Oct 1990 - Editorial

"Jesus Christ of Nazareth ... He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the comer, and in none other is there salvation" (Acts 4:11,12). This was the apostle Peter's penetrating accusation levelled at the Jewish rulers who "crucified the Lord of glory". Peter also showed his clear understanding of the deep significance of the Lord's pre-eminence in resurrection when he wrote in his first letter of the divine decree: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be put to shame" (2:6; Is. 28:16). Our principal article this month shows how the city of Zion, highly favoured in Old Testament times, is replaced in the New Testament by spiritual Zion, heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:18,22), where God's people worship in spirit, having the Lord Jesus as Son over God's house. Further light as to the high privilege of serving God in His house is given in 1 Peter 2:1-10; Ephesians 2:11-22 and Hebrews 3:1-6.

Such divine service is the scriptural blueprint for the disciple life today. As Focus stresses, the disciple must not be side-tracked into attempting to do good to his fellow men by political action. We do not read in the New Testament of any disciple entering the political arena. The apostle Paul writes, "I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). That was his life's preoccupation, for "our citizenship is in heaven" (v.20).

unknown | Oct 1990
Editorial