Guard the Good Deposit

54 • Guard the Good Deposit: The Great Tradition for the Whole Church

We need to represent because Jesus, the Lord, will judge the living and the dead. Today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6.2). God is patient wanting all to come to salvation (2 Pet. 3.9). Make no mistake, however, the Lord will destroy the devil and his dominion forever. He will judge the living and the dead and those who don’t know him will be cast into hell (Rev. 20.11–15). Paul says “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Cor. 5.10–11a). Christ’s return and judgment are not make-believe. They are as sure as the sun rising and setting today. Knowing this and knowing that we possess the words of eternal life, let us serve as representatives for Christ and his Kingdom until that day!

How Do We Retrieve the Representation of Christ and His Kingdom?

Adopt a warfare mentality. In the great war of the ages, Christ is the victor. He has bound the strong man (Luke 11.22) and he is plundering his house (Matt. 12.29). While the enemy is already defeated, he is not yet destroyed. He constantly attacks the servants of Christ, and prowls about like a lion looking for prey (1 Pet. 5.8).