The doctrine that Jesus Christ is God like other doctrines of the Christian faith has been contested and debated through the centuries. It is wise to show from the scriptures that it’s not only accurate but worthy of full acceptance. God took it upon Himself right from the book of Genesis to make it so obvious such that, it doesn’t need debating.
In Gen 1:26, we read, “let us make man …”– God brought about creation by His Word through His PowerJohn 1:3, Isa 45:18. He set-out in Genesis to give man the truth that there will come a time His Word will be made manifest to us John1:1, 14 and 10. We should not look down on Him (His Word) because it is for the sake of our sin and sins that He humbled himself Phil 2:8, Matt 1:23, John 3:16. Also, He made it clear that His Power will come to reside in us— and we should not grieve Him (Wonderful counselor) Eph 4:30, John 16:13. So, let us humble ourselves like God has done in coming to us as Immanuel and as the mighty rushing wind Acts 2:2 and believe in Jesus, the Christ as the Son of the living God that we might be redeemed.
The truth that Christ Jesus is the almighty God is one of the most obvious doctrines of the scripture though it’s one of the most difficult teachings of the bible which have hardly settled in the hearts of many who profess Christianity Isa 9:6.
In Eph 2:20, Paul the Apostle establishes a certain truth that guides every matter of doctrine for the church. In view of that, I have quoted John the Apostle and Prophet Isaiah in order to firmly affirm this big truth that Jesus Christ was God before He came to the earth and remained as God while on earth and still God after His resurrection.
In John 1:1 and 14, John the Apostle accentuated what Prophet Isaiah prophesied Isa 9:6, ” to us a child is born, to us a Son is given” we notice that this same son that is given to us, is the same child that is born to us. Isaiah proceeded to tell us that the government (rule) shall be upon His shoulder (power). Then, he unravels the mystery of who Jesus really is by listing His names to us.
Close look at Isaiah 9:6
For to us a Child is born: A Child is a Seed which is the Word. Mary was told, you shall conceive (receive a Seed) and give birth to It as a Son.
A Son is given to us: Meaning the Son will be sacrificed for us (mankind).
The government will rest on His shoulder: The rule of the kingdom He establishes through His sacrifice will be by His Power.
And He will be called: The phrase “will be or shall be”, is indicative of the fact that we (man) will come to know Him progressively (not necessarily sequentially) by these names.
His Names:- *Wonderful Counselor: His resurrection name which was manifested on the day of Pentecost.
*Mighty God: Meaning Lord of lords or hosts Psalm 50:1, 89:8, Jer 32:18
*Everlasting Father: To understand this name properly, we need to understand that the word father is the name of God. Everlasting or eternal is added to distinguish Him from man who He has given the privilege to bear the same name of responsibility with Him as a reminder to act lovingly like Him Isa 63:16, 2 Thess 2:16
*Prince of Peace: Peter the Apostle tell us in Acts 10:36, that the Word sent to us, that is Jesus, is the one who alone brings peace through the preaching of the word by which, all can get peace or reconciliation because He is the Lord of all (John 14:27 NLT, Rom 14:17).
The doctrine about trinity (one God in three persons 1x1x1=1) does not need any flip flopping. To answer the question if Jesus Christ is God emphatically beyond any shadow of doubt, one needs a personal revelation of Jesus Christ from God.
Jesus’ comment on Peter’s reply to His question about Who He was in Matt 16:13-17 is the key to a blessed and faithful understanding of who Christ really is. As is customarily with Jesus, He asked the disciples a general question and as they gave Him answers of what the people thought of Him, He switched His attention on what they themselves (His disciples) thought of who He was. What you and I believe about who Christ is, is more important than speculation of what others believe.
The importance of His question and its answer reveals to us the true identity of Jesus Christ in a way that is astonishing.
