SALVATION EXPERIENCE
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter one: Being Saved
Why is this question difficult to answer?
What is being saved?
When is one considered saved?
How do you know you’re saved?
Saved from what?
Assurance of salvation
What do I witness?
Why we need salvation?
Decision
Chapter Two: Knowing God
What does “know” means?
The Scriptural Basis of Knowing God
New Testament Fulfillment
Living a Godly Lifestyle
Knowing by Association
Chapter Three: New Life in Christ
Grandmother from Ukraine
Life of God
Christian Growth
Jesus Ministry
The Holy Spirit in Salvation
Chapter Four: A Christian
Who is a Christian Anyway?
Various types of Christians
The world looking for real Christians
Criteria to become Christian
Witnessing is Christians’ Vocation
Discipleship is God’s Commission
Chapter Five: The Christians Conflicts and Struggles
Implications of Confession and Belief
The Two Natures in Man
Concept of Christian Struggles
Rebound Technique
Sin Nature
Spirit Nature
Relevance of the Holy Spirit
Assurance of Salvation
Chapter Six: The Holy Spirit on Salvation and Daily Living
When is one considered saved?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
When does one receive the Holy Spirit?
How do you receive the Holy Spirit?
The role of the Holy Spirit upon salvation
The Holy Spirit in a believer’s life
Jesus exist and The Holy Spirit invitation
The implication of this new relationship
The Holy Spirit in the Church now than then
The Holy Spirit in the Church
The Primitive Time before Early Church Era
The Early Church Era
Chapter Seven: Salvation Experience
What then is Salvation?
Knowing God at Salvation
Daily Experiences
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Prayer Life
Sensing God’s Presence
God’s calling
Christian Witnessing
Chapter Eight: God’s Glory and Satanic Barriers
Grounds for Concern
Five Benefits and Five Obstacles
Christ Ministry and God’s glory
Implications of God’s Glory
Heartbeat of Christ
APPENDIX AND DECISION
Are you saved?
Second Chance
The gift of choice
Just to get your attention
All Christian must evangelize
Decision Card
REFERENCES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the proliferation of quazi- and pseudo Christian houses of worship has undermined the serious efforts of those committed to win souls to the Kingdom. Concurrently, many serious-minded Christian observers have drawn attention to the how the crucial subject of Salvation has systematically vanished from the sermons, teaching, and preaching in contemporary Christian practices. In the order of the day, Christianity is equated with miracles per se and salvation is reduced to earthly possession. Furthermore, Christianity is simply church-going. As a consequence, both pastors and the pastured are all seeking means to redefine Christianity to suit the popular expectation: the miracle-manufacturing house of worship. Many questions have thus been raised regarding the trend of this new-age approach to worshipping.
For those who truly need salvation, the question of how to achieve it and be reconciled to Christ still awaits answers. In particular, many questions that are contextually and spiritually related to salvation have also been left unanswered and the serious seekers still wander aimlessly in search of salvation.
The purpose for which this text is written is thus to invite the reader for an exploration of the meaning of salvation and other contiguous issues and to examine our Christian faith and development in relation to salvation. In doing, the discussion is arranged in eight chapters as follow:
In chapter One, I examine the question that we so often ask people: “Are you saved?” I argue that a convicted, Spirit-filled Christian with assurance of salvation would answer in the affirmative. Unfortunately, most Christians have not come to terms with this question, although it is at the core of our relationship with Christ. In other to provide well-meaning answer to this question, the chapter examines first, why is this question difficult to answer in the first place. This is followed by an examination of what is meant as being saved; when is one considered saved; how do we know that we are saved; what are we being saved from, what do we witness to and why we need salvation.
Chapter Two discusses what it means to know God – “How do you know God?” Answer to this question is still very elusive. These days some of the clergies hold contemporary views on fundamental Scriptural issues that sound conflicting to ordinary believers. Chapter two helps to provide answers to this question by, among other things, providing a discussion of the Scriptural basis informing the knowledge of God; how and on what basis is the New Testament fulfilled as well as how to live a godly lifestyle reflecting our knowledge of God. Finally, the chapter suggests strategies for knowing God with emphasis on “knowing by association.”
Chapter Three is deals with “New Life in Christ.” This chapter examines the process and mysteries involved in our reconciliation to Christ; the meaning and implication of having a life of God; the conditions and requirements in the growth of a Christian. Furthermore, the chapter explains the meaning and implications of the Jesus’ ministry and the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation.
Chapter Four examines the crucial question: “Who is a Christian.” In it, I indicate that a Christian is one who has experienced the love of Christ through putting faith in Jesus Christ. God’s love is sacrificial and unconditional as well as self-yielding. In addition to providing Scriptural answers to this question, this chapter also examines various types of Christians and the criteria for becoming a Christian. It is pointed out that witnessing is a Christian’s call and discipleship is God’s commission.
In chapter Five, I examine the struggle and the challenges Christians face after being born again and the difficulties one faces living for Christ in an unchristian world. Specifically, the chapter examines the implications of confession and belief; the two natures in man; the concept and meaning of Christian struggles, the techniques for rebounding. Of importance in this discussion are the nature of sin, the nature of the Holy Spirit and His relevance, including the assurance of salvation.
In chapter Six, I examine the role of the Holy Spirit on salvation and on daily living. Here, I undertake a further clarification of issues in the context of what constitutes salvation. We examine other set of ideas and questions pertaining to some fundamental Christian issues waiting for further clarification. These questions run as follows: “How does one assure himself that he’s saved?” What is the role of the Holy Spirit on Salvation and on daily Christian living?” “When and how does one receive the Holy Spirit?” “Do you see Him coming or do you feel Him”? This chapter explains the reason why much emphasis is placed on the Holy Spirit today than in early Christian era. In particular, these questions reveal the extent to which many are still unsure if and when they are saved. In addition, these questions indicate that many do they know why the gift of the Holy Spirit is crucial to the Christian enterprise. When a person confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus is his or her personal Savior and the Lord of his or her life, that person is saved and has eternal life. In order to understand the role of the Holy Spirit, I take the reader to experience the part played by the Holy Spirit in the various developmental stages of the Church.
In chapter Seven, I discussed the idea of salvation from the perspective of “conversion” – that is, surrendering and turning one’s life to God. I suggest that salvation can be understood in terms of how one undergoes a true life’s changing experience following hearing and conviction of the word of God. Conversion is a call into a new way of life through the death of the old nature. We are free from the power of sinning, the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we are saved, we become conscious of what we do because the Word of God abides in us. It has been God’s idea and desire all along to make us part of what He’s doing in this world. Specifically, this chapter examines questions on the extent of our knowledge of God at salvation; our daily experiences in relation to salvation; the gifts of the Holy Spirit, how we sense God’s presence and His callings for us. Finally, the issue of Christian witnessing in relationship to salvation is examined.
Finally, in chapter eight I examine the issue of Satan in the lives of those that have been saved. My point of departure here is that the power of God’s glory breaks satanic barriers. Since the time Satan lost battle with God and was thrown down from heaven, he has never ceased from attacking God and God’s creation. I suggested some strategies on how to identify and overcome Satan’s subtle devices and fight against them as well as break the barriers he has set in our lives to live successfully as God intends. In particular, I examine the five benefits and obstacles to salvation, the meaning of Jesus’ ministry and the implications of God’s glory.
Chapter one
BEING SAVED
Salvation experience begins with being saved or being born again. What really do you think being saved means? Does the whole idea of being saved or born again make you angry? Do you associate it with new Church hypocrisy or what else? Hold your peace and join me as we reason together on this topic and related issues.
If someone should ask you “Are you saved?” What would be your response? Does it sound funny or foolish? This question may offend some people especially those who equate or confuse it with church membership. A survey would reveal surprises; some answers will surprise you: “I don’t know, I can’t say, I’m not sure, I think so, and may be, it depends” etc. Some would be angry and ask you why do you want to know? “It’s my business not yours.” A convinced, Spirit-filled Christian with assurance of salvation would answer, in affirmative. Most Christians have not come to terms with this question, yet it’s life-determined. They talk about church family and membership; the position they hold; the gifts they make to church and society; their membership in the chancel choir; their services on various committees, and so on. These are good and charitable virtues but they are religious without Christ. The basic and primary thing to do first is to be saved or born again. The life, activities, and deeds of unsaved Church member are abomination to God [Proverbs 15:8]. This last statement is not careless but a hard truth.
WHY THIS QUESTION IS DIFFICULT TO ANSWER?
Many so-called Christians equate or, better put, confuse “being saved” with Church membership. They doubt the integrity of God and are unbelieving believers. They imagined how simple confession of sin and profession of faith in Jesus Christ could make them righteous and children of God. Even so, others expect strange feelings and happenings upon conversion, following testimonies of some born again Christians who had claimed instant experiences, such as baptism of the Holy Spirit, upon being saved. Lastly, some expect sinless perfection after being saved, while others simply get provoked or offended by the phrase “being saved” or “born again”. They associate being “born-again” with a new form of church hypocrisy.
I am not saying that those who were born into the Church, had infant baptism, confirmation and performed many other functions do not know God. Indeed, many of them read and know about God for as far back as they could remember. They grew up loving and serving God; feared and worshiped God in solemnity and reverencing Him with all their strengths. They may have known God as the Father Almighty and Lord of creation. That is commendable; even the devil does the same. But, do they know Jesus as their Christ and the Lord of their life? Do they experience the power of His resurrection? Is Jesus their all and all? No one calls Jesus Lord except by the power of the Holy Ghost. Until they experience the power of the Holy Spirit, they may not see the truth of their salvation. That’s why they may find that question more or less difficult to answer.
Being born again is a process whereby one openly accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus Himself admonished Nicodemus and indeed all who desire to come into relationship with Him and also know the Father Almighty very personally to be born again [John 3:1-9]. The Book of Acts of the Apostles confirms that only in Christ Jesus do we obtain salvation and begin a relationship with Him. We are saved not by good works or nice gestures, but only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS BEING SAVED?
To be saved means to be born again. It means believing in God’s completed work on the cross, by accepting that Jesus Christ died for you and all mankind, and becomes your personal Savior and Lord of your life. The process begins with accepting that you are a sinner and cannot help yourself; wants God to save you through His provision in Christ Jesus. Make a step of faith by believing in your heart and confessing in your mouth that Jesus died on the cross and paid the price of your sins; you repent from all known sin and trust God for enabling the Holy Spirit to uphold you. John 3:16 says that God’s love is in Christ Jesus and whosoever accepts Him is saved. Jesus Christ answered Nicodemus:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” [John 3:3]
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man is born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” [John 3:5].
[Read also John 3:7b; Matthew 18:3].
The whole process of new birth sometimes appears funny, stupid and foolish. No wonder the Scripture says the message of the cross is foolishness to those bound to perish but the power of God unto the saved and eternal life to those who believe [1 Corinthians 1:18, Romans 1:16]. This only shows how simple and easy God’s grace is avail to us. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace secured for all believers from every age by the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Christ on the cross.
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation [Hebrews 9:28].
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other under heaven give among men, whereby we must be saved [Acts 4:12].
WHEN IS ONE SAVED?
The Bible is the most authentic source to find an answer to this pertinent question. A person is saved when he or she accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior. This involves: believing in God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus, confessing all known sins [remorse] and determined to turn away from them [repentance]; promising to have intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, through prayers, daily reading and studying of the Bible, meditating on the Scriptures, attending fellowships and church services and openly witnessing God’s saving grace in and around you, and using God’s gifts in you to serve others. To this effect, Apostle Paul reassures:
“Therefore if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” [2 Corinthians 5:17].
If one therefore experiences this new life, it is worthwhile testifying and witnessing to it.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE SAVED?
The Bible in Romans 10:13 says:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”
a) Whosoever shall call: The word “whosoever” makes this call an open invitation. It does not matter what ones’ past is; whether one is an active or moribund church member; a new convert or belong to any denomination. It doesn’t matter whether one is young or old, rich or poor, a pastor or a layperson, in prison or in freedom, a Jew or Gentile. This choice is very personal. Whosoever accepts and believes in God’s saving grace and prays unto God for salvation shall be saved. It is upon this simple and straightforward call that the salvation of the whole wide world depends. What an amazing grace!
b) Shall be saved: God’s integrity is at stake. Will God not fulfill His promises? He’s a faithful and covenant keeping God. It was to fulfill this provision that God in Christ Jesus came into the world and paid the price of sin [John 3:16, 36]. Christ died on the cross and was raised from death; ascended into heaven to prepare a place for whosoever shall accept His grace and make this call. He seats at the right hand of the Father as a Judge and a High Priest of the New Testament interceding for whosoever accepted this call. Mankind hence forth and even till the end of age has a Savior who had taken away the sins of the world. The debt mankind owed and could not pay; Christ paid it on our behalf and freed us once and for all from sin and death.
The Bible reveals that:
“If the son of man [Christ] therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” [John 8:36].
And if this happens, Apostle Paul reassures us:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” [Romans 8:1].
The person has been redeemed and given a new life.
SAVED FROM WHAT?
The result of this call is unbelievably true. The call’s result covers the whole facet of human existence and life. We are therefore saved in mind, from fears, sickness persecution, enslavement and satanic dominion, sin and death [Romans 8:2]. We are saved from terror and despair, saved in life from lust, passion, torment and woes. Everyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is saved spiritually, but the outward experiences may differ. We shall realize that the same call is the same salvation, but different manifestation. However, the assurance of God’s grace – redemptive power is the same. It depends on the person being saved, what he or she is being saved from and the depth of his or her faith. Hebrews 7: 25 states that Christ is able to save to the uttermost part of the world; able to lift people from the pit; able to transform conditions of human lives on existence; able to save man from waste and lost.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call [Joel 2:32].
For with God nothing shall be impossible [Luke 1:37].
He is abundantly and exceedingly able to deliver those who believe and trust in Him.
In a discussion with a group of church friends with whom I was sharing good news, the question was thrown at me: “If Jesus eradicated death, why do people still die?” Another opined, “You are not objective and practical in dealing with some of these issues; Christians still face persecutions, trials, sickness and death, etc. How dare you say that because Christ died we are saved from death?”
I took a long, hard look at the list of all the ills and ailment we claimed to be saved from. Undoubtedly, they are still prevalent. I had a deep breath and pondered, am I contradicting myself? Or is my understanding erroneous? Could it be that the Bible is not explicit of itself or do we believe in illusion? My option was to believe the Scripture because the Scripture is right and true and asked God for a clearer revelation.
For the Word of the Lord is right and all His works are done in truth [Psalm 33:4].
These were long time church folks who believe that born again is just being fanatical and experience with the Holy Spirit is nothing but cheerful deceit. This is how I explained it to them. When Jesus said to Nicodemus “you must be born again” in John 3:3, He never meant physical rebirth which implies going through his mothers womb the second time. This is not visible even though all things are possible with God. Jesus meant spiritual birth, which God offers in Christ Jesus.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” [John 3:16].
In another instance, Jesus said,
“Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, I shall give you rest” [Matthews 11:28].
“For he that is dead is freed from sin” [Romans 6:7].
“Rest” here could be interpreted as eternal peace. It could also connote death [dying to the problems] even when one still lives. Jesus was saying, come to Me for I know the way to deal with all things, I am the Way. When you come to Me and surrender your heavy load and problems, the Holy Spirit whom I left with all those who come to Me will create in you a new vision, new attitude, and behavior towards the load or problem. This new attitude will change the way you see yourself in the midst of the problem and the world around you. Most importantly, it will give you peace and increased faith in God in the mist of turmoil.
Again, Apostle Paul assured the early Christians in Corinth and all who had come to know Christ personally saying, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”[2 Corinthians 5:17]. He implies that when you come to Christ, the hand of God will touch [conviction] and the blood of Jesus will wash and cleanse you from all your sins. It does not mean you did not commit those sins but that God has forgiven you; they shall not be counted against you any longer. God sees you as a brand new person, anointed to new life. It does not depend on your feelings or what people around you say. It also implies that the Holy Spirit will work in you to create entirely a new future of hope out of the terrible past.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is a man unto whom the Lord imputed not iniquity and in whose Spirit there is no guile [Psalms 32:1ff].
I further wish to liken it to a person who feels insecure and looking for safety or a safe place. A safe place may not be found in different physical locations but in adopting different perspective of oneself in the situation one finds himself. He needs a change in attitude towards self and the world around him or her; not different location anyway on the surface of the earth. Instead of change of address while the problem still exists, you better adjust perspective of your past on what is hurting and hunting you; focus your perspective on the present and bright future. This does not mean that there are times when change of location is not necessary.
This brought to mind, the unusual visitors that visited us when victory was won after five years of marriage and our daughter, Onyinyeoma Chinazom was born. While she was less than a month old, armed robbers visited us at night in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. When they had severally slammed the door almost open, the door protectors were all out. We had no weapon to protect ourselves, but carried the young baby into the closet and cried unto the Lord Almighty.
Behold, at the nick of time, God sent one ministering angel and before we know it, the door slamming stopped. The robbers had run away. Neighbors who were watching the attempted havoc through the windows blinds of their apartments started yelling at us to come out. “They have gone”, they shouted. We thank God for His mercies and protection.
After the episode, my wife, mother-in-law (who visited to help nurse the new baby), and every member of the household, including my very self, were in panic. My wife and mom rushed the baby to the residence of a family friend in another part of the city. She suggested that we should move to another side of the city. In fact, my wife and her mom decided not to return to our home. As we contemplated to move, we heard reports of similar incidents in the other parts of the city that involved lost of innocent lives. In some places, the tenants went into gun battles in direct confrontation with the armed robbers.
We then asked ourselves, where do we go that the hand of the Lord cannot protect and shield us? God says the earth and all that dwell in it belong to Him. The Lord has been our dwelling place in all generation …formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting. He’s God. We that dwelled in the secret place of the most high, abide under in the shadow of the Almighty God. He is our refuge, fortress and our God [Psalms 24, 90 and 91]. We had nothing, no weapon, no help from anywhere except to cry unto God. True to the Scriptures, God was able to save us. Safety belongs to God. He is our eternal insurance and protection. Another approach is to focus on the Lord Jesus than on the problem itself. You need the Spirit man to help you carry your load; He will carry it through.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield [Psalms 5:11-12].
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoice and with my song will I praise Him. The Lord is my strength and He is the saving strength of His anointed [Psalms 28:7-8].
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Even though God is Spirit, He’s also a person. One needs more intimacy and a relationship with Him to know Him and experience who He is as well as His different gifts. However, these depend upon God’s plan for salvation. Being saved does not mean sinless perfection. Neither does it make one an angelic creature, unable to sin.
My little children, these things I write to you that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world [1 John 2 vs. 1-2].
You are still being subjected to temptation and could flip into sinfulness. However, Christians are urged and encouraged not to yield to it and to flee from all inclination and tendencies of sin. As you reach out to Jesus more and more, you renew your mind and build increasing faith. You also begin to experience new life in you. The Holy Spirit places a seal of confirmation and assurance on you as a mark of conviction, evidence of being saved and adoption into God’s family. This seal is permanent and for eternity. The things you use to do may no longer appeal to you anymore even when confronted by such situation or temptation. Now, you have an inner will [the word written in your heart] and helped by the Holy Spirit to overcome and prevail against any temptation. It is this new life that you need to witness first to your immediate family, friends, neighbors and coworkers as well as the outside world. This change is so extraordinary that it cannot be hidden.
WHAT DO I WITNESS?
You will be able to distinguish between your old nature, old life, old desire, and the new life in you. The day you accept the new life in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God places a seal of redemption; take control of your life and expose you to heavenly treasures.
In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” [Ephesians 1:13].
Jesus death on the cross brings in victory. It is this daily life of victory in Christ Jesus that you witness. If really you are truly born again, you cannot afford to withhold your new experience, the peace you will experience in your life. God has kept His part of the covenant in Christ suffering, death and resurrection; our part is to accept and believe in this completed work on the cross, in the grave and now alive forever. Apostle John says those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts.
He that believes on the Son of God has the witness [testimony] in himself: he that believes not God has made him a lair; because he believes not the record that God gave of His Son [1 John 5:10].
And many more believed because of His own word; And said unto the woman, now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard Him ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world [John 4:41-42].
Your testimony will now spring from your personal experiences of Jesus. You now know [not guess, read or heard] that Jesus is your Savior, and because He lives, you can face life’s trials, today and everyday. Daily, you come to live for Christ, walk with Christ and gradually be like Him. Do not bother how you will do it, for the Holy Spirit of God (the enabler) will help you in this new life, reveals all truth, shows you the way and go with you. All you need is continuously seek to know Him more on a daily basis.
Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:3b]
WHY WE NEED SALVATION
We were spiritually dead and our sins separated us from a life-giving relationship with God [Romans 3:23]. We violated God’s perfect moral laws and standards and were guilty of God’s judgment. God’s eyes neither behold iniquity nor does His righteousness contend sin. Man, on the other hand, could not help himself; all he could do was to run away from the presence of God in the spirit of guilt and shame.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23].
