The Everlasting King Reigns

The same Lord speaks in all these readings: the everlasting King who reigns above the floods, who tries His people, and who gathers those once far off. Psalm 93 declares not a weak ruler but Christ enthroned over all tumult; as Justin says, “the words of the Psalm expressly proclaim that reference is made to the everlasting King, i.e., to Christ.” Therefore Deuteronomy’s warning remains sharp: no sign, no wonder, no persuasive voice may draw us away from Him. A marvel is not proof of truth. The test is whether a word leads us to fear God, keep His commandments, and cleave to Him.

Acts shows this King extending His mercy to the nations. Cornelius was not idle in his reverence: he prayed at the appointed hour, gave alms, gathered his household, and obeyed at once. Peter also had to repent of partiality and submit his old habits to the Lord’s present command. So both men were taught to bow before the same Master. God’s cleansing of the Gentiles was not a loosening of holiness, but the wide proclamation of repentance and peace through Jesus Christ, the Judge of the living and the dead.

Thus the church must be neither gullible nor narrow-hearted: not gullible, because we do not follow every spiritual claim; not narrow-hearted, because the King receives all who fear Him and work righteousness. We prove our confession by obedience. Tertullian has said it well: “After the Lord your God you shall go, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and serve Him, and cleave unto Him.”