The people’s Perceptive
The people’s perception of Jesus is remarkable and shows the mysterious personality of Christ. The three people they associated Him with are Prophets (John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah). Historical antecedents (also from the Torah) armed the people with the understanding that God gives them the prophets to save the people from destruction and the wrath of God and more importantly, to show them God’s way. The words save associated with the work of the Prophets always dealt with salvation from their physical problems even when it was caused by spiritual factors. Given this truth, their perception of Jesus was not wrong and it was proved by blessings (healing, provision of bread and fish etc) which they and their forefathers were used to. Remember manna in Exodus 16, Num 21:8-9, Mark 6:40-42 Matt 4:24. But, the revelation they had of Jesus was grossly limited and as such it did not bring about salvation (regeneration) to their souls.
The sense in which they used the word “save” in Luke 23:35, is what they were used to seeing with their Prophets– powerful people who called fire from heaven and saved themselves and others from problems. The fact that they did not have the revelation of Him as the Son of God made them fail to see that Christ is The Prophet not one of the prophets . As a result, they were blinded and could not understand and receive the type of “save-salvation” He came to give. In their minds, the God of Israel is Holy and does not have a wife and consequently, can’t have a Son. Though the Torah they read was full of prophecies of God’s coming Son Jer 23:5-6, Isaiah 7:14, unlike Simeon Luke 2:25-35, they did not understand it just like the Ethiopian eunuch Acts 8:30-31. They were not bothered about the redemption of their souls— their main concern as many of us today is the physical salvation from earthly troubles which seemed far more important than the rebirth of their spirit and renewal of their minds Rom 12:1-2.
In the light of these overly earthly concerns, Jesus’ posed another question which applies to us today than ever, “For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37. The answer to this important question is this, the soul! We must give Him our soul to save our soul and this is what it means to accept or believe in Jesus. He gave His life and demands no less from us!
Jesus by claiming to be the Son of God and inviting man to believe or accept Him is invariably asking to be worshipped and worship, demands the giving of one’s heart, soul and body. This has a huge implication given that only God can demand our lives (worship) since he alone created life and gave us life! Nothing else can demand our worship and stand justified— not the devil, angles or man because only God should be worshipped! Only Him— singular! Isa 45:22.
Peter’s Revelation
Peter’s answer “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” solved the puzzle of who Jesus is, with this answer, Jesus pronounced Peter as blessed (consecrated). Peter’s answer and consecration (being set apart) did not come about because of his cleverness and much study of the Torah, zeal or devotion rather, it was God’s sovereign act of revealing to him who Jesus really was. This is interesting–the revelation of Jesus comes from God and it sets people’s heart apart for God John 6:65, 3:16. Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”.
Jesus’ reply to Peter’s answer to His question is pivotal to dealing with all conversations about who Jesus really is— trying to conceive anyone by philosophizing without cognizance to, “but my father who is in heaven” part of Jesus’ reply to Peter will be a waste of time and giving room for unprofitable disputations which leads to quarrel and ungodliness.
Before the birth of Jesus, an angle of God announced to Mary, “you shall bear a Son and His name shall be called Jesus— which Isaiah revealed as Immanuel (meaning God with us) and He shall save His people from their sins” Matt 1:21-23. The word “us and His people” refers not just to Israel as a nation but mankind Luke 2:28-32. God’s salvation, in the sense of redemption (the saving of the soul) is not done by any other means but only by Himself Ps 98:1. Therefore, the name or person by whom God saves the soul of man is God Acts 4:11-12. God ordained preachers know they can’t give salvation to anyone— God does the saving through the preacher’s planting or watering of His Holy word 1 Cor 3:7.
Peter’s understanding of Jesus as the Christ, the son of the living God is different from the understanding many of us have today. Like Philip, we may still be asking,” Show us the father” but Jesus’ answer will be no different to the one He gave to Philip John 14:8-9.
God only reveals Jesus as God to the people who accept Jesus as His Son. The understanding of the mystery of Jesus Christ as God is not a prerequisite for salvation because receiving Him as God’s Son is accepting Him as the one by whom all things were created. All who truly are gifted with salvation in Christ Jesus are also gifted with the revelation that He is God. Like Philip, we’ll all eventually comprehend it!
