ENTHRONED AS KING
The apostle Paul writes that when Jesus comes again, "He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). Paul is saying, in essence, "When Christ comes, He is going to show everybody who is Lord!"
God the Father enthroned Christ as king over all nations and all nature, and as Lord over the church. Paul is saying, "It doesn't matter what things look like on the outside. Everything may seem out of control and it may look as if the devil has taken power. But the truth is, God has put all things under Jesus' feet and He is still king over everything!"
"By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Colossians 1:16). "He is the head of the body, the church . . . that in all things he might have the preeminence" (verse 18).
These passages prove that almighty God has appointed Jesus Christ as Lord, and all dominion has been given into His hands. Yet all around we see our society and government dethroning Christ, refusing to acknowledge His authority and kingship. We are removing God from our schools and courts and ignoring Him in the making of our laws. And now we are reaping a terrible harvest.
I believe America's rejection of Christ's lordship is the reason behind all the bloodshed, violence, racial hatred, moral decay, drug abuse and outbreak of deadly sexual diseases in our society. Lawmakers, educators and the media have made God an unspeakable subject.
Yet my concern goes beyond America's rejection of Jesus' authority. I believe the problem of Christ's dethroning is much worse, much more tragic because it is happening in His church. It's true! Our exalted Lord is being dethroned in churches throughout the land and in the lives of a multitude of believers.
It is understandable that ungodly people would want to dethrone Christ. But how it must grieve God to see Christ dethroned by those who call themselves by His name.
God the Father enthroned Christ as king over all nations and all nature, and as Lord over the church. Paul is saying, "It doesn't matter what things look like on the outside. Everything may seem out of control and it may look as if the devil has taken power. But the truth is, God has put all things under Jesus' feet and He is still king over everything!"
"By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Colossians 1:16). "He is the head of the body, the church . . . that in all things he might have the preeminence" (verse 18).
These passages prove that almighty God has appointed Jesus Christ as Lord, and all dominion has been given into His hands. Yet all around we see our society and government dethroning Christ, refusing to acknowledge His authority and kingship. We are removing God from our schools and courts and ignoring Him in the making of our laws. And now we are reaping a terrible harvest.
I believe America's rejection of Christ's lordship is the reason behind all the bloodshed, violence, racial hatred, moral decay, drug abuse and outbreak of deadly sexual diseases in our society. Lawmakers, educators and the media have made God an unspeakable subject.
Yet my concern goes beyond America's rejection of Jesus' authority. I believe the problem of Christ's dethroning is much worse, much more tragic because it is happening in His church. It's true! Our exalted Lord is being dethroned in churches throughout the land and in the lives of a multitude of believers.
It is understandable that ungodly people would want to dethrone Christ. But how it must grieve God to see Christ dethroned by those who call themselves by His name.