Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– John Calvin
Conviction of the Law
The Law of God can bring conversion, as the psalmist wrote, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul” (Psalm 19:7). And the Apostle Paul wrote, “For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death” (Romans 7:5), and “The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). No one is saved by the law, but the law shows us that we need to be saved and makes us run to the cross.
Conversion of the Saints
We know from the Bible that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). So the invisible law of God sent from the invisible God works in the visible Word of God to bring us eternal life, which makes the invisible kingdom visible to others. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). Today Jesus’ words are in the New Testament for us to read and to share so that we might reveal the invisible kingdom, making it visible to others.
Concealing and Revealing
Jesus once said, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:2). Today the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe (2 Corinthians 4:4), “for nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17); and that includes the kingdom of God.
Commissioned for a Mission
We aren’t given a “plan B” from Jesus. He only has one plan for us in the Great Commission, and that’s to take the Gospel into the whole world to make disciples of all nations and then to teach them the same things that He taught (Matthew 28:19). This was written as an imperative command, much like a drill sergeant would tell a soldier, “Attention!” For those living in darkness, we need to bring the light and expose the darkness so that we can reveal the Light of the World, Who is Jesus Christ. That is the only way the invisible kingdom can be made visible.
Conclusion
The Apostle Peter told Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). He knew that the invisible would be revealed someday. During the Transfiguration, Peter got a taste of the invisible kingdom, getting a glimpse of Jesus’ glory but also beholding Moses and Elijah. So for a time, the kingdom was made visible. May we make God’s invisible kingdom visible to the lost in word and deed so that they, too, can share the precious gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