“If You Lord should mark iniquities, Oh Lord who shall stand” [Psalm 130:3].
God in Jesus Christ came to the rescue, paid the price of sin and offered man forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation to Him. Jesus Christ became our Savior and Redeemer. What every sinner needs is forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus Christ offers by His sinless life, sufferings, death and resurrection. Being saved or born again or beginning again is the starting of a new life and relationship with Jesus Christ. No man in his old nature [first birth] can please God. We need the second birth, a life-changing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We need a Savior, a Redeemer and to accept God’s gift of salvation” [2 Corinthians 5:17].
“For by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, less any man should boast” [Ephesians 2: 8-9].
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” [1 Corinthians 6:11].
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” [1 John 1:9].
In summary, God formed man; Man was deformed by sin; God in Jesus Christ transformed man, so that all who accept this saving grace shall be conformed with God forever. When one gets saved, God welcomes him or her as His child into His family and bestows all rights and privileges of son-ship on the person.
DECISION
It is not too late while life lasts for a new life to begin. Today is a day of salvation; tomorrow may be just too late. I, therefore, invite you now to a special relationship with Christ Jesus by accepting Him as your Lord and Savior; believing His saving grace, also confessing and repenting your sins as well as beginning a new life in Him. You need no other qualification than you already have -“just as I am”. Therefore, decide to carry your sinfulness to Christ Jesus for cleansing and renewal, and you will be freed once and for all. As I make bold to welcome you, I testify the experience is rewarding. Do not allow this offer to lapse. This is your day and season of liberty. The choice is personal.
Chapter Two
KNOWING GOD
So Christianity is not just a high-sounding ritual we perform on Sunday morning. Christianity is abiding by Biblical standards of personal holiness and in turn seeking to bring holiness into the society in which we live – Charles Colson [Loving God]. While some just wonder if God truly exists, others read and know about God. Does that mean they know God? What then do we mean when we say we know God? Do we see Him, feel, talk, walk and sit by Him? The fact that people claim they have personal knowledge or intimacy with Him does not really mean that they do. So, how does one know God?
A man once asked me, “What do preachers mean when they say they know God?” How do you claim to know someone you have not seen and cannot identify? The question, though simple, is not easy because it bothers on faith and is life-determined. I was confronted on how to answer this question without sounding religious or attempting to wear the tall shoes of renowned theologians that may not fit. These days, some of the clergies hold contemporary views on fundamental Scriptural issues that sound conflicting to ordinary believers. So, I obtained his permission and reframed the question: “What does it mean to say I know God Biblically?” By so doing, I hold the Scripture truthful and as the authentic source of belief and faith.
The under mentioned giants and passages support the credence of the scriptures:
“I have learned to hold the Scriptures alone inerrant.”
(St Augustine)
The Word of God is greater than Heaven and earth, yea, greater than death and hell, for it forms part of the power of God and endures everlasting.
(Martin Luther)
We owe to the scriptures the same reverence which we owe to God
(John Calvin)
[…. He who does not honor the Word of God does not honor the Spirit of God. He who does not honor the Spirit of God does not honor the Word of God.
(Scripture Almanac, 2003)
The Scripture:
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
(Psalms 119:101)
The entrance of His Word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.
(Psalms 119:130)
The Scripture is the Word of God and the Word of God is God.
(Culled from John 1:1-4)
DESCRIPTIONS OF “KNOW”
God reveals Himself in various ways especially in His Word and in Christ Jesus. The purpose of God’s revelation is for us to know Him. When we know who He is, our perception, attitude, reactions toward Him, human beings and creation will change for better. The word “know” has different types of meanings in English; derived from Hebrews “yada” and Greek “ginosko” and “oida” respectively. Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, says “yada” is the concept of knowing information or facts, the learning of skills, acquaintance with persons and even the intimacy of sexual intercourse.
It further states that to know calls for a more than direct experience; knowing implies the process by which human beings structure experience – the process, by which one recognizes, classifies and systematizes the gains from experiences. Ginosko and oida are two basic Greek words found in the New Testament used to describe the concept of knowing. Each indicates knowing and understanding. Both emphasize the organization of one’s perceptions in order to grasp the true nature of an issue, concept or thing. In Greek culture, knowing is described as intelligent comprehension that underlines the assumption that knowledge is a true assessment of reality that could be known in our world.
I often hear people say, “I know how you feel,” when indeed they do not have the knowledge, experience and exposure the person has or is passing through. They say this by way of condolence, comfort or encouragement. Can they be experienced persons in what they have not experienced? In the same vein some Christians claim to know God, even when they have no experiential knowledge of Him; made no commitment, put no faith in Him and no deliberate communication exist between God and them.
They claim to know God when they do not understand Him; all they have is what they have heard about God – not the personal experience of God. Hearing and knowing are two different things. Against these backgrounds, and in spite of Apostle Paul’s knowledge and experiences with God, he still desired to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made comfortable unto His death [Philippians 3:10]. Also speaking about contentment and want, Paul exposes us to his deep sense of commitment following his knowledge and experiences; “I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” [Philippians 4:12].
Let us peruse few Biblical examples to buttress the word “know”:
1.“For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil…[Genesis 3:5]
God is omniscience – all knowing God. In Him dwells the power of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Jesus is known as the wisdom of God and God’s Spirit reveals the depth things of God. God knowledge is pre-eminent and surpasses the knowledge of created beings and things. God incorporates every dimension of human capacity [1 John 3:20].
2. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil: …[Genesis 3:22].
Here God draws attention on the process of making moral distinctions and make conclusions about what is good and evil. It also means more than just direct experience and more so to organize experience and abstract a perception of the world that provides the basis for response to different life’s situation.
3. Adam knew his wife and she conceived………[Genesis 4:1].
This refers to intimacy of sexual intercourse. It means Adam made love to his wife, Eve. Other ways of expressing this act are: He slept or lie or had carnal knowledge or had sexual intercourse with his wife.
4. “You do not know me or my Father” [John 8: 19].
The Jewish leaders failed to respond to Jesus call for salvation and acknowledge Him as Christ and Lord. Thus, they demonstrated their lack of personal relationship with God and knowledge of Him. Little wonder Jesus said they did not know Him or His Father. Jesus further said “those who believe and obey will know the truth and the truth will set them free” [John 8:32]. “Knowing”, in this context, indicates personal relationship, a recognition, acknowledgement and believing response to God by putting faith on Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection [1 John 2:3-5, 21, 29; 4:7, 15-16].
Apostle John further explained that knowing God is a matter of God initiating acts of self-revelation in Jesus Christ. This essentially involves personal recognition of these acts and subsequent acknowledging Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior. The Holy Spirit within us testifies to this great gift of God and the reality of Jesus. This enables the believer to recognize and grasp the meaning of the truth. Also the individual’s daily life of obedience and love further reveal the believer’s knowledge of God.
The nature of Apostle Paul’s knowledge includes strong emphasis on personal relationship, including the following critical personal issues:
[i] Romans 1:18-32: God revealed to humanity in creation. God’s invisible qualities have been revealed by what He has made [vs 20]. “They knew God, but did not glorify Him [vs21]. The mere refusal to respond to God’s great gift of salvation is considered ignorance. [ii] Romans 7:7-25: God revealed Himself to mankind in words. God’s revelation is both natural and special. When God met Saul on his way to Damascus, he discovered he was a sinner and turned around to totally believe and rely on Christ alone. [iii] 1 Corinthians 2:10; 6: 2, 9: Knowledge is revealed through the Holy Spirit. Some information about reality is not availed to humanity through natural senses. God has chosen to reveal to us these hidden realities now through the power of the Holy Spirit. [iv] Ephesians 1:17-23; 3:14-19: Paul prayed that God will help the Ephesians “know Him better” and enlighten them that they may know the hope of their calling [Ephesians 1:18; 3:19]. Know His love that surpasses knowledge [Colossians 1:9-12].
God has revealed Himself in creation, in His written words and in Jesus Christ. God calls human beings to respond to His gift and revelations as the only way that the relationship with Him could be strengthened. Appropriate response to the Good News of Jesus is to trust Him as Savior and Lord. Making appropriate response calls for spiritual wisdom and insights. Paul gladly threw away everything only for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, his Lord [Philippians 3:8].
THE SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF KNOWING GOD
The Scriptures suggest several ways a person can come to have knowledge of God. The first is to have a personal knowledge and relationship with Him, through faith in Christ Jesus. Since God is Spirit, a person may not see Him physically but can:
1. Feel or sense His presence
In the year that king Uz-ziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up and His train filled the temple [1]. …And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried and the house was filled with smoke [4] [Is. 6:3-6]. Also, read [1 Kg. 8:10-11; Mk. 9:2].
2. Hear His Voice
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the tree of the garden [8]. And the Lord God called unto Adam and said where art thou? [9]…[Genesis 3:8-16]
And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me? And he said, who are thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecute: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks [Acts 9:4-5; Also read Ex. 3:3-4; Deut. 32:1-3; 1 Sam. 3:4-11].
3. Receive His Revelations
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven [19] Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are His [20] [….] He reveals the deep and secret thing, He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him [22]…[Daniel 2:19-23]
But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ [Gal. 1:11-12; Also read Acts 2:2-4, 9:3-4; Eph. 3:3].
4. See His works
The works of thy hands are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and His righteousness endures forever [Psalms 111:2-3].
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandment [Psalms 119:73].
To know God, you first have to believe in the existence of God, the Creator of heavens, the earth and the fullness thereof; believe that God will reveal Himself to all who so seek and desire to know Him. From the Christian perspective, God had availed mankind ways of knowing and relating to Him, by the grace through the life and works of Jesus Christ as well as His death on the cross. But centuries before Christ was born, the Scripture described what and how that sense of personal intimacy with God would be like. In a vision, God revealed to His prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel [just to mention but two] the new way to know and relate to Him.
Behold, the days come, said the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah [31]. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, said the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people [33]…Jeremiah 31: 31-34]
And I will give you a new heart, and a new Spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments and do them [Ezekiel 36:26-27]
God promised that in the days to come, He will:
[i] Make a new covenant not written on tablets of stone but on the tablets of man’s heart to shape his identity and behavior. [ii] God’s children would know Him [have an experiential knowledge of God] not un-informed knowledge of Him received through hearsays and indoctrination without Spiritual basis. [iii] His teachings would go beyond a mere theoretical and doctrinaire knowledge, hearsays or collection of precepts. [iv] God Himself would be their teacher as He was Jesus’ teacher [John 5:19, 8:28, 12:49-50, 14:10].
NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT
These prophesy of Jeremiah and Ezekiel has been fulfilled in the New Testament. In the Christian era, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit indwell man through the Word of God. The degree of the amount of the word the person retains will determine the extent to which the word is written in his or her heart. Also, the extent to which the word of God is written into one’s heart would equal the extent to which the Holy Spirit indwells the person.
Let the word spoken by Christ [The Messiah] have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts [Colossians 3:16. Amp. Bible].
But if the spirit of Him that raised Jesus from dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His spirit that dwells in you [Romans 8:11].
When people hear the Word and are convicted, they give their lives to God by putting their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the Word that acts in the heart of men [of stone] to bring about the change [heart of flesh] we now witness and experience. The Word of God was written by the auction of the Holy Spirit; it’s a two edged sword, powerful and penetrates the heart of men, breaking down walls of unbelief, religion, superstition and of sins. The Word convicts us that we are sinners by birth and fallen short of God’s glory. It’s the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit that cleans and sanctifies; the Word heals and restores. It turns around drug addicts, homosexuals, unbelieving believers, and releases us from satanic grips and possession.
You are cleansed and purified already because of the Word which I have given you [the teaching I have discussed with you [John15: 3. Amp. Bible].
He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions [Psalms 107:20]
For the Word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart [Heb. 4:12]
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick [Luke 9:1-2].
Now when they heard this [the word], they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and women, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call [Acts of the Apostles 2:37-39].
The more the Word lives in you, the better you are in depending and trusting in God. When a person receives the Word and becomes convicted; he or she presents self for the sacrament of baptism and receives the Holy Spirit. However, there were few exceptional occasions when people received the Holy Spirit and later were baptized. If the Word lives in you, you manifest and reveal God in word and action but if otherwise you are nothing but flesh and you will reflect flesh. This is also reflected in the parable of the Sower. “Others are like seeds [the Word] sown in a good soil [those who hear, accept and believe as well as act on it]. The seeds bear good fruits and yield some in hundreds, sixty and another in thirty as much as were sown.
And these are they which are sown on good ground: such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundredfold [Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20].
God’s Word is an instruction manual for righteous living.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works [2 Timothy 3:16-17].
Little wonder in the Ten Commandments, the first four honors God and the last six honor one another. If you learn the Word of God and apply it to your life, it will save you from avoidable errors and regrettable experiences. This experience led the Psalmist to confess: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” [Psalms 119:105]. It follows that the Word of God illuminates the path of our lives and guides us in the way to success in life. The Word shall keep us away from sin and the snares of death, while sin will keep from studying and preserving in the Word. The Word of God is the pathway to heaven, prosperity, and righteousness as well as joyful living on earth.
One awesome thing about this new way is that God will teach His people His ways. The Holy Spirit of God shall write God’s laws in His children’ heart and also empowers them to live in a manner that reflects the very character of God [Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45-46; Hebrews 8:10-13, 10:15-18]. This mystery has been made simple. You can experience this knowledge with God right now by placing your faith in Christ Jesus, because of what He did on the cross for us. He died to pay the price of man’s sinfulness and remove the barrier that separated man from God, his Maker [John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Galatians 4:3-9, Hebrew 9:26ff, 1 John 5 :11-12]. You can establish a personal relationship with God by confessing with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord” and believing in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and God raised Him from death; the Holy Spirit shall testify to this new life in the new believer’s heart [Romans 9:10; 1 John 5 10].
LIVING A GODLY LIFESTYLE
In addition, knowing God goes beyond having personal intimacy to living a godly lifestyle. This is where character and actions come into play. If one confesses to be a believer, he or she must strive to live and behave it. [John14:23-24; 1 John 1:6, 2:3-4, 4:7]. The difference between a believer and unbeliever is very glaring – action based: for no one who abides in God keeps on sinning. However, whoever continues in sin has neither seen nor known Him [1 John 3:6; Matthew 7:16; Luke 3:8; John 13:34-35, 15:5; Colossians 2:6-7].
Lack of the above understanding is precisely where most believers fail. Many Christians confess to have departed from worldliness but still stuck in it. Jesus condemned this hypocrisy while here on earth. He taught that no man serves two masters faithfully and not everyone who calls Him Lord, Lord shall enter God’s kingdom but those who do the will of the Father [Matthew 6:24, 7:21]. So many church-going people are using God to serve mammon. They call on God but their desire is to grab the treasure (wealth/money), gain and ego as well as power.
It is difficult to see how a Christian can cling to riches in view of the appalling need everywhere, the imminence of Christ return, and the Lord’s clear prohibition against laying up treasures on earth. Hoarded wealth condemns us as not loving our neighbors as ourselves [William MacDonald, Scripture Almanac].
People find it difficult to believe a man who gives his whole energy to moneymaking or career building and then tells them he is waiting for the Son of God from heaven [J. W. Ferguson, Scripture Almanac].
It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day Matthew Henry, Scripture Almanac]
A Christian coveting the world is in a terrible condition, but God approves of and delights in one who thirsts for heaven [H. L. Rossler, Scripture Almanac].
The world is still searching for those who had claimed to give up worldliness, but cannot see them. They are looking for the light to shine out of darkness and can’t find it. They are looking for salt to season and preserve, change the taste and aspiration of man but all appear to taste the same. The world is searching for peacemakers in the world torn apart by wars, terrors and continuous dominance of fears. However, all that they find are unending negotiations of peace talks, world conferences without peaceful agenda, diseased society and increased religious activities that do not impact the society in any positive and God-fearing way.
These things are not new. In the Old Testament, Prophet Jeremiah remarkably rebuked King Jehoiakim [a son of King Josiah] of Israel, for living ungodly life. His father, king Josiah, was a godly man who feared God and removed idols from among the people of Israel. He maintained justice and defended the poor and the needy [Ezekiel 8:5-17]. On the contrary, his son, king Jehoiakim, brought idols back into Israel. His eyes and heart were full of covetousness. He shed innocent blood, oppressed the poor and extorted them. He did violence to his people, hunted down and executed prophets of the Lord.
Woe unto him that builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by wrong; that uses his neighbor’s service without wages, and gives him not for his work [13]… But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression and for violence to do it [17]…[Jeremiah 22:13-17, 26:20-23].
The Scripture strongly suggested that king Jehoiakim was a stooge of the Egyptian king who must have masterminded the disposing of his brother Jehoahaz after only three months on the throne [2 Kings 23:31-34]. He was committed to his selfishness, dishonest gains and covetousness. Jesus also warned against these double standard people throughout the synoptic gospel [Mark 12:38-40].
Johoiakim thought that because he was an Israelite, his father a godly man who honored God and rule the people in justice, he automatically knew the Lord. Don’t you think he was mistaken? His father feared God, lived according to His tenets, matched his words with actions doing what was right and just and not just talking about them. King Johoiakim was exactly the opposite. How can one claim to know God and yet live like the devil? It’s by their fruit that we know them. A lifestyle that is godly and righteous is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. The more you seek God wholeheartedly through faith [not feeling or sight], the more you come to know and experience Him. God will chase you and teach you who He’s and His ways. As you live in obedience to His word, He lamps your feet and lights your path; keep you away from sin and blessed you
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments? Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path [Psalms 119:9-11, 105].
However this is the new, yet an old commandment: believe in the name of Jesus and love one another. Those who obey this commandment live in Him and He in them; the Holy Spirit in them testifies to this.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God and every one that loves is born of God and knows God [1 John 4:7; Read also 1 John 3:23-24; John 14:21].
KNOWING BY ASSOCIATION
Robert C. Coleman notes in the Master Plan of Evangelism that, “Knowledge was gained by association before it was understood by explanation.” He further said that continual fellowship with Christ helps the disciples to “know the mysteries of the kingdom” [Luke 8; 10]. Jesus was exposing His disciples to what He had to suffer in the hand Pharisees and Jewish leaders; preparing them for a life without Him and Simon said, No this cannot happen to you [Mark 8:32]. This exposed Simon lack of knowledge of the purpose of Jesus mission [Mark 16:23]. Jesus gathered again His disciples and said, “Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer…where I am going you cannot come…” Simon Peter asked Him, Lord where are you going? In another instance, Jesus explained that He was going to the Father, to prepare a place for them. Again Thomas asked Him, “Lord we do not know where you are going and how can we know the way?
…Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parable: that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand [Luke 8:10].
Despite their association with Jesus the disciples neither fully understood who He was nor where He was going. Phillip could not wait but asked, Lord show us the Father and it is sufficient for us? Jesus then wondered, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me? He who has seen me has seen the Father [John13&14]. Coleman added, “His disciples were distinguished, not by outward conformity to certain rituals, but by being with Him” [John 18:19]. Knowledge was not gained by attending formal school, Seminars, New membership and confirmation classes or crusade but by following Him and being with Him. Jesus invited John and Andrew to “come and see” where He stayed. They went, saw and remain with Him that day [John1:39]. After staying with Jesus, Andrew was convinced He was the Messiah and He was quick to reach out to his brother, Simon whom Jesus named Peter. Phillip invited Nathaniel to come and see the Master after he had dwelled with Him [John1:46]. All who ever knew Jesus obeyed the same invitation, “follow Me.”
And when they had brought their ships to the land, they forsook all and followed him [Luke 5:11].
And straightaway he called them: and they left their father Zeb’e-dee in the ship with the hired servant and follow him [Mark 1:20].
Jesus chose the twelve from the larger crowd so that they might be with Him, know Him and obtain instructions, grooming and thereafter being sent forth to preach, evangelize, and demonstrate His authority and power, became Jesus spiritual children [Mark 10:24] and employ the proper way of raising a family. By close and constant association for about three years, Jesus was able to train, groom, mentor His disciples and even made them taste His authority and power as well as prepare them for power from the Father. Jesus was rest assured that they would represent Him and the Father well. Little surprised He said to them:
“Ye shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning” [John 15:27].
By implication, Jesus was saying, I have trained men who will become my witnesses after I have gone. He was able to do this, by being with them. He exposed them to the source of His power and allowed them to experience Him. He also allowed them to fall and rise until they would be strong enough to stand on their own. Even after He had passed, He still send them the promised Holy Spirit for empowerment. He reassured them, of His ever-loving presence. Lo, I am with you always [Matthew 28:20]. Even though they were with the Master, they did not understand all His teaching and revelation. But they continued to follow Him and obeyed Him. Obedience to Christ was the very means by which those in His Company learned more truth.
Do you claim to know God? Have you obeyed the invitation: follow Me. Have you been with Him? Your experience with Him is so remarkable, infectious and contagious that it cannot go unnoticed. Have you brought someone to share in the love of God; let your experience be heard? The world awaits your testimony. Check yourself.
