A true test of sound biblical understanding and practice of righteousness depends on whether we are enslaved by righteousness or servants to righteousness.
What does it mean to be enslaved by righteousness and what are the symptoms?
To be enslaved by righteousness is to make one’s perceived good conducts (works of righteousness) God. That is, the good conducts as listed in the bible or acceptable ethos within one’s immediate or remote cultural community. The motivation and goal becomes attaining the higher levels of good conduct which in turn becomes the source of happiness and yardstick for obtaining all good things of the present life and entering the life to come. For example, the laws God gave to Israel to help bring them to seek Him became God to them. They elevated His laws above Him and became enslaved by their good deeds. Matthew 12:10-12, Luke 14:2-6.
Symptoms of this doctrinal ailment
Believing righteousness comes by righteous deeds and not the opposite
Believing Salvation is by the works of righteous deeds and not the reverse
Immense fasting not as worship but as a means of overcoming and attaining higher levels of righteousness
Blaming others or things as reasons for looking away, unbelief or sinning
Judging oneself, others and things on the surface or only after the manner of the flesh as opposed to the Spirit
Exploring every available religion peradventure they may give clues for attaining the standard in the area one is falling short
Falling into sin leads to guilt, withdrawal from the bible and fellowship, loss of joy, depression and anger against whoever is assumed to have set the standard so high, be it God or man
The above symptoms are clear and an undeniable alarm that a person or a people are taken captive or enslaved by righteous deeds. That being the case, the deeds, are now forcing the adherers to serve them. The good deeds become a person who punishes the adherers that deviate with guilt, shame and hiding. The deeds or circumstances become their masters or god. The force or threat element is remarkable.
The presence of one or all of the above symptoms in our lives shows we lack sound understanding of the Christian faith, we’re yet to become Christian or we have been deceived or derailed. If this is the case with anyone or a group of people, it is serious and needs immediate redress.
Servants to Righteousness
The remedy to the lethal problem of being enslaved by righteousness is, to be servant(s) to Righteousness. The first important thing to mention is this; there is no force or subtle threat involved at all. In this case, the individual or group of people chooses to be a servant(s) to Righteousness. The choice to be a servant(s) to Righteousness gives good conducts or righteous deeds as part of Its rewards. This kind of relationship between the Master (Righteousness One) and the servant(s) has room to quickly develop into friendship John 15:15. The mutuality moves on guaranteeing even joint inheritance of the Master’s riches. Through this willingly loving relationship, the Master exhorts, corrects, admonishes and trains the servants in righteousness. He wants the servant(s) to be as Him by helping them. The Master expresses His will to the servant(s) without fear that they will reject Him. Also, the servant(s) express their needs, wants, feelings, weaknesses and fears to the Master without fear of rejection. They know their Master will help them overcome as He overcame. Therefore, they give themselves wholly to the Master’s course as soldiers even willing to die for Him as He died for them.
He helps the servant(s) or friend(s) by living in them and through them. This is a special kind of Master and servant(s) relationship. The Servant(s) lives in the same house as their Master not in servants’ quarters. The servant(s) are not in the field slaving out for the Master rather, He is with them all the way through. He even appoints for them the Teacher who teaches them directly and also, teaches them through each of them that they might reach competence in their assigned duties to worship God in spirit and truth as their Master did.
The greatest sign that this relationship is not forced lays in the possibility of the servant(s) or friend(s) to walk away or look away from the Master if they so choose without the Master putting guilt and depression on them. When they look away, obviously they start sinking into the miry clay. The memory of the loving relationship the friend(s) or servant(s) have had with their Master is what they miss so much if they ever walk away. His good deed in them, through them and most of all the feeling of being lonely without His companionship is what persuades them to look again to their Master the Righteous One.
