The Unque Gift!

The Unique Gift!

1 John 4:9 AMP

[9] By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him.

This is a letter written by one of the disciples, who called himself John the Beloved. He was one of the members of the inner caucus of the disciples, having a front-row seat to some of the amazing events of Jesus' earthly ministry, such as the transfiguratiion of Jesus, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the heartbreaking events at the cross, where Jesus entrusted him with the care of  His earthly mother. He was a disciple who truly had an understanding of what love from God's perspective looks like, as we can see clearly from this first letter. He knew that this love is best understood in action, not merely in word as we see today.

How do we know that what we see is true love and not pretence? It will take a lot of pain and a little bit of 'stupidity' for a mortal man to give up his life for someone who hates him. It is not the way of the world to sacrifice itself for another person to walk all over him. We are by nature, proud and self-conscious; we need structure and predictability to our lives so we can take appropriate action to defend ourselves if and when the need arises. This is why what Jesus did is extraordinary; He did not wait for us to model good behaviour, or to earn the salvation He secured; in fact, at the time the sacrifice was made, I was not even born, so there was no way to determine how I would react. 

This is love: freely given, without conditions or limitations, so that the targets would make up their minds on how to react. There were no guarantees that I would accept the gift; in fact, the Omniscient God who knows the end from the beginning knew that some people would reject the gift to the end of their lives, yet He went ahead to offer the gift. Even if it was for just me, that one person who would come and take hold of what Jesus offered, God considered it worth the pain and sacrifice. Oh, what love!. A love that did not wait for me to earn, deserve or merit it, but He gave it all the same. Love from an eternal and limitless God to a mortal and limited man. 

In that conclusion above lies yet another eternal truth: God would not do all these and there would be no consequence to rejection of His gift. If He has secured eternal life with Him through this sacrifice, who can turn around and blame Him for missing eternity with Him if I reject His gift to the end? God will not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. There has to be a willingness to submit; a desire to personally experience this God. We live in and by Him; God has provided no other way. I must remember: eternity hangs on my response to what God has done and given. How do you plead? God's time of favour is here. 

Made Well!

Made Well!

Psalms 139:14 AMP

[14] I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

This is one of the songs of David, the man God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart. That is a special relationship God had with a mortal man, and it showed in the favour and blessings that David received from God. God is not man, but He seeks to do mighty things in the lives of His creation. He will not force Himself on anyone, neither will He go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that He will show up in mighty ways in the life of anyone who is totally surrendered to Him. David knew the beauty of this special relationship, as he started the song with these immortal words: 'O Lord, you have searched me thoroughly and have known me'. 

Those words can only come from the lips of someone who has seen, felt and knows who God is, what He can do and what He has done. Reflect on your own life today, and ask yourself how far you have come in the journey of life. Reflect on all that you have received from Him, and the many times you did not fully understand what was going on, but you can look back today, and come to the precise conclusion that only God could have come through for you in those times. Yes, things that were not palatable would have happened, but there is a grand scheme at work, the full details of which are not clear to me now, but are perfectly curated by the Omniscient God to work out for His glory and my blessing. 

This is why the verse above is the best place to start, in order to fully understand the rest of the journey. How can there be awesome and special considerations for a man's journey of life, and there will be no consideration for His person? How would I think that God can have all these awesome plans in place for me, but have no thoughts to my person, and how I will arrive at the place He has prepared for me? It is clear that God is interested and invested in all of the person, the plan, the purpose and the product. The plan and the purpose predates the person, and the person who will live out the plan and purpose has to be properly equipped and gifted for the assignment. 

This is why the verse above speaks directly to the One who has made it all possible. David invites us to join him to give thanks and sing praises to the One who made us. He chose the family through which we would be made known to the world; Hs planted us in the society where our peculiar gifts would be best used, and He continues to find avenues and platforms where these gifts can be fully used and maximised. What else could be bigger or better than to know that I am not an accident? Like David, I give thanks to God for who He is and what He has made me. What of you? God's time of favour is here.

Grace!

Grace!

Romans 3:23-24 AMP

[23] since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

There is a conclusion that is not subject to any debate or contention, and that is the fact that all of us have sinned. It has nothing to do with race, culture, language, or inheritance,  but from our shared human connection to the first man created by God. As all men are born of woman through the process of conception as well as gestation, we all inherit whatever it was that Adam and Eve inherited when they fell into sin in the Garden of Eden. As they could not find their way back to God without His help, so also can we not find our way back to God without His help today too. This is an understanding we all must have and start from, if we would take hold of all that God has made available for us. 

The same place where man first sinned was also the same place were God's divine plan of redemption, sanctification, and justification  was laid out. I note that all the three benefits listed here are all part of the same package. You do not get one without the others. We were the ones who sinned, and the ones who should have been punished, but it would have meant certain death and eternal separation from God. This is why God’s principle of substitution paid the price that was demanded by the same God for sin. Reflect on the fact that even though His Son was involved, God still did not waive the price; it had to be paid. 

This ought to make me fear God the right way. If He had not stepped in, I would not be here. By the sacrifice of Jesus, I am declared free of the guilt, burden and weight of sin. I am made acceptable to God, because it is no longer I who comes to claim righteousness, but I come in the name, and under the banner of the One who stood in my place. When God sees me, He sees the Son who took my place and now, I have access to the full riches of God's grace. There is eternal life for me now, and I know that though I do not yet have it in its fullness and reality, it has been sealed by blood, and it will be delivered when Jesus returns in His glory, or He calls me home. 

This is the reality of who I am now. The price was paid, the deal was signed, sealed and delivered to me. This is where I need to step into the place that had been prepared for me, step up into the assignment that has been given to me, and step out as His light into the world in which I have been placed. All that God did for me has an earthly and eternal purpose: show off the benefits of God's grace on earth and attract men to His light, and also take hold of the inheritance that Jesus has sealed for me by His death and resurrection. I stand to gain both here on earth as well as in heaven. That is the full package on offer: God has done His bit; how do I respond? Eternity hangs on my response. God's time of favour is here. 

The Ministry!

The Ministry!

2 Corinthians 5:18 AMP

[18] But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],

Paul speaks about both the earthly body that we have been given, and the heavenly body that we are aspiring to have. As long as we are in this earthly body, there are limitations to what we can do, and for how long we can do them. We are not able to fully take hold of eternal life with God in this earthly body, and that is why we must strive to take hold of the eternal body that is able to see God and be at home with Him. This is the message of Paul in the verses before the one above: 'ny goal in life must be to please God. This earthly body is the only preparation I have for the heavenly phase. If I get it right down here, I get to take hold of eternal life with God too. 

One of the reasons why understanding the place of the physical and spiritual bodies is because of what lies at the end of the earthly phase. A day comes when we must all stand before Christ to be judged, and to receive what we deserve for the good or evil we have done in the earthly body. It is this clarity on the present and future that guide my reaction and response. Because I understand, I must ensure that I pass on this light to others too. It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly or treated carelessly. The death of Jesus on the cross is the key to unlocking this new life and the benefits that it gives. It must be the start point for anyone seeking the new life that has been promised.

We are made ambassadors for the One that we represent. The bible says that anyone who belongs to Christ is now a new person, with the old life giving way to the new life. If I have truly given my life to Christ for safe-keeping, it means that He now controls my life, defines my pursuits and priorities, and secured my eternal reality. There is no ambassador who lives for himself; he speaks for the country he represents. We do not promote ourselves; we promote the One who secured eternal life for us. When I speak, relate or interact, I am putting out there by relationship with Christ. Do men see Him when I speak? Do men see Him in my daily activities? 