The early church did not struggle with this truth. Thomas called out to Jesus after His resurrection, “my Lord and my God” while the church gathered and neither Jesus nor the Apostles rebuked or corrected Him because they understood he was right in his theology. Also, as they were deeply hated and severely persecuted by their own people, they came to the understanding that; their acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God is equivalent to saying He is God even though it was considered blasphemy in their religion John 5:18, Matt 26:63-65. Many professing Christians today do not know this truth but, the Israelites did and even the Muslims know this truth which is the reason they do not want to believe He is the Son of God John 5:18.
So, proving that Jesus is the Christ tantamount to proving He is God. To believe in God is to believe in One God who is the Saviour of all men. To ever believe in one God is to believe in Christ Jesus John 6:44 because God draws man only to Himself.
Matt 17:1-8, is crucial in proving that Jesus is the Son of God! This same revelation was given to John the Baptist at river Jordan at Jesus’ Baptism to fulfill all righteousness. God consistently bore witness to Jesus as His Son and calls on all people, race and religion to believe in Him as His Son John 20:31, 1 John 3:23 . Anyone who does believe is automatically accepting Him as God because the Son of God is God. The Son of God is the Gospel which is, the power of God and the Power of God, is the Holy Spirit Rom 1:16, Luke 24:49.
The scripture tells us that God is bringing many sons to glory by the means of His Power and that Jesus Christ is the first Son among many brethren. Man was made by God to be god over His earth. We are aware that satan is still usurping but this will last only but for a short time from God’s perspective! Ps 90:4, 2 Pet 3:8. The first resurrected Son of God has overthrown him Rev 12:10. He is now God over him in this present age or world and for all ages to come as it was in the beginning. The interesting news is that the First Son among many brethren is bringing His bride (the church) to proclaim and display the truth that He has restored man (the sons of God) to the original intent of God to whom be praise, honor and glory for all eternity Eph 3:10. Amen.
We must understand that at the end, the word “first” takes its proper place as God’s title Isa 44:6 and God will be first (Head) among His sons Col 1:18. This is the reason God spilled His blood in order to make us part of Himself (the body of Christ). This gives us an insight why God vehemently calls His children to participate in His divine nature and inherit His kingdom which He has freely made available, but only His sons will inherit it Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Rev 2:17.
The truth that Jesus, the Christ, Son of the living God is God— our God is not negotiable. He is our blessed hope!
Give Attendance to Reading – From The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall
In identifying with the Truth we mentioned that it was a case of pursuing God’s will, and seeking to walk in His ways. You do not really know the Truth until it becomes a part of your being. Honor the Word, the written Word. Read it much. But know of a certainty that it is not really yours until it comes alive within you.
I have read the Bible through many times, just as a matter of “reading” it… typed it out once along with footnotes and references for my own study Bible… memorized large portions of it in my earlier days… I honor the Word of God, as much as anyone. And yet many times as I read it I am keenly aware that at the time it seems to fall far short of meeting my basic earnest desire to know God. However, it has been a source of great encouragement to know that simply in reading the Word with an open heart one is exposing himself to the power and to the authority of that Word, unaware as you may be of this at the time.
Paul said, “Give attendance to reading…” But we would excuse ourselves on the basis that we do not understand it too well, or it becomes tiring and monotonous, and we do not get any particular blessing from it. We hope rather for the miracle that would make the printed page to shout at us with clarion call. I have personally never had that experience. And perhaps it is good that it has been this way so that I can encourage others. Many times we find ourselves reading some very beautiful Scriptures that carry with them a living Word; but its true benefit may not come to us until weeks, or months, or years later.
