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January 20, 1999, Wednesday
Is there a standard that God has for the person that He
has called to follow Him? Will God repay those people
who do wrong with punishment, or is there no judgement?
If one realizes that God is a righteous judge, should
that person evaluate future life actions?
Paul wrote to the Ephesians stressing the importance of
remembering one's day of salvation. On that important
day God offered much mercy, but also a high standard--
"I urge you, then—I who am a prisoner because I serve
the Lord--- remember that you should live a life that
measures up to the standard God set when he called you"
(Eph 4:1). We all fall short of the righteous standard
but God impresses on us to continue to press on.
Paul wrote to the Colossians to explain that God has a
standard that shows no preferential treatment to anyone-
"And all wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things
they do, because God judges everyone by the same standard"
(Col 3:25). There will be a day of reckoning and a day
of accounting that God will set the records correct for
those that have done right and those who did wrong.
Some may not like the idea that God has a standard and
is watching as a judge. But it is a reminder for us to
consider daily that we have a high calling and standard.
Peter wrote to the early Christians to count the rest
of their days and the manner how they would spend them-
"You call Him Father, when you pray to God, who judges
all people by the same standard, according to what each
one has done; so then, spend the rest of your lives here
on earth in reverence for Him" (1Pe 1:17). To live in a
holy reverence to Him is a blessing for us that will yield
the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Let us remember who is the God that is our Banner. God's
Name is Jehová Nissi. He is the God whose Banner over
us is His love. He raises up His standard of righteousness
for us when the enemy comes in like a flood. He makes
that standard of righteousness a higher calling in your life.
Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today for the fact
that He is the God who is our Banner and sign to rally
our cause!
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