This is the ministry that I have been called to. It is not until I stand on a raised platform or a public pulpit before people know who I am. It is only those who have a personal experience of Christ that can speak of it to other people. You cannot give or pass on what you do not have. The ministry of reconciliation is for those who have themselves being reconciled to God. God has done His bit; He has paved the way for me to come back to God. He has paid the full price for redemption, and there is nothing else to pay. I cannot hide; I am not able to just glide through life; I have become a beacon that will either attract or repel men to or from Christ. Which one applies? God's time of favour is here. 

The Right End 2!

The Right End 2!

Zechariah 14:9 AMP

[9] And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord shall be the only one [worshiped], and His name the only one.

The prophet Zechariah served and ministered in the Jewish nation more than 2,500 years ago, according to available history.  That is about 500 years before Christ was manifest in the flesh. He was not physically there when Jesus was telling His disciples that He would die on the cross and that this sacrifice would be the key to sealing eternal life for all who put their trust and hope in Christ. Zechariah was not born, yet, God gave him clear pictures of what was ahead. The Omniscience God does not do mistakes, and there is nothing like an accident of history. Whatever it is that comes to pass falls in line with what He permits, and will also work out His will. 

This is the same God who declared in Genesis 8, after the flood that wiped out all human beings except 8 people, that as long as the earth remains in place, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night, shall not cease. That is a statement of purpose, and, as we know, God's word can never be broken or denied. Since the verse above was pronounced, we have seen the changing of times and seasons, but day will always follow night, and the process repeats itself all over again. Even when the Lord heard the voice of Joshua, and delayed the going down of the sun by one day, the sun still set and a new day dawned. That is undiluted power. 

In the midst of the same predictable cycle of creation lies the predictable return of Jesus one day. We do not know the exact day, as the Bible even records that only the Father knows the day, but if all other prophecies of God are being fulfilled, what stops this one too from coming to pass? If wars and rumours of wars were predicted and have already happened, as well as earthquakes in diverse places, we are indeed living in the days described as the end times. This is a reminder that even in the predictability of seasons, we must know that an end will come to all that we see today. What is the right response to this reality? It cannot be indifference; it has to be the right response. 

The reality is that one day, either by choice or compulsion, every knee will bow before the Lord in total submission. This is the message of the verse above: one day soon, the Lord shall be declared king over all the earth. He does not need my permission to be God; but He definitely needs my permission to be Lord of my life. It is the one decision that will impact my eternity. It is better that I bow now, and reign with Him in eternity, than to reject Him now and miss out on eternity. In that day, the Lord shall be the only one to be worshiped and His name the only one. Remember, this decision has eternal ramifications. Bow today; reign forever. Resist to the end, and there will be eternal regrets. As always, the choice is ours to make. God's time of favour is here. 

The Right End!

The Right End!

John 3:17 AMP

[17] For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.

At the time of creation, there was no sin. Man was made in the image and likeness of God, and created for fellowship with God. The breath of God was put in man, who became a living soul, and was put in charge of all that God had created. That was awesome position to be put in, and it is not a wonder that the focus of the devil was to promote a lie about what God had done and given, so that man could be distracted. Man was sold a lie about what God had already guaranteed, and man gave up all that he was meant to be, in order to pursue something he could never really get. That is the modus operandi of the devil: lie, cheat and deceive. 

Thank God the story did not end with man's fall, otherwise we would have no hope. This is where God and His Omniscience need to be studied and worshipped. At the very place of man's sin was the place of God's mercy. God did not allow the devil claim a spiritual victory over man; as soon as man fell in the Garden of Eden, God laid down a plan of salvation and redemption, stripping the devil of whatever he thought he gained, and giving man a way out of sin. That gift of God was not given as a bribe, and it is not an automated application, where you get to enjoy the gains and benefits of the gift without anything from you. This is where faith comes in. 

The gift is given, but it must be personally appropriated. You do not get it by scientific processes of osmosis or diffusion; you take hold of it by total surrender of your life to the same God who made, formed, empowered and planted you where you are.  The gift was not given to judge and condemn the world as the first point, but to point men's attention to the benefits and blessings that are available in the gift. By this gift, our past is washed away and we are made whole and clean. By this gift, we receive grace, strength and help for whatever this life wants to throw at us. By this gift, we are able to focus on the eternal, whilst working our way through the earthly. 

However, it must be noted that the judgement of the world will still happen by this same gift at the end of this earthly phase. We have now to make up our minds what we want to do with the gift that has been given. God wants the salvation of the entire human race, because His love does not see the eternal loss of anyone. As we know, He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of our freewill. He offers salvation, full and free, and invites us all to take hold of Him and receive life. A time comes when the gift will be withdrawn, and all that will be left will be regrets and doom. Today is the day of decision: which end would you prefer: life eternal with God, or eternal damnation away from God? God's time of favour is here. 

The Right Content!

The Right Content!

2 Corinthians 7:1 AMP

[1] Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.

How do I cleanse myself from everything that contaminates my body and spirit? What do I do to keep God's temple clean in this perverse world where everything around us tends to defile us? It starts with a clear understanding that my body is the temple of God. If I do not know who I am, or whose I am, anything becomes permissible. A regular home event will help: when you buy or move into a new house, do you just clean it once and then leave it to beathe as it pleases? Would you not set up regular cleaning cycles, taking out the trash, replace broken or dead parts and also ensure that all visitors coming into your house understand the rules that govern your space? 

In the same way, in the spiritual, you do not allow things to degenerate before you address them. As the temple of God, it is a daily exercise in cleaning and cleansing, to be sure that there is no evil or dirt festering. You are careful and deliberate about what you allow to settle in or around your home, because if it stays long enough around you, it will most likely get into you. All it takes is for someone to dump an old mattress right in front of your house; before long, if you do not make effort to clear that, before you know it, people assume it is a dump site, and other refuse will follow. That is the power of one simple action, with long-term impact.

I am careful about the company that I permit around me; the sights and sounds that I allow to linger; the conversations that I uphold or promote; the quality of time spent on the things that promote a clean and pure heart. It is this consciousness of who I am that drives my terms of engagement with this evil world. I must not spread myself so thin that I think I can cover every need around me. I need to focus on what I can control. I can only give out of what I have, and I cannot give on credit, otherwise, I will burn out. Compromise, sin, and blending with the world dilute the message and make me out as a hypocrite. Knowing what lies at the end of holiness helps keep me focused and engaged.

I keep an eye on the eternal, even whilst sorting out impact in the earthly. Men may say holiness is not possible, but the One who commands it did not ask me to do it by myself. His grace is sufficient for every demand that the world seeks to place on me. The fear of God is a filter; it keeps you away from that which seeks to pollute. You have to engage the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. It is not this weekly or monthly appointment; it is a a daily dependence. I must keep clear lines of communication with God open, so He can always reach, teach and guide me. I cannot afford to switch off and forget who or whose I am. Is my life set apart for God’s purpose? God's time of favour is here. 

The Right Foundation!

The Right Foundation!

Romans 1:17 AMP

[17] For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith". 

