Epistles Read of All Men – Part 2

By Darrell C. Porter

This is what the Bible declares as the hope of glory. (Col.1:27)

The early Jews, looking for Messiah’s coming, referred to Him as “The Hope of Israel”. (Jer.14:8; 17:13; Acts. 28:20)

Hope lifts up and gives encouragement for a better future.

We may not always know what God is doing in our lives because He often does different things to each of us. Yet He reveals to us all some part of what is in this life and a little of what is to come.

Why only a limited amount?

Often due to our easy bent toward unbelief.

In John 3:12 Jesus said, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”

Doubt is plainly open before God, as well as before others who trust Him.

Looking at the earthly things, of which our Lord spoke, let’s pause for a moment. Let’s consider our lame perceptions as well as consider the One Who God has made plain.

In Hebrews 2:9 Paul speaks of this One, saying, “But we see Jesus.” Jesus was plainly visible for all men to see. Here His is, God in the flesh, not hidden but openly manifest. He is God with us!

Yet, our eyes are still hazy. Even on our best days we recognize only a small part of God’s open and revealed Truth.

This is plainly declared by the apostle when he said, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” (1Co 13:9)

Through your personal relationship with Christ God writes something in your life that is not written in your neighbor’s life. He writes in your neighbor’s life what’s not written in yours.

Here is an obvious reason we are to receive one another in Christ and listen to one another in Him. For as we receive others in Christ we all the more receive Christ.

“He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (Mt 10:40)

Christ is present in the saved souls of our brothers and sisters.

Now, the world over-looks Him all the time. But you who are spiritual should recognize Christ in your brother and your sister.

You may run into a brother or sister on the street, in the super market, on your job. And you’ll know within yourself and by their actions, that’s my brother… that’s my sister. For they are living epistles of Christ, so easily read.

Jesus is the Author.

He writes a golden part of His wondrous Life in them that follow Him, as well as in you.

Heaven most certainly has a library. And throughout eternity people will be able to come and pull a book off its holy shelf that tells all about your life and struggles and faith in Jesus Christ.

Plainly, you are an epistle meant to be read of all men for all time.

What you do for Jesus today… the stand you make… the steps you take… your sacrifices… are all recorded. And the God of Truth will “bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” (Pr.37:6)

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Mt 13:43)

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