Church of the Open Door. An el derly woman came up to me after the service. She had apparently been greatly blessed. Her words were, "Brother Keiper, I am pray ing for you twice. Once because you are in the covenant of Abra ham, and once because you are in the covenant of Christ." I did not bother to straighten her out on my nationality. Who was I to rob myself of two blessings? She was happy and so was I. What joy would be ours if we should be mistaken for our blessed Lord. Actually, this is our high call ing and our great privilege. It is also our awesome responsibility. By Cod's sovereign grace we have been placed in Jesus Christ (II Cor inthians 1:30), "who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification and redemp tion." Four things have been given to us in Christ. We have been given that wisdom which comes from His Word enabling us to apply knowledge to His glory and bless ing to those with whom we come in contact. Next we have been giv en His righteousness which enables us to walk straight, to think straight, and to live straight. This is where sanctification comes in. We have been set apart for His purpose, not for ours. We have been saved for His glory alone. Along with wis dom, righteousness and sanctifica tion, we also have redemption. This means that we have been released from the things that restrict us. We have absolutely no excuse for not living for our blessed Lord. We sing about His strength on our be half through redemption,
it a real responsibility for the way we live. What a privilege to be the lifeline between the throne of grace and the heart of sinful man. It is an awesome undertaking. Does the Gospel show in our life? Do others know that we are imitating the Lord? Are we willing to identify ourselves with Christ rather than the world? There are many people who do not have the knowledge of God. This is pointed out to being our "shame." Paul says that it is a disgrace that we live such low lives of spiritual value. How effective is your life? Do you blow your top? Do you get angry when you ought to be cool? Do you have that peace which passes every understanding? Are you a worry-wart? Are you al ways anxious, fussing and fighting, worrying that things may happen that never come to pass? Are you gloomy and morbid instead of showing the joy of the Lord? These are some of the things Paul has in mind. It is in the midst of this mar velous chapter on resurrection that he throws in this very necessary "commercial." May we ask the Holy Spirit to help us give heed to it. IMAGES O F CHRIST Our Christian witness is unique from many angles. In a certain sense we are not only selling a product but also we must be the product we are selling. If that startles you it may be because you have never thought about the possibilities this presents (Romans 8:29). Who would not want to be mistaken for someone who was es pecially attractive or well-known. I am always mistaken for being Jew ish while I happen to be German. I remember one occasion when I had the privilege of speaking at the Page 24
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