As we know from the chapter from where the verse above is taken, both the speaker/writer and the audience have had experiences. Paul was a man who had walked in the paths of death and destruction, before Jesus stepped in and saved his soul, setting him apart to bring the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles of his days. We also know that the church in Rome was a mix too: there were Jews and Gentiles alike, people who were bound by a common denominator, which was the call of God upon them to live holy and sanctified lives. Paul referred to them as 'the beloved of God', which means the love of God did not consider the weights we would have linked them to today.

It did not matter what they had done in the past up to this time; what mattered was who they were now, and where they were going. That is the power in the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation for all men. It is the message of God, His love, His display of mercy on all mankind, and the constant open door of grace for all, until the door is shut and the offer is permanently withdrawn. It calls for sober and thoughtful reflection by all of us: what would a God who gave so much demand from me? Would God not expect me to surrender all to Him, in full appreciation of what I had received from Him in the first place? 

The gospel reveals the righteousness of God, in which all men come from the same point to the supply of God's grace. It has nothing to do with my circle of influence, my network or networth, my bank account balance, or anything else that the world considers important. We all were born in sin, so there was no merit to hold on to. We all were born as people in need of help that we could not manufacture by ourselves, but God stepped in and gave us a way back to Himself. The offer was made at the same place and time that sin came in, and that offer is still valid till today. He waits for all of us to take hold of that offer and come to Him. This is the basis of faith. This is why labour and striving do not work.

I reach out because I know that He can save me. As always, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. This is what faith means: I reach out because I believe He is able to save. Everything about this walk is faith from first to last. I have not seen heaven but the One who promised eternity with Him lives inside of me, and gives me an assurance that all is well. Even when the reality around me bites hard, I hold on because I have been told where it all ends and by faith, I know that God does not lie. It is a journey of faith. There is no room for self-promotion. The offer is still open; I take hold of it, lay hold of it to the end, and wait for the reward of faith. What about you? God's time of favour is here. 

The Right Search!

The Right Search!

Isaiah 55:6 AMPC

[6] Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.

There is an interesting message at the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken. There is an invitation to everyone who is thirsty. The invite says: 'Come to the waters' and that he who has no money should come, buy and eat priceless, spiritual wine and milk. Reflect on this: how can you buy something priceless and precious without money and without price? This has to be something that the riches of this world cannot fathom. It has to be something of value beyond this earthly phase. There is an endless supply of waters, refreshment and nourishment, but I have to take the step to come to the source, and taking Him up on His promises.

God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. However, as the verse above makes clear, He is available, approachable, and willing to help me get to the place where He wants me to be. The verse above starts with an admonition or a warning, asking me to 'seek' the Lord. To seek is to actively, diligently and wholeheartedly pursue God, His will, His righteousness and His wisdom. It is an intense desire to know and follow God. You may ask: Why seek someone who is Omnipresent? This is the mystery of God- He is everywhere, yet He seeks men to truly desire a relationship with Him. 

God is everywhere, yet He will show Himself strong in the lives of all who truly surrender their lives to Him. As there are many pretenders to divinity, I need to be sure of which God I truly seek. Am I focused on the one and only God, or am I distracted by the things and people around me? There also appears to be a timeframe within which I must seek the Lord. This tells me quite clearly that I do not have forever on this side of earth to make up my mind on what I want to do. God is a fundamental part of who I am, what I will become and the plan and purpose I have been created and planted to achieve. Before it is too late, I need to sort out my priorities. 

The verse above ends with yet another word of admonition: call upon Him while He is near. Does this imply that a time will come when God is not near? Better believe it. We do not have forever on this side of eternity to sort out our pursuits and priorities. We are not given endless time in this mortal body. All we are or do today is in our earthern vessels, and one day, we will give it up to take on the body that does not die, and which will stand for judgment. Whilst I have time, and while God is approachable and available, I had better call. A day comes when eternal separation makes it impossible for God to hear and save. Does He know you as His own? Does He know me as His too? God's time of favour is here.

The Right Decision!

The Right Decision!

Matthew 16:24 AMP

[24] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]

As always, we see the interactions of Jesus with the leaders of His day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were naturally antagonistic, because Jesus came to challenge their hold and authority over the people. The fact that a situation has persisted over the years does not mean that it is right, or that it must be left as it is, and not challenged. The Pharisees were looking for a sign, but Jesus would not give them anything, except the sign of Jonah who was in the belly of the whale for three days. This was a picture of the coming death of Jesus on the cross. Of course, the Jewish leaders did not understand what He was speaking about.

For the disciples, it was a different experience. Jesus spoke in parables to the crowd and the Jewish leaders, but He spoke in plain language to His disciples. These men had stayed with Him through the opposition and resistance of the Jewish leaders, but it was time for Jesus to go the way of the cross. He had asked the disciples if they truly knew Him, and Peter had pronounced those immortal words: "You are Christ, the son of the living God". The same Peter had also tried to stop the plan, thinking it was possible to use human means and methods to stop God's divine plan of salvation.  Thank God that Jesus prayed for Peter.

In the same place where Jesus foretold His death, He laid down the cost of discipleship. He did not try to sugarcoat it, as we try to do these days in order to draw men in. The truth is always the strongest attraction, because you know clearly what you are getting into from the start. The crowd was not there at this moment, and those who would take this important message to the world were the ones who needed to hear it. The invitation to make the approach is for anyone. It does not care what the past looks like; it does not matter what the stains and weight look like. All I am asked to do is to follow Jesus. He is the One who welcomes all who sincerely seek Him. 

Like Jesus, I must set aside selfish interests, and take on my cross, whatever the personal sacrifice may be, and follow Jesus. At this point, I am not seeking that which makes me comfortable, but that which glorifies the One I follow. As it has always been made clear, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. It must be willing surrender, but laced with a dose of compulsory conscription once you have stepped in. The example is Jesus, and not anyone or anything else. It is a stand with Jesus to the end, wherever He leads, even to death. Does this describe my current pursuits and priorities? God's time of favour is here. 

The Right Spirit!

The Right Spirit!

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

[7] For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

There are times when the weight or size of the assignment in front of us seems to be crushing. If I ever get to the point where I am confident in my skills, eloquence, gifting and placement, and not in the One who aligns these things, there is trouble ahead. It has to be noted that all of God's assignments are opportunities for Him to work in and through those who belong to Him.  He knows that we are human and weak by ourselves, and at no time does He demand that we do anything by strength, guile or human wisdom. The earthly and mortal, left alone, can never achieve God's purpose. It needs the divine enablement that only God can give.

This was the summary of the life of the boy Timothy. At the time the letter above was been written, the boy was still struggling to find his way. The stars were not aligned in his favour at the time: his father was Greek, which made him non- acceptable to the Jews at the time. His mother and grandmother were women of faith, and the bible was very careful to note that these women impacted the life of the boy Timothy. Paul was the mentor who circumcised the boy in line with Jewish culture so he could be accepted by the Jews. Paul was also the man who gave the boy a platform to minister and be a blessing to the church of God at the time. 

It could have been convenient for Paul to lay out the counsel in the verse above, and let the boy muddle through on his own. Paul's life choices eased the process for the young man. Are there lives that God can commit into my hands, sure and certain that these lives will not end up in shame? The verse above also lays out God's perspective when it comes to service: do not rely on your own strength or wisdom. God is the One who supplies what is required to achieve His assignment. It is His field, His creation, His supply; His presence and His plan that define my application. If I do not know what needs to get done, how can I even know where to start and what to do? 

