Good morning! It’s Monday, April 29, 2024. Whenever I need to access the building to my office, I need one key. It’s the “master key.” It opens many doors. The Church, comprised of devoted followers of Christ, has been given a set of the “Master’s keys.” But will we use them? Do we even know how? Read on …
Today's Reading:
2 Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
Scripture
“'…who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.’” (Matthew 16:15-19)
Observation
Peter’s answer left no doubts, no hesitation, no ambivalence. Belief in this one statement would end all arguments: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”
Based on this foundational truth, Jesus declared that the Church could stand strong against the forces of hell. Jesus then gave the Church a set of Master Keys: “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven...”
Application
We are led to think that the government or wealthy businessmen are the ones who determine the outcomes. However, God tells us that the Church has been given the authority to influence the outcomes of cities, countries, and nations. Those who don’t know Christ are not threats to the adversary; they are already in his grasp.
The only group that has authority over hell is the Church.
I recall the case of Sodom and Gomorrah in Gen. 18. It wasn’t the amount of evil or homosexuality that caused the cities to fall. It was the fact that Abraham’s nephew, Lot, could not find even ten righteous believers in the whole city. There may have been believers, but they didn’t live “righteously.” (In other words, what they believed, they didn’t live.)
If there were ever a time in history where the Church must awaken, it is now! We are more important to the outcome of cities and nations than we will ever realize.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me realize the importance of the Church! We must clearly reflect Your ways and call people to Calvary. What is happening in our country and around the world depends much on what doors we open or what doors we leave locked. You gave us the keys to open hearts, eyes, and ears. You gave us the keys to influence and effect change. Now, stir us up afresh to use them for Your purposes.
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