Falling short of good deeds or into sin becomes a reminder to the servant(s) or friend(s) that they are looking away from the Master who is ever standing by and pleading to them to look to Him. His presence carries no condemnation, guilt or dejection nor does it chase away. However, despite His inviting and comforting presence, He empowering them and the privilege to look at Him again, they still retain the power to persistently look away from Him and give their attention to another who is competing with Him for their worship and service.
Who are those in competition with the Righteous One
It is the devil on one side and the self on the other side. Satan and self righteousness enslave—ever give them room and they seize you beyond your imagination. You suddenly will be in need to be rescued. Little wonder the human race is in need of deliverance from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light or from bondage to freedom.
We as the human race are individually being persuaded not forced by God to look at Christ Jesus His beloved Son. It is an invitation to be His servants, friends, brothers and sons—joint heirs! We have the choice to look or accept Christ and live in freedom now and for all eternity, or remain with Satan and self righteousness and live enslaved now and for all eternity. The Righteous One (Christ) gives humanity and His people the opportunity to choose. This open choice is what the devil and self never gives because they are tyrants.
Right from the beginning in the Garden of Eden, God’s call to man has been the same and it has never changed. It’s not “keep my laws”—it is, look to Me! Don’t look away!
Deuteronomy 30:19 captures God’s call to man, ‘Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh that you choose life, so that you and your descendants might live’!
Micah 6:8 echoes the same call, ‘ No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God’.
To walk with Him is all God requires from man. It gives humility, right conduct and love for mercy Jude 1:21.
God did not give Adam and Eve laws to keep, He gave them a law which is—look to Me or walk with Me. The alternative was to look away or walk away. They looked away and sank. Peter looked away from Christ, and sinking, he quickly looked to Him again with shouting. Judas looked away from Christ and didn’t care to look at Him again much less shout out to Him. He beckoned on Rehab, she looked, and therefore, her name continues to surface in the list of the godly. Saul looked at Him and became Paul, an envy of all who pursue the grace of God. Unfortunately, King Agrippa refused to look at Him Acts 26:28-29NKJV. No one who looks to the eternal Father will be put to shame.
Conclusion
Even Jesus as a man, survived by looking unto His Father who has appointed that the human race look unto—Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 3:18. From His glory in us His brothers, servants, friends or branches proceeds the fruit of the Spirit (righteous deeds).
After Jesus had been incarnated, suffered, died and resurrected on our behalf to make us His betrothed chaste virgin (His body), He sprinkled our consciences with His own blood. He continues to intercede for His body and the impact on her is presently hard to fully comprehend. It’s driving the value of His cross deeper into her being causing her to be faithful, giving Him honor and being full of thanksgiving. It is making her put to death all things serving as a hindrance to His oil (His Spirit) from filling her vessel (soul) always; that is, anything that will stop her from meeting the bridegroom at His Father’s appointed time to enter the marriage supper (consummation).
Is Christ’s ceaseless intercession impacting your heart, soul and body? Saleh!
We are exhorted to intercede for one another because it produces visible results. That being the case how much more is Christ’s intercession on behalf of His body producing real results in His kingdom today. The result is the fruit of the Spirit we the branches are bearing.
We must remember that the flesh is weak and goes to sleep before midnight but, the heavenly gift (Christ’s life) which we possess, never sleeps or slumbers. Therefore, we’re called to worship in spirit and truth—this happens both when we are asleep and awake. If we go to sleep without the spirit in our vessels, then, we must buy oil again to remain in the light, have life and strength. Please note, in the parable of the ten virgins, those who awoke at the sound of the trumpet which announced the visitation of the bridegroom who needed to go and buy oil were described as foolish because they did not learn the lesson from the ants as advised by the Spirit Proverbs 30:25; 6:6-11. How many times the Holy Spirit must have prompted the ten virgins but the five foolish shunned the warning that their oil or measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ was lacking in their souls, thus they grieved the Spirit Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Paul’s emphasis in verse 30 of Ephesians 4 and verse 23 of 1 Thessalonians 5, underscores the point that we can’t save ourselves Galatians 3:11. Therefore, the Holy Spirit that has started us in Ephesians 2:8-9 is the only One who can bring us into the end of our faith; the salvation of our soul 1 Peter 1:9. We have been saved and shall be saved if we grieve not the Holy Spirit.