He does not promote fear or timidity. The work is enormous, but His Spirit is capable. He gives His Spirit, which is of power, love and sound judgment and personal discipline. This tells me that the work of the Spirit of God is first internal, before it is manifested externally. Power and love have to first be internalised before they can flow unhindered. Discipline is the product of a life of total and absolute surrender. The Spirit of God cannot thrive in a place of disunity. He may choose to manifest Himself through any vessel, but He cannot flow unhindered where there is fear or timidity. I give my life totally to God, and ask Him to do what only He can do. God's time of favour is here. 

The Right Price!

The Right Price!

2 Samuel 24:24 KJV

[24] And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Science says that the higher you go, the cooler it becomes. God also has a view, and the experiences of the people in the bible make it clear that the higher or deeper you go with God, the more careful you have to be. This was the experience of David, a man that God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart. Yet, at the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we read that God Himself incited David against His own people Israel. I am reminded again today to be careful of God. His rules of engagement are sancrosant; He will not bend the rules for anyone, no matter how special you think you are. Israel had sinned and needed to be punished, and a man whose heart was not fully committed to God at the time became the tool of punishment. 

David was incited, and who is the man that can resist God? God has not yet made a thing that He cannot control or direct. David moved, and despite the view of Joab the commander of the army, who thought that it was not the right thing to do, the king prevailed, and he got the news he was looking for: nine months of cross-country census led to over a million and three hundred thousand fighting men. At least, that was a number that could make the heart of any mortal king glad. The world also says that there is strength in numbers. If David had paused for a moment, he would have remembered several times that God gave him victory, though he was hopelessly outnumbered. Why would a man who had been helped by God this way be quick to rely on just numbers for comfort and safety? 

The damage was already done, and the just punishment had to be applied. God gave David 3 options, and it is instructive to note that the same God who was punishing was the same God David ran to for mercy. In that holds another life lesson: God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found, but His love wil not let the sinner be destroyed, if the sinner truly returns to God. True repentance and a heart that continually seeks God's help to live right is what God will never despise. The punishment started, and seventy thousand had died before God relented. The angel was poised to strike when God said 'Enough'. We do not know, but maybe Araunah was next. This man knew he was fortunate, and was ready to give the entire floor to David to offer sacrifices as commanded by God. 

Araunah offered David everything for free: oxen, threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. David, a product of God's mercy but a man who also understood divine rules of engagement, knew that if there was no price, it would not have value. David could have been killed too, but he was spared, and now had to offer a sacrifice of value to God, as an atonement for the sin of the people. There is a close likelihood to what Jesus did. We could say we did not pay anything to get what Christ delivered, but is it really free? It cost God His Son, and He looked away as His Son bore our sin. I cannot afford to belittle that sacrifice, or treat it with levity. Going forward, as a life that knows what it has received from God, I must live a life of sacrifice and total devotion to God. Nothing less than my best. What would I be willing to give up if God demands for it? God's time of favour is here. 

Made, to Become!

Made, to Become!

2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP

[21] He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

It is important to consider the weight of what Jesus did for us, and to determine the precise expectations that He has from us, so we can live our lives daily in the consciousness of these expectations. It may have been said several times over the past few days, but it bears repeating again that Christ paid a huge sacrifice to secure the life we now have. God could have chosen any other way to pay the price of redemption of man, and because He is God, He would have been justified, but He chose this: the principle of substitution, where the innocent stood in the place of the guilty, so that the guilty could become like the innocent. 

This is deep. May God can shed His light of  understanding on me, so I can fully grasp the dimensions and implications of this sacrifice. The power and mercy of God says that He 'made Him who knew no sin' to be sin on our behalf. It appears to me that it was the will of God that this would happen. This was why Jesus prayed that prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the weight pressed on Him, asking that the coming cup of glory may pass over Him. However, He was careful to add that it was not His will that needed to be done, but the will of His Father who had it all planned long before it was made manifest. That is not carelessness; that is divine strategy. 

Oh the depths of the riches of God's love; I do not have the art or device that can fully explain the depth, scope and reach of what I have been given. Whatever it is I want to lay claim to, it is tied to the finished work of Jesus on the cross; nothing and no one else. It was an act of justice; a crime had been committed, the law had prescribed the just punishment for that crime, and it was only right that the person who did the crime should do the time. This is where God's mercy makes all the difference: the crime had been done and the punishment was still going to be applied, but someone else who did not do the crime was going to pay the price. 

By and of ourselves, we would not have made it. God used His own divine process to restore us to Himself. It is in and by Him that we become whatever it is that is His plan and purpose for us. Whatever was in my past, no matter how dirty, has been dealt with, and whatever led to my separation from God has come to an end. I am now made acceptable to Him, and placed in a right relationship with God, all because of His love that would just not let me go. This is the silent but obvious truth: be sure that an accounting will be demanded from all who have been given this gift. Now that I know what I have been given, the ideal response is surrender. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

At all Times!

At all Times!

1 Peter 5:8 AMP

[8] Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

Peter had a personal experience of what he was speaking on in the verse above. Here was a man that was given to emotional outbursts, and was seen as someone who was weak, or easily swayed, or malleable. That was his past but this looked nothing like his future. This is where an encounter with Jesus becomes very important. A few years later, this same Simon had betrayed Jesus, had gone back to his old trade of fishing, had been restored, given the name Peter, had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, had been involved in the mission activity of the early church, and was used by God to touch several lives. Indeed, it matters where you have been, and who you have been with. 

That encounter is the start of anything that will make impact. Peter had one, and it made him a blessing to his audience, as well as a blessing to the church of God till today. Check out the introduction to this letter: he called himself an apostle of Jesus Christ, sent to the people referred to as the elect, living as exiles and scattered across the nations at the time. There had to be something of value keeping people focused on Christ. You do not stay in a system that demands sacrifice from you, if there were no benefits and blessings to be earned from that experience. 

Check out the brief insight into what we gain by our encounter with Christ. We are chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father, and by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood. That is not something to be taken with levity. You would also assume that these special access and endowments should be sufficient to keep us away from nasty or unpalatable experiences. Well, it appears that this is not the usual way God works. I take hold of eternal when I surrendered my life to Jesus, but the devil will also not keep quiet and watch me succeed in my walk of faith. He will do all he can to distract me. This is the word of caution that is the focus of the verse above. The verse above admonishes me to be sober, alert and cautious at all times.

It is not an attempt to stop me from enjoying this life, but to do so with a consciousness of the temporal nature of all that I see today. I keep an eye open on current events, but I also keep an eye shut in prayer as I seek God's direction for reaction and response to all that I see or hear. I cannot afford to ever switch off, as the devil never rests. He is described as a roaring lion, fiercely hungry and seeking available lives to devour. I must also clearly know that I will not defeat the devil by human schemes. Labour and striving will end up going into the wind; only the One who has defeated the devil permanently is able to hold, keep and preserve me in His will, and guarantee a good end.  Have you met this God? God's time of favour is here. 

Take Heed!

Take Heed

Mark 13:33 AMP

[33] “Be on guard and stay constantly alert [and pray]; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.

Just as it was in the days of Jesus, so is it now. The disciples could see the amazing structures, but Jesus made it clear that things were going to change. Things are happening around us that are frightening, and at the same time, inspiring. Everywhere you turn, standards are being lowered or compromised. Yet, in the face of all the uncertainties around us, there is a Word from God that makes it clear that a day of reckoning is coming. We have an assurance from God that things would not always be the same. How do you prepare the right way for an uncertain future? How do you get ready for an event whose timeline you are not sure about? 