Chapter Three
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
“When you have knowledge of Jesus Christ, you begin to live in the newness of life. You yield your old life to Him and in exchange He gives you His life; the life He had with the Father now lives in you. You become a new creature and live a new life in Christ, inside out. I invite you to come with me as we examine the import of the new life.”
GRANDMOTHER FROM UKRAINE
I have an amazing and real life story culled from TODAY [The Family Altar] of Sunday March 4, 2007 that speaks explicitly on the new life in Christ. “Yelena, a godly grandmother from Ukraine had joyful news to share. Her grandson became a Christian! He used to be the village drunk and his family thought he would end up in jail. But the gospel has dramatically changed him. Yelena calls it a miracle. His neighbors still can’t believe that he now welcomes people to his house not for drink but for a Bible study!”
In Christ a former drug addict, a notorious village drunk becomes a changed person and an instrument in God’s hand. A sinner made a saint, a brand new person on the inside; a no-body becomes a respected somebody, a Good News Carrier, a Messenger of the Gospel and an Evangelist of God. He has a life testimony in his mouth and He’s evidence that God is real and does change life. In Christ we become reconciled to God by making a faith commitment and repent of our sins. This is the grace of God. Once we are reunited to God, we become Christians, Christ’s ambassadors born again into new life. We automatically become members of God’s diplomatic corps, inviting and recruiting others to be reconciled to Christ.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, An holy Nation, a peculiar people; That ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light [Peter 2:9].
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things have passed away; Behold, all things are become new [2 Corinthians 5:17].
For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life [John 3:16].
LIFE OF GOD
As I reflect on the import of the new experience in Christ, the words of Apostle John come readily to mind: “God has given to us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life” [1 John 5:11-12]. Apostle John was talking about eternal life, which is the new life in Christ Jesus. Andrew Murray writing on An Exciting New Life said, “This new life is nothing less then eternal life…eternal life is nothing else than the very life of God. It’s the life that He has had in Himself from eternity and has been visibly revealed in Christ Jesus. This life is now the inheritance of every child of God.”
When Jesus died on the Cross, what was crucified was his humanity. He resurrected into a new life by the power of God. Physician Luke records in Acts 2:32 Apostle Peter’s address to the Jewish elders thus: “the same Jesus whom you crucified, God the Father raised from death and gives Him a new life. This life is a life of inconceivable power and in it is the power of eternity.” This address is still relevant now as it was then. God had raised Him from death. Because He’s risen, we have hope; our hope has an anchor. This is the assurance we have in Christ Jesus. Therefore, every dead in us should receive the new life in Christ and live.
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand [John 10:28-29].
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men …; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good work [Titus 2:11, 15].
CHRISTIAN GROWTH
From creation, God gave life to living creation, whether plants or animals, that life has within it the power to grow. When one becomes born again, he has died to the old life and has been regenerated. He has been given a new life in his heart. This new life has the power to grow from grace to grace. However, this growth of new life could be hindered by (i) Ignorance and (ii) lack of faith. Some people become born again and remain stagnant because of limited knowledge or lack of it. They do not know what they have possessed by being saved – the new life in Christ. These folks can least imagine the immeasurable power they have as children of Most High God. They need to understand the principles of God and apply them.
Many are ignorant of the strength and power they have in Christ; that’s why they are powerless. They are afraid, fearful and easily intimidated by the things they see or experienced; wavering in between opinions and carried away by winds of doctrine. We need to know and understand the nature, the laws and the workings of the new life we have been born into. This new life has the power likened to a computer icon; when click on it produces many new programs. This is found in the word of God, ushered by the unction of the Holy Spirit. One needs faith to practice the word of God; to obey, submit, and abide in Christ. By faith and faith alone are we justified? Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Christ who died to free us from sin. Again no one calls Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit of God [1 Corinthians 12:3b]. The Holy Spirit gives power for growth, sustenance, prevailing over difficult situations, overcoming temptations and trials of life. When God’s power and grace touches human hearts, uncommon and spectacular changes occur.
It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life [John 6:63].
JESUS MINISTRY
Jesus commenced His ministry by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. During Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptist saw heaven opened and the Spirit–like dove descended upon Jesus. Then followed a voice from heaven, saying: “thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased [Mark 1:9-11]. Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness [Luke 4:1]. Throughout His ministry and encounter with worldliness, Christ maintained a life worth more than His teachings, and His works even more than his death. Andrew Murray in God’s Best Secret said, “It was His life in the sight of God and man that gave value and credence to what He said, did, and suffered.” This life glorified in the resurrection that He imparted in His people and through them reached the lost world. It was the indwelling power that He was endued in the Holy Spirit that gave strength to His work.
Jesus talked about the relationship with His father in various ways: “I am the true vine and my father is the husbandman [John15:1].” If ye keep my commandant, ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Father’s commandment and abided in his love [John15:10]. Jesus also said:
“But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of me….He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrances…..” [John 14:26; 15:26].
[…] I am in my Father and you in me and I in you…For My father is greater than I… [John 14:20, 28].
“For I come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. No man can come to me, except the Father who hath sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day [John 6:38, 44]
[…] your heavenly father knows that you have need of all these things [Matthews 6:32].
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, who is in heaven [Matthews10:32]. For it pleases the Father that, “in Him should all fullness dwell” [Colossians 1:9].
All things that the Father has are mine, therefore said I, that He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you [John 16:15].
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SALVATION
The above speak vividly of the intimacy and reference the Son, Jesus Christ has with the Father and us. Most servants of God in our world live a lifestyle that is at variance with their speeches and actions; invariably adverse to the life they live. They desire to please God but end up satisfying men. Some of them are loaded with dormant spirit that waits to be ignited by the lifestyle suited for the giver of the Holy Spirit. Others talk about the Holy Sprit but are afraid to relate with Him. They theorize the doctrine and workings of the Holy Sprit but have no experiential knowledge of Him in them. Yet other group believes the Holy Sprit had ceased to manifest; they talk about what He did in the past and do not believe He’s still the same today and shall be relevant even in years to come because they’re ignorance of the Holy Spirit personality and manifestation. They are afraid to confront, rebuke and bind, talk less cast the demon. Their Church services are routine; there are no expectation of divine visitations and surprises in worship, in fellowship meetings and even in private prayers.
Little wonder Christ commands His disciples to tarry until they are endued with power from on high [Acts 1:4-5]. Again He assured, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses to the end of the earth” [Acts 1:8]. Many servants of God have testified that it’s not college theological degree, youthful zeal, and physical willingness for self-sacrifice in Christ service, but the secret experience of the life hidden with Christ in God that gives substance to the new life in Christ. A heart for God is receptive to the Holy Spirit and delights in the Word of God. These two promote dependence and reliance on the Word and submission to the leadership of the Holy Spirit that moulds the character of God’s servants.
Jesus Answered, verily, verily, I say unto you except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit [John 3: 5-6].
But the natural mind does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to Him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually descended [1 Corinthians 2:14].
As we celebrate Christ death and resurrection, we should be assured that we need to die to flesh and be alive in the Spirit. One day, the same Spirit that raised Christ to eternity shall raise us. No one can live a successful Christian life alone without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the power to live for God and do His work, must fill us. Therefore, implore those who hear, read His Word, reflect and meditate on it to put its teachings into practice; then the Holy Spirit shall embrace and empower them to live the new life in Christ. This new life will testify that we are children of God; the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit infects the world around us into believing that Christ is real and lives in us. “It’s by the Holy Spirit that a child of God is sealed, set apart, stamped and marked as the possession of God. This sealing is a living process which has power in the soul and gives a firm assurance of faith, only when it’s experienced through the life of the spirit in us” [Ephesians 4:30]. We therefore have to take great care in what we say or do so as not to grieve the Holy Spirit in us.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father [Galatians 4:6].
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit [Romans 8:1].
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary to the one to the other; So that ye cannot do the things that ye would [Galatians 5:16-17].
It is this same Spirit that leads us and witnesses with our Spirits that we are children of God. The God that gives salvation and new life also gives the Spirit to make us understand what the new life means; sanctify us and uphold us in our daily activities. Without the new life in Christ, you are mere human and mechanical; do not have what it takes to become a child of God; you cannot therefore preserve in faith and do the work of Christ. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become sons [children] of God, even to them that believe in His name [John1: 12]. But God Almighty assures that salvation is His sole responsibility [Acts of the Apostles 4:12]:
I will a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my status, and you will keep my judgments and do them [Ezekiel 36: 26-27].
[…] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the rights of the glory of His inheritance in the saints [Ephesians 1:17-18].
Our lives are therefore continuously blessed with the understanding and reception of Him.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving [Colossians 2:6-7].
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks; For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit [1 Thessalonians 5:16-19].
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for the saints; and for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel [Ephesians 6: 10, 18-19].
Chapter Four
A CHRISTIAN
If you have been born again, it means you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. Congratulation, you’re a Christian, I mean a child of God. God is your Father and you’re His child. The word Christian means one is Christ-like. Many who answer Christians may not be able to say why they are one. The world also gets confused on who should be addressed as a Christian. Let us gain some understanding in our next discussion on the topic: who is a Christian?
WHO IS A CHRISTIAN ANYWAY?
A Christian is one who has experienced the love of Christ through putting faith in Jesus Christ. God’s love is sacrificial and unconditional as well as self-yielding. The Scripture says for God so loved the world that He gave His son, Jesus Christ to die for us. This type of love the Greek word ‘agape’ describes to carry deeper meaning than ‘ero’ [physical]. It’s active and not self-seeking. Christians are people who have imbibed God’s love and willing to share it with other people. Contributing to the 44th Baptist Church Pastors and Missionaries Conference, held at Arkansas, in March 1990, John Mooney asked: “Just who are the real Christians anyway” He said that: real Christians love God and others. In order to fully appreciate this consideration, Mooney quoted two authorities to help us understand the real meaning of God’s love. They are:
[i] God’ love is an exercise of the divine will in deliberate choice, made without any assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself. [ii] Godly love is God’s willful direction towards man. It involves God doing what He knows is best for man and not necessary what He knows. Agape is an unselfish, undiscriminating, choice based purely on the desires of God to bless those who could not and would not ever do anything to deserve His kindness.According to Mooney, it is this same kind of love that Paul says is a special gift of God to believers and which we are repeatedly commanded to exercise towards other people. Apostle Paul affirmed the response Jesus Christ gave when the Pharisees asked Him: “which was the greatest commandment?” Jesus said:
Thou shall love the Lord, thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and all thy mind. This is the first and the great commandment. And the second is like unto it “thou shall love thy neighbor as thy self. On this two commandments hang all the laws and prophet [Matthews 22:37-40].
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another [John 13:34-35].
Apostle Paul also pointed out that:
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself [Galatians 5:14].
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of good conscience and of faith unfeigned [1 Timothy 1:5].
VARIOUS TYPES OF CHRISTIANS
The word “Christian” is often widely used in a loose manner to include all who go to church; members of church families and denominations. It could include those who claim to love and believe in God but are neither born again nor members of any Church denomination. People who gather for other purposes than public worship, to proclaim Christ love, Christ crucified and Christ resurrection have opted to answer Church and those attendees are Christians [Church people]. The question: who should be addressed as a Christian and the criteria by which a Christian is judged is begging for an answer. The word Christian is not found in the Old Testament. It is however recorded thrice in the New Testament:
…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch [Acts 11:26].
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, almost thou persuades me to be a Christian [Acts 26:28]
Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf [1 Peter 4:16].
Simply put, a Christian is the follower of Christ and the people of the Way. Interestingly, God reveals in his Word those who are called Christians. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch because they were Christ-like. “Its name could never be improved on because it identifies believers as followers of Jesus Christ…This should mold and shape our manner of behavior to be consistent with the way Jesus spoke and conducted Himself.” Unfortunately worldly people do not believe the Bible as the Word of God. They are biblical illiterates and cannot discern the things of God. However, In “God’s principles for mending broken lives,” Pastor Dr Jerry Falwell says, “becoming a Christian is an act of faith. Jesus Christ willingly died for our sins and calls upon us to trust Him as our personal Savior.”
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast [Ephesians 2:8-9].
In spite of this free offer, millions of people live as though the death and resurrection of Christ is of no effect. The effect of the cross of Christ is irrelevant to these groups of people. Some enjoy Church going and Church activities; sit in the pews and sanctuary practicing religion, but have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They recognize Christ as a unique teacher of the gospel but not as the Savior of the world. Some go to Church and are still members of secret societies and Eastern religion. They are Christians only on Sunday mornings and live their own life the rest of the week. They also do what worldly people do, saying: “we give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” They want Christ, but resist the power of His resurrection. Many who are called Christians live as enemies of the cross of Christ. They’re doomed and their fate is eternal destruction; glory in their shame, live according to their sexual appetites, boast and pride themselves on earthly treasures. They live as if the end is here, on earth [Philippians 3:18-19].
THE WORLD LOOKING FOR REAL CHRISTIANS
Little wonder, the world is confused about who should be called a Christian. They have seen Christians who go to Church on Sunday morning and go for armed robbery on Sunday night and the rest of the week. They have seen Christians who sexually molest infants. They have seen gay and lesbian Christians. They have seen Christians who watch pornographic pictures and lure youngsters on the Internet. The world watches with amazement members of the Church who are involved in white-collar robbery in high places.
They have witnessed Church denominations settled out of court cases for children molestation by their ministers. The world has seen God’s people deny Christ just for world’s gains and power. They have met Church people at the native doctor’s shrine and they profess God in their mouth and Satan in their hearts. The world is waiting for Christians whose lives and character shall testify Christ and make impact in our world. They have heard how the early Disciples of Christ changed their world; by the way they lived, proclaimed their faith and win souls for Christ. In the light of these qualities, where are these attributes among Christians today?
THE CRITERIA TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
To become a Christian, believers must come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Such knowledge of Christ is what brings into existent a relationship that changes lives, people, attitude and circumstances. The question is: who should be addressed as a Christian and what are the criteria to identify them? I trust the best source for this truth should be the Scriptures. God reveals in His Word certain criteria to meet to become a Christian. Some of these are:
*Must Repent: Literally, repent means to change, turn around from old ways and make right about turn. Repentance is a process. You may not change everything at once, but can have a repentant attitude and turn to the right direction; living a new life of overcoming which means bearing fruits worthy of repentance. Repentance also include the change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner self and live for His purpose.
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance [Matthew 3:8].
Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [Acts 2:38].
*Conversion: Surrendering yourself and turning your life over to God. Whosoever desires to become a Christian should be prepared to surrender fully his or her life to Christ, forsake the past and put God first. This calls for total commitment. Those who have undergone a true life’s changing process following hearing and conviction by the word of God [Acts 2:37ff]; they have had a life changing revelation with the Lord Jesus Christ and have turned around from darkness into glorious light of God.
Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord [Acts 3:19].
*Be little flocks that the Father’s good pleasure gives the kingdom. Those God had chosen and set apart before birth and has called by His grace; saw it fit and pleasing to reveal His son in them to proclaim Him as glad tidings-Gospel.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom [Luke 12: 32].
*Be my sheep: Those who have known the voice of the Master and answered to it. A shepherd tends a sheep. The sheep depends on the shepherd to meet all its needs, whether it’s food, water, inclement weather, illness or being infested by pest. Little wonder, the Psalmist sings, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me [John 10: 14, 27].
Be true worshippers: Those who do the will of the Father who is in heaven. Every true believer who worships God in truth and Spirit is a Christian. Not every worshipper is a true Christian [child of God].
God is Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth [John 4:24].
Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven [Matthew 7:21].
What things so ever I command you, observe to do it; thou shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it [Deuteronomy 12: 32].
*As many as have received and welcome Him, He gave the authority [power, privilege and right] to become the children of God; those who believe in His name.
But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name [John 1:12].
*Those living by the word: They are friends of God and citizen of heaven who waits the coming of the Lord.
And Jesus answered him saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God [Luke 4: 4; Deuteronomy 8:3].
*Be my disciples: Disciples are those who have forsaken worldliness; are dead to flesh and alive to the Spirit. They include those who are saved and love the Lord [Luke 14:26-27, 33; Romans 6:6,7] and those who are citizens of God’s kingdom. They are God’s ambassadors, God’s stewards and world deliverers [Philippians 3:20; Romans 8:19].
If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother, and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever does not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsake not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple [Luke 14:26, 27, 33].
The following day Jesus would go forth into Galilee and finds Philip and said unto him, follow me [John 1:43].
Baptism: He who believes and is baptized shall be saved [Mark 16:16]. Peter advised the men of Israelto repent and be baptized every one of them in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Acts 2:38]. Baptism is not using water to put away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ [1 Peter 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 10:2]. Baptism is a Christians’ way of identifying publicly with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world [Matthews 28:18-20].
And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him [Acts 8:36].
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day, there were added unto them about three thousand souls [Acts 2:41].
The Greek word “baptizo” means to “dip or immerse” in water. This supports the Jewish practice of immersion. Some Christian denominations accept this as the only method. They hold to the belief that dipping one inside water signifies the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, nothing in the Scriptures condemns sprinkling of water. Little wonders why reforms tradition upholds the two methods. The important thing about baptism is the invocation of the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit [consecration] to set apart the water from every common use and trusting God to save the soul of the one who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior and submit self for the ordinance.
*Holy Spirit: One cannot become a Christian without God’s Spirit. He proceeds from the Father and the Son and is agent of new birth [John15: 26].
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The wind blows where it listed, and thou hears the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it cometh and whither it goes; so is every one that is born of the Spirit [John 3: 5, 8].
But when the Comforter is come, whom I Will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, that proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning [John15:26-27].
But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uppermost part of the earth [Acts 1:8].
This I say then, Walk in Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if you are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law [Galatians 5:16-18].
He makes new creation in Christ; changes life to the image of Christ and seals until final redemption. The Spirit enables a Christian understand the things of God [1 Corinthians 2:11, 6:11; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph 1:13]. He flows from innermost being like a river and quicken us [John 6:38, 7:37-39]. The Holy Spirit gives life and liberty and impart power and gift to men [2 Corinthians. 3:6,17; Luke 24:49;1 Corinthians 12:1-11]. This Spirit of Truth abides among men forever and teaches all things; reproves the world and cast out devil [John14: 16,17; 16: 7-11; Matthew 12:28]. However the world cannot receive Him [John14:17]. He works in a Christian to provide power, love and sound mind [2 Tim 1:6-7].
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power [1 Corinthians 4:20].
…now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His [Rom. 8:9]
WITNESSING IS CHRISTIANS’ VOCATION
We are saved because somebody someday told us about Jesus. If we did not hear the Good News, we may have been living in darkness and groaning and travailing in pains and sorrow up till this day. God revealed His love to us so that we live it and through us others may come to God through faith in Christ. If we have found Christ, the solution to all human’s sins, we should not be reluctant to tell it to our families, relatives, friends and colleagues as well as neighbors; those living in fears of life, in abject poverty and in sickness. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, to hear the truth about salvation [God’s saving grace].
Writing in, The whole world is waiting for you, Pastor Sunday Adelaja says, “Only God can deliver people from the curse of sin, from bondage to futility or whatever else it is that causes suffering. This is why God heals the sick, when they come to Church and deliver them from alcoholism and drug addition.” He added people need freedom, this freedom that only Christians have. Each one of us can testify how, when we turned to God and accepted Christ; we were set free from spiritual bondage. And this freedom that each one of us has is something that those in captivity to sin would like to have. As a matter of fact, that is what they have been searching for in wrong quarters. We are called to set the world free through the power of the Gospel. God saved us; has chosen us and entrusted us with other people’s destinies. As Christians, our mission is to preach the Gospel and tell people about the love of God exhibited in Christ sufferings, death and resurrection.
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he; before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I even I am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you; therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God [Isaiah 43:10-12].
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him [Acts 5:30-32].
DISCIPLESHIP IS GOD’S COMMISSION
Witnessing involves telling the story of our salvation; how Jesus’ death and resurrection saved mankind and us in particular. We are called to share our heartfelt faith in Christ: what He has personally done to change our lives. No one can tell our story better than ourselves. However, discipleship is summed up in the Great Commission. It’s more than being a believer; it’s about being a follower. There are great decisions to make and prices to pay. Discipleship include witnessing, bringing people in, training and exposing them to the love inside; mentoring, grooming them and sending them out to reach the unreached. We become the Gospel and letters that people read to become saved. When Andrew found Christ, he went first to invite his own brother Simon, whom Jesus named, Peter. Jesus Christ found Philip himself and Philip found Nathaniel [John1: 40-41, 43-45]. Since you became a Christian, have you brought people to Christ?
All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you; and Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [Mathews 28:18b-20].
He that loves his life shall loose it; and he that hated his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: If any man serves, him will my Father honor [John 12: 25-26].