The summer given to man is fast coming to an end, the winter is almost here and it will be quickly followed by the midnight that will separate the wise from the foolish, the lazy from the diligent, men from the brethren, sheep from the goats Matt 25:32, Romans 11:21, Revelation 3:20-22. Dear believer, open your soul to His knock or prompting and buy oil now. Please read Hebrews 3:1-19 before continuing with the article.
A question to ponder is, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3.
The flesh does not obey the Spirit—Indeed, it cannot! So, we must show ourselves as wise now and “put our flesh under submission” by faith in obedience to the Holy Spirit and resist the devil James 4:7, Romans 8:9-39. Please note, while neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, cannot separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord verse 38-39, unbelief, disobedience or grieving the Holy Spirit can. Saleh!
The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 is a big encouragement to the kingdom of Christ. This is one of the deepest parables in the scriptures. In it, the kingdom of God is likened to the ten virgins. These virgins had one focus, which is, to meet the bridegroom. All the ambitions, needs and wants they had ever pursued narrowed down to this one destiny. Every other thing became a shadow. To inherit their destiny, they all took their lamps. At this point, the gospel that mattered is the gospel of buying oil and filling the vessel. It is the gospel of the Kingdom of the Bridegroom. It is the end time gospel that started after the resurrection of Christ. The gospel of the fulfillment of ambitions is not even secondary but useless and worthless. Dear reader, go for the gospel of His Kingdom that is within you.
Now, we note that the kingdom is one—so, it is not a comparison of two kingdoms but a narrative of the event within one kingdom. In other words, the ten virgins are of one kingdom with one bridegroom or blessing as their focus.
The virgins knew that they needed lamps and oil. They were all aware that they were responsible for taking their lamps that had been provided for them and also, to take enough oil made available to them and to hold unto it firmly till they unite with the bridegroom. Eventually, the time to meet with the bridegroom came and what was hidden became exposed. Five of the ten virgins were foolish (unwise) because they did not walk in the wisdom of virgins which is, buy oil without money when the Holy Spirit prompts or instructs to do so. Meanwhile, the other five listened to the Spirit and kept in step with Him—buying oil whenever the vibrancy of the Spirit in their soul (vessel) needed fanning. The ten virgins all recognized the joyful announcement of the spirit as it made attractive music to their ears, but to join in the spiritual songs, dance and festivity (not Christmas), their vessels needed to have been clothed with Christ Romans 13:14. Note carefully that verse 14 of Romans 13 is addressed to a people who already have Ephesians 2:8-9 blessing.
So then, virgins can walk as if they are not virgins and lose the benefit (the blessing Proverbs 10:22) entrusted to them. Virgins must walk as wise or chaste virgins till they are married to the bridegroom. The ten virgins were only betrothed to the bridegroom before that glorious day of consummation. John the apostle admonished those engaged to the bridegroom thus, “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us 1 John 3:24, Romans 8:14, Ephesians 4:30. The Holy Spirit is what enables the word to shine light on our path (soul); without Him (Oil) we will be empty and none of His. We will be foolish virgins—virgins that have no light and life when it is most needed.
After Paul the apostle had worked tirelessly not to “plant churches” but to encourage those engaged to Christ as virgins, he admonished them, “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ 2 Corinthians 11:2-3. What is Paul’s concern for the virgins? It is unfaithfulness to the Christ. How can it happen? By them permitting for their thoughts (mind or soul) to be filled by another Jesus and spirit. Paul had great grace in understanding the mystery of God. He understood that man’s soul can’t be without a covering, a Lord, Apostle, Prophet, Shepherd and High Priest. So, he was concerned that that of the virgins betrothed to the Christ by the Apostolic Spirit of Christ in him were not deceived, seduced and married to or have “another (false) apostle, prophet, shepherd and high priest (the devil who is the antichrist).