This is where the verse above makes sense. It is not possible to get ready the right way for all that is ahead, without the help of the One who has set times and seasons in His own wisdom. He has apportioned times to all the activities and events under heaven, and they will happen at His instruction and direction. He has given us ample information about what these latter days will look like, and He has also provided us the tools and resources that we need to make the best use of these times. No one can claim ignorance of where we are now: the end times. All the events that Christ assured us will be the signs of the end times are already happening. 

So that there is no confusion, some of these events are: false claims by men to be the Messiah, wars and rumours of wars, famines, earthquakes in various places, and severe harassment because of our faith. Nowhere did God say that things wil be rosy; nowhere did God promise a life free of trials and tough times. What He promises is His presence that never leaves us, no matter what we go through. His Omniscience qualifies Him to speak to my present and future, which have already been determined, preserved, signed and sealed,  and will be delivered by His power. Nothing happens without His express permission. Nothing happens by accident. 

That is the comfort behind the words of the verse above. When I know that God has my back, why should I fret or worry? When He has sorted out my future,  why should the present be a burden? I may not know the day or the hour when He will come for me, but I can rest assured that whenever it happens, it will end in glory for me. That is why I must be on guard and stay constantly alert. I note the verse above adds: 'and pray'. It is not to shut my eyes in blissful ignorance, but to be aware and pray with understanding. I do not know when the appointed time will come, but being in God's hands makes the journey worth it. May I be worthy of heaven at the end of this present earthly phase. God's time of favour is here. 

My Light!

My Light!

Matthew 5:16 AMP

[16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The verse above is taken from the first Sermon of Jesus on the mountain, after He had chosen His disciples. It is to be noted that there was a crowd of people at the foot of the mountain, but He was addressing only the disciples. You can be in the midst of a crowd, but God is able to single you out with a message that is peculiar and personal to you. This was where the disciples were at this time. They did not have the full picture of who this Jesus was, but they knew enough to seek to follow Him. As it was then, so is it now. The Lord is still seeking men who will follow Him wholeheartedly and live out the life that He wants them to have. 

In one of the verses just before the one above, Jesus called the disciples the light. That is a strong picture: light is such that cannot be defined outside of the work it does, and the channel or means by which it is expressed, promoted or produced. There is always a source or channel, and a purpose for the light. In this instance, Jesus is the Light by which we also become the light. It means that there is no light outside of Him. There is no identity outside of Jesus. It is important that I sort out my identity and allegiance. This determines what I have access to. If Jesus is the Light, and I am in Him, I have access to all that He is and has.

As light, I cannot be hidden or ignored. Light is such that it may be taken for granted, but it will definitely be missed when it is absent. I have to be such a person. Even if I am not conscious of it, my identity in Christ makes it difficult for me to hide. People are watching me very closely; they may not want to live up to the right standard, but be sure that they know the standard and will hold me to it, if I indeed claim affinity with Jesus the Light. Am I indeed in Christ? I also need to point out that it is not enough to know about Him, be able to speak eloquently about Him, or be sitting near Him; I have to be IN Him. Nothing else works. Does this describe me at the moment? 

The benefit of light is in what it does outside of itself. Light brings illumination and dispells darkness. The lives of men would be the best platform for the manifestation of light. As I shine the light by my good deeds and moral excellence, people recognise the hand of God upon me, and they can honour the God that I have made a public declaration about. How can I be the proper reflection of a God that I am not fully submitted to? There can be no doubt that I have had an encounter with the Light. God in heaven is glorified when His children represent Him well. May the Lord be pleased to display His power and splendour in me. God's time of favour is here.

Helped!

Helped!

Isaiah 53:6 KJV

[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Yesterday, we considered the love of God and what He gave up as a function of that love. We know that it was a huge price to pay, as it was the first and last time that God had to look away from His Son as He hung on the cross. In order to fully grasp the impact of the sacrifice made, Galatians 3:13 KJV says that 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree'. That is the weight that Jesus had to carry for my sake, so that I could walk away from the consequences of my actions. I get to walk away, but into what? What is expected of me, now that I have come to a knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done?

Let it be clear from the verse above that all men, born of women, inherit the sinful nature. There is no cultivation, refinement or natural cleansing that can deal with the stain of sin. Romans 3:23 KJV says: 'for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God'. ALL. That is the start point of the verse above: all of us have strayed away like sheep. It is part of our human nature to choose the path of least resistance. It does not take much effort to steal, to lie, to deceive and to make false claims. That is our human nature. By and of ourselves, we cannot save ourselves. We walked away, but God would not let go. We consistently rejected Him, but He would not let go. How else can you define love? 

I thank God that the story did not end at my walking away. I thank God that He did not leave me to my own devices. I thank God He did not give up on me so easily. Right at the place of man's first sin was the place where the plan of redemption for man was also laid out. This plan was not an afterthought; the fact that a prophet like Isaiah, who lived about 600 years before Christ, could speak quite clearly about this plan, means that God meant it, and He would bring it to pass. I am grateful to God that He did not give up on me. I am very grateful that I have been called by Him into a new relationship with Christ, leading to eternal life with God, and an inheritance with Christ.

Now that I know what I have received, what are the decisions I need to take in response? When I fully consider the price paid and the prize at stake, what are the options? It has to be clear now that with all that God has done and given, there is no excuse if I reject His gift to the end of my natural life. God laid the iniquity of the world on Hiim so He could deal with it permanently. What, then, is the point of holding on to something that has been dealt with? Why let that which Christ has defeated then defeat you, and prevent you from taking hold of all that Christ has secured? I do not have to die again for something the Life of God has dealt with. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here.

This Love!

This Love!

John 3:16 KJV

[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The world has its own version of events. It has its definitions of concepts and ideas. It preents love as an action, and it manifests in many ways. A few of these manifestations are actually selfish lusts, inordinate desires, and outright sin, but because it is widespread and also in line with our fallen human nature, it has become the default setting for many people. The fact that something is popular does not, by itself, make it right with God. The fact that films, books and culture say a thing is acceptable does not make it any less a sin. It must also be noted that the world's view is always about what it can get; never about what it can give.

God also has His own definitions. The focus of the view from heaven is what is presented to us in the verse above. The first thing that is made clear is that God's definition of love is about what He gave, leading to what He would then get. He did not wait for the targets of His love to first be worthy; He knew they needed help, so He reached out His hand to draw them to Himself. He did not just give anything that was easy to forgo; He gave up His own Son. He did not also give up His Son grudgingly; He gave Him up willingly. Reflect on this: part of the price of love was that the Father would look away from the Son as the Son hung on the cross. 

What makes this even more important is that the Omniscient God knew that some would reject this gift to the end of their earthly lives, yet He gave up His Son anyway. There were no guarantees from my side that I would accept the gift, but He offered it anyway, and for as long as this earthly phase remains, this gift will not expire. Reflect on the fact that long before I was born, the gift was already offered. However, it must be emphasized that physical death is the end of the gift for all of mankind; it is appointed unto man once to die, and after death comes judgement. If the Lord tarries, the gift remains in place, effective and efficient as it was when it was first offered. 

Why was such a high price paid? As it has been mentioned above, God's love did not wait for me to earn it; He showed me love at a time that I did not even know that I needed it. He also waits for me to step into that which He has given. The benefits that are tied to God's love also make it worthwhile: there is eternal life at the end, but there is a lifetime of impact while I wait. The fact that I am not taken to heaven as soon as I am saved means that there are benefits down here on earth to prepare me for the fullness that heaven gives. Rejecting this gift has eternal consequences. Do not reject the gift of love that the God of love has given; He waits for you and I. God's  time of favour is here. 