Many who are called Christians today came from fetish backgrounds, if they trace from two and three generation down. They became Christians by the sacrifices of early missionaries who left the comfort of their advance world to seek lost soul in other less privileged worlds. Christianity has been likened to two beggars who went out in search of bread. One first found some quantity, tasted it to confirm it was bread and taste good. He rushed out to get his partner to join him. A Christian is one who was groping in the dark and has found glorious light. He has experienced much light that he can’t afford to keep quite but open up to invite others to the great light. You can’t be in the light and hide yourself, become selfish or complacent. Jesus came to save the world from sin. You can’t answer a Christian and neglect the work of Christ. Jesus died for lost souls. We can’t be nonchalant and adamant in seeking lost souls perishing in our world.
Christians are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works – to reveal the love of Christ to the lost world [Ephesians 2:10]. On the last day what matters to Christ is the work of saving souls. How would you feel that on the last day you have no soul in your harvest? God’s call on Christians is neither to play religion or ‘Churchanity.’ We’re not asked to win members but souls. We should stop the crazy fight for membership. Being a Church member is wonderful; everything we do – ushering members, teaching, prophesying, preaching, ministering in songs, visiting and caring for God’s house and people are excellent virtues. Of all these, the Great commission ask us to go and make disciples of all nations. In other words: go and reach out, bring them in, teach and mentor them and send them out. The Lord Jesus still says the harvest is great but the laborers are few. God depends on Christians as His laborers and co-harvesters of souls.
Christians are saved and delivered so that they may, through the power of the Gospel, set others free. The world is waiting to be saved by true Christians; waiting for the immeasurable love that can transform thieves, immoral people, drug addicts and alcoholics without punishment and imprisonment. They wait to receive the precious gift in life – transformation in human lives. Little wonder Apostle Paul after tasting the rich glory of the Father vowed, “Woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel; if I’m saved and doing nothing to get others saved” [1 Corinthians .9:6]. But God who is rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, … saved us by grace through faith in Christ Jesus… are God’s workmanship created in Christ to witness that same Christ [Ephesians 2:4-10].
[…] Go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be dammed. And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover [Mark 16:15-18].
These commands have been passed down to every believer to go in to the world, with the power and authority of Jesus Christ; preach the gospel to every creature: human beings, animals, demons, spirit and waters. You have the power in the name of Jesus to speak to the sun, moon, and stars; day and night as well as seasons and times.
But rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou has seen and of those things in which I will appear unto thee. Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee; to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me [Acts 26:16-18].
Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them for in doing this thou shall both save thyself and them that hear thee [1 Timothy 4:16].
Christians are not perfect people but just forgiven; they have put their trust in God who is perfect in all His way [Psalm 18:30]. They make mistakes and drift into sin; disagree with one another and sometimes loose their tempers. They understand how to rebound to God and ask for forgiveness and mercies. They are people called out by God’s unmerited favor despite their imperfections and inabilities to enjoy God’s unconditional love and mercy. They are sick people who have found a great Physician [Jesus Christ] and a caring hospital [The Church]. Some are outward patients while others with severe cases are on admission; among them we have those in critical care, in labor wards and in psychiatric unit, etc. They are making progress in health and shall soon be discharged to tell the world how the Lord Jesus healed them. This is witnessing – every Christian’s vocation. The destiny of millions of unsaved people depends on us Christians; because you have returned and made peace with your Maker, you now enjoy the power of His love, His grace and His mercies.
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, or of me his prisoner but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who has saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began…[1 Timothy 1: 6-9].
For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willing but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God…[Romans 8: 19-22].
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have not obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now not believed that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy…[Romans 11:30-32].
Are you a Christian? Can God depend upon you for proclaiming Him? How many people have heard the story of how God saved you? How many have heard how God healed you from sickness? How have you witnessed to the world the glorious light that shines in you, the joy you share, peace you enjoy in your heart? Someone needs to know how you found Christ and what you are still struggling with in your faith journey. Perhaps it’s your testimony that would change him or her. A hymn writer wrote “Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave,…tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.” (who says this?] Be a witnessing Christian and help to change our world.
Chapter Five
CHRISTIAN CONFLICTS AND STRUGGLES
In a preceding discussion, I examined the issue of being saved while attempting to shed some lights on what it implies by “being saved.” Why some church folks find this question difficult to answer? When is one saved and how to know you are saved? From these questions, we find answers to the important questions of: What are we saved from? Why we need salvation and the Assurance of salvation? And why we should witness to others the new life we have found in Christ Jesus. In this chapter, I shall attempt to address the very critical issue of Christian living: the struggle and the challenges Christians face after being born again, living for Christ in an unchristian world. Most believers pass through these experiences, wondering whether they are truly saved. If you have made with your mouth an open confession of faith in Christ Jesus and believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross and rose to life for you, you are no doubt saved and have eternal life. Does that mean you will not experience problems in life? No, Jesus did not promise problem-free life.
That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [9-10]. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved [13] [Romans.10: 9-10, 13].
For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life [16]. He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abides on him [36] [John 3:16,36].
IMPLICATIONS OF CONFESSION AND BELIEF
The implications of these declarations are:
a) You accepted that you were a sinner and could not save yourself. You need God’s help [provision] found only in Jesus completed work [grace] on the cross.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord [Romans.6:23].
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation [Hebrews 9:28].
b) You believed in your heart in Jesus’ redemptive work [salvation/deliverance] on the cross. Jesus Christ becomes your Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, and Lord of your life.
And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart and go in peace [Acts 16:36].
c) You repented of all known sins and accepted God’s forgiveness. By the power of the Holy Spirit you determined to begin a walk with Christ and live for Him.
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [1 John1:9].
The moment you accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, you have become a son [child] of God, not withstanding your sex or age
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your heart, crying Abba, Father. Wherefore you are art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son then an heir of God through Christ [Galatians 4:6-7].
But as many as receives Him to them have he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name [John 1:12],
God places you in a new position, new disposition and a new heritage. In the spiritual realm, you have been restored to all the rights and privileges of son-ship in heavenly places. No matter your age, you are a new baby in the Lord [Christ].
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby [1 Peter 2:2].
For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteous: for He is a baby. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil [Hebrews 5:13-14].
It is likened to a good seed sown in a good soil, which Isaiah refers to as “tree of righteousness” [Isaiah 61:3]. As a newborn baby, you need spiritual milk of the word of God and its nutrient to live and grow. This you will get by:
Ø Reading and meditating on the Bible daily,
Ø Praying unceasingly,
Ø Attending Bible studies,
Ø Fellowship meetings and
Ø Attending church worship regularly.
In these gatherings, you receive nourishment and fresh milk, which includes: instructions, counsel and testimonies for spiritual growth. Note that the Word of God shall keep you from evil and evil shall stop you from studying the Word. This is part of the struggles you experience in Christian race.
THE TWO NATURES IN MAN
Every person is born physically a life but spiritually dead. The Adamic sin reigns over human lives. It is generic in nature and passes to every born child from the parent on conception [Romans 6:12]. No one in this state can ever please God. Hence, we need a new birth in Christ Jesus, which is by the Spirit of God. When one is born again he or she becomes a new creature. In this new birth, sin is dethroned and the Spirit nature regains the throne lost by the fall of man-Adam. The Spirit takes control of the soul, even though both nature co-exist as permanent resident of immortal bodies and will continually struggle for the control of the soul as long as one lives. Whichever nature is in control determines how one behaves or acts; one’s desires, speeches and the choices one makes. When you choose to sin the sins nature wins the conflict, and the Spirit is saddened and grieved.
THE CONCEPT OF CHRISTIAN STRUGGLE/CONFLICT
Twofold conflicts exist in life. One is striving to enter into the narrow path [Luke 13:24]. This conflict is faced by unbelievers. They have enjoyed worldliness and think accepting Christ will restrain them. They have followed the wide road and doing things to please the flesh. Some of these unconverted people are found in the Church and hear the word. They have not made decision for Christ. These folks live in religion and some are members of cult groups. Until they find entrance to the Door, they shall continue to live their ways. Jesus says, “I am the door, by me if any man enters in, He shall be saved. This state is momentary.
The second conflict exists after being saved. In this state many Christians struggle to do good but end up doing bad. Even though they have made decisions for Christ, they sometimes do the very things they hate. They wonder: Am I really saved? This conflict last a lifetime and every Christian faces it somehow, sometimes.
There are two natures in man – the sin nature and the Spirit nature. The two co-exist together, contend and war for control and dominance of our souls. When the sin nature controls our souls, we are carnal and the Spirit in us is grieved or quenched and tend to withdraw to inactiveness, because God the Holy Spirit does not dwell in sin.
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” [Ephesians 4:30].
“Quench not the Spirit” [1 Thessalonians 5:19].
The Rebound Technique:
When we repent of our sin and seek God again, He grants us forgiveness and restores us unto His Spirit. The Spirit begins to be active again; here, the Spirit wins the conflict and is in control as advised in 1 John 1:9 – the rebound technique. This conflict/tussle Apostle Paul describes in [Romans 7:15; Galatians 5:17] as his personal experience in the race.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” [1 John 1:9].
“For the flesh lusted against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” [Galatians 5:17].
Indeed, you can only be an experienced person in that which you have experienced. Apostle Paul observed that we sometimes end up doing what we hate, distaste and speak against, and have no reasonable explanation for such wrongdoings. When these happen, we live in denial and disbelief; yet it is true. One could not imagine doing the very thing he had criticized, confessed and repented of. Any one who finds himself in this condition lives a life preachers describe as “dog Christianity” where one eat back his vomit.
“As a dog returns to his vomit so a fool returns to his folly” [Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2:22].
“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding” [Proverbs 9:6]
It is a painful experience and condition to be found in. Yes, I know because I have been there countless times. I don’t know about you; it could be you have been living straight since birth. All we need to do is to rebound to God, asking for forgiveness. Experiences reveal it is easy for God to forgive us than for us to forgive ourselves. That is why Apostle John appropriately states,” If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things” [1 John 3:20].
Do not remain there long and helpless before the enemy capitalized on the situation and suggest options that will militate against your faith. We should learn to say no to sin, evil desires and devilish actions; flee from every appearances and inclinations of the evil one. Learn to stand firm and focus on the Word, be instant in prayers and ask what would Jesus do in your situation?
SIN NATURE
Once a Christian is in carnality, he or she grieves the Holy Spirit, resulting in the absence of Spirit leadership and control in his or her life. This will be reflected in one’s desires, speeches, and actions. The person’s prayer life, if any exists, will be a matter of struggling between the yearnings of the Spirit and the covetousness of the flesh.
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” [Romans 7:6-8].
“And If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” [Romans 7:10, 13].
The person will experience frustration in the study of the Word and fears of life easily come over such person; get frightened at every minute object, even at one’s own shadows. This person walks in sight [not in faith], complains and easily provoked against whatever is spiritual. Sermons and teachings prick his or her conscience; ponder that the Preacher might have found out his or her mundane activities and prepared the sermon towards him or her. Such a person backslides in fellowship meetings, Bible studies, in church life and if not rescued in time, may completely boycott and stay away from church gatherings. The Bible says you cannot hide too long, for your sins shall soon find you out. If anyone finds self in such wretched state, such a person should urgently seek help from experienced Pastors or church leaders. Be reassured that you are not alone; many have gone through such experiences severally. Many, more than you can imagine, are presently going through it, while others have come to their senses, and are rebounding. It is a learning experience and speaks awesomely of God’s grace and mercy. Interestingly enough, the church is praying for your return and God’s kindness is still inviting you to repentance. It is a learning experience on Christian journey. You need a rebound technique [spiritual breathing – exhale sin/iniquities (repentance) and inhale God’s spirit]. The sin nature comprises areas of weakness in human lives, sources of temptation, sins, resulting to death.
“But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death” [James 1:14-15].
It’s our aged enemy, the devil who entices and bewails us subtly with the desires and appearances of its being – worldliness, in an attempt to take and/or recapture its dethroned dominance of our souls. The devil, our enemy is restlessly and aggressively moving everywhere seeking people to recapture and devour. Watch out, for he comes with the same weapons and tactics but give them new names; manipulations, fashions, sometimes reincarnating old religion, tales, images or appearances. The Scriptures expose the tactics and strategies of Satan and we should not be ignorant of them. We are also urged to study and meditate on the Bible daily, to equip and prove ourselves as good workmen of God. It also contains road signs to successful Christian journey. Funny enough, while hating to be put in a sinner’s position, human beings do not heed the road- and warning signs. In fact, no one either desires or loves being there. Generally, people love corrective roles. But surprisingly, it is in the sinners’ place that God’s grace is abound and manifested.
SPIRIT NATURE
When a Christian or a believer is Spirit-filled, he or she begins to manifest the works of the Spirit in his or her life. The more time that one is in spirit, the greater the desires to learn and apply Bible doctrines and consequently have a rapid growth to maturity.
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. If so be that the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (9). “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you (11)” [Romans 7:9,11].
When we are in Spirit, we pant and hunger for fellowship with God, enjoy meeting with God in prayer, meditation, seeking to know Him, through the Scriptures. We will read and study the scriptures with better understanding and revelations. We will desire and not forsake the fellowship of believers [Hebrews 10:25]. We will not be too busy or ashamed to witness for Christ.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” [Romans 7:14, 16].
“Likewise, the spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot uttered. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” [Romans 8:26, 27].
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law” [Galatians 5:22, 23].
We will also manifest the work of the Spirit as said in [Galatians 5:22ff]. We will know who we are and appreciate what Christ really did for us on the cross. We will ask, knock, seek, and receive from the throne of grace. Our attitude, actions and desires will change for better. Our focus in life will be solely on Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. As believers, we are commanded to be:
“Filled and controlled with the spirit” [Ephesians 5:19].
“Walk in the spirit” and we shall not fulfill the lust of flesh [Galatians 5:16].
“Live by the spirit and also walk by the spirit” [Galatians 5:25].
“Pray in spirit” [Ephesians 6:18].
THE RELEVANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Unfortunately, the relevance of the Holy Spirit is not being over emphasized in this church age, because without Him, we are natural and vulnerable to sin and attacks of the devil. No one calls Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:3b]. Jesus knew the importance of the Spirit [Luke 4:16ff] to His calling and ministry that He asked His disciples to wait for the auction of the Holy Spirit before embarking on spiritual journey.
“I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter that He may abide with you for ever. Even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive because it sees him not, neither knows Him but ye know Him for He dwells with you and shall be in you” [John 14:16-17].
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto uttermost part of the earth” [Acts 1:8].
We need the Holy Spirit for service, for prayers, for witnessing, for understanding the Scriptures and applying its principles and doctrines. It’s when we are filled with, live in, and walk in the Spirit that we can grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me for He shall receive of mine and shall show unto you. All things that the Father has are mine; therefore said I that He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you” [John 16:13-15].
The Spirit reveals to us the true knowledge of the Lord Jesus, brings us face to face to the cross of Christ, exposes the mystery of His grace and teaches us how to walk in his grace, speak in grace, live in grace and grow in grace. God’s grace is sufficient for us; for his strength is made prefect in our weakness [2 Corinthians 12:9].
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
This assurance is very crucial and critical to living a life of Christ. Many believers are not sure of their salvation, even though they have been saved and their salvation secured eternally by the seal of the Holy Spirit; they continue to feel inadequate and doubt their salvation. They go about accepting alter calls at every Christian gathering. Some believe and fear that they may have lost their salvation when they commit sin. Do we loose our salvation at any time? Two conflicting schools of thought exist on this issue. One opines that we lose our salvation when we commit sin; while the other speaks on the contrary that once saved we are saved for life. The latter holds that we do not loose our salvation when we commit sin rather we loose fellowship with God temporarily. It stresses that since we do not loose our physical relationship with our earthly parents, we do not loose our eternal relationship with our heavenly Father; for it’s permanent. It argues that naturally, we could grieve or fall out of fellowship with our father but he is still our father. Like the father of the biblical prodigal son, God awaits our return.
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God for he will abundantly pardon” [Isaiah 55:7].
Both views are biblically supported but the latter viewpoint makes sense to me and I believe it. Those holding the other viewpoint have Scriptural support depending on their application; are urged to apply wisdom and common sense while we believe the Word. For emphasis, salvation is what God in Christ Jesus had already accomplished for all mankind the moment one accepts Christ as a Savior and Redeemer. This commitment attracts the seal of the Holy Spirit; it’s permanent and invariably for eternity. This further explains the elasticity of God’s mercies and His grace.
Let me assure us, if you are saved, Christ lives in you and this is assurance of sharing in His glory [Colossians 1:27]. Christ purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven ALL our sins [Colossians 1:13-14]. Salvation is free gift of God [not a reward for doing good things], less anyone should boast [Ephesians 2:8-9]; as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Not of works lest any man should boast” [Ephesians 2:8, 9].
It is a matter of faith in God, for it’s impossible to please or receive from God without faith [Hebrews 11:6]. I believe that faith is accepting and doing what God says without doubt because God says it. The Holy Spirit gives us power for living a Christian life in an unchristian world. Do not fear or resist the Holy Spirit but trust Him as God and resign your life to Him. As born again Christians, we‘re God’s temple and the Spirit of God dwells in us. The Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless without Him.
“It is the Spirit that quickens: the flesh profits nothing; the words I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life” [John 6:63].
“For as the body without the Spirit is dead; so faith without works is dead, also” [James 2:26].
Be assured, the very moment you were born again, the Holy Spirit took up residence in your life [as a guest], waiting for empowerment [to be master] of your life. This should not be mistaken with “filled with the Holy Spirit”. To be “filled” connotes being “controlled and empowered”, relying on the power of God, to change your life rather than trying to do it yourself. You cannot live a Christian life in your strength, self-determination and/or self-discipline. If you try it, you will experience enormous frustrations and may end up being religious perfectionist without passion and love. The battle before us is not human but Spiritual. Little wonder why emphasis is on being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit involves complete surrender, without reservation to the will of God. It is not an event, but a continual process, whereby one graduates from lower level to a higher one.
“Finally, my beloved, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” [Ephesians 6:10];
Therefore, now let us put into action God’s saving work in our lives, obeying Him with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in us, giving us the desires to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.
Once again, be filled with, walk in, pray in and live in the Spirit; for the people that know their God, shall be strong and do exploits.
“The Spirit …helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the heart knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” [Romans 8:26-27].
Chapter Six
THE HOLY SPIRIT ON SALVATION AND DAILY LIVING
Our examination of the forgoing ideas about the conditions for salvation (Are saved?) need to be complemented with yet another set of ideas pertaining to some fundamental Christian issues waiting for further clarification. In particular, some people ask: “How does one assure himself that he’s saved?” What is the role of the Holy Spirit on Salvation and on daily Christian living?” “When and how does one receive the Holy Spirit?” “Do you see Him coming or do you feel Him”? Why much emphasis on the Holy Spirit today than in early Christian era? These questions reveal that some are still not sure if and when they are saved, or do they know why the gift of the Holy Spirit is crucial to the Christian race. Those who ask these questions and/or battle with these concerns are not alone in their quest. They represent a great number of Christians, some in chancel, in pews, and others outside the four walls of the church. In this chapter, I shall attempt to address these and related issues. It shall illuminate on: who is the Holy Spirit? And shall revisit the topic – when is one saved? It is a key factor in the discussion of salvation and experiencing the Holy Spirit.
WHEN IS ONE CONSIDERED SAVED?
When a person confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus is his or her personal Savior and the Lord of his or her life, that person is saved and has eternal life [John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13]. The implication of Jesus sinless and substitutionary death on the cross is that He paid the price of our sins and all mankind. Others are:
v The Bible says:
The soul that sinneth it shall die [Ezekiel18: 20].
v However,
it’s not God’s wish that any should perish or does God take pleasure in the death of a sinner but that He should repent and live [Ezekiel 18:32].
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ [Romans 6:23].
Ø By Jesus death, mankind was freed from dying; and whosoever shall accept Jesus as a Savior, Redeemer and surrenders one’s life to Him, is saved and has eternal life.
Ø In so doing Jesus becomes the only way to Salvation, indeed our salvation.
Speaking to the Romans, Paul uses two doing words- confess and believe to illustrate the actions we must take to experience salvation.
“That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with thee mouth confession is made unto salvation” [Romans 10:9-10].
There are keys to demonstrating faith in Jesus Christ. Belief precedes confession. Throughout the scriptures, the emphasis is on belief. St. Luke stressed the same fact when he wrote.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”[Acts 16:31b].
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” [Romans 10:13].
Apostle John in another instance states,
“Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” [1 John 5:1].
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” There’s a risk when the mouth speaks what the heart does not intend or stand for. One may be talking from the mind. There must be a conviction in one’s heart to be assured of being saved. He that believes in the Son of God hath the witness and testimony in himself and in his heart.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” [Romans 8:16].
He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in Himself…
[1 John 5:10].
This is not a mere feeling or saying what you are not sure or convince of. Even though you will eventually feel it, you must first believe it. Most importantly, there’s a testimony or witness in a believer’s heart that he or she is saved.
“It’s the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth” [1 John 5:6b].
