which brought sin into the world. No wonder the Bible warns so severely against it!

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A Faithful Priest

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever." (1 Samuel 2:35)

This promise of a faithful priest was connected with God's judgment on three unfaithful priests: Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. All three died on the day the Philistines carried away the Ark of the Covenant. Eventually, the house of Eli perished completely, and Zadok and his descendants became the priests (1 Kings 2:35).

However, the prophecy looks far beyond Zadok to one who can be, completely and eternally, a faithful priest. The Lord Jesus Christ alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17). He is also "a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19) and "the faithful witness" (Revelation 1:5). In fact, when He returns in power and glory, His very name will be called "Faithful and True" (Revelation 19:11).

God also promised to "build him a sure house," and this is being accomplished today--brick by brick, as it were, as each new believer is born into the house of God. "Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him . . . inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. . . .But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we. . ." (Hebrews 3:1-3, 6).

Finally, "he shall walk before mine anointed |i.e., Messiah| for ever." The Lord Jesus is both Messiah and eternal High Priest. "This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7: 24-25).