September 23, 2002 (18)
IT IS A SANCTIFIED CHURCH. Sanctification, the work of producing holiness in the church is of the Father. It is His design to prepare a cleansed and sanctified bride for His Son. Jude 1:1 Our redemption, in Christ Jesus is absolute. It is an accomplished fact. We have been set free from all iniquity and every work of unrighteousness. The church must be that < peculiar people >, a people chosen to be His prized possession. Desiring always to do that which is right and good in His sight. Titus 2:14 The individual who has been set free by the redemption in Jesus is totally, and completely set free from all sin. John 8:36 The blood of Christ is the full price that was paid for the redemption of all mankind. The perfect, unblemished Lamb of God bringing deliverance from sin and death. Sanctifying, purging our conscience from acts of sin that lead to death, to works of righteousness, serving the Lord in a living manner. Heb. 9:14
A GLORIOUS CHURCH. The basic glory of the church, from which the Bride of Christ will be chosen, is its purity. It is to be spotless, no stains. Wrinkle free, no manifestation of the old man to be found, totally living in the power and spirit of the new man, in Christ. Blameless and holy. Eph. 5:27Perhaps, more attractive, is the shining forth of the visible glory of the Lord that will be in her and upon Her. That beauty is formed from the reality of His holiness, revealed in her. If the giving and receiving of the Law brought about a glory which was real, visible and abiding in Moses. Of how much great glory will be the work of the Spirit, particularly in the last days.
2 Cor. 3:8 In the church is seen the reflection of His glory. She is in the process of proceeding from glory to the ever increasing and ultimate glory. 2 Cor. 3:18 The secret of the whole procedure is the change, the metamorphoses, that takes place in the believer. Transformed into His likeness and image. His bride will be a perfect match for Him. She will be like Him in all things. Her behavior will be like Him. She will think as he thinks, having the same attitude and spiritual comprehension, for she will have the mind of Christ. Phil. 2:5 The creator, the Lord Jesus is the example and champion to the church. His bride will constantly maintain in her vision the glory that is in Christ. She will persistently seek a better and fuller understanding of who and what He is. Her desire is to be made like Him. Col. 3:10 The mystery has been exposed. In the sight of the Lord there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. All are one in Christ. Now, it is Christ in you the hope of the glory of the Lord. Col. 1:27 The kingdom of God and its accompanying glory is not located afar off, but Jesus said; < that the kingdom of God is within you. What blessedness, so precious are His saints in His sight that He will establish His kingdom within the heart and spirit of those who will follow Him. The presence of the kingdom assures one of all the privileges and benefits of that kingdom. Full rights of citizenship are granted each and every individual. There are no second class citizens in His kingdom. Lk. 17:21