A pure or chaste virgin is a wise virgin or remnant that keeps her thought and imagination on the Spirit and not on the flesh. Those whose minds (souls) are renewed and being renewed by the oil from their lamps.
The body of Christ as a virgin must be zealous for good works—meaning, being wise or pure. Here, good works are not our self righteousness (struggling to keep the laws of commandment) but, our obedience to the workings of the Holy Spirit in us and with us. This is obedience proceeding from the Spirit of life given to us in Christ Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Corinthians 13:12. Paul says, the is a dimension of Christ at work in all who are in Christ and Christ in them—when, they eventually see Christ face to face, then, they will know something of Christ measure they have had all along that they did not know. This hope to eventually find out the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ God has worked in us that we cannot comprehend at the moment, gives the wise virgins dominion over sin Romans 6:14. Not even one of the sins in Galatians 5:19-21 shall have victory over you. Do you believe? Dare to believe Mark 9:23
1 John 3:1-2 describes firmly the truth that we are now betrothed which is our gift from God—the heavenly gift Hebrews 6:4. Consequently, our ceaseless zeal should be 1 John 3:3 as admonished. It is categorical not optional. This admonition to be wise is not a catalogue of things we don’t do and do but, a consistent dependency on the leading of the Spirit. It is a call of faith—to look unto Christ.
This excerpt is taken from “Nugget for the needy” written by Mavis duCille of blessed memory.
Let me share an experience with you. Someone had hurt us very badly by slander. Of course, I went to God weeping my heart out. The Lord said to me, so clearly, “Oh, you are so sorry for yourself, that you are not able to see the condition of that poor man. He must be in an awful state to cause him to do such a terrible thing to you.” What I saw then was a poor human being taken captive by demons, and manifesting the evil nature of the demons. Surely the man we knew and loved as a Holy Spirit baptized Christian was definitely a different person from the satanic manifestation which came against us. When “I,” “ME” and “MY” were out of the way, my eyes were opened and I began to see from the Mind of Christ. Then and only then I could pray for him. There I saw myself again; self-pity blinded my eyes so that I could not see the man’s great need. Whenever a person is spiritually bankrupt, God will always use another to pray and activate God’s forces of deliverance. On the other hand, the enemy will do anything to prevent this intercession. Satan very often causes the person in need of prayers to strike at the person who should pray for him/her. If this praying Christian can see beyond self-pity and his own pain through God’s eyes of compassion, then his/her suffering will be nothing compared to the deliverance of the soul in bondage. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him,” 2 Timothy 2:12. No one can pray for his enemies unless he/she can see “the enemy” from the perspective of God. That day, as soon as my self-pity was rebuked by the Lord, my eyes were opened, and I could see the awful plight of another human being who needed deliverance. Dear ones, we must always be watching for the big “I,” “ME” and “MY” which rise up like mountains, always present to block our vision and cloud our minds from seeing and understanding the needs of those around us. May the Lord help us to prefer one another as brethren, and have compassion on all those who are taken captive by the enemy. We are all in battle against one common foe over whom Jesus Christ has had the victory once and for all, and has lifted us up together with Him so that we too might overcome. Oh, what a glorious day when the prince of this world will find nothing in us, because we continue to cast him out through the grace of God and the power of the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. “Fight the good fight with all thy might Christ is thy strength and Christ thy light. Lay hold on life and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally. Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thy eyes and seek His face. Life with its ways before us lie, Christ is thy truth and Christ thy guide. Faint not nor fear; His arms are near. He changes not for thou art dear. Only believe and thou shalt prove That Christ is all in all to thee.” Maranatha!
Though our experience with God happens within the context of our life experiences, it is not exactly the same thing. Life experiences shape us in a different way than our experience with God.