We have been speaking of God’s ways… the greatness of His ways… and how foreign God’s ways are to the ways of men. We sincerely trust that what we have said will not merely be received as good teaching and good doctrine; but that it will encourage everyone who reads this writing to “search and try their ways” as the Bible admonishes, For we are persuaded that if there is a genuine “search” in this area, God will be faithful to shew His people His way in this great hour, in this hour of impending crisis. Man’s day quickly draws to a close. God is looking for and preparing a people, who will come to know His thoughts and become acquainted with His ways. For of this present generation of the Church even of the evangelical and charismatic Church, it can rightly be said (as was said of the Israelites of old) “THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN MY WAYS.”
Jesus made a statement in Luke 10:20 and it will pilot the thought in this article. The spirits being subject to us is beyond just casting out demons. It includes the power and wisdom we received from heaven where our names are written to overcome their alluring and deceptive doctrines.
Countless times I have heard people say things like “there will be a lot of surprises in heaven” and by this, they almost always mean they may be surprise to see themselves in heaven and others they did not expect will be there. It is wrong to assume someone else will not be in heaven and the assertion that you will be surprised to be there is erroneous and needs to be humbly but firmly corrected.
Being admitted into heaven is not like taking an exam after you have read very well or poorly and now, you just wait passively for the outcome.
Admission into heaven takes place now while we are living not when we are dead. Everyone who is admitted there now is part of the bride awaiting the ceremony that will be graced with the presence of the bridegroom and the heavenly host with God the maker of all things visible and invisible.
Everybody hoping to be surprised then, is also already surprised now as to why the devil and sin is dominating them. In contrast, all who know they are already admitted into heaven now are giving thanks and pondering why God has so love them to deliver them from the dominion of the devil and the grip of sins.
The truth and reality of 2 Cor 3:17-18, is certainly happening in all who are admitted into heaven now and waiting for the marriage supper.
The “Lord’s Prayer” taught us by Jesus indicates that God’s will happening in heaven must happen in God’s kingdom on the earth. If you are part of His kingdom on the earth, wake-up and “let” His will be done now in you. The devil is not powerful enough to stop it unless you have imbibed doctrines that demons are teaching today via false teachers and prophets (Matt 6:9-10, 1 Tim 4:1).
The will of God that is being done in heaven is not the pursuit of earthly ambitions but ceaseless worship and reverence to God Almighty.
God’s will that happens in heaven is happening IN His people’s lives today all over world in an increasing measure. Where each of us is now in Christ as parts of His Body is not the farthest we can go. Not believing you can break out into a new dimension will mean doubting God’s ability. And, if you doubt God’s ability to take you beyond your struggles, you will also doubt that anyone else is living beyond where you are now. This kind of unbelief (sin) leads to judgemental spirit, schism and multiplicity of erroneous doctrines that makes it impossible to live above sin and it impacts the fulfillment of Eph 4:13.
What is the secret for God’s will happening in some of His people? What are they “doing” to achieve this? The secret is simple! What they are “doing” is even simpler.
They trust and continue believing God! This may sound overly simple but ask yourself the question “how did I become a Christian?”.
You just believed in your heart and you were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and “translated” into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. For this reason, you are entitled to glorious inheritance in the kingdom of Light (Christ)
Now, if just believing in the finished sacrifice of Jesus Christ brought us wholistically out of the kingdom of darkness, think about how easier it is for the Spirit to give us victory over any besetting sin(s) which is only an integral part of the power of darkness. We must remember that the intention is to debar us from enjoying the inheritance but Mark 9:23 and Phil 4:13 NLT gives the key for consistent victory.
As we continue believing in the light God is reflecting in our minds Psalm 119:130, we are transformed from one degree of His glory to another. The word “another”, is not indicative of the totality of His glory that is available for us because 1 Cor 13:12 portrays another glory for the time when we see Him face to face. At the moment, He is moving us in the dimensions of His glory and this work being done in us by the Holy Spirit keeps us alive in Him, content, joyful, peaceful and demonstrating His glory to the world. This is the business of the gospel of Christ! Rom 14:17.
