JESUS, THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHER "And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight." (Colossians 1:20-22) -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 30 of 32
IN HIS SIGHT
" . . . in His sight."
Other versions read, "before Him" (NASB), "to bring you before Himself" (NJB), and "into the very presence of God" (NLT).
OUR LIVES ARE AN OPEN BOOK
Those who are in Christ Jesus are reminded, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men" (2 Cor 3:2). It is even taught that God's laborers are "made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men" (1 Cor 4:9). Redemption has not concealed the redeemed, but made them more apparent than they ever were before. As our blessed Lord said, "A city that is set upon a hill CANNOT be hid!" (Matt 5:14). Wherever genuine spiritual life is found, it can only be stifled by the person in which it resides quenching and grieving the Holy Spirit. No power or person external to that person can obscure the life of God.
From the very beginning, those in Christ are taught by Scripture to consider how their manners appear to others. This is to be considered from a high point of view, and not with the intention of pleasing mere men.
1. "Let your light so shine before men, THAT THEY MAY SEE your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:16).
2. "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me BEFORE MEN, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me BEFORE MEN, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Mat 10:32-33).
3. "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also IN THE SIGHT OF MEN" (2 Cor 8 :21).
4. "For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and APPROVED OF MEN" (Rom 14:18).
5. "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN" (Rom 12:17).
6. "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, GIVE NONE OCCASION TO THE ADVERSARY to speak reproachfully" (1 Tim 5:14).
7. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, WHICH THEY BEHOLD, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Pet 2:12).
What will those who have difficulty meeting this requirement do when they hear of being "holy and unblameable and unreproveable IN HIS SIGHT" (Col 1:22)? What are appearances before men in comparison to appearing in God's sight? What of the time when the record of human conduct is open and made public to all the intelligences of the universe? It is on the part of wisdom to live with a keen awareness that our conduct is presently beheld on earth and in heaven as well.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the tendency of spiritual life to make itself know. Grant me grace never to suppress this manifestation by quenching or grieving Your Holy Spirit.