The Believer’s Agenda - The One Year Heaven on Earth Devotional

Read: Isaiah 63:1-5

The time has come for me to avenge my people, to ransom them from their oppressors. Isaiah 63:4

IN WORD

The Messiah has a dual agenda: vengeance and redemption. The first time He came, it was all about redemption. The second time, it will be all about righting wrongs and judging wrongdoers. We can be grateful that the redemptive work came first; otherwise, we’d all fall under His righteous sword. But God mercifully sent our Savior long before judgment, and He has given us at least a couple of millennia to reap a harvest of salvation. Though the day of vengeance and the year of redemption are both on His heart, the year of redemption came first and lasts longer. The day of vengeance is just a matter of cleaning up the rebels’ mess.

According to Scripture, the ultimate goal for God’s people is to be conformed to the image of the Son. If the King has vengeance and redemption on His heart, what does that say about us? The implications are clear: We are to be as fired up about evil and as zealous about redemption as He is. We are to have a dual agenda just like His.

That doesn’t mean that we are to take up a lifestyle of violence in order to bring about God’s agenda. Other religions make that mistake and wreak all sorts of havoc on this world. We, on the other hand, have a different sort of violence to embrace. Wherever we see hatred, we oppose it with relentless love. Wherever we see injustice, we make things right. Wherever we see poverty, we provide. Wherever we see pride, we counter it with humility. And wherever we see evil, we pray our hearts out and take an unwavering stand against it.

IN DEED

You may see Christian character as a passive approach to the world’s problems, but it’s far from that. It’s an active, intrusive, even violent opposition to the kingdom of darkness. It shines light into corners that can’t stand light. In your life as a believer, adopt the Messiah’s agenda. Expose lies and injustice, and sow seeds of righteousness aggressively. Live with a heart of hostility toward evil and mercy toward its captives.

ADDITIONAL READING: Psalm 97:10-12

You were rubbed with oil like an athlete, Christ’s athlete . . . and you agreed to take on your opponent.

AMBROSE OF MILAN