You may still ask what is your part to play? Well! Believe and submit to Him joyfully and any dark spot in you will be overtaken and snuffed-out by His glorious light. Note the heartwarming emphases at the end of 2 Cor 3:18, – The Lord who is the Spirit does the work.
Ours is to believe and that is the springboard to unimaginable degrees of glory in Christ.
You may be asking what about the other things a Christian should be doing! Like:
Reading and meditating on the scriptures
Praying, fasting, and being hard working
Preaching the gospel to the lost and exercising your gift
Admonishing and exhorting the brothers
Attending the gathering of saints regularly for fellowship
Giving to the household of faith and giving to the poor
Honouring your father and mother
Loving your spouse and loving your enemies
Training your children in the way of the Lord
Being Patient
Those are fallout from the change occurring inside of those the Holy Spirit is making more and more like Christ. Doing those things, is not what makes you “be” like Christ rather, Christ is absorbing you into who He is because you are believing and submitting, you are budding His nature and that is why it is Him working in you to will and to do His good pleasure (Gal 2:20, Phil 2:13 NLT).
Those good virtues can be natural just as plants do naturally bud but it is very temperamental and highly subject to vagaries of weather. This speaks of self righteousness. But, we seek after such thing which only the Lord does as evidenced with Aaron’s wooden-rod. That is not natural but spiritual. We as dead stick are taken by God, made alive and producing life (God’s nature and virtues) because of our belief and submission to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus by which, His will IS being done on our earth. I like what Jim Elliff once said, “No man presents himself to God perfectly, but all of us can tell when we present ourselves half-heartedly”. But, we do not glory in presenting ourselves half-heartedly while Christ gave Himself for us fully.
Therefore, we are invited to join Abraham the father of faith to be fully persuaded that God can and will bring us into His fullness as promised (Rom 4:21, Heb 4:1, 3:19). Committing our lives fully to God is not just the business of the dying like Stephen did Acts 7:59. Actually, he committed his life fully to God before that event of his death Acts 6:8 KJV, and so can we. Let us commit our lives fully to God by believing all He has promised Rom 6:14.
James 1:18, warns us against doubting. Let all fears be gone! It is God Himself that is accomplishing this impossible work in us. We can look at men and women like Apollos, Epaphroditus, Timothy, Priscilla, Phoebe etc and know He who has done it in them in time past, is doing it again in us in this generation.
To reiterate, our part is to love the Lord, submit and believe in His faithfulness.
Everyone who is becoming more and more like Christ know they have found such favour with God, they are aware God is changing them and the sheer joy of it gives amazing strength! Nehemiah 8:10 Psalm 28:7-8.
It is said, true godliness and spirituality is seen in simple things with amazing power!
So, this transformation from one degree of glory to another shows itself in simple things such as:
Humility, putting away envy, quick to hear God, not in haste to speak, slow to anger and forgiving quickly.
Quick repentance (turn away from evil and not returning to it), and stability in the things God has already given victory.
Quickly casting down thoughts that exalt itself against God’s way and seeking and pursuing peace Increasingly needing private discussion with Christ before making decisions and interceding much for others
Increase in submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ and not judging people’s motive but their actions
Loving increasingly the Body of Christ, an unusual leap in patience and increase in the use of kind words in the face of even severe provocation
A healthy loss of interest in some legitimate things in order to travel light and painstaking for good conscience
Fearing God more than man
Eagerness and more deliberate readiness to reach out to the lost
Unabated peaceful expectation of the Lord’s return
Those simple virtues carry tremendous power, producing astonishing results in general and for the gospel in particular! If the activities of heaven is happening inside you both while asleep and awake and budding out from you visibly, appearing in heaven will not be a surprise but one of unspeakable joy and peace marinated in unfathomable everlasting love that is reserved for sons of God clothed with immortality through resurrection John 6:40. So, the real surprise in Heaven is that, there will be no surprise!