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person in Godhead consisting God, the father, God, the son and God, the Holy Spirit.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and
the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” [1 John 5:7].
The Holy Spirit is not a mere influence as some opine but a real person and has personality and feelings. It’s a mistake to address “Him” as “it”. He possesses all the divine attributes of God. He could be hurt, grieved, loved, honored, related to and experienced very intimately. He could be invited into, and empowered to control one’s life. The longer you yield to Him and He remains in your life, the more He fills, renews, and controls your life, speech, thought, behavior and attitude. This gentle and loving Spirit shall not force you to recognize or welcome Him. The Holy Spirit is sent from God, the Father in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ, to abide, reveal the truth, teach all things, glorify and bear testimony of Christ.
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” [16]
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it sees him not, neither knows him but you know him for He dwells with you and shall be in you” [17]
“But the Comforter whom is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” [John 14:16-17, 26]
Most importantly, He gives power [anointing] for service to the disciples and all believers. He also gives power to live in righteousness.
“But you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth” [Acts 1:8].
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Christian receives the Holy Spirit upon being saved or born again [Acts 2:38-39]. The day one accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, the Holy Spirit automatically comes into the person’s life and places a seal of redemption upon one’s soul [Ephesians 1:13; 4:23-24; 2 Corinthians 1:22]; registers and adopts one as a member of God’s family, conveys full rights and privileges of a child of God on the person.
“In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” [Ephesians 1:13].
The Holy Spirit comes into one’s life and remains silent waiting for the Christian to make his or her declaration and affirmation. He will take you to the next step, that of total surrender. The Holy Spirit brings anointing, and anointing brings conviction, conviction brings change in heart, change brings repentance, and repentance brings confession and belief. Confession brings forgiveness; forgiveness brings reconciliation and peace with God. No wonder Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says: “no one calls Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit” [1 Corinthians 12:3b]. Some Christians received the Holy Spirit after being saved by laying of hands.
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied” [Acts 19:6]; Read [Acts 19:2-6].
Do you see Him coming? How do you feel “Him?” A friend once asked these questions, and I replied with questions. Do you sleep? How do you know you are feeling sleepy? The guy replied: “yes I sleep. I don’t see sleep coming but feel it. It gives me signs like yawning, weakness of the body system and heaviness and dullness of the eye and face etc”. I said to the friend, “the same way you feel and sense the presence of the Holy Spirit.” In Power for Living, Jamie Buckingham asks, “Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?” You don’t have to search for Him – or wait for Him. He is already dwelling in you, waiting for you to allow Him to control your life. If this is the desire of your heart, then simply tell God that you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, accept His power by faith and begin to thank Him All the power of Heaven is yours as you begin living the Spirit-filled life.
In addition, the Bible has various descriptions of the Spirit presence: burning bush, a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire in the night. At Jesus baptism, He descended like a dove and lighting; when the Pentecost came, He came with a noise like a strong wind and tongues of fire. On occasions when the Holy Spirit came, worship and preaching were under anointing.
“And Jesus when He was baptized went up straightway out of the water and Lo, the heavens were opened unto Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending upon Him” [Matthews 3:16b].
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” [Acts 2:4].
“
The word was very challenging, revealing and convicting; prayers deepened. In effect, the Holy Spirit is received in various ways, depending on God’s plans and what He desires to accomplish.
THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON SALVATION
If every born again Christian could reflect on his past before knowing Christ, the person would discover he was spiritually blind, hardened in heart, deep in wrong doings, always justifying self and accuses other people for the very same thing he does. It does not matter whether one is a Priest or layperson, Church member or pagan, a counselor or a tax collector, a Jew or Gentle; the person could’ve been in Church for many numbers of years, baptized and confirmed, hears and reads the Word but had no first hand personal revelation of the Word, and no experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ, thus, lacked the love of Christ in the heart. The person heard the Word of God but did not do it; called it error, lapse, mistake or any other name but not sin, always fearful of life. Sometimes, he was living under a disguise of being a Christian and yet a frustrated religious person with shallow prayer life. Such a person had a Bible, if one ever existed, simply as furnishing device or a requirement for Baptism/Confirmation class. But one day, indeed that day, the irresistible and infallible Word of God came to him, either from the Church pulpit, radio broadcast, telecast or through personal witness. He could have read the Bible, a tract or any write up, a book, just like the one in your hand now, or even heard a testimony and something terrible happened to him, just like Paul on his way to Damascus. He or she felt touched and compelled inwardly to think about his life.
“And he trembling and astonishing said, Lord, what will you want me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ”Arise, and go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do” [Acts 9:6].
The person noticed a paradigm shift in his or her mind-set. His heart began to be softened and opened to the freshness of the Word. He saw himself standing by the cross, where a just God died for unjust mankind. For the first time, the person observed the urgency in accepting God’s provision in Christ Jesus and His completed work on the cross. He realized and accepted that he was a sinner; something was missing in his life. Such a person counted all the things thought was good, filthy and dirty. But on a plata of gold, Jesus offered salvation. What’s required of him was only to step forward and accept Him. Passionately he hungered for Christ more desperately than ever before. What could have happened was a mystery, indeed a miracle of salvation. The Holy Spirit of God took the Word of God he heard or read, through His power (anointing) and placed it in his heart. The anointing broke every yoke of doubt, hardness of heart, slavery, sin, and death etc; Conviction [feeling guilty] followed. That moment, God presented the Lamb of God as a substitute, Savior and Redeemer. This led to a change of heart and a decision to receive Christ. At that point, nothing else mattered; everything ever done in flesh was dung and had fallen apart. Something better than gold, education, beyond financial security and relations has come. That is the presence of Jesus Christ, the Lord of life.
It is the Holy Spirit’s work to lead whosoever made that decision to the cross of Christ and convict one of sin. The Holy Spirit fans this unusual desire and feeling into action resulting to a step of faith. As one decides to accept Christ, the Holy Spirit puts a seal of redemption on the new believer’s soul, evidencing adoption into God’s family and conveys all rights and privileges of son-ship. The person can now declare, “The Son of man had set me free, and I’m free indeed.” Paul encountered Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus and was led by the Holy Spirit into accepting Christ and surrendered life [Acts 9:1ff].
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE
Every new believer is endowed with the Holy Spirit on accepting Jesus as ”Christ died for me” which is salvation. As he abides in Christ, he graduates to “Christ died as me”. That is, he died in/with Christ [deliverance]. This is a point of total surrender. Depending on God’s plan for salvation and His abundant mercies, the two can happen simultaneously. At this point, the Holy Spirit upholds you and orders every step of your life. The Holy Spirit comes into your heart on salvation [as a guest] awaiting empowerment or control. The Holy Spirit desires that you invite Him into your life, to live and empower or have control of your life. By so doing, the Holy Spirit is enthroned as a controller of your life and you begin to manifest the works of the Holy Spirit as mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
The Holy Spirit convicts one of sins, removes doubts and fears, and assures that we are children of God; reveals the truth and brings forth miracles. The Holy Spirit gives power for witness, healing and service. Most importantly, as we continue to yield, the Holy Spirit produces in us the life of Jesus Christ.
THE HOLY SPIRIT INVITATION
When Jesus was on earth with His disciples, He was the apostles, link to God, the Father. He taught them and answered their questions. He encouraged them and corrected their errors. He was their most intimate friend and leader. He healed, cast out demons and allowed His disciples to share in His power. When Jesus was about to fulfill His earthly ministry and return to His Father, He knew there would be a vacuum and His disciples would feel His exit physically. To fill the gap, He promised that in His name, He would ask God, the Father to send another counselor, Helper, Advocate, and Enabler – the Holy Spirit to facilitate the new relationship. The Holy Spirit stands in for Jesus Christ but His presence would be invisible.
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows him: but ye know Him for He dwells with you, and shall be in you. These things have I spoken unto you being yet present with you. But the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whosoever I have said unto you” [John 14:16-17, 25-26].
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS NEW RELATIONSHIP
a) Jesus was no longer going to be physically present as a go-between [mediator]. As a matter of fact, there was no longer a need for a physical mediator and there will never be again;
b) Jesus death on the cross would remove the barriers separating man and God; there would be reconciliation between them;
c) His disciples would have a direct link to God. Every one, everywhere at every time would be able to talk with God and experience His presence;
d) Heaven would be opened to all and everybody would have direct access to it; you can approach the throne of grace and mercy from anywhere you’re;
e) Everywhere, at every time the disciples would have access to the love and healing power of Jesus Christ in heaven;
f) This new way would be easy, swift and more satisfying. No more rituals and sacrifices since Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God – the only offering acceptable to the Father, for the sin of the world. In this new relationship, His followers shall come to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. They shall be equipped to do the work Christ did and in fact even greater works than Jesus did, because Jesus was going to the Father [John 14:12];
g) The Holy Spirit would give power for service and enablement to live the life of Jesus.
“Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall He do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go onto my Father” [John 14:12].
THE HOLY SPIRIT NOW THAN THEN…DOES IT DISHONOR CHRIST?
It is false and misleading that much emphasis is given to the Holy Spirit today than in early Christian era; such dishonors Christ. Those who hold this opinion are ignorant of the tremendous deeds of the Holy Spirit in the early Christian era and the biblical teachings on this subject. The Holy Spirit was the key to early Christian success and they did nothing without Him. Against such fears and illusion, The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ [John 16:14]. The Scripture teaches that Jesus is the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit.
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” [Matthews 3:11].
We should recall that Christ personally asked God, the Father the permission to send the Holy Spirit, in His name, who will not only abide with believers but do all that Jesus was doing for them and even more.
The purpose of this request was to fulfill and accomplish the mission and work of Christ. The Holy Spirit would reveal to them all truth [John14: 16-17]. “All truth” here includes those mysteries which Jesus did and talked about but were not understood by them; experienced healing and resurrection power of Christ as they shall speak in His name and Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit shall bring it to pass. In addition, they were going to out-live Jesus’ three years ministry on earth and would do more miracles than Jesus did. The Holy Spirit would help in their distress and prayers [Romans 8:26] and give them power [Acts 1:8] for service, healing and to dislodge earthly uphill tasks along their way. Most importantly, Jesus said,
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that He shall speak: and He will show you thing to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive what is mine and declare it to you” [John 16:13-14].
If Jesus so trusted the Holy Spirit, we have no reason to fear and even dread Him. Jesus knew that the disciples could do nothing without the Holy Spirit. God, the Father had used the Holy Spirit for various assignments before and after creation. The Holy Spirit brought light to the dark world and was in the decision to create man [Gen 1:2, 26]. He brought power and anointing to Jesus Christ during His Baptism and transfiguration. When the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, they received power for the ministry. Apostle Paul encountered Jesus and experienced the Holy Spirit power at various times in his ministry. No wonder, he repeatedly charged the early church to be filled with, walk in and pray in the Holy Spirit.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilled the lust of the Flesh” [Galatians 5:16].
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Holy Spirit” [Ephesians 5:18].
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” [Ephesians 6:18].
Apostle Paul realized that the moment he received Christ, He gave him the enabling power to overcome his past; he started experiencing the love of Christ in his heart. This was his strength to focus on Jesus and on the future. In the midst of tribulations, rejections, and sufferings, Paul battled and endured all to the end, saying: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith” [2 Timothy 4:7f]. Without the Holy Spirit, the Church would be a mere natural phenomenon and would not be equipped to perform spiritual functions, fight, and win spiritual battles against the enemy.
In today’s church, we need the Holy Spirit to lead, baptize and fill the Church. The Holy Spirit renews the mind, avails grace, intercedes for us, equips us with our needs for each battle and brings forth victories and miracles. Never before had the works of the Holy Spirit become so desperately needed and desired than now. A Christian without the Holy Spirit is like a house without a light and also like a light bulb not connected to the power source. The Holy Spirit is the power that brings the light, which illuminates a house. In the early Church, Christian honored the Holy Spirit and gave Him prominence in liturgy, in the Apostle’s creed, the grace, and in benediction, as well as in ordinances. The Bible, the Word of God was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” [2 Timothy 3:16].
Most early great hymns written had direct and figurative recognition of the Holy Spirit. Years after they were written, there are still great spiritual resource and heritage in them.
In this terrible and perilous time, to prove our faith against other religion, we need the Holy Spirit to unveil the blindness in people’s mind and reveal the presence of Jesus Christ to the world. The Holy Spirit gives life and Jesus gives life abundantly. It was the Holy Spirit [Spirit of Resurrection] that raised Jesus from death.
In the early Church, there’s no conflict or competition among the brethren and the saints, rather they are in unity, in partnership and playing complementary role towards the same mission. We need the Holy Spirit to bring light into this dark and frozen generation, to reveal the truth in the world full of lies, cheat, cheerful deceit, and betrayal. We need the Holy Spirit to salt the earth, full of bitterness, rancor, war and murder, terror and destruction. The Holy Spirit shall reveal the difference between wheat and grass, between sheep and wolf, and between a thief and the owner. The Holy Spirit distinguishes between love and infatuation, manliness and godliness, greed and contentment, wants and needs, and brings healing to the sick world, turned apart by religion and “churchanity.” For true worshippers, worship God in Spirit and in truth [John 4:24]. The Holy Spirit makes the difference, for no one calls Jesus lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
“Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God called Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit” [1Corinthians 12:3].
The Holy Spirit gives auction and power to our praise and worship, prayers, Bible studies, fellowship and service. He strengthens us in our trials; produce hope and faith in God. He renews the love of Christ in us and bond of unity among believers. As we pass through this dawn set slope of life, He gives us assurance of salvation, eternity and God’s ever-living presence. The Holy Spirit recognizes Jesus as the Savior of mankind and the Lord of life, while Jesus appreciates the Holy Spirit as the power, light, strength, and anointing that breaks the yokes.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH
The Church is defines as “an assembly of believers”; a Spiritual organism, borderless community of believers. It is catholic [universal] and consists of all denominations that accept Jesus Christ as the Savior, Lord of Life and her Head. They have the mission of Jesus Christ, known as the disciple’s commission, to make disciples of all nations. This commission includes, evangelizing worldwide. It demands a passion for lost souls and ensuring that human beings in every nation hear and know the Word of God, know Jesus very personally, have and experienced the impartation of Holy Spirit in their lives and do the work of Jesus Christ. The source of power, authority and mission of Jesus Christ came, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke [brought forward from Isaiah 61:1-4], from the Almighty God, the Most High.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” [Luke 4:18, 19].
These passages describe in full, the Holy Spirit as the source of Jesus’ power. Invariably, it follows that if we must live the life of Jesus and be His disciple, we need the same power and enablement.
THE PRIMITIVE TIME BEFORE EARLY CHURCH
Our ancestors were believed to have lived and existed in a time and world that had various religions, long before the coming of Christianity. These religions, believed to be fetish, worshipped and approached God through created [visible] objects such as: stone, land, sea, hills or mountains, sun, moon, and even man. God, in His mercies, answered their petitions because it was a time of ignorance. However, there also came the era of old prophets who were signposts to the coming of Jesus Christ; for whom John the Baptist became a forerunner. When man sinned against God and fell out of fellowship with Him, the gravity of mans’ sins was so much that the blood of bulls and slaves [mankind] sacrificed each year could not remove such grievous sins and iniquities. It was only the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ that atoned for the sins of all mankind; paid the price of sin and eradicated sin and death, once and for all.
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once into the Holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” [Hebrews 9:12].
The birth of Jesus brought into the world God in person, born of woman, lived and died on earth. His resurrection was prophesied and witnessed by men for whom evidences abound in the Holy Bible and significant places of history on earth. The appearance of Jesus on the world scene brought a significant difference, true worship and sacrificial love as well as compassion. Those who saw Him recognized the power of God in Him. This was confirmed during His baptism, transfiguration, and other times, as the Spirit of God came upon Him. God confirmed this when a voice from heaven spoke loudly,
“And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, this is my beloved son of whom I am well pleased in” [Luke 3:22].
The works of Jesus were a true manifestation of who He was as “God-sent” and this attracted great followers to the annoyance and dismay of the religious leaders. He announced the source of and the mission of His ministry as enunciated by prophet Isaiah [Chapter 61:1-4]. His passion for lost souls and provision for their redemption was amazing and unequalled. He was convicted and crucified for us. But God raised Him through the Holy Spirit and by the same Spirit, He ascended into heaven.
But during His last days on earth, as a good and considerable leader, Jesus explained to His disciples the source of His power, and promised to avail them same. He assured them of the loyalty of the Holy Spirit and explained who He was and what His role would be. He, however, instructed them to wait and attempt to do nothing until they received the Holy Spirit.
THE EARLY CHURCH ERA
There is no Church without the Holy Spirit, and would never be. These disciples and followers of Christ were so fearful and weakened by His departure that they locked themselves up. Even Peter and some other disciples had intended to quit saying: it was all over; let’s go fishing.
“Simon Peter said unto them, I go fishing. They said unto him, we also go with you. They went forward and entered into a ship immediately and that night they caught nothing” [John 21:3].
When Jesus visited them after His resurrection, and breathed the Holy Spirit on them, Thomas was absent. When Jesus commissioned those unreliable cowards like Peter who had already denied Him in words, in actions and in silences, He knew they would achieve nothing except God’s touch of greatness was upon them.
And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord [Acts 11:21].
However, Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit was the only answer to the disciples’ handicap; would charge and fan them into successful giants and ministers, who would turn the world upside down for God. For the same reason, Paul, instructing his son in the Lord, Timothy and indeed all believers, says:
“For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind” [2 Timothy 1:7].
The Church began when the Holy Spirit arrived and fell on the disciples. His auction gave Peter the courage and utterance for the first challenging sermon recorded in Act 2:14ff. The choice of Matthias to replace Judas was auctioned by the Holy Spirit [Acts 1:15ff]. The hand of God on them bore powerful witnesses. Their daily worship, study of the Word and fellowship were Spirit-filled, as well as their services which included witnessing, giving, and sharing. It was in such meetings that a sermon won three thousand souls, and more and more added to the Church. The message and love Jesus brought became more manifest, such that the bond of unity that the Holy Spirit shared in overtook individual differences. The Holy Spirit reacted against lying and deceit that brought righteous fears on the disciples and followers [Acts 5:1ff].
The power of the Holy Spirit was so amazing and enormous that people experienced the healing power of Christ at every place of meeting; even at household fellowships people fell under anointing and spoke in tongues [Acts 5:12ff]. The Word was spoken and preached under anointing with boldness and conviction. They were never filled enough; believers continually sought to be filled and touched by God. They spent hours and even days in prayers together, waiting for God and asking for His power.
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common” [Acts 2:42-44].
Awesome powers existed in early Church ministries, and that flamed the early Christians to voyage into lost worlds looking for souls of men; establishing God’s kingdom worldwide. No wonder we desire and sing, “give us old time religion, give us old time power; it was good for them, and it’s good for us…etc.” Apostle Paul who authored most of the letters in the New Testament, as well as other apostles had tremendous encounter with the Holy Spirit. For examples, the apostle’s shadows, handkerchiefs and touches were points of contact for healing. God has not changed and His power is still the same today. The book of Acts 19:11-12 reports, “And God brought special miracle by the hands of Paul. So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and the diseases departed from them and evil spirits went out of them.
When the Holy Spirit was in control, there was an exploration of missions; most cities witnessed revivals; most warehouses, community halls and courtrooms were converted to places of worship. They believed in the priesthood of all believers and every believer’s home was a meeting place. Schools and colleges had built-in chapels and fulltime chaplains or/and evangelist engaged as Church workers. There was a great longing for God and to reach the poor and the less privileged. Christian missionaries built hospitals and health-care centers for various disabilities; such as leprosy, blindness, and motherless homes. They owned farm estates to care for the less privileged and support their callings and mission.
Somehow in the middle of all these successes, the Church became complacent and gradually lost her vitality. Most times worship became more or less rituals, mechanical and cold; lacking excitement and expectancy. The Church lost her zeal, focus and vision; got bewilded by religion. They talked less of the Christ and Holy Spirit; depended on human intelligence and strength. She lost her focus on missions and passion for lost souls. The Church leaders started biting among themselves and got involved in competition and division.
They started building skyscrapers for Churches, seek membership and built financial empires. The Corporate prayer life diminished. Most churches no longer have prayer meetings and Bible studies classes. Those who managed to have one contained with dwindled membership. It became a Sunday, Sunday medicine. Preachers preached less of Christ crucified, salvation and hell fire. Church leaders moderated the apostle/discipleship mission to church program to suit them. They preached what their sponsors wanted to hear, to keep their jobs and membership; they preached diluted gospel for the stomach and well-being. Church funds were misappropriated. Church leaders were chosen according to human designed methods and cultural bias, as against Biblical provision. Members become comfortable with church membership and programs than soul winning and witnessing. There’s no gain saying that the devil must have sneaked into the Church while members were asleep and turn the table round.
