Christ came not that we might glimpse the glory of God for a few years, but He came that God might dwell forever among men and that dwelling among us; His righteous law might exercise its sway over our lives. The Coming of Christ is in the most vital sense the coming of God’s Kingdom. “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
The Kingdom of God does not await the second coming of Christ and the final, full manifestation of His sovereignty, for the prophet is here speaking of His first advent, when he came announced by His messenger John. Christ’s birth began that kingdom in which men of every tongue bow and confess that He is Lord. And if we cannot bear His coming, how can we bear the coming of His Kingdom?
Thus, we can see that the coming of Christ is the coming of the King of righteousness, not some abstract far-away concept, but, like the refiner’s fire or the fuller’s soap, a most concrete and personal design.
Malachi had just reminded the people of their transgression against the law of God, and when he hears them express a desire for Messiah’s coming, he cannot but remind them that the One in whom they profess delight will, when He comes, deal harshly with their sin. The refiner puts his metals into the fire to burn out the impurities. The fuller soaks his soiled cloth in soap and water and then tramples it up and down to remove the dirt from the very fibers. And it is the essence of the Kingdom of God to deal with sin. Christ came not only as the Prince of Peace, He also came as the King of Righteousness and He must perform His work of righteousness in order that His work of peace might appear.
In His first coming, Christ was Himself consumed by that refiner’s fire. He became our sin bearer and bore the wrath of judgment for us. In His Second Coming, that work of judgment will be completed. Then the dread that is expressed in these words of Malachi will be upon the lips of all those who have turned from His righteousness.
Who is sufficient for these things? Who can stand such an appearance as this? The coming of God Himself to establish His rule of perfect righteousness over the life and thoughts of men?
We say we want and we need the celebration of Christ’s birth. The Christmas spirit, we say, will warm the earth with kindness and love to one another. Oh, yes, let us have Christmas, for God forbid that we should ever be indifferent to the coming of His Son. But, welcome His coming for what it is. Worship Him who was born Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
One day He will come again in power, but our King has already come and is sovereign of all our lives. Submit to His refining, cleansing work. Fill your minds and hearts with His Word that in you may appear the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness and self-control.
So may we welcome the news of His coming and sing with new meaning, “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!”
Dearest Father, the baby dear in the manger was come as a conquering King to reign in the hearts of men. Please help me to give Him his rightful place in mine. In His Holy Name, amen.
It is our sincere prayer that God would bless you and yours as you seek Him today. Merry Christmas, dear friends!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
The Kingdom of God does not await the second coming of Christ and the final, full manifestation of His sovereignty, for the prophet is here speaking of His first advent, when he came announced by His messenger John. Christ’s birth began that kingdom in which men of every tongue bow and confess that He is Lord. And if we cannot bear His coming, how can we bear the coming of His Kingdom?
Thus, we can see that the coming of Christ is the coming of the King of righteousness, not some abstract far-away concept, but, like the refiner’s fire or the fuller’s soap, a most concrete and personal design.
Malachi had just reminded the people of their transgression against the law of God, and when he hears them express a desire for Messiah’s coming, he cannot but remind them that the One in whom they profess delight will, when He comes, deal harshly with their sin. The refiner puts his metals into the fire to burn out the impurities. The fuller soaks his soiled cloth in soap and water and then tramples it up and down to remove the dirt from the very fibers. And it is the essence of the Kingdom of God to deal with sin. Christ came not only as the Prince of Peace, He also came as the King of Righteousness and He must perform His work of righteousness in order that His work of peace might appear.
In His first coming, Christ was Himself consumed by that refiner’s fire. He became our sin bearer and bore the wrath of judgment for us. In His Second Coming, that work of judgment will be completed. Then the dread that is expressed in these words of Malachi will be upon the lips of all those who have turned from His righteousness.
Who is sufficient for these things? Who can stand such an appearance as this? The coming of God Himself to establish His rule of perfect righteousness over the life and thoughts of men?
We say we want and we need the celebration of Christ’s birth. The Christmas spirit, we say, will warm the earth with kindness and love to one another. Oh, yes, let us have Christmas, for God forbid that we should ever be indifferent to the coming of His Son. But, welcome His coming for what it is. Worship Him who was born Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
One day He will come again in power, but our King has already come and is sovereign of all our lives. Submit to His refining, cleansing work. Fill your minds and hearts with His Word that in you may appear the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness and self-control.
So may we welcome the news of His coming and sing with new meaning, “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!”
Dearest Father, the baby dear in the manger was come as a conquering King to reign in the hearts of men. Please help me to give Him his rightful place in mine. In His Holy Name, amen.
It is our sincere prayer that God would bless you and yours as you seek Him today. Merry Christmas, dear friends!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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