Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 152nd. Edition.
Dear Saints,
In today’s passage (1 Peter 5:11) we are reminded of the purpose for which we live and for which we are ultimately saved. We get it all wrong when our comfort, welfare, and desires take the front seat because we ought instead to live for God’s
Doxology. This is a word borrowed from the Greek language and means glory or glorification. We begin to understand our calling as believers when we come to terms with the fact that whatever will bring glory to God should prevail, no matter the cost to us. This, by the way, is part of what is so wrong with the Prosperity Gospel. It sits on the premise that we should not suffer or be in want. This rubbishes the teaching of the Apostle Paul on contentment (Philippians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 6:6). It also exploits our love of money, which the Apostle Paul also warns against (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Our chief purpose in life and even into eternity, as is stated here, is to bring glory to God.
Dominion. Dominion is the authority, right, and power to rule. It is the exercise of rule by a sovereign over his subjects. A key theme in the teaching of our Lord Jesus is the Kingdom of God. Simply defined, the Kingdom of God is the fact of God being King and exercising his dominion over his subjects. Right now, God’s dominion is in the realm of those who have believed in Jesus as Saviour.
We often acknowledge this when we talk about the Lordship of Christ. But a time is coming when “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9)When Paul wrote, “Every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord” (Philippians 2:11), it was this dominion he was referring to, pitting Christ against the Roman Caesar, of whom subjects confessed, “Caesar is Lord” and declaring Jesus Christ the victor, whose lordship even enemies will acknowledge. And all this to the glory of God the Father.
So then, our eternal purpose (forever and ever) is to bring glory to God, submit to his lordship (dominion) and encourage the same in others.
For every thought, plan, and action, ask yourself, Does it glorify God; does it extend his dominion?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.