Experiences of life help shape the majority of people who pass through this world and accounts for why our world is fast decaying in God’s perspective and that of His people. Some good has come out of the life experiences of man such as having learnt how to do many things differently to improve man’s existence on earth. However, when it comes to the way man lives with his fellow man, hardly can it be said there has been improvement.
The reason for the lack of improvement is highly related to what man takes out of his life experience with others. Even for many Christians, this is still true.
The Bible clearly says that the heart of man is desperately wicked and highly deceitful Jer 17:9. Given that what man does visibly comes from this same heart of wickedness and deceit, I guess it is no surprise that man’s experience with his fellow men is but wicked—and deceitful.
Most times, when statements like, “I have learnt my lesson” are made, both by Christians and non Christians, it is usually in reference to— I have learnt how to deal with man better. Better in the sense of I now know what man is like and I must deal with man according to man’s fallen nature.
The essence of this short article is to encourage Christians to rather deal with man by our experience with God. To non Christians it is an invitation to come accept Christ—without whom it is impossible to participate in God’s divine nature. The Christian’s experience with God starts with regeneration of the heart, the sprinkling of the mind with Christ’ Blood and imputation of righteousness. The importance of this initial experience cannot be overemphasized. It is the foundation upon which God calls anyone to deal with life and its experiences.
Without the foundation of God’s nature made alive in man, men may pretend to be good until pushed beyond the limit of human goodness. But, when God’s nature is made alive in man, heaven’s ministration comes upon the heart—sanctifies the mind and empowers it continually to participate in divine living like the Lord from Heaven (Christ Jesus). It is on this basis that the will of God in heaven is done on earth. It has no limitation, for that which is impossible with men is made possible in man by God.
So then, as Christians our light or good (that is Christ) shines before men only when we let our experiences with God govern us. Then, praise is given to God in heaven by men on the earth Matt 5:16. Let us be reminded, those nicknamed “Christians” in Antioch got the name because; they displayed Christ’s nature and not just their belief in Him Acts 11:26. By the Holy Spirit, their lives were a blessing to those of the household of faith and to all men.
What can you say has truly shaped the person you are—is it your God experience or life experience?
So, who are we reacting to according to what they deserve and not according to Christ’s grace? Think soberly about it. The soberness this creates in our hearts can’t fail to lead to repentance, forgiveness—and ultimately, reconciliation unless, we have become reprobates.
Think also about this; God is the One who forgives first and seeks reconciliation with sinful man. This is how I know that God is spiritual and full of love. How do you and I show we are spiritual and having the love of Christ in our hearts not our mouths? The spiritual man ought to be first in good deeds and serving others. Let him who will be the first be the servant (not leader) of all men Mark 9:35. Do you agree with Jesus?
An invitation to be part of the wall of God’s city is like negotiating for a piece of land. The scriptures liken the heart of man to earth or land Heb 6:7. If the owner sells it to Christ, He occupies it and starts building immediately on the foundation work first. It is on this grounds that true apostles and prophets come in but not to serve tables—they’re not interested in the politicking of those who are yet to grasp the essence of the faith or city to which they’ve been admitted Acts 6:1-4, Rom 14:17. This is not to say that they don’t humbly participate in helping serve the body in practical day to day needs. On the contrary, they definitely do.
I AM SAYING IT IS NOT THE BURDEN OF THE GIFT INFUSED IN THEIR HEARTS. Theirs is to build a firm foundation of Christ IN the hearts of God’s people through doctrine, prayers and signs and wonders by the Holy Spirit Eph 2:20, Acts 2:42, 5:12, 2 Pet 3:2, Jude 1:17. Nicholas Sperling captured this truth when he said, “Everyone leaves footprints in your memory, but you only truly remember the ones that leave footprints in your heart”.
