Put Ye On the Righteousness of Our Lord Jesus Christ - Part 1202

"And such were some of you but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified "in the name of the Lord Jesus" and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)

Apostle Paul makes an interesting case when speaking to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia. Therein, Paul writes, "If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you -- for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord." (I Corinthians 9:2)

Note that this is the same Saul/Paul who had at one time persecuted the church but now preached the faith which once he destroyed. (Galatians 1:23) In fact, as we know from the scriptures, "he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women [committing them] to prison." (Acts 8:3)

In fact, while Saul was yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, he wasn't satisfied. How do we know this? Saul went unto the high priest for letters so that he might bring and bind any men or women he found preaching Jesus, and those already bound in Damascus back to Jerusalem. (Acts 22:5)

But in spite of his own worldly plans, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ had a different plan.

That is the Lord stopped him on the road to Damascus saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" 

And Saul said, "Who art Thou Lord?" 

And the Lord said, "I am JESUS [of Nazareth] whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:1-5; Acts 22:7-8)

Saul then asks, "What shall I do, Lord?" 

And the Lord said unto Paul, "Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do." (Acts 22:10)

Note that there were witnesses that also heard the voice of Jesus. All those that were traveling with Saul heard the voice of Him that spake too. When Saul/Paul blinded from the glory of the light came to Damascus -- being led by the hand of them that were with him-- he met with Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there.

When the two met, Ananias said, "Brother Saul, receive thy sight" and the same hour Saul could look upon him. Then Ananias said, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know His will and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:11-16)

Read that scripture again. "The God of our fathers has chosen thee ..." (Acts 22:14) Not another God but the very same God who willingly became flesh and dwelt among us so that we who believe in Him by faith could be clothed in His righteousness. 

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not, but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God -- to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-14)

Yes, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ said, "I have chosen and ordained you." (John 15:16)

He has a purpose that He placed in our hearts when we were formed in our mother's womb. Thus, regardless of what we have done in the past, Jesus (who is both Lord and Christ -- Acts 2:36) wants to clothe us with His garment of righteousness. He wants to fill us with His Spirit so that we too can experience the grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17)

As John indicates, "no man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared." (John 1:18)

The same record that John the baptist attested to when they asked him "Who art Thou?" The same record stated by Isaiah when the Lord spoke through him saying, "I am the Lord and there is none else. There is no God beside Me. I am the Lord and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:5)

So although the world may hate you because you teach and preach Jesus, know that Jesus told us beforehand that "if the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before [it hated] you." (John 15:18)

"And ye shall be hated of all [men] for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)

The question is this.  "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or, do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

The decision is yours alone. I only pray that you will choose our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, for in Him is life more abundantly. Remember too, that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God. (John 1:1)

As Saul/Paul clearly stated, "If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you -- for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord." (I Corinthians 9:2)

Stand up for the things that are right. Put on His righteousness. Be washed, sanctified, justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God. Most of all, preach Jesus wherever you are so that the seal of your apostleship too may be in the Lord. 

Stand in the offering plate.