Owned!

Owned!

1 Corinthians 3:16 AMP

[16] Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]?

It has to be noted that Paul was writing to people who had come to a personal knowledge of Jesus. Yes, they had heard about Him, and they had given their lives to Him, but as we know, it is not a one-off or one-time experience; it is a lifelong learning experience. You do not get in and then fold your hands and watch; you need to walk out that salvation with fear and trembling. This is clear from the first verse of the chapter from where the verse above is taken. Paul referred to his audience as brothers and sisters, but he also added that he was addressing them as worldly people, and infants in the new life in Christ. What could have led Paul here? 

It must also be noted that this was a church with many spiritual gifts, and Paul used this church to teach about the value of these gifts and how they help the church, but it was this same church that had a man sleeping with his brother's wife, as it was also the church with no regard for the ordinance of the Lord's supper. It appeared that the church did not yet know who they were, what they had been called out of and into, and what the rules of engagement were. This walk of faith cannot align with the life I once had before I met Christ. It is a call to a different standard: a different lifestyle. Can I say, with total conviction, that I have met this Christ?

The consequence of that understanding of who I am, whose I am, and what I have been called into, is what is laid out in the verse above. Paul was asking the church: 'do you not know who/what you are? Please note that the verse is not speaking to all who just come into church, but those whom the Christ of the church lives in. Being in the physical space of church is not what counts, but who lives in you. I am called the temple of God; the picture is one that reflects a place of holiness, purity and sacrifice. A temple is not a place where people joke or play in; it is a place we treat with reverence. If I know this, why do I allow just anything to pass through or settle in my temple? 

It is really amazing how this works: I am seen as the church, because the Christ of the church lives in me. His presence in me is not a seasonal wonder; His plan is that He comes in and stays in. It is not a weekly, monthly or annual sacrifice; it is a daily devotion and focus on the things that matter. The Spirit of God dwells in all who belong to Christ, and I must be conscious of this reality on a regular basis. I am no longer under the control or influence of the world system; I am under new ownership. If I get it right and you get it right, picture the amazing experiences that await us when we come together in fellowship. Christ has paid the price; does He really own me? God's time of favour is here. 

He is Near!

He is Near!

Psalms 145:18 AMP

[18] The Lord is near to all who call on Him, To all who call on Him in truth (without guile).

This is a psalm of David, the man referred to by God as a man after His own heart. One of the peculiar things about David was his ability to see God in every situation he was in, even in the ones he caused by his own greed and selfishness. Even when he committed the sins of adultery and murder, and God levied punishment, he penned down a song of mercy and grace. That is the impact of a life that knows that God's help is non-negotiable. If I ever get to a point where I think I can make it on my own or do not need God anymore, that is a dangerous place to be. Like David, I must seek God in all that goes on around me. I must give Him room to be who He is. 

That is the message of the verse above. David always found reasons to praise God, and I must do the same. If I really think deep, I will find several reasons to praise God. Do alarms really wake you up in the morning, or is it a good digestive system that ensures that food does not choke me to death? What could I have done to guarantee that my heart keeps pumping blood to vital areas of my body, or that I am able to process information in order to make decisions? Was it that I just walked into faith and salvation of my own accord, without help from anyone? Is there anything I could have done by myself, by reason of my own wisdom or labour? 

What all the above points prove is that God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but He will show Himself strong in the lives of all who are fully committed and submitted to Him. God does not change; all through the changing times, seasons, dispensations and generations of this earthly phase, God has remained the eternal, never-changing One. He is not like unpredictable shifting shadows, but He is called the Ancient of Days for a reason. Time does nothing to reduce His power, and my acceptance or rejection of Him does nothing to limt or reduce His power. He is not man in anyway, shape or form, so He is not distracted by the cares and worries of tnis earthly phase. 

He has been there through all the ages, and as the Omnipotent and Omnipresent God, He is approachable. He does not turn His back on anyone who truly approaches in total trust and submission. He is eternal, so the issues if time and space do not limit Him in any way. The entire earth is His footstool, so He is able to address any issue that may arise from anywhere. One of the terms in the verse above is to 'call on Him in truth'. We deal with a God who cannot be deceived. Men may applaud the physical; God sees the heart and its motive. If the heart is wrong, it does not matter what the earth applauds. Let there be no guile or deceit. God is near and He loves to help. Let go and let God work. God's time of favour is here. 

No One Else!

No One Else!

Acts 4:12 AMP

[12] And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”

One may ask: "What is in a name"? Actually, quite a lot. There were instances in the Bible where God specifically named a child to be born, because there was an assignment that child was to carry out. Samson was one of such children, and even Solomon was given a name by God, because God loved that child. Of course, Jesus the son of God was also named by God long before He was born in the flesh. His name Jesus signifies His mission, goal and assignment on earth, and means "Yahweh saves," "Yahweh is salvation," or "Jehovah is helper". If you have experienced this name, you will know that indeed, names are important. 

The verse above also lays emphasis on the name Jesus. There was a lame man at the gate of the temple, who had been in that position since birth. It was an encounter with the name of Jesus through the ministry of Peter and John that the lame man walked. In fact, Peter was careful to note the name by which the miracle was done: “Silver and gold I do not have; but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, begin now to walk and go on walking!”. The name of Jesus was pronounced over a situation that had persisted for a long time, and in an instant, that situation changed. That is the power in a name that is backed up by God. 

It must be noted that the miracle of healing was given to a man who had no prior record of salvation. This tells me that the name of Jesus can change a man's life, even without being saved, but there can be no lasting or eternal impact without salvation. Jesus is strong enough by Himself, because He is God. He can do all things as the Omnipotent God, but He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. This is the part where I get to decide by myself what I will do with the name Jesus. I must note that God does not need me to be God; long before I was born, He has been God, and long after this version of earth has ceased to exist, He  will continue to be God. 

The standard has been laid, and there must be no confusion. People bear several variants of the name Jesus, but there is no other name other than the original Jesus, by which God has promised, purchased, provided and sealed salvation for all mankind. No human being has the power to do what only Jesus can do. God has laid down the law: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one can come to the Father except through the Son. Men can scheme their way through any earthly experience, but you cannot argue your way into eternal life by any earthly scheme. I have to come by the blood. There is no other alternative. Come to Jesus today. He waits for all, and He can save all. God's time of favour is here. 

Faith!

Faith!

Romans 10:17 AMP

[17] So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.

The popular chapter 11 of Hebrews gives us an insight into what God would present as faith. Tne Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as 'a strong, often unquestioning belief or complete trust in a person, idea, or entity (such as God), frequently maintained despite a lack of empirical proof'. Reflect in this: even the world system knows that there is a place for empirical evidence, but there is also a realm where what you hold on to is not backed up by anything the world can see, but what you are convinced and convicted about. If what I need has already been physically provided, what am I trusting God for? If I do not yet have it, I have room for faith, hope and trust that God is able to keep His promises. 

That is the background to the verse above. Paul was writing to the church in Rome, and he was making reference to people who, not knowing about God’s righteousness which is based on faith, they sought to establish their own [righteousness based on works. They rejected God’s righteousness, seeking to please God by labour and striving. Of course, when you need access to a king, you do not choose your own ways and means. You come by the channel the king has laid down for access. If the King has made it clear that alll appointments are only valid when processed through His Son, it is a waste of time to think that you can go around or above the Son. How am I seeking God today? How do you seek Him? 