Even though the Church acted stupidly and became mechanical, God never lost hope in His Church. While all these anomalies were going on, the Spirit of the Most High God observed this dark world and provoked the heart of God. The reactivation and recognition of the Holy Spirit in the churches arose the recognition of Christ anew in Bible teachings, prayer meetings and Spirit filled worships. The Church was reawakened and started witnessing revivals, retreats and crusades: convention and night vigils. Church worships began to witness Holy Spirit in action resulting to miracles, healings, restoration and reconciliation. This ushered in excitement and expectancy in worships. They began to hear teachings and preaching’s about heaven and hell, salvation, God’s grace, His mercies and reconciliation, etc. This could only happen when members yield to the Holy Spirit, give Him a place in their lives. Reconciliation, renewal and revival are all products of the Holy Spirit.
“And all things are of God who had reconciled us to Himself by Jesus
Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” [1 Cor. 5:18].
We need the Holy Spirit now just like in the early Church. When you reactivate the Holy Spirit, He goes to work. You cannot have any divine power or live any meaningful Christian life until the impartation of the Holy Spirit. To do otherwise is mundane.
Let me reiterate here that the journey begins with being saved or born again. When you become saved, you automatically become a child of God. Because you’re a child, you enjoy the unconditional love of a beloved Dad. You will experience His warmth; learn to trust Him with all your heart and no longer lean on your own understanding.
You will no doubt become excited because of the new life you have found in Christ Jesus. You will desire a daily conversation with your Dad: say good morning, welcome, thanks you and I’m sorry, forgive me, I repent. He will in turn avail you His blessings; exactly what you will require to live a faithful, confident and productive, joyful life.
God will offer you unlimited strength and courage to face every emerging day and associated difficulties. He will grant you insights and inspirations to confront and solve problems you face. You will have peace in the midst of problems; when your heart is distressed with challenges and conflicts of our faith. God will comfort you when fears attempt to overtake you and make you over-comer in all trials. You will then learn to trust God when it appears delay in showing up or answering prayers. You will in appreciation thank Him for the power of faith you feel surging into your mind and heart. As this happens, you will come to anchor increasingly your faith and confidence on Him. These experiences most children of God have testified to as being rewarding and life challenging. This gift God avails to us through His Son, Christ Jesus, is eternal life.
Chapter Seven
NEWNESS OF LIFE /A NEW WAY OF LIVING
The AmericanHeritageCollege Dictionary describes Salvation as the preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty or evil. It could be deliverance from the power of penalty of sin, redemption or evil world. Biblically, “Salvation is the “saving” of a sinner from the righteous judgment of God. When someone appeals to God and seeks forgiveness in Jesus, his sins are forgiven. He is cleansed. His relationship with God is restored, and he is made a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). All of this is the work of God, not man. Salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23).” The Scripture says, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved and thy house [Acts 16: 31]. It is the wish of God that all shall see [behold, understand and acknowledge] the salvation of God [the deliverance from death decreed by God) [Isaiah 40: 3-5].
SAVED [BORN AGAIN]
Once again one is saved by surrendering and turning one’s life to God through faith in Jesus Christ. This calls for a new way of life that is free from the power of sinning and satanic ruler-ship. Don’t get me wrong; it is not proposing sinless perfection. We become Saints by the blood of Jesus. People are forgiven by God’s grace because they put faith in the Son of God and are given a new lease of life. We no longer dwell in sin; deliberately keep sinning. We become conscious of what we do because the Word of God abides in us. However, if we happen to sin, fall or slip, we should confess our sins and accept God’s forgiveness [1 John1: 8-9]. Henceforth, Satan is no longer our master. However, he will continue to attack us and tempt us to see whether we shall fall short our confession and faith in God. His powers had been broken in Jesus crucifixion, death and resurrection. Jesus conquered death and destroyed the authority and powers of Satan.
By this singular act, God executed judgment against Satan, its ruler-ship; demons and other agents [John12: 31]. “Our salvation is not a matter of luck, chance or game. People who are born again have not won some lottery. It has been God’s idea and desire all along to make us part of what He’s doing in this world. God is working all things together to shape and mould us as models of His grace.” Even before our conception, God had already had plans for us to get us out of debt through the sacrifice of His Son for the price of our sin. God gave out His only begotten Son to die on the tree of shame, so as to obtain a family and re-establish a relationship with us. The whole purpose is for us to get to know Him, experience his unconditional love and be able to relate and abide with Him intimately.
KNOWING GOD AT SALVATION
You may not know God fully at salvation. You may have been told or read about Him, yet do not know Him or understand Him well. Do not allow that to bother you. You have just been born. You cannot walk, talk, feed or bath without help. You have to learn to recognize objects and even your parents. You learn to master their voices when they speak, learn to perceive their body aroma or touch. You can then know when they come in and are around you, listen to their pet songs and touch their bodies. Thus a newborn is able to distinguish between her mom and dad. By continuous association [fellowship] you will gradually understand these necessary needs and figures of life. We learn to taste different meals and milk. We learn to grab the feeding bottles and could distinguish between water and milk or other fruit drinks as well as syrups. This new born learns virtually everything.
As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby [1Peter 2:2].
For everyone that useth milk is inexperience (unskillful) in the Word of righteousness: For he is a baby [Hebrews 5:13].
DAILY EXPERIENCES
Just like the new born babies depend on their parents and others, you depend on milk of the word for nourishment. Prayers will help you communicate with Jesus Christ, your new Lord and Master; helped you grow and admire God’s salvation and redemption. You will be able to appreciate God’s greatness and sovereignty, His mercies and saving grace. In prayers, you dance the dance of love and enjoy God’s forgiveness and learn to forgive yourself and others; extend God’s love even to your enemies. Constant fellowship with God will help you grow spiritually.. It will also help you appreciate His interventions. Witnessing to others about the love of God in your life becomes your new vocation; this will strengthen you and increase your faith. By this time, you are not telling others second hand stories but personal testimony of experiences with the Lord. Your victories will encourage you to trust God in all things.
You will grow to have passion for lost souls and do greater works for Jesus. You may at times see yourself doing things you’ve repented of or fallen several times but note you’re neither alone nor does that make you a failure. You are not a perfect person, but just forgiven and saved. If you experience a slip or fall, get up, confess your sin and trust God for His grace and mercies. Keep moving ahead and pursuing your goal – to know Christ who saved you and experience the power of His resurrection. God, through His Spirit, will grant you His enablement to live above sin in your journey. In case you fall, rebound and return to God in repentance before Satan catches on your little mistakes and suggest to your mind that God does not love you anymore or will not pardon you.
Rebound by doing the following:
Have mercy upon me O God, according to thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me…hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right Spirit within me. Cast me not way from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy way; and sinners shall be converted unto thee [Psalms 51: 1-3, 9-13].
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [1 John1: 8-9].
If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord who shall l stand? But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and His word do I hope [Psalms 130:3-5].
Satan has not been happy loosing you, so he sees your fall as an opportunity to get you back to slavery. But God our creator knows we may fall since we are not perfect, and had provided a way of escape to return to Him. The same stumbling stone shall become a stepping-stone to your victory. This has become the mystery and experience of our faith.
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
If after you got born again, you are yet to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, make haste to ask Jesus for this gift. Jesus is the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit. Jesus repeatedly asked His disciples to wait until they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit before they set out on discipleship. The reason is that the Holy Spirit gives the anointing and power for service – healings, miracles, witnessing, teaching and prayers etc. Jesus got this gift during His baptism at River Jordan. The Holy Spirit was the power behind Jesus’ great and uncommon works on earth. If therefore we are followers of Christ, we also need the Holy Spirit in our faith journeys, daily Christian living and experiences. The Holy Spirit is our faith partner. He will lead us into deeper experiences with God and reveals to us great mysteries. Many Christians lack power because they do not have the Holy Spirit and if they once had, they may have grieved Him. You may attempt to do the work of the Church naturally without Holy Spirit but you cannot do the work of Christ, I mean the amazing works of God’s saving grace without the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, you are simply natural and mechanical; have no inward strength to do the things of the spirit. You will soon run out of the natural energy in the face of trials and temptation. You experience frustrations and became a prey of the enemies. The devil will be quick to ask you: Jesus I know, Paul I know, who are you?
I indeed baptize you with water unto salvation: But he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire [Matthew 3:11].
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee and there went out a fame of Him through the entire region round about [Luke 4:1, 14].
But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: And ye shall be witnesses onto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto uttermost part of the earth [Acts of the Apostles 1:8]
With the power of the Holy Spirit, you will pray for your needs and that of others and obtain results. Remember you no longer live by sight but by faith. That means you treat things not seen as if they were already present. You do things even if they appear stupid to the rational mind, because the Word of God want you to do them. This is what living by faith is all about. You begin to say what the Word of God says; not what the press or Economic Digest report say. You begin to believe God for everything. You start talking to God just as you talk with your earthly father. He created you and knows and understands how you speak. Speak to God in humility and dialogue with Him, if need be. If there are things you do not understand, ask the Holy Spirit as your guide, strength and satisfier. You could ask help from your pastor or other experienced and Spirit-filled brethren. You are better warned that not all who call themselves men and women of God are knowledgeable on the deep things of God. It does not matter if they speak in diverse tongues during Church worship or in Christian gatherings. So test every Spirit you open up to whether they are of God or devil.
PRAYER LIFE
Are there times you will pray for things and you do not obtain instant response? Yes, your duty is to ask God for your needs, but it is the prerogative of God to provide answers in His time and in His own way. I have come to believe that God answers all prayers. He could say, hold on, I have a better thing than what you’ve asked for now or what you’ve asked, you already got; look inwards and search yourself. He could say that which you ask looks attractive to you now last momentary. God would not require us to ask if He had no provision to give. Our earthly fathers know how to give us good things how much more the Great I AM who has the whole world in His palm. Its God’s character to give while human beings hoard and Satan steals and destroys. God is a compassionate Father and His love is elastic, unconditional, and sacrificial. The more you abide in Him the better you come to know and understand Him as well as receive from him.
Jesus himself encourages us to pray:
[…] Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall whatever he saith. Therefore I say unto you what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them [Mark 11:22-24]
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that I will do that the Father may be glorified in the son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it [John 14:13-14].
Rejoicing in hope, be patient in tribulation, continuing in prayers [Romans 12:12].
You may pray for somebody and he returns days after to say he’s still sick or have not been healed. That is not unusual: man prays and God answers prayers. Continue to pray. Bring God into remembrance of what you ask Him the other day. Assure the person or yourself that God has already answered but we await its manifestation. Do not be tired of lifting up the person in your private prayers. You have to pray until something happen [PUSH]. God sees and response to our faith not our tears or murmuring. Pray the word of God, believing that God will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we ask or desire. When answers are delayed, do not be discouraged, but remain persistent. God’s delay is neither denial nor refusal. Do not give the devil room for untruthful suggestions. The enemy is quick to suggest that God does not care about you anymore. The devil is the father of all lies; he sets traps to distract, deceive and destroy you. Believe God and do not doubt; even if your prayers and requests are not fulfilled, God has something better in stock for you.
SENSING GOD’S PRESENCE
When you sense the presence of God and the Holy Spirit in your devotion, recognize and welcome Him and enjoy your fellowship with Him. Always invite and look forward to receiving Him. Some Christians do not have these experiences because they neither believe nor expect it to happen. I often sensed God’s presence in my private prayers; it’s an awesome and glorious. His presence brings His present. Some will tell you that the Holy Sprit has ceased and God does not perform miracles anymore. Others will tell you that it’s not true that such experiences occur. It is good not listen to doubtful teachings born out of ignorance. These people don’t desire, believe or experience the presence of God. Do not allow anybody to put a ceiling to what the Lord wants to do in you or limit God’s miracles in your life. He’s the God of extraordinary. You should not be afraid to ask Him anything. You loose nothing for asking. It’s your responsibility to ask and He promised in His Word that if you ask, you will receive. Learn to stand on the promises of God, not on doctor’s report, tarot reading or economic or market report. God’s Word is truthful and dependable.
GOD’S CALLING
God has called you for a reason and a purpose. Find out what your ministry is and stand at your duty post. Focus on what God has called you to do. Are you called to be a gateman, do not hustle for the pastor’s position. Be the best gateman you ever would be because that is where your breakthrough will come from. God wants you to enjoy your undertakings, have intimate relationship with Him and get to your destiny. That does not mean the trip would be smooth sailing. God never promised His children a problem-free life on earth but his sustenance in the midst of the storms of life. Trust God and do not fear, but be strong and learn to follow Him all the way even when the outcome is unknown. Certainly, He will surely take you to a desired end.
The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word to season to him that is weary; he wakened morning by morning, he wakens mine ear to hear as the learned [Isaiah 50:4].
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh [2 Corinthians 4:11].
You became Christian because someone someday talked to you about Jesus. He introduced you to Jesus Christ, who died for you. This is the greatest manifestation of God’s unconditional love for mankind. He loves His creation especially mankind, but hates sins. You were not introduced only to the Church building, pastor, elders, members of the choir who are all human and prone to errors and mistakes but to the Lord of all earth. He lived sinlessly on earth yet surrendered His life to the will of the Father, and died a shameful death on the cross for our sake. If you’ve found Jesus, the only answer to human moral problems, it’s now required of you to seek others in darkness and bring them to glorious light. Let them join you to enjoy God’s saving grace and mercies. Tell them Jesus came to save the lost and care for the dying. All they need is to accept His completed work on the cross. It’s an open invitation to all who desire to know God through faith in Christ Jesus, His only begotten son, whom the Father gave to pay the price of sin and redeem all mankind from the curse of the law.
CHRISTIAN WITNESSING
On the last day what would matter to God would be how many souls you brought to Christ. It will not be how much wealth one acquired or how many titles one obtained or what is the worth of one’s estate? God’s concern is perishing souls not acquired wealth. He caused His son to pay a bigger price so that He could purchase back the freedom and lives of human beings in the world. As Matthew Henry once said, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day” God business should become one’s business. If not one has no business answering Christian. As a Christian our first and foremost vocation is to do the work of Christ. The work of Christ is not religion or clamor for church membership and hold church position, etc. These are all good virtues and commendable but the ultimate is passion for lost souls. The reason God put someone on one’s way to lead to Christ is for one to enjoy God’s saving grace and give one the opportunity to bless other people. You will find oneself testifying to God’s goodness in every available place. God’s grace is so infectious and contagious that it will affect other people. This will not happen until you say something to somebody.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age [Matthew 28:19,20].
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ [by grace you have been saved], and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the age to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand that we should walk in them [Ephesians 2: 4-10].
The world is waiting to see Christians who are truthful, live what they say and have compassion for souls. When you become a Christian, you remain trustworthy. Many people want to change the world but have not changed themselves. It’s the change that people see in you that attracts them to you. They want to know that Jesus is real in the world. So many folks answer Innocent, the murderer. So many claim to be the messiah but turn around to become crucifier. Many call the name of God Almighty, but live and dance with the devil. They call themselves “set apart” but are involved in what every other person on the street does. Many have used the name of God as an instrument to acquire wealth and make personal gains.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? And it is written how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [Romans 10:14-15].
I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine…[2 Timothy 4:1-2].
The world is waiting to see love among Christians who will not gossip, blackmail, backbite and drive away those that faith has brought to the fold. They want to see believers who exhibit the mind of Christ and are compelled by compassion to sell their possession for the common interest; help the needy and widows as well as the orphans. They wait to see those who have died to selfishness and greed, to gains and ego as well as controlling tendencies. They want to see those who love the world but hate their sins and those who associate with the second chance that only the Lord Jesus gives. The world is anxious to see Christians whose motives are driven by the love of Christ, not cheerful deceivers, power drunk and gain motivated. Let someone hear your experience; perhaps someone somewhere shall be encouraged. Living the Christian life is good but finishing it is our calling.
Chapter 8
GOD’S GLORY AND SATANIC BARRIERS
Some become Christians believing that Satan does not exist; even if he does, he only goes after those who seek his troubles. Others believe they are called to fight and defeat Satan. Worse still, believing in multicultural gods, some think Satan is dressed in black robes and lives in a native doctor’s shrine. The Good news is that Satan is not a lion but defeated foe; God defeated Satan 2000 years ago and God’s glory breaks satanic chains and barriers. But how?
The power of God’s glory breaks satanic barriers. Since the time Satan lost battle with God and was thrown down from heaven, he has never ceased from attacking God and God’s creation. He does this in many ways, but his most common and strongest hold is to introduce doubts in human belief and dissatisfaction in God. The war zone for Satan’s manipulation is our minds. Often he asks, did God say we should not eat this fruit, do this thing, or worship other gods? Satan persuades us to think that obedience and trust in God is a sign of failure and weirdness; love and peace is nonexistent while forgiveness is weakness. Years back working as a substitute teacher, I heard a group of students say that orders and rules were not to be obeyed; if they did, law enforcement would be out of job and society would be bored. Even as they said it, they did not realize it was Satan’s suggestion into their minds to put them into troubles with parents, school authorities, and depending on the magnitude of offences, as well as law enforcement.
[….] Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry [1 Samuel 15:22-23].
If you love me keep my commandments [John14: 15].
We believe in multicultural gods and religions in this time and age. This belief brings back reincarnation of old time fetish gods and religions. This culture believes neither in the Scriptures as the Word of God nor in the supremacy of the God of the Bible. They do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
“We owe to Scripture the same reverence which we owe to God”
[John Calvin]
“Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes”
[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]
…I examined the case for the authority of scripture; I looked to the evidence of the centuries. There I found a consistent flow subscribing to the authority and infallibility of the Word from Jesus Himself down through the early church and throughout church history.
[From Loving God by Charles Colson]
Their master – Satan does not care which of the gods they worship, as long as He’s not the God of the Bible or Jesus Christ – the King of glory. Satan has been loosing grounds as many people come to know and put their faith in Jesus Christ. He becomes subtly offensive. One of his tactics is to create doubts and confusion in the minds of people against the reality of God’s supremacy, the power in His Word and the sufficiency and redemption in His Son, Christ Jesus. These lies cause people to do wrong things and feel little or no remorse; result to terrors, rape, murders and wars as well as devastating natural calamities revolting against man’s deeds, sins and iniquities. How do we identify and overcome Satan’s subtle devices and fight against them as well as break these barriers to live successfully as God intends become the focus of this discuss.
The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly.
[John 10:10]
GROUNDS FOR CONCERN
Writing on “Breaking Free,” a publication of BillyGrahamMinistries, Beth Moore marshaled some grounds for concern:
[i] A Christian is held bondage by anything that hinders him or her from living the abundant life that God intends, which is also the effective Spirit-filled life. The worst victim is the prison unaware, most vulnerable to her captors and the easiest prey of the enemy. “Your ignorance is your mountain.” [ii] Christians ignore Satan in their journeys. They think that if they do not fight with Satan, he does not fight them. They think they’re free from satanic attacks and going to be fine. The reverse is the case. [iii] Some Christians build shelters around themselves when oppressed. They isolate themselves behind jobs and Church activities. [iv] Sometimes God allows us go through tough times to force us seek Him earnestly. It could be that we’ve opened wide the doors of our minds to the devil or being careless with our Spiritual lives.
FIVE BENEFITS AND FIVE OBSTACLES
Beth Moore listed five benefits and five obstacles that could make or mar our access to God.
But now, thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob and he that formed thee, O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called by thy name; thou art mine … Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea I have made him … You are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am He: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me [Isaiah 43:1-10]
Five benefits God has graciously extended to his children:
Ø To know and believe in God [Vs 3; Is. 64:4; 1Cor. 2:9]
Ø To glorify God [Vs 7; Is. 54: 17; John17: 9-10].
Ø To find satisfaction in God [Vs 7; Is. 58:11; Ps. 27:1; John8: 32].
Ø To experience God’s peace [Vs 9; Is. 43:2-3, 26:3, 54:10; Jesus- Prince of Peace [Isaiah 9:6; 2 Thess. 3:16]
Ø To enjoy God’s presence [Vs 10; Is 33:2; Lam.3:19-25; Ps.90:14].
Five obstacles that could block our access to enjoying these benefits:
Ø Unbelief: hinders knowing God
Ø Pride: prevents us from glorifying God.
Ø Idolatry: keeps us from being satisfied with God Almighty; we look for help and fulfillment somewhere else.
Ø Prayerlessness: blocks our experience of God’s presence and glory.
Ø Legalism: stops our enjoyment of God’s presence and glory.
We must learn to guard ourselves against all that lures us to enslavement and captivity of the enemy by trying to remain in God’s presence and abiding in Him.
CHRIST MINISTRY AND GOD’S GLORY
The purpose of Christ’s coming and ministry is revealed in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:18-19 respectively.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19]
Ø The Spirit of God came upon Christ [empowerment], for the Spirit of the Lord brings liberty [2 Cor. 3:17] and no one calls Jesus Lord except inspired by the Holy Spirit [1Corinthians12: 3b].
Ø To preach message /good news unto the meek.
Ø Bind the broken hearted [no matter what broke their hearts].
Ø Proclaim freedom for the captives [no matter what kind of yoke that binds them].