Make these seasons a time to believe God like never before and live by faith- it has no drawbacks only profits all the way!
May the grace, joy and peace of the Lord be with you.
Galatians 5:20 The definition of leadership as “influence” has misled and destroyed the faith of many leaders in the past but is even now, destroying many more especially among the younger emerging folks. This is because there are few things that can boost one’s influence without it necessarily being from God. This, makes influence a suspect word and not befitting for describing Godly leadership.
In the bible, there is no gift called leadership—but as the various gifts in the body function, leadership flows through Christ by the Holy Spirit to the whole body. It’s clear from scriptures that Eldership is not a spiritual gift but an appointed function which is done by Elders in the exercising of their gifts Acts 6:3, 14:23. Their gifts can be within the five-fold ministry seen in Eph 4:11 or spiritual gifts shown in 1 Cor 12:4-11. So, it is by exercising their gifts that they lead, which makes their authority to be subject to the scriptures.
The scriptures lay out the practice and the source of the power flowing out from those who lead at any given time and it is amply different from the practice of sorcery and its occult powers 2 Cor 4:7. Many undiscerning Christians may be vexed to read an article that associates sorcery with many a leadership in the Church but, is because they are unaware that sorcery has long left its crude form. In our time, it has become most sophisticated having been re-branded as management packages and simplified practices which can be waded on an individual or congregations without the victim(s) being aware. This has made it appealing to religious leaders and elders given it can be used discreetly and unfortunately, it works (gets the job done) though, it remains an abomination to God as it was in its earlier forms.
How do we answer to the following questions:
(a) Are you in any secret society or fraternity that you are not proud to declare membership to other fellow believers in Christ Jesus?
(b) Do you read any book(s) including on-line, you would rather no one in the Church know about?
(c) Do you attend any secret meetings including on-line (excluding governmental/national security official meetings) or receive any magazine(s) you would rather no one in the Church know about except of course those in it with you?
(d) Do you have practices or habits you’ve painstakingly learned and rehearsed by which you “harmlessly” INFLUENCE people to do things (even good things) without them even knowing they’re not acting on their own God given volition?
If your answer to any of the above is yes, God is waiting for you to bear fruit worthy of repentance Acts 19:19. God does not call anyone or group of persons to equip His people by using any blessing or power outside of Him (God). So, every attempt to enrich the lives of God’s people by employing devilish techniques is totally condemned by God’s word. If we worship other gods with our minds or serve as their embodiment while claiming to be His temple and modeling Godly leadership, we are practicing self deceit, evil and abomination.
There is need for us to constantly remind ourselves that, there is nothing anyone or any group of people who have flesh and blood does in natural darkness with their body or out of their body in spiritual darkness that escapes the light of God. His light is everywhere to save those who will call out to His love and mercy. No one needs to come out of darkness before God can save him or her—He reaches out to you where you are, to redeem you Heb 4:13, Jer 23:24, Acts 2:21. Just call out to Jesus Christ!
To be in the gospel and to model gospel leadership is to abide in Christ Jesus, Who, as the bread of life is expressed to us as biblical teachings or doctrines Heb 6:1b which helps renew our minds Gal 1:8. Those in leadership functioning at any given time, preoccupy themselves more with renewing their minds (laying down their minds for that of Christ) MORE THAN those who are not 1 Tim 3:1, 3:2, 12. However, close examination of the criteria for leaders/elders, shows that the same lifestyle is required of all Christians.
The babes, adolescent and the matured in Christ depend on the Bread to live John 6:33, 48, Heb 5:12 & 14, Psalm 119:9. This Bread is unleavened! Everyone who eats it consistently, while prayerfully relying and focusing on Christ, progressively gains grace and inspiration. The out-flowing of the grace and unction is what leads the person through whom it is flowing and others who are in contact with him or her. The mixture of grace and unction is the leadership Spirit and it cannot be referred to as influence.
