The Church Triumphant

We who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are the church. Jesus calls us His body. He calls us that because He is the Head and we are the hands, feet, and mouth for Christ on this earth. He works thru His church. Matthew 5:13 (NKJV) ¹³ "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Jesus in these verses describes us Christians, His church as salt and light. First Jesus says that we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt is distinctively different from the thing upon which it is put. By nature, and by purpose it is different. So are believers, because we are new creations of Jesus Christ, our nature and purpose is different from the world. Salt preserves. It keeps things from going bad and decaying. It cleanses and disinfects. Believers, just as salt, are to cleanse and preserve the world for Christ’s Kingdom. We are to disinfect the evil of the world and keep the germs of sin from causing things to go bad. Salt changes the taste and adds flavor to whatever it is put on. We are to penetrate and flavor the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ to help save the world from sin, corruption and Hell. Matthew 5:¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus describes His body, the church as light. Jesus called Himself the light of the world, and we are like lamps made to shine forth the light of His glorious salvation. We are to light a dark and evil world. Where light shines darkness has to flee. We were saved to shine forth with good works for all to see and give glory to God. We are to be the light that overcomes the world and all its darkness and evil. We the church have the most powerful weapons on the face of the earth. First is the Holy Spirit who lives within us. We are commanded in Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is that power through which we fight the battle against Satan. The Holy Spirit anoints us for the battle. Second most powerful weapon we have is the word of God as our offensive weapon with which we fight Satan. In Ephesians 6:17 the word of God is called “the sword of the Spirit.” Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. The apostle Paul says this about God’s word in; Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." This precious gospel saved each of us who are Christians and it can save others. Jesus said We are not to be ashamed of the gospel and hide it from the world, but we are to let it shine forth by telling others about Christ and His salvation. We are to shine forth by doing good deeds for all to see so that everyone will give glory to our heavenly Father. The gospel message is the power God used to create the church and keep it going. It’s the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. This gospel has saved millions and is working even now to save others. The gospel of Christ is the power that has kept His churches open and going for all these years and there will be many more years of the body of Christ proclaiming the glorious gospel message if He tarries. In this gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. The church survives and lives by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and it’s our duty and privilege to proclaim it to all who will listen. In this gospel is power! It’s the power by which we are saved, by which we live and serve God, Hallelujah! We are the church triumphant! We are a special people in God’s eyes. He says in; Psalms 16:3 (NKJV) ³ As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."

Invitation: Are you a saint? Have you responded to the gospel of salvation? Have you confessed you are a sinner and have you asked Jesus Christ to forgive you? Have you invited Him into your life? He died on the cross as payment for the penalty of your sins and on the third day He arose from the dead where He now sits at God’s right hand ever making intercession for you. Call on Him right now if you have never done that and you will become part of the church triumphant!