Ø Release from darkness or prison [set captives free from sin and bondage].
Ø Comfort the mourn, no matter the reason of the grief and mourn; bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes; garment of praise instead of Spirit of despair.
Ø Proclaim acceptable year of the Lord.
Apostle Peter said that Christ’s first priority is setting captives free from eternal destruction [2 Peter 3:9], but do you know that:
Saved people can still be in bondage [Galatians 2:4; 5:1; Romans 8:15; Hebrew 2: 15].
The flow of anointing can be blocked and that could rob us of the glory that God had released for us [Mark 6: 5-6; Daniel 10:13ff]. Yet, Prophet Isaiah declared that every creature is for God’s glory [Isaiah. 43:7]. The whole purpose of man is to glorify God and serve Him [Deuteronomy 10:14]. God’s glory is almost indefinable and exceeds anything we can comprehend. God’s glory always has impact [Isaiah 6:3, Numbers.20: 6; 2Chr 5:14, Psalms 19:1, 29:9; Mark 9:14-29, 10:46-52]. God’s glory represents who God is and what He has done.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF GOD”S GLORY
The Hebrew word for glory Kavodh means weight, honor and esteem. It also means to be renowned ….to show one great or mighty. God’s glory is the way God makes Himself known or show Himself mighty. God wants to reveal Himself to humans, in humans and through humans. God’s glory becomes how He shows who He’s. God’s glory is filling the earth through us. We must open up to God’s anointing that breaks yokes and removes burdens [John 1:14, 2:11]. Christ is the very glory of God [Hebrews 1:3]. Christ also supplies/provides for our needs [2 Peter 1:3]. In Greek the word for glory is doxa – meaning his unchanging essence, the true apprehension of God or thing. It means giving God glory and ascribing to Him His full recognition. God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.
In Isaiah 43:7, God’s glory reveals three eternal truths to those called by His name:
v God wants to make Himself recognizable to us.
v God wants to make Himself recognizable in us
v God wants to make Himself recognizable through us.
Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians, “Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God [1Corinthians 10: 3]. God desires that He be recognizable in us, in all we do. Living a life that glorifies God is as living a life that reveals God. For this reason, Martin Luther was quoted as saying, “The first and foremost duty of a Christian is to make the invisible Church visible.” Christ in us is the human being’s hope of glory [Colossians 1:2]. We glorify God to the degree that we externalize the internal existence of the living Christ. A life that glorifies God is not something we suddenly attain. As we spend time in the presence of God, His glory both transforms us and radiates from us:
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, James and John and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment because shinning, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them [Mark 9:2-3].
Also read: Exodus 34:33; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 11:14-15; John17: 9-10.
Beth Moore wrote that many people make decisions to know God today better than they knew Him yesterday; they want to experience Him this year than they did last year. They want to know Him that one day like Abraham God would refer to them as his friend. To work out that purpose requires hours spent in reading and studying the Word as well as meditating on it. This applies to each person. It involves deliberate obedience, service, and sacrifice.
God’s glory is the way He reveals Himself and shows His mightiness:
[i] No matter what you are going through, know that it’s God’s desire to set you free [2 Cor. 4:7-10]. [ii] God hears the cry of His children [Exodus 2:23-25, 3: 7-8] God knows our sufferings from the first pang. He never misses a single groan or cry of His children. [iii] At God’s right time, He moves on behalf of His children. His delay is not denial. [iv] He wants us to know the blood shed by the Lamb of God was for our deliverance. [v] God wants us to come out of our captivity with possession [Ex. 12:35-36; Gen.15: 14]. Let God brings us out of our slavery with gold, silver and costly stones; stronger than ever because Christ took our weakness and make us strong. God wants to enlarge our borders and teach us to possess lands we never knew existed; makes the enemy pay for scheming against us so hatefully and snatch the plunder. Therefore, surrender to God your dreadful past, your most humiliating fears and defeats. God alone will make you twice the warrior you dreamt you’d be. [vi] Do not forget to invest the plunder in God’s kingdom – by offering it back to God. The God who used five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed the multitude; who turn water into wine at Cana; commanded blind to see and lame to walk… same God can do beyond what we ask or think. You become a display of God’s glory and splendor each time you take the plunder of Egypt and offer it back to God for His magnificent glory.While I was a sinner, Christ died for me. He heard the groans of slavery, looked at my ugliness and set the captive free:
But God commanded His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us [Romans 5:8].
HEART BEAT OF JESUS
Anne Graham Lotz, writing on My heart’s cry, opined, “The heartbeat of Jesus was to execute His Father’s plan and in so doing, bring glory to God. Through His death on the cross, Jesus revealed the love of God in such a way that people throughout the ages would praise and love Him and lay down their lives before him.” Biblical literature records that 11 out of 12 Apostles of Christ and other disciples kept the legacy of martyrdom – laid their lives for the sake of Christ: As a follower of Christ, what sacrifice have you made? What hardship have you endured? What rejection have you experienced? What pains have you suffered? What ambition have you denied? What relationship have you forsaken? What cross are you carrying? Has God turn up the heat in your life? A deep reflection on these questions would show how God’s glory is revealed in you and through you. It could be an opportunity for God to glorify you as He uses the heat to conform you into the image of His Son. It could also be an opportunity to glorify Him as the heat draws out the real flavor of your character and Jesus is revealed through your love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. No matter what your cross is, you should thank God, perhaps not for the heat and stress but for the opportunities afforded you to bring glory to Him.
… Jesus lifted his eyes unto heaven and said, Father the hour has come; glorify your Son that Thy Son also may glorify thee [John17:1]
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found into praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ [1Peter1:7].
So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made a high priest; but He that said unto him, ‘THOU ART MY SON, TODAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE’ [Hebrews 5:5].
The King of glory waits earnestly for you to open up and invites Him in. You could begin a new walk with the Master today. Bear in mind that walking consistently and righteously does not mean walking perfectly. It means we may stumble but we will not fall. Even if we stumbled and fall in His presence, we have the unimaginable opportunities to rise and fall until we are strong to fall no more because God’s grace abides in us and in Him we find our strength daily.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them [Psalm 84:5].
God offers us the daily treasure of His strength. God offers us daily treasure of His sure foundation. God offers us the daily treasure of His wisdom and knowledge. God offers us the daily fresh morning Word. God offers us the daily treasure of victory.
The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary; he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned [Isaiah 50:4].
So we wisely learn to walk with Christ instead of begging Him to walk with us.
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him [Colossians 2:6].
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with Thanksgiving [Col. 3:2].
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might [Ephesians 6:10].
Our prayers would be:
Oh Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress [Isaiah 33:2], Amen. Your word says those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing [Psalm 34:10].
Teach us to meditate on your word day and night and hid them in our heart, to observe them and have a good success, Amen.
Appendix: A
ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?
The Eternal life, the life of faith, is simply a life of a higher vision. Faith is an attitude – a mirror set at right angle. To become like Christ is the only thing in the world worth caring for, the thing before which every ambition of man is folly, and all lower achievement vain – Henry Drummond
During the January 2003, US Africa Prayer Breakfast Fellowship, Elder [Mrs.] Cordelia Ogbonnaya led in songs of praise. An interval brought forth a male baritone voice from behind raising an old, yet most edifying chorus: “I have decided to follow Jesus (3ce) no going back (2ce).” As we stood singing this song, it reminded me of the day I made decision for Christ, a day of my new beginning and breaking from my past life. In case you are lost with the phrases used, I mean the day I got saved or born again. The song ended, and as we sat down, I was silently singing and meditating it over and over in my heart. The song brought deep reflection of the past and revelation in prospective of things to come, especially when you attempt to answer why I gave my life to Jesus.
After the breakthrough prayer of intercession, the Archbishop Benjamin Nwankiti [retired] of Anglican Communion was invited to the podium to rap it up with a short closing address and benediction. He walked gracefully in humility to the podium, opened the Bible and lifted up his face, gazed at the congregation; then he rose again in that great song of dedication: “I have decided to follow Jesus, no going back”. All applauded, joined and rendered the song afresh, this time with deeper reflection. The Archbishop observed: we were living in a society where a lot of things distract us from glorifying and serving God. He stressed the importance of being born again and following Jesus Christ without backsliding. His personal experience reveals that the greatest joy and most enduring thing you can do in life is to offer to know God and to serve Him. This retired, but not tired, servant of the Most High God called on Christians to be steadfast in following Jesus Christ and serving Him. He warned that there would be a lot of distractions and barriers on our way, but assured that God will be with us always and see us through. We will realize the prize is worth the journey. As a veteran in Christ’s vineyard, he quickly referred to the old catechism booklet saying: “the whole purpose of life is to glorify God and serve Him.” He exhorted those yet to be saved to do so since it’s life determined, and more so time was running out.
If I may ask you: Are you saved or born again? If the unexpected [death] struck today would you make heaven? I am confident in my spirit that most believers would answer yes without rethought. These people have assurance of salvation and can testify to it. However, some church-going folks may find this question difficult to answer. The reason is simply that they were born into church family, had infant baptism, sing in the chancel choir, hold various church positions, a long-standing communicant, a staunch member of a denomination and also perhaps wedded in the church. This group of people seems to take God’s grace for granted. As good as these activities are, they’re religious without Christ. The sacrifices of unbelievers are abomination to God. I am not talking about finding religion or a church family but a relationship with Jesus. You can be religious without Christ but you cannot be saved without Christ.
Many that are called Christians seem to equate or confuse “being saved” or “born again” with Church membership. Some are ignorant of the Scripture’s position on the issue and quick to justify their wreck stance. Others hide under Church membership, feel comfortably stuck in iniquities and are afraid to make personal commitment to Christ. They doubt how simple confession of sin and profession of faith in Jesus Christ could reconcile them again to God. Some would rather dismiss the truth of being saved and associate it with the hypocrisies brought about by the new “churches.”
“Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace secured for all believers from every age by the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross” [Hebrews 9:28]. We are saved by grace through faith; this is the gift of God, not by works. For a while, we were unlovable and lived in sin, and then Christ died for us. Little wonder the Scripture says “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Therefore, you are saved by accepting that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and all mankind. By so doing, He has become our personal Savior and the Lord of your life. This is the positional truth of the Scripture.
In case you do not know, the Bible says all mankind have sinned and come short of the glory of God [Romans 3:23]. We violated God’s perfect moral law through Adam and Eve and guilty of God’s judgment. Man was helpless but God, in His mercies, rescued us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to pay the price of sin through His death on the cross. God expects us to step forward and accept His saving grace. The Bible says whosoever shall confess with his mouth and believe in his heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for him and God raised Him from dead is saved [Romans 10:9-13]. If you take this bold step now, you are assured that Jesus shall set you free from all hindrance; forgives and delivers you. You become a new creature and would have a witness/testimony in your heart [1 John 5:10]. God in turn shall accept you back as His child into His family and restore all rights and privileges of son-ship. The message of the cross is foolishness to perishing folks but eternal life to those who believe [Romans 1:16]. Be aware that except one is born again, he cannot see or enter the Kingdom of God [John 3:3-7]. This explains how simple and easy is God’s grace and yoke.
Appendix: B
SECOND CHANCE
While growing up, I witnessed some adults attend night schools. This event was fondly tagged ‘Second Chance’. Most of those who attended had missed the opportunity of formal education as teens. Others, who had formal education, sought ways to improving themselves or started new careers, while engaged in paid employment in the day. For whatever reason, they went to night school to acquire knowledge and skills. There was also a TV play titled Second Chance, portraying adult education. Indeed, there’s no end to learning; we learn daily. Today, there are opportunities for adult school everywhere, with the associated difficulties and rich benefits.
As you read through the Gospel of John chapter three, verses 1-13, you will come across the typical yet familiar story of a learned Pharisee, who was so intrigued by Jesus’ actions and personality that he chose to pay Him a nocturnal visit. Nicodemus had such an impressive credential that one would’ve thought it out of place to visit Jesus at night. He was a proud Pharisee, a custodian of the law, a member of Jewish ruling council; Israel’s teacher – a respected authority, reference point and a top rich guy. Despite all these chains of reputable achievements, Nicodemus visited Jesus by night while other leaders were too rebellious to be honest and sincere. He was bothered by something no other person could resolve, so he stepped out to satisfy such curiosity. Zig Ziglar observed, ‘What you picture in your mind, your mind will go to work to accomplish.’ Nicodemus said to Jesus, Rabbi we know you are a teacher from God. No one has the boldness to perform miracles such as you do except God was with him.
Nicodemus was a smart person. He put behind him all his acquisitions and humbly seeks answers to the problems that confronted the Jewish ruling council. This no doubt is the mark of most brilliant teachers. They are not ashamed to learn and seek wisdom but accept changes as constant factor. In our world that is witnessing tremendous changes, learning to update and increase knowledge is the only way to remain relevant. Jesus unbelievable deeds had become serious concern to the law makers and teachers. He boldly turned over the money changer’s table and rebuked them; called the temple His father’s house, boasted to destroy the temple that took years to build and rebuilt it in three days. Another report that Jesus turned water into wine in the marriage at Cana of Galilee had invaded the town like wild fire. How could the son of a poor carpenter do all these? Where did he acquire the knowledge? He had no record of formal education or any noteworthy credentials. The Pharisees knew the prophesy that a messiah shall come from Nazareth but dismissed that as folly because nothing good ever came from there. Little wonder why none of them cared to visit when He was born. The disturbing question then was: could this be the Messiah? Nicodemus went on fact finding mission by night.
Nicodemus visit risked his prestige as a learned Pharisee, Jewish teacher and importantly, a member of the Sanhedrin. He did not loose sight of the imminent caricature of his peer group. Little did He know it would turn out a life changing mission. Jesus told an adult, a grown man that except he was born again, he shall not see and enter God’s kingdom. That’s a hard pill, too difficult to swallow; a lesson beyond his comprehension. Jesus was on a spiritual plane while Nicodemus was on the flesh. Flesh gives birth to flesh, while the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. Jesus further made it easy, ‘you must be born again of water and the Spirit.’ Yet he did not get it. Jesus did not say you must be born of water alone. Water baptism is for salvation following repentance while Spirit baptism gives power and anointing for God’s work – bless, forgive, bind, loose, and witness. ‘The Word of God proclaims, Baptism seals and Holy Communion sustains.’
Second chance is what every repentant believer craves for. It follows God’s forgiveness and restoration. In Luke 22:31-34, Jesus told Peter that Satan had obtained permission to tempt him. He was about to sift him as wheat, to test his confession and profession of faith. His attack was imminent. Even today, he’s still on offensive. But Jesus reassured Peter that He had prayed that his faith would not fail [not to stop Satan testing him]. The hymn writer, Horatio R. Palmer [1834-1907] wrote: “Yield not to temptation, for yielding [not temptation] is sin. Each victory will help you some other to win; fight manfully onward, dark passion subdue. Look unto Jesus, He will carry you through.” However Jesus charged Peter, when you have returned; use your experience to strengthen your brethren. After Pentecost, God chose Peter to deliver the most revealing sermon in Church history. Preacher George Duncan said some Christians have some measure of forgiveness for unbelievers but none for fellow believers. He added I’m glad God does. No one calls Jesus Lord except prompted by the Holy Spirit [1 Cor. 12:3b]
In Acts of Apostles 2:37-39, Apostle Peter renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit affirmed out of his personal experience the life changing process, ‘Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost[vs38]. Apostle Paul confirmed this experience in Acts19:2ff. He asked the Saints in Ephesus, did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers? They replied, ‘We have not even heard much about the Holy Spirit; we only had John’s [water] baptism.’ Paul then baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ and there after laid hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them. Then they spoke in tongues, prophesied and with boldness went about persuading people to believe in Jesus Christ.
Nicodemus must’ve repented but perhaps kept his conversion secret but could not hide for long. In John 7:50-52, he testified for Jesus in the gathering of the Pharisee, when it mattered most. Again in John 19:38-42, Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to obtain Jesus’ release from Pilate. He also brought about 100 pounds mixture of myrrh and aloes and jointly wrapped Jesus’ corpse with the spices in strips of linen according to Jewish custom. He was among those who buried Jesus. It was for times like these that the object of his mission to Jesus was predestined.
It does not matter how big, rich, or popular you are; how long you have been in Church, baptized, confirmed and wedded; the position you hold in the Church or State. You may sing in Choir, be a celebrated member of the Church committee, fattest donor and the highest tithe payer in the Church; belongs to many philanthropic organizations and help out the poor. These are all commendable activities but without the new birth experience you shall neither see nor enter God’s kingdom. You are no doubt born naturally but you need the second birth of water and the Holy Spirit. If you have been baptized of water in the name of the Father, Son [Jesus Christ] and the Holy Spirit, ask God in faith, for the manifestation that follows. This second chance experience, God availed to us through Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection. Whosoever put faith in Him and be baptized shall have His peace and eternal life.
Christianity is the only faith that gives anybody whosoever desires a second Chance. God’s grace should not be taken for granted. Therefore take advantage of this real privilege of God’s mercy and grace, and become a believer today. Jesus is the founder and teacher of the second chance school, admission is free and you are already pre-approved for every assistance. Don’t delay, apply now.
APPENDIX: C
THE GIFT OF CHOICE
“If I were to begin life again, I should want it just as it was; only I would open my eyes a little more” Jules Renard.
In life, there are things that are beyond our control; we cannot determine when they occur or stop them from happening. We just have to accept them, the way they’re. We can’t determine the season, times, day or night, the day one is born or the day he dies; the sun, moon and stars – their intensities and brightness. We have no control or input on how we were made; it’s all God’s prerogative. However God created man and put him to take charge of the Garden of Eden. He charged him to be fruitful, multiply, have dominion and subdue the earth. The entire discovery that mankind has made is just to uncover what God had already put in place that was before then unrevealed. Man cannot create the sun, the moon, and the stars; determines when the sun rises or set, the length and breathe of the world, ferocity of the wind, etc. These and others related things cannot be determined by mankind.
There are things mankind has control over. Such things that God has given man power to dominate, subdue, change, increase and improve on. Someone may not be able to determine the day he was born physically but would know someday, sometime when he/she was born spiritually. Man can take a decision to come to Christ or to remain under the bond of the evil one. This is because God created man a free thinking being with ability to make decision and choices. He uses his freewill, freely; decides at every point whether to turn to the right or left, to sit or stand, walk or run, etc. He decides to live righteously or in sin. It’s his choice and is being respected by man and God. Have you ever wonder what life would have being like without this wonderful gift of choice? Anything short of it is slavery. Little wonder that God sent an angel to give a message of hope to the Israelites: “I have surely seen the affliction [sufferings] of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry [groan] by reason of their task masters: for I know their sorrows. I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them out of that land into a good land and large and unto a land flowing with milk and honey………”[Exodus 3:7-8]. Jesus recapped this message of freedom when He said, “……..I come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” [John10:10]. However we must live life and make choices responsibly.
“Human beings have far-ranging power of choice. Our daily lives consist of a series of choices and exercises in freewill – whether to get up or stay in bed, what to eat for breakfast, what to do with our day, whether to change career, go back to school or continue a relationship and so forth.” You decide whether to drink and eat or abstain [or fast]. For example: money is a scarce commodity and difficult to possess and obtain. In simple economics, you learn the concept of opportunity cost. Being faced in a real life with limited cash, you apply this concept impulsively. You can only buy what you cannot do without. The one you forgo is the opportunity cost of the one you bought. Your decision is governed by where you stand in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The choice you end up with is to pick the item[s] you need [not want] and consider most important.
Most things in life have opposites. The opposite of life is death, up is down, north is south, etc. As you stand always at a cross road, you have to decide which way to turn to. You either choice life or death; there is no half or middle way. The gift of choice is the greatest gift God has availed human beings. Our first parents [Adam and Eve] were confronted with the problem of choice. The scriptures said, God availed them the leisure to enjoy every fruit of the Garden of Eden but commanded them not to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and bad; for the day the eat it they shall die. As simple and clear as this commandment appeared, God allowed them to exercise their freewill. The choice was either to obey God or Satan. The implication of the choice before us is obedience meaning our love to God and abiding in Him while disobedience is separation from God, spiritual death or abiding with Satan. “We have to live and we have to die; the rest we make up.” Anonymous
In our world, we face the same choice of obeying God or man / the world; reference or worship God or Satan, serving God or the devil. In our age and time, Christians face the choice of living for God or dying with Satan. When Nicodemus paid a nocturnal visit to Jesus, He was faced with the challenge and choice of accepting the new life in Christ or remaining in religion, observing statuesque. Even Jesus Christ, God’s begotten Son, was faced with a decision to do the will of the Father or lived by the crowd. When He faced crucifixion on the cross at Calvary in between two criminals, one at either side, the two faced the choice: whether to accept Christ and end up in heaven or reject Him and end up in eternal condemnation. Even though the two committed life determined crimes, tried and convicted by the same judiciary system, condemned to death by hanging; surrounded by the same crowd and hung closed to the same Jesus, but they made different choices. One chose to give his worthless life to Christ and accept the life of God in Christ Jesus. By so doing, he secured a place in God’s kingdom. He cried, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “Of a truth you will be with me in Paradise [Luke 23:42-43]. Before yielding to Christ, he challenged the other criminal, saying don’t you fear God? This man has done nothing. Both of us committed crimes, were rightly judged and convicted but this man is innocent. He accepted his stake as a criminal and sinner. Yet the other convict opined, if you are the son of God, save yourself and us. By this statement he was making caricature of Jesus. He did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God [1 John 2:22-23, 4:15, 5:10]. He neither repented nor asked for mercy. We make choices by recognizing that every choice has consequences.