Therefore, the Apostles’ doctrine is Christ himself. It is Christ served as milk, meat and strong meat to those who are born into Him Who is the Head, light and life of the city. The Apostolic doctrines (not men’s apostolic creed) are aimed to call man back to the foundation of God’s intent which is, to worship and serve Him in spirit and truth John 4:23. This is what it means to be properly laid on the foundation of the wall of His city. The strength of the walls is in God.
Their doctrines or teachings refine and polish the lively stones of God and prevent them from succumbing to the tricks of the devil. Such tricks cajole them to put their physical needs above their spiritual needs and seek spiritual help and satisfaction from devils Matt 4:1-11. Obviously, it leads to untold bondages that harden the heart.
It will sound modest and more acceptable to many if it is said that the apostolic doctrines places equal emphasis on our physical and spiritual needs but, unfortunately, it is not the case. They explicitly say that our spiritual need is above and superior to our material needs Col 3:2, Matt 6:21. I hope the holy Spirit has revealed this truth to you!
Apostolic doctrines follow the example Jesus gave of Lazarus
Though he failed woefully in the things of material needs and wants, he made a huge success of his spiritual life by valuing his spiritual needs more than the material to the end of his earthly existence Matt 10:22, Rev 2:26. Praise God! Lazarus made it Luke 16:22-23. The grace of God in him was not in vain. He triumphed by grace. Please note the emphasis is not on poverty but of what holds higher priority in the heart—the heart which is of more importance to God unlike man 1 Sam 16:7.
Job’s Life
The same example is portrayed to us with Job’s life. He had all the wealth that can be desired yet, his heart was firmly established not in the wealth but in God. But, given man’s usual outward way of judging things, Job may have been seen as consumed with thinking only of wealth, riches and pleasure. Especially, given he was a hard working man who had no room for laziness because laziness is not godly character. Even the devil was convinced that the wealth was the motivation for Job loving God so much.
The Contest
So, upon this mortal man, the heavens and earth are to know if, man that God created can love God above self, matter and Satan. The contest was balanced and just—God had already sacrificed the Lamb which Job could rely on and, Satan had permission to exert his entire dimension on Job except kill him. It is worth bearing in mind that Job was not aware of the reason for his situation and because he did not know that God had restricted Satan from killing him, he was subject to think that death would take him.
Astonishing Result
The result of the contest was astonishing! Job—a mortal man defeated Satan by relying on God’s grace in his life. Though, for a season of his life, his material needs and wants eluded him severely, he proved he valued more his spiritual needs by loving God more than those things. He did not just brag, “My redeemer lives and loves me” but, also, I love my redeemer too! And, his perseverance proved it.
I hope and pray that in the differential areas God calls you and I to prove our love for him, we will hold forth with a thankful heart for His praise and glory which translates to our eternal glory Rom 8:17. This is why the Apostles doctrines condense and focus believers to the core purpose of our salvation in Christ. It helps the Church to discern false doctrines coming from self acclaimed Apostles, Prophets and Teachers Rev 2:2.
Paul made a big bold claim in I Cor 15:2 which needs close attention. Part (a) of the claim is this: The gospel he preached saves! And, part (b) states, “if you hold fast to the word I preached to you” this is saying that holding on to the word he preached is what guarantees being saved to the utmost. In part (c), failure to understand and hold on to living in the gospel culminates to a vain belief that does not accomplish God’s redemptive purpose. Paul was not in doubt that he was preaching Christ and nothing else Gal 4:19. Since it is only Christ that saves, preaching any other word other than Christ could have been a big bold waste of time. True apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, shepherds and miracle workers and helpers, take their source from Christ! Examine yours!
Paul in Rom 16: 17-18, warns the Church about deviating from the apostolic teaching. His conclusion is that those who do so, serve their belly. Here, their belly does not just speak about food but, materialism which is governed by Mammon (Satan). In 1 Cor 6:13, he clarifies to us further why the church must stay put on the foundation. So, he is saying that the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets is not given to help the church set her heart and mind on the temporal but on Christ Who lives in her as the Chief corner Stone.