Every human has influence or (aura as some call it) to varying degrees which can be accentuated by manipulation of the mind or by pledging allegiance to evil spirits who then sell their bread to the person(s) Eph 5:11-12. The bread they offer is leavened and we MUST reject it steadfastly because, it is poisonous and subtle while forcefully taking the mind to anything but Christ. It pushes one to Idolatry and spiritual death. It is false bread though it looks the same as the unleavened Bread (Eph 5:6).
We need to be Alert
While eyes are on overtly secret societies, international governmental bodies and prominent world personalities to produce the anti-Christ, havoc is raging within the coven in the temple. The temple that is supposed to be a plain city of light set on a hill has become a place of darkness where lies are being prophesied and lying wonders are being originated to deceive as many as would be led astray Ezekiel 8:1-18.
What is a Temple
It is important to note that a temple typifies the mind of an individual and the gathering together of people for worship— not the physical building. In 1 Cor 6:19, the temple is referred to as an individual person, in 1 Peter 2:5, it uses the plural form (Ecclesia) and Rev 2:9, references false worshippers as the synagogue of Satan. It’s what comes out from the temple that shapes us and our environment. This is not just about speaking but also, actions— it either blesses God or defiles us Mark 7:20, Rom 12:2. This has nothing to do with positive thinking and confession! Rather, I am talking about us yielding our minds to Christ not manipulative development of our filthy minds. The mind gives birth to the actions of the flesh (body) which is why when the mind is sick, it affects the body— so much so it is used interchangeably Col 2:18 NKJV, Matt 6:22, Luke 11:34 Rom 12:1-2.
Protection for your mind
In Eph 4:30, we are admonished not to grieve the Holy Spirit Who is suppose to reside inside each believer 24 hours and 365 days of the believers’ mortal life in other to teach, guide, help and comfort the believer. This is to prevent believers from eating the leavened bread (false teaching-mind development).
When leavened bread is presented even to a new born baby in Christ, the unction inside him or her notifies them that something is not right with the bread 1 John 2:27. But unfortunately, because of the false hierarchical structure of the institutional Church and the lack of reading and meditating on the scripture, many believers ignore this protection God gives by the Holy Spirit due to their undue respect to positional leaders of their denominations or theological camp. This is not the case with the matured in Christ, by reason of use, they are more capable to respond more swiftly to error and save their souls and if they are not selfish, they warn the babies and even the matured who have become blinded— encouraging them to escape with their souls from the net (false teaching/practice) of the devil Phil 3:15 Heb 5:14, 1 Tim 4:16.
It is unfortunate that so many fine brothers who have enjoyed the ministry, spiritual gifts and God’s awesome grace are rethinking Christianity. They need to be confronted, but be sure you have first had a think of Christianity because, if you are not grounded in the faith (Jesus Christ), His word and have a close consistent walk with the Holy Spirit, you would be INFLUENCED before you realize it—that is, if you are blessed to realize you’ve been taken in by them. The times are indeed perilous and glorious at the time!
Over several decades, some foremost brothers in Christendom have been targeted to be derailed by strategically and powerfully wooing them through corrupting knowledge acquisition and threats to expose their secret sins. The purpose is to persuade them to consider compromising the teachings of the bible. If you’re in this type of situation, confess your sin openly, receive God’s forgiveness and reject the group(s) holding you hostage. You need to do this! Free yourself and return to teaching the pure word of God to which you have been called!
John the Apostle, tells us by God’s word that a Christian can sin and there is room for repentance and cleansing by the Blood of Christ. So, never let your public reputation become a snare such that anyone or group will threaten to use your sin(s) in the past or present to hold you up in bondage in order to force you to preach and teach error. Repent, be ridiculed publicly than deliberately pervert Christ’ teaching 1 John 2:1-6. It is a lesser evil that you are humiliated in man’s sight than face God with evil conscious because you knowingly twisted His word and deceived those who looked up to you because of God’s grace in your life.