Today, about 2000 years after Jesus accepted the will of the Father, died on the cross and came to life again to the glory of the Father, many are still in darkness and slavery, blind and ignorance to the truth. They’re living in the world made by God and enjoying his creation but cannot see or know God. They hear sounds of songs of different creation but can’t discern God in their praise. They breathe the air freely but do not perceive God in the air. The watch the sea and the wind interact and exhibit the embedded power and still doubt the existence of God. The bible says the earth and the fullness belong to God; they also reveal Him.
The scripture says it’s not the wish of God that any should perish but to repent and return to God. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us from the dark state of life and brings us into glorious light. God availed us His son that we may have Him, live and experience Him and adore Him; serve and become like Him. In Him God gave us life even abundant life. Even though Christ died for the whole world, only those who accept Him and believe in his saving grace: His sacrificial death and resurrection are saved and are children of God. It did not say those who attend Church service, who sings in the chancel choir and hold position in the Church committee. These and other virtues are commendable but without faith in Christ Jesus you are only religious; being religious shall not earn you a place in God’s kingdom.
The choice before us this day is not religion or becoming a Church member but having a relationship with your creator through putting faith and accepting His saving grace. Where you would spend your eternity is a critical question facing us here? If you choose Jesus, He forgives and erases your sins; you become a new creation, have a new life and amazing future as well as a new heart and new heritage. Some people may take this choice for granted. This offer is open while life last; it’s a choice that is life determined. It’s also a prerequisite for entering into a relationship with God. Only those who make this life determined choice shall inherit God’s kingdom and become co-heir with Christ. One funny thing about the choice of life is, if you decide not to choose it, it shall choose you because not choosing is already a choice.” We live life once but if we plan it well, once is good enough.”
You may have made several bad choices in the past, but one choice of God and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior shall correct all the bad choices and give you a new heart, new life, new disposition and new destination. Jesus is waiting and knocking at the door of your heart; the Church is standing in gap, praying for your return. This decision shall make a whole lot of difference in your life and undertakings. Many who made wrong choices in the past have been redeemed and restored by this one decision. Since I made this decision years back, it had changed the way I look at my life and the entire world around me. It’s a decision to turn a new leaf, change your direction and destiny as well as pursue success and live under God’s presence. You have entered into the secret place of the Most High God and shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. God automatically becomes your refuge and fortress; will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. The Lord God will satisfy you with long life and show you His salvation. “The most basic choice we have in life is whether to expand or contract, whether to bring our creative and expressive energies into the world in positive or negative ways. No matter what our circumstances, we have the power to choose our directions. In each of us are heroes; speak to them and they will come forth” Anonymous
APPENDIX: D
JUST TO GET OUR ATTENTION
We live in a world that is full of distractions, deceit and distortion. Many things contest for our time and our attention. Eight out of every ten persons on steering talk on cell phone. Some men glue their eyes on beautiful babes while women subtly watch robust and handsome men passing by them. Some people are so crazy about car models that each new model of passing cars grab their attention. Others are crazy with nudeness that they open their computers only to view nude people. Since they do it in the comfort of their closed doors they think nobody is watching them; however the web sites keep record of their viewers. During Church worship service some are easily distracted with attires: shoes, hats, suits and laces, etc. These things divert and corner our attention from prayers and sermons. They are in the Church but their minds are some where else. They come to worship God but their minds are clouded with unpaid bills, unsettled issues and worries of all sorts. In our age and time that the world economy is passing through recession, some have lost their jobs, houses, stocks and are so depressed and confused that their minds are flipping, tossing and loosing touch with realities. Some have been rendered homeless and jobless by natural calamities, while others have lost their dear ones. Most of the things we attached importance to are flipping away; thus leaving us to wonder is God still on the throne? Why are these ills visiting us? Is He no longer the caring and merciful God and the Father of all mankind? But we fail to ask: Is God trying to get our attention?
God is chasing us to get our attention but many are unaware of it. Some are looking for God elsewhere while He’s present even in and all around us. He’s an omnipresent God – present every time, in every place. William Barry says, “Whether we’re aware of it or not……..every moment…….we’re encountering God…….who is trying to catch our attention……to draw us into a reciprocal conscious relationship.” Many are looking for God in wrong places and end up thinking and saying He does not exist or cannot be found. This is not true and those who have had the rare privilege to experience God will concur to this truism.
God appears in a variety of manner and form. We cannot squeeze God into our boxes or into our balloons. God is Spirit and He appears physically in whatever manner that He chooses to meet His purpose and mission. He could come in disguised form of men, women and children. But we judge the book by its cover and most times miss Him. In the beginning God spoke some objects into being – heaven and earth, land and sea, the sun, moon, stars and all heavenly host that made day and night. He made the times and seasons that continue to emerge and move on; created mankind in His image and likeness. After creation, we read that He regularly visited the Garden of Eden, to have fellowship with mankind. It was on this conviction that King David acclaimed, “The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds; the world and those who live there. For He founded it on the sea, established it over the rivers [Psalms 24:1]. “…when I see your heavens, the work of your fingers; the moon, and stars that you set in place….. [Psalms 8:4]. And God walked into the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ran away and hid themselves among the trees of the garden [Genesis 3:8]. God keeps His covenant with man. As was His custom, He walked into the beautiful Garden of Eden [place of meeting with Adam], will you be there waiting? God is present in our lives and can even speak to us. He can ask you as he did to Cain: where’s your brother? His voice reveals His presence.
In the book of Exodus chapter 3, the scripture reveals that God appeared in a flame of fire in the midst of the bush, but the bush was not on fire. This was to get Moses attention. When Moses turned around to see, God called and commissioned him [Exodus 3:2-4]. Those who are anxious and expectantly looking for God see Him. The scripture warns: seek for God when He is near and when you can find Him. On that day and season, Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, the Priest of Median and he saw unusual and uncommon site/feature. Here the bush was on fire but the bush did not burn with it. However God used that uncommon incidence to draw Moses attention. What will God do to get your attention?
Again while Jacob attempted to escape from his brother Esau whom he had swindled and deceived his father, he came to a place where He took a stone and put his head and slept. He dreamt and beheld a ladder was set up on the earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. Then God gave him a promise, “I am with you and I will watch over you whenever you go.” When Jacob woke up the next day, he said, “The Lord is in this place and I was not aware [Genesis 28:16 NIV]. As Jacob return to meet with his brother Esau, God revealed who He is to Jacob at Jabbok by wrestling with him all night and dislodging his hips [Genesis 32:24ff]. After that encounter He changed his name from Jacob to Israel. What would God do to get your attention?
God in Jesus Christ encountered Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus [Acts 9]. It was time for God not only to halt Saul who was still breathing murderous threats against the people of the way [Jesus’ disciples]. A light from shy suddenly flashed around him. He fell on the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? When Saul woke up from the ground, he could not see with his eyes. Saul asked: who are you Lord? A voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God used this incident to get Saul’s attention and called him to order. After that incident, God changed his life and renamed him Paul; turned him into His battle axe.
When God of the universe called Jonah, he was hesitant and skeptical to answer. He attempted to run away from God but only to find out that God is everywhere. God pursued him and drew his attention to His call on his life. He had nowhere to run to; even inside the ship, in the belly of a fish he found God everywhere and still chasing him. But he did know he could not escape from God [Psalms 139:7-10]. God has called some people to special assignments in His kingdom but they’re still struggling with Him. The Good News is that you cannot run away from God. The earlier you submit, the easier the burden. God will fulfill His purpose, whether you like it or not. Many who had run in the past had surrendered and found great life in Him.
Since the day Adam and Eve ran out of the Garden of Eden and hid them, God has a message for all mankind: I love you anyhow, unconditionally but hate sin; however man does not get it. He sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to live on earth, died on the cross and resurrected on the third day; thus becomes the Lamb of God, reveal God and His love to man yet some still do not get this message. By this great sacrifice, God exhibited His unconditional love: while we were still unlovable Christ died for us. He cares about us and wants us to be saved. He is still doing great mysteries to pass across this message of love and get our attention. This message of salvation is preached all over the world just to get our attention but some people are still adamant and nonchalant; other running from God.
Whatever it will take God to get your attention, He will do it. I do not know why you are still running from God; why you are reluctant to come to Jesus and make peace with Him. I do not know why you think you can hide from God or He does not exist in your little corner. I have Good News for you: If there was a lesser sacrifice, God won’t have sent His Son Jesus to died a shameful, most humiliating death on the cross for mankind. God is not tired of chasing us. It could be the whole of what you’re passing through has been God’s attempts to get your attention. God has deliberately allowed the various trials and testing to get your attention. Also it could be that He is preparing you for your promotion to the next level; turning chores into cosmos. You may have to halt and stop jumping from one Church to another. Where you or any two or three are gathered in His name, God is present [Matthew 18:20]. His presence brings His present [uncommon gifts]. The Lord is in this place but you do not know it. There a vacuum in mankind that only God can fill. God has not fenced you away; so stop alienating yourself from God. God allows both good and evil to happen to get our attention. Little wonder Apostle Paul put it clear: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” [Romans 8:28]. I assure you, God would allow you to run but you cannot hide. Montaigne once said, “The greatest and glorious masterpiece of humanity is to know how to live with a purpose.” What else would God do to get your attention?
APPENDIX: E
ALL CHRISTIANS MUST EVANGELIZE
Evangelism [witnessing] is one command that Jesus gave to His disciples and all believers; it’s so clear and lacks every element of ambiguity yet some Christians still do not get it. It’s either that they get it and are simply adamant and complacent; just refused to obey this commandment. It’s considered the most neglected; yet Church folks are satisfied with going to Church, listening to good sermons, partake in bible studies and feel good. They forget or ignore the most important commandment: discipleship and witnessing. Jesus came to this world to reveal His Father. He was certainly the Great Soul winner, the consummate Evangelist. Also we who have become Christians by putting faith in Christ are called to reveal the Father, in Christ. When God sent out the seventy to go and witness God’s glory and His good deeds, He did not go with them but just availed them His authority and powers. Today, those who are Christians have the Spirit of Christ in them. Jesus Christ also promised them that He’s there with them always even to the end of time. We have the Spirit of Christ in us, His power and His authority. We are better prepared for the assignment of witnessing God’s grace and unconditional love. Again we who have become believers were once sinners; we were redeemed by Christ for us to live and testify God’s love and goodness. Christ commands us to go and make disciple of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things that He taught us and commanded us to do. We know where we used to be and have been given a new place, new position, new heart and new life. No one is more qualified than born again Christians to share their experiences of God’s saving grace and His mercies with those who desire to know God [Matthew 28:16-20].
Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples and followers, to spread the gospel throughout the whole world. Many went to Jesus and worshipped Him; some of them doubted the reality of their salvation and the new found relationship. They were not sure they were saved; that the new found love was real, that God has forgiven them and given them new life, new heart and new destination. They doubted that all the authority that Christ possesses has been endowed in them. These are the reason for their indifferences to the mission of the Master, the goal of the Great commission and the command to go into the world and evangelize. These are unbelieving believers. In our Churches today, while every member may attend worship service but not every member has given their lives to Christ or incline to obey the commands of the Great Commission. They have not accepted the reality of Christ authority and power over their problems and situations. They confess the Holy Spirit but doubt His power; confess that Jesus is the Head of the Church but have not accepted His Lord ship personally in their lives. They give excuses for not doing the work of Great Commission. They see obstacles all around them that pose resistance to the flow of God’s Spirit. They will tell you that they do not have the gift of evangelism. It was given to pastors, evangelists and their spouses, etc. They console themselves that evangelism is not for everybody. Some will be quick to opine they do not know what to say or they stammer or have difficulties talking boldly to others. When you happen to meet these people, they discuss articulately and gossip widely, talking at the top of their voices. Unbelief and doubts has become their mountain. They forget He who has called them is sufficient and most able to supply their need and give them enableness to do His work.
However, those who believe and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ see the Great Commission as a command from God and they humbly obey. They believe that God will furnish them what to say and how to say it right; willingly obey and trust their faith in God’s great power. They believe that the Spirit of Jesus abides in them and the experience of the new life cannot be hidden. There is an inward urge to speak out and testify to the love of God; tell someone what Jesus has done in their lives and the uncommon experiences that go with it. They are not ashamed or fearful to tell anybody who care to hear. They have inward conviction that the Spirit that encountered them shall give them utterances to say the changes they have experienced in the new life in Christ. We have been called to tell our story and the Good News of God’s saving grace [1 Peter 2:9; John15:16].
Whatever you do in the body of Christ, the ultimate goal is to glorify God, win soul for Christ and serve His kingdom. Whether you are a Deacon, Usher, cleaner of God’s sanctuary, committees member or sing in chancel choir and so on, what you are doing is to glorify God because of who He’s and what He has done for you in Christ Jesus; stewardship that wins or served the won soul showing them the love of Christ in action. Those whom God has called as His stewards should prove faithful [1 Corinthians 4:2]. We are Christians, God’s servants who have been called from darkness into glorious light for God’s glory. We cannot fail to talk about where God has taken us from and where we are. The whole world is anxiously waiting to hear our story of salvation: where God encountered us, how He did it and how we resisted Him and how He eventually overpowered us. It’s not in our own power we go, serve, and proclaim God’s love and grace; it’s God Himself that calls, empowers and sends us out. God has chosen us at this time to bear the Good news of His grace and mercies. This we can do by carrying out the will of God in trusting His word and speaking it in faith.
God calls us; we did not call ourselves. It’s therefore our responsibility to bring Christ to the world. The entire world is expecting the manifestation of the sons of men; it’s not for prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers only. Jesus had given us power and commission to act in His name and authority and we shall be successful in all things. The Jesus who has employed us shall avail us with all the resources we need to fulfill His commission. It’s not about anybody; it’s about Jesus Christ and the kingdom of His Father. Jesus has never failed and those He commissions shall not fail. His name put forth His integrity, His word, His life and His grace. “We are called to let the light of the knowledge of the word of God shine out through the preaching of the gospel, that the ignorance that clouds the minds of people might be dispelled: However the Bible teaches us that it’s not enough just to preach: we must also act in accordance with the word of God.”
You may think that because you are struggling with some drawbacks in your life, you feel guilty and rejected; perhaps not competent to represent God by obeying His commission. That could be what your subconscious mind is telling you but not how God sees you or what the word of God says about you. Every living being is going through something or some problem of some sort; it could differ in dimension and gravity. This state of life is what challenges our spiritual life and keep us renewing our mind and seeking God’s righteousness. It keep us reforming, renewing and improving; attempting always to overcoming our weaknesses and becoming stronger in our faith journeys. It also justifies God’s position that all has sinned and comes short of His glory. Again King David asked, If God should count our wrong doings, who can stand? That is why we attend Spiritual clinic [The Church] to be attended to by the Spirit of Christ. But God having seen and known all our shortcomings and human deficiencies has notwithstanding chosen us to proclaim His love and fulfill His commission. If God was looking for perfect persons, perhaps He would not find any human but He’s looking for those who in obedience would accept God’s righteousness and input it in their lives. That’s our great credential. God’s choice is more important than our shortcomings. After all while we were yet sinners, unlovable Christ died for us.
God knows our weaknesses but have decided to entrust us with His passion: The Great Commission. He has called/chosen us at this time and age, just the way we are despite our weaknesses and shortcomings to accomplish His will – what He has called us to do. Therefore ignore your relationship defeat and look unto Jesus, who has called you into His fold to accomplish His specific task [John 15:16]. Jesus came into the world to do the will of His Father. He was the first missionary that brought God’s sacrificial love to mankind. We have no lesser commission than that which God has entrusted unto us through Jesus Christ. He did what He saw the Father did and little wonder that the result of His works brought forth miracles, healings and restorations [John 5:17, 19-20; 1 John 1:1-3]. Release your minds and do not allow any work of nature to hinder you. You’ve been chosen to witness God’s love and grace. Do not limit yourself either by feeling incompetent and unsuitable and incomplete. Therefore stand up against all odds and give out yourself to speak boldly in the name of Jesus, the Gospel of the kingdom of God. God who has called you shall provide all you need to fulfill His assignment and to return glory and honor to Him.
All believers are called to evangelize, to preach the gospel of Christ. It does not matter what is your past or position. Cease every opportunity to speak the grace and mercies of God into someone’s life. The Gospel has to be preached in every part of the world, to every creature, so that the Good News shall reach every home, every family and every person on the surface of the earth. In the world is waiting for you, Pastor Sunday Adelaja says, “we are called to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our task is not only to preach the gospel but our whole life must bear witness to Jesus and be example of His holiness and righteousness. This is our calling.
I therefore invite you to make a decision today, indeed now, to a life- changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Act right now!
DECISION
v I confess that I have sinned and in lost direction;
v I need God’s forgiveness and pardon;
v I ask Jesus Christ to come into my heart;
This is my decision today, so help me God.
Name:…………………………………………..Date……………………
REFERENCES
Buckingham, Jamie (1990) “The End of the Discipleship Era,” Ministries Today,
January/February 1990, p. 46.
Buckingham, Jamie (1998), Power For Living, London: Munnbook Limited.
Coleman, Robert C (1976), The Master Plan of Evangelism. Old Tappan, NJ: Revell.
Dake Annoted Reference Bible.
Falwell, Jerry (1990), God’s Principles for Mending Broken Lives, Liberty Home
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Mooney, John, (199), Just who are real Christians Anywhere? 44thBaptistChurch
Pastors and Missionaries Conference, Arkansas, March 1990.
Moore, Beth, (2000), Breaking Free, New York, NY: B & H Publishing Group.
Murray, Andrew (2001), An Exciting New Life, New York, NY: Whitaker House.
Murray, Andrew (1999), God’s Best Secret, New York, NY: Whitaker House.
Lotz, Graham Anne, My Heart’s Cry, New York, NY: Thomas Nelson
Today [The Family Alter] Devotional Sunday March 4, 2007.
NOTE: I CANNOT FIND THE FOLLOWING BOOKS
- Mathews Henry [WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK?]
- Sunday Adelaja – The whole world is waiting for you [I CANNOT FIND THE PUBLISHER OF THIS BOOK. I know the book was published in 2006]
- Wayne A Cruden & Elliot Crudem – Christians Beliefs [I CANNOT FIND THIS BOOK ].
- Catechism Booklet [I CANNOT FIND THIS BOOK]
THE AUTHOR
Christianity today is at a crossroad with the emergence and proliferations of houses of worship with claims of miracle-provider. In the midst of this extraordinary “growth,” many seekers have indeed become more estranged and moved farther away from the presence and glory of God. It is no exaggeration to assert that in its present form the new-age church has erased or pushed the concept and relevance of salvation to the margin in worship and our relationship with God. In this sense, Evangelist Godswill Ogbonnaya’s book, Salvation Experience, is indeed a blessing and a breath of fresh air – coming at a time when Christians desperately need salvation.
The book is unique in the sense that it is written with a deep passion borne out of faith and conviction in the Word and Promise of God. The author’s discussion of the meaning and principles of salvation is based not only on his deep personal experience, but also on the tenets of the Scriptures. He successfully weaves together Scriptural definition, various discourses on salvation and the way in which most people have departed from God, thus loosing the promise of salvation.
In the book, Evangelist Ogbonnaya examines several questions that most people ask about salvation. These questions include: knowing whether or not one is saved; The meaning and implication of new life in Christ, including Jesus’ ministry and the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation; Who is a Christian; The conflicts and struggles Christians face after they have been saved; How God’s glory breaks satanic barriers in one’s life, among others. His answers to these existential questions are derived from a passionate and deep interpretation of the Scriptures. In fact, he leads the reader through a Scriptural and historical journey of the Church in its experience of salvation. His recommended strategies for achieving salvation in this time of great confusion are very insightful and liberating. This book has “recovered” and placed the concept and idea of salvation back in the center of our worship.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya is a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church of Houston and founder, Weefree Ministries (setting free through the power of the Gospel). An ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church with an evangelical Ministry, he has served the Church in various capacities. He is a prolific writer and renowned columnist in various print media, including The Christian Mirror, Christian Herald, Christian Faith Trumpet and has written on marriages, contemporary and cultural issues.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya is married to his wife, Elder Cordelia Orieji for 25 years and they are blessed with four lovely children: Chinazom Onyiyeoma, Chiagoziem Obiajurun, Chikere Nnaji and Chijindu Obinnaya.