In seeking God, we have established that we come by faith. You need a conviction for faith, and it comes from the word of God. The message of faith cannot be fully understood or applied outside the clear word of God. It is His word that comforts us in all our afflictions and trials. It is His Word that helps us keep going, even when we do not understand the WHY behind the WHAT around us. It is His word that helps me understand who Christ is,  what He has done and what I stand to gain and lose by His death and resurrection. He does not hold back vital information: there will be gains and losses on this journey of faith, and because I do not have the full picture, I need to trust that God knows what He is doing. 

This is why i must take advantage of every opportunity to hear God's Word. The world is both loud and confrontational; it seeks to drown out every other voice except its own. I cannot allow the world to speak to me; I must make room for God to speak. He will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that His help is fully available and accessible if I seek Him with my whole heart. The world has a right to speak; I also have a right to ignore what the world says. Faith comes by hearing; fear also comes by hearing, but the source defines the fruit. Be careful what you allow to settle on your heart, because what you hear leads to what you believe, and who you believe defines your eternal destiny. God's time of favour is here.

Real Life!

Real Life!

John 5:24 AMP

[24] “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.

Jesus had healed a man who was ill for thirty eight years. The Jewish leaders at the time did not like the fact that the healing had taken place on the Sabbath day. It was even made worse by the fact that the man who was healed went on to declare to them that it was Jesus who healed him, and Jesus too was calling God His own Father, which means He was making Himself equal with God. As much as we know that this angered the Jews at the time, we also know that all of the claims of Jesus were true. Indeed, He is the Son of God and the One who saves us from all our sin. By and through Him, we receive life, peace and merxy to live right and please Him. 

The audience at the time included the Jewish leaders, a lot of people, the man who had been healed, and His disciples. Jesus took the opportunity to teach the audience about the principles and practices of His kingdom, and how the people could relate to and enjoy the benefits and blessings of the kingdom. It must be made clear that though God invites us all to be a part of His kingdom, He has rules of engagement that those who want to come in must adhere to. That is why the verse above starts with 'any person'. It does not matter what my past looks like; it matters what I do from here onwards. Anyone can come in; it is he who does what is right that stays in.

The invitation also means that we will all hear. We will all have access to the Truth, and we have the power of the choice of response. Not all who come have an interest in hesring; some just come because it is the popular movement at the time. Not all who hear also heed and obey; some do not want anything to challenge their comfort and convenience. They would rather blend in and stay quiet. There are others that the Word will touch and lead to change, leading to believing and trusting in God. This is the ultimate desire of God for all who come in contact with Him. He is the Light that gives Life to all who come to Him. Have I truly believed, and am I trusting in God?

The end game is eternal life with God. As the verse above makes clear, this is the Life that actually begins at the point where the person is transformed. Such a person has already taken hold of eternal life, and had passed on from death to Life. Such a person does not come into judgment and condemnation. The curse of sin is broken; the spring of life is well and truly open, and the Light and Life of God are made manifest in such a life. What an awesome privilege, but also a sobering awareness of what is expected of me. When you consider all that Jesus has secured for all of us, it is important to note that an account will be demanded from all of us. What would yours look like? What would mine? God's time of favour is here. 

The Assignment!

The Assignment!

Matthew 28:19 KJV

[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

The deal is done; the account of sin has been fully paid up. The righteous demand of God has been fully satisfied by the cruel death and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Whatever was the penalty for sin had now been paid in full once and for all. In light of all the above, do we think it was truly all 'free', with not a single strand of responsibility expected from us? I believe that all that Jesus did was for me to bring to the consciousness of other people what His death and resurrection mean, and how they can also benefit. This means that the verse has a personal view: you only give what you have; this is one reality that you cannot fake. 

Jesus has done His bit and left the scene physically, but His presence remains with us at all times. As He was leaving, the verse above was with only His disciples, and not the crowd. This also means that the verse above, which we call the Great Commussion, is for disciples. If the verse above wants disciples to make other disciples, how can a person who is not a disciple, make a disciple of someone else? How do I reproduce myself in someone else in a good way if I do not have the right foundation and substance? To go is to 'move, travel, or proceed from one place to another, or to depart'. It means I do not sit on my hands and be content with just being. 

There is no limit to the scope and spread of the assignment; the only thing that will be constant is the substance of the message, and it must be about Christ. All nations are to hear the message about Jesus Christ, without exception. Christ died for the whole world, even those not yet born, and the whole world needs salvation from the power and effect of sin. How would the world hear about Christ if those who know and have Him do not speak about Him? How does the fragrance of Christ spread to other people if those who have Him shut Him in and do not let Him out? If I have Him, can the world see Him in me? Do you have Him, and does He shine in and through you? 

The assignment involves teaching as well as baptizing the people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. This is proof that a man has come to the knowledge of, and has declared faith in Jesus. People are given access to the identity and person of Christ, what He desires from all who choose to follow Him, and how they can remain in Him no matter what goes on around them. It has to be clear that this does not work as a seasonal wonder, or an occasional party, but it is a lifetime commitment. You get in and stay in all the way. Remember: you csn only give what you have. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Response!

Right Response!

2 Corinthians 7:1 AMPC

[1] THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.

As I recall the events of Easter, the great and amazing things that happened then, and the awesome things that still lie ahead, I am reminded of the promises that were made at the time, and which still continue to operate today. God promised salvation and redemption from sin, and He promised a life that will take away the sin of the whole world. He also promised help that will be with us for all of eternity, as well as an eternal home with Him. He promised us His Presence and Power and through all the generations and dispensations that have passed, not a single promise of His has failed to come to pass. That is faithfulness. That is consistency.

God has now done all He has promised. He has kept His own side of the covenant, and He now requires a response or reaction from me. He does not waste resources: if He gives grace and mercy, He sure will demand an accounting from all He has given these to. The verse above makes it clear that we have received these great promises. Who are the people who received these promises? These are people who have surrendered their lives to Christ. They are the ones who have made up their minds to stay away from sin, having come to the understanding of the eternal impact of sin, the consequences of sin, and the never-ending life that Christ offers.

What does God demand from those who have come to the knowledge of all He offers? He demands a departure from everything that contaminates and defiles both our body and spirit. Some people lay emphasis on the spirit alone, claiming that since the body is dust, it goes nowhere. Whilst that is true, it is also true that the body is just the outer cover for the inner man. It is that inner man that must be protected by the actions and decisions of the body. My thoughts, desires and actions flow from the inner man, and manifest by the things I then do. This is why, like Paul said, the body has to be kept under and brought into subjection. 

The other requirement is to then bring my consecration to completeness in the reverential fear of God. This is the concluding part of the verse above. I cannot do the first part without the second part. It is not enough just to keep the body under subjection; I also have to dedicate the life I have brought under subjection to God. It cannot be half-hearted devotion; it has to be the full package. It is not a one-off exercise; it is a daily and continuous experience. That is the right response to all that God has done. This is the way to fully appreciate God for the privileges that He has made available. How do you intend to respond to God going forward? God's time of favour is here. 

This Jesus 7!

This Jesus 7!