If you still love Jesus in your heart, be faithful to call a spade what it is— spade, not an agricultural implement. Call pragmatism and materialism, which easily lends itself to sorcery its proper name—humanism. And, its implication will become immediately clear and those who love Jesus will have nothing to do with it. Influencing the mind of man is easy and Satan loves it because he has always flawed man there. But, praise God our relationship with Him starts not in the mind but our spirit Eph 2:8. Christ calls His people to lay down their minds for His.
Take this article as a word from God and act now and free yourself from their oath—nothing will happen to you because of Christ’s Blood. Amen.
All through the history of the Ecclesia not Church organisations, it is men and women who have yielded their minds to God that have caused Satan and his cohorts’ nightmares. After all is said and done, reformation is not to the credit of the smartest, holiest, most studious and prayerful men and women though not without these qualities but, to the men and women who were overwhelmed by the love and Spirit of God and therefore were broken as they increasingly yielded their minds to that of Christ Jesus— to Whom be all the glory and honor for all eternity. Amen
The natural eyes of all can see the televised tsunami, earthquake, volcano and twister devastating our world and so, we are concerned and many are sending their services and material help to countries suffering from these destructions. If you can help no matter how little but haven’t, do consider sending your help!
But, in this article, let us meditate on the true tsunami, earthquake, twister and volcano destroying our world that has not yet been addressed sufficiently perhaps this is because its effect is not being seen deeply with the eyes of our inner man. I am referring to fathers that have no Father (God).
God is the Father of all fathers– have you accepted your father, do you have help from Him? Why don’t you have help from Him? Why is the help minimal? Does He lack ability to supply and power to help? Is His love little? Is He wicked and hard of hearing? Does He only deal with those whose hearts are down cast? As earthly fathers, are any of us ever sufficient in ourselves that we don’t need Him because our circumstance is so good or so bad?
Fathers! Let us consider these questions closely whether you celebrate “father’s day” or not.
To help us reflect usefully, let us turn to Psalms 42:1-11 and study it as part of our wanting to learn from our Father God and receive His help and so extend His help to those being devastated by the volcano, earthquake twister and tsunami of not having God the Saviour Who is a present help at all times and especially in times of trouble.
Lord Jesus, help us to take hold of your staff and be clothed with you for the wind has come upon us fathers! We cry for help, help us Holy Spirit our comforter. Empower us that we may not come back home without doing exploits for God as fathers because of the confrontations of the WIND. Be our foundation–our Rock!
Without going into too much detail about the causes of natural disasters, it will suffice to say, they are caused when natural sequences function abnormally. This is also the case with us fathers— we are made to learn and follow a spiritual pattern (Christ) and when we don’t, devastation and destruction follows. Our souls starve, become restless and sick but praise God He is today present where you are to change the situation— give you rest and bring YOU into His chamber closer than you have ever known to behold amazing things! Things that make our destinies clear or clearer, with power and prudence to walk on the earth tall in-spite of all odds fulfilling our God given duties. These things enable us encourage, help and receive help from others since we’re brought into His Household along with others who drink from His streams of living water.
Fathers, let us not celebrate thoughtlessly, lest we think we are doing so well while many of our fellow fathers languish in emptiness! Yes, we praise and rejoice for what God has done and He is doing for us but, we need of a necessity to reciprocate— God needs you and I to be fathers indeed, real fathers look out for others! Let us praise and pray publicly but we must not fail to enter our private places and lament deeply seeking His salvation and that of our fellow fathers.
Let’s do some lamentation to Him who has the power to help fathers to be fathers!
Lord God, let the purpose for which you have honoured men to bear the same name with you as fathers on the earth be fulfilled in us, stop the tsunami of men running away from you in Jesus name. Amen
The definition of leadership as “influence” has misled and destroyed the faith of many leaders in the past but is even now, destroying many more especially among the younger emerging folks. This is because there are few things that can boost one’s influence without it necessarily being from God. This, makes influence a suspect word and not befitting for describing Godly leadership.