Dear reader, judge every teaching and find out for yourself what it ultimately calls your heart and mind towards. If you’re sincere and diligent about this, you’ll grow in discernment by His word and the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Fakes
Apostles or Prophets who claim to come from God with a special anointing or mandate to help the church with the following things are false OR derailed:
Impart anointing to singles to get married
Has special anointing to pray and make every barren woman in their organization or attending their seminar to conceive
Raise specific end-time warriors
Liberate Christian people from poverty
Impart uncommon wisdom to make you an inventor or become “successful”
Sowing seeds of xyz amount of currency to (their companies registered as charities and christened ministries) in other to become millionaires and billionaires
To reveal the evils of our parents/grandparents that’s causing us earthly problems etc
The sin of our grandparents that has troubled mankind is the sin of Adam and Eve. Those who seek refuge in Christ are delivered from that kingdom of darkness and put into the kingdom of Light Col 1:13.
Beloved in Christ, you and I are therefore commanded to walk in the light as precious stones of God’s wall beautifying the four corners of His city. No darkness is ever powerful enough to come into light and survive.
But, be alert for we’re in a generation where we’re religiously, philosophically, psychologically, metaphysically, economically, socially and politically being persuaded daily to step out from the light into darkness. Don’t give in! You and I have the grace of God to ignore silly persuasions like those who have gone before us to join the great cloud of witnesses above.
We need to trust God to bring us to the place where we’re valuing, treasuring and enjoying our relationship with CHRIST JESUS above all else! Paul described such a place as, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Phil 1:21. For this cause, we’re to rejoice always and pray ceaselessly! 1 Thess 5:16-17.
But, if we’re in the Spirit (kingdom of light) yet, choose to step into darkness, we then make ourselves susceptible to be bitten by the serpent (the king of darkness) that is always waiting to bite Gal 5:25, 1 Pet 5:8. In which case, we must repent from accusing the pain of our bite on people who have finished their earthly business and gone.
While no Christian (those truly regenerated by grace through faith in Christ) is more righteous or holier than another, our level of diligence in loving God, reverencing Him by departing from evil and enjoying Him presently is definitely not the same.
No one enjoys God and grows in grace without an increasing knowledge of Christ and obedience to Him 2 Pet 3:18, Eph 1:17 NLT, Phil 3:10-11. By obedience to Him, I mean obedience to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that has set all who are in Him free from the law of sin and death (Ten Commandments amplified).
Those set free from the Old law are brought into the New Law Rom 8. Therefore, God does not have a people without Law. Those who follow the voice of Christ gain abundant life (a depth of Christ’ life) and peace even in the midst of tribulation Rom 8:6, John 5:25.
In Acts 9, Saul heard Christ’s voice and giving his heart to Him, came into life and peace with a new name as Paul! He never stopped listening to His voice as a law unto him. This brought him into Christ’s abundant life John 10:10. Paul’s life as we read in the scriptures is an encouraging RESULT for all who will live by the voice of the Holy Spirit (the Law of life in Christ).
Therefore, our invitation is to be weak in ourselves and consequently, be strong in Christ Jesus!
The apostolic doctrines state without ambiguity that God loves mankind and, for that reason, He seeks our love. John recorded the question which “The Apostle of the church” that is Christ Heb 3:1, posed for you and I to answer. “___, do you love me morethanthese?” John 21:15. PLEASE don’t fill in Peter’s name in the blank. He finished his earthly ministry to God by following the law of life in Christ. The law of life in Christ, leads His people to be refined, polished and fitted to their place in His glorious city.
The precious stones of God’s city are the embodiment of the measure and power of Christ Rev 21:9-27. Because of this, all the powers of darkness can’t prevail! Matt 16:18. May God be praised forever—for He has loved His city with an everlasting love! Amen.
May the grace and peace of Christ abound to you as you think upon Christ!
