Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever” Certainly God is the great I AM. He is not a transient God who changes on a whim or who cannot be found. He is indeed a God of continuity who can be trusted and relied upon. What God has done, He is doing, and whatever He is doing, He shall continue to do.

All through the Old Testament, whatever God set out to accomplish was done with finality. No change in economies or political climates could stop God from making His people glorious and holy in His sight. Even though they complained and struggled with their faith and obedience at times, God gave them every piece of territory he promised to them. Why then do we worry at times about recession, changes in world leadership and the ungodliness of the world around us? Can they stop God from presenting to this world a church which is glorious, spotless and full of the power of God. The philosophies of this world, humanism, atheism, the trend of human rights over human responsibilities and the myriad of other humanistic ideas has not hindered God’s express plan for revealing His Son through the Church. If all the powers of satan could not prevent the birth nor hinder the revelation of Jesus, then no political power or ideology nor any demonic religious dogma can prevent God’s program of purifying to himself a people who can be presented to His Son as a perfect Bride and to the world as Church full of the glory of God.

The example we see of Jesus perfect life, flowing with kingdom peace, joy, power and grace, was never meant to end when Jesus died. God’s intent has always been that this very same life be duplicated the world over. While it is true that none of us are “the son of God” and none of us can sacrifice our lives for all humanity as Jesus did, we are however “sons of God” empowered to display His glory. Often we don’t feel that way, but Paul was “confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it in us” God never starts something He cannot complete. Even though we may feel inadequate, frail, weak and vulnerable, we have an all powerful God at work behind the scenes.

God birthed His Church in power, It functioned in that power for almost 2 centuries before political and religious spirits began to influence and control her. Yet Gods intent would not be thwarted. Over the centuries He has continued to strengthen, develop, transform restore and revive her, and we have confidence that He will continue to do so. Part of that restoration was the revelation given through Martin Luther “the just shall live by faith” The doctrine that it is not by works of righteousness but by God’s grace alone that men stand justified before God. We have been completely pardoned from the penalty of sin. God chose to place all the punishment for sin upon His son at Calvary for our sake, so that we might share in the righteousness of God. What an amazing transaction! Simultaneously our sin was imputed to Jesus while His righteousness was imputed to us in return. Once again men could approach God with confidence for the guilt of sin was adequately handled by God so all that is required by men is their acceptance by faith of this gift. What other reason could we need to shout of the goodness, mercy and grace of God towards us. The way has been made open for all time for us to boldly come into the presence of God.

Ps 100:4 tells us the appropriate way in is by faith and through thanksgiving. “I will enter his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise” Let us ever be a people full of gratitude and expectation of the continuing restoration of glory upon His Church.