Acts 1:11 AMP

[11] who said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This [same] Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

We have looked at and considered the events of the week of passion. We have gone with Jesus as he groaned in the garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed that the cup of suffering may pass over Him, but He was careful to add that it was not according to His own will, but the will of His Father. We say as He was treated like a criminal, flogged with whips, his head pierced with thorns, and His side with a spear. We saw a real criminal, a thief crucified with Him, also mock Him as he hung on the cross.  The worst was that as He paid the full price for my sin, the Father looked away from His Son. That must have been the most agonising experience for Jesus.

He died, and was buried. The leaders of His time thought that was the end, but in line with His many promises, death could not hold Him down, and the grave had no power over Him. I cannot imagine how heaven felt when the Creator was being treated terribly by the created, but it was all in line with the plan of God for mankind. Even the disciples did not initially believe that He had risen from the dead, and Jesus had to appear to them, even in a locked room, before some of them even believed. The work of salvation and redemption was now done, and Jesus had committed the work of discipleship into the hands of His disciples. 

He also promised them the right kind of help for the assignment He had given them. He was not going to leave them alone to fend for themselves, but they would get help for the work ahead. It must be a source of comfort and encouragement to us that we are not left to our own devices. We have the help of the Ancient of Days, the Omnipotent God who is also Omnipresent. Through the changing of the times, and the development of science and technology, one thing remains constant, and it is this promise: "I will never leave you or forsake you". This promise has remained in place all through the generations, and we are again reminded today that God does not lie.

The story has not ended. The One who gave the assignment and the required help will come back again. As it is the case with all His promises, He has not failed yet. The disciples were told, as laid out in the verse above, that it is this same Jesus that they had just seen taken up to heaven, that would also return one day. I have the assurance that I am not working in vain, or labouring to waste. The One who gave the assignment is watching and cheering me on. I do not define success the way the world does; God's approval and reward are all that matters. I look forward to the crown that is ahead. Are you? God's time of favour is here. 

Rest!

Rest!

Hebrews 4:10 AMPC

[10] For he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.

As we read the story of the people of Israel, we are reminded of what God's plan for them was, and how they always seemed to find a way to mess up. God is always faithful to His promises, and there is nothing that can stop His will from coming to pass. My life can be a hindrance to what He wants to do, but His Omniscience means that He knows what is coming, and He has adequately prepared for any eventuality. As part of God's will for calling out Abraham from his father's house, and promising him a land flowing with milk and honey, God was trying to establish a pattern of life and behaviour that would attract His blessings and favour. He wanted to lay down a model that the world could see and follow, if it also wanted the same favour and blessings that Abraham and his offspring received. This was a rest that was permanent, and one that would be sustained by obedience. 

However, as we know, there were many reasons why Israel could not just stay loyal. It could be because it did not really fight for the land that it was given, or it was easier to just blend in with the practices of the nations that were around it, or it was just too much work to stay faithful, when there were attractive options all around. I note that the rebellion and disobedience of Israel did not change God's plan; God already had a plan even for the disobedience, and He applied punishment  as it was due under His rules for Israel. We read of the exile of the nation at different times in their history, and how many died in foreign lands. It is a truth that God has no favourites when it comes to, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. However, His hatred for sin does not in any way dilute His love for the sinner. It is His love that underpins the message in the verse above.

It is God's desire that man has rest. He modelled this desire by working for six days on creation, and resting on the seventh day. He offers the same rest to all who would come to Him. He offers the same rest to all who would put their total trust in Him. As we know, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. It is an offer open to 'he who seeks to enter into God's rest'. You enter by the only way God has laid down, who is Jesus Christ. You enter by total surrender and absolute trust in the finished work on the cross. He offers an end to the weariness and pain of human labors, which the people under the control and influence of the world cannot access. Today is another day that God has graciously given for us to access all that He has promised. Would you take Him up on His promises? God's time of favour is here.

This Jesus 6!

This Jesus 6!

1 John 3:16 AMPC

[16] By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him].

The writer of this letter is called John the beloved, and he was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, known for his deep love, devotion, and intimate relationship with Christ. He was also the brother of James, both fisherman by background, and part of Jesus’ inner circle alongside Peter. Another interesting fact about John was that he described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, not as a sign of favoritism, but as a reflection of his deep understanding of God’s love towards him, and his acceptance of Christ’s love. It is not that much of a surprise that he demonstrated his loyalty by staying with Jesus even at the cross, where he was entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother. 

John had a deep understanding of love, truth, and the price that was paid to secure full and free salvation for all mankind. This is why the whole of 1 John is a revelation of the love of God, and what is expected of us who are the targets of this love. This is not a reality or an experience that can be kept personal; yes, it starts as something personal, but its value and effect cannot be kept personal. If I know I am loved, and that there is an eternal plan for me, it will impact everything I do, and how I do them. I will keep an eye on that eternal goal even as I also seek to make as many people as possible aware of who I have come to know and what I am in line to inherit. 

All the benefits listed above were made possible and attainable simply because Jesus submitted to the cross. There would have been no crown to look forward to if there was no cross. There would have been no glory to aspire to if there was no pain. God's love may never be fully understood if we did not see a practical demonstration of that love. What He did was to pay the full price for past, present and future sin. Reflect on this: even the sins that I will commit in the future and truly repent of have already been atoned for. Even for children yet unborn, as long as this earth remains in place, their sin is already atoned for, if they come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, before He returns to take His own home.

This calls for deep reflection, leading to the right and appropriate response. I cannot afford to let all that Jesus has done go to waste. I have the right example to follow; One has laid down His life for me. He gave me His all so that there is nothing too big for me to lay down for Him. It may not necessarily mean dying, but it is about submission and humility in true service for other people. Do people see the mark of Jesus in and on me? Can men point to a remarkable difference in my attitude and response to, as well as my interaction with other people? Can I truly lay down my life for my brothers, comfortable in the knowledge and personal experience of the love I have already received? God's time of favour is here. 

This Jesus 5!

This Jesus!

Isaiah 53:5 AMP

[5] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.

Long before the actual sacrifice was made, God had all the plans in place. Long before it became a physical reality, God already laid out the plan for the full redemption of man back to Himself. Isaiah prophesied about 600 years before Christ was born in the flesh, so he could not have had any inkling of what was ahead, if God did not reveal it. It is therefore not a surprise that the cross happened. It was not an accident of history that the cross happened. It was all in God's plan, and we can say, with every sense of gratitude, that our lives changed when God put His plan in motion and Jesus consented to be the sacrifice for sin. 

Read the verse above, and it would seem that it happened in the past. Isaiah must have been recalling something that had already happened, but as we know, at the time, it had not. From God's perspective, it was already settled. This is the God who calls the things that be not as though they were, and who uses the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast in His presence. Check out all that Jesus went through, so He could offer the perfect sacrifice for my sin: He was wounded, He was crushed, He was burdened, He was flogged and then hung on a tree. Could any of us have gone through these experiences and remained faithful to the assignment? 

For all the experiences He went through, there is an equivalent gain for me. His wounds led to my salvation. His crushing led to my victory and success. His flogging sealed my hope, joy and redemption, as well as my healing. I could not get any of these things by wealth, circle of influence, connections, or anything else. Only the One who made the heaven and the earth could offer that which God could accept as full and final payment for present and even future sin. Reflect on this: for the first and last time, God the Father turned His back on His Son, because of the burden He carried. What a privilege. What a blessing. What joy. What peace. 

However, what the verse above also makes clear is that I have now been put on notice. I have no excuse if I miss out on all that God has made available. He has done His pwn part, and He invites me to step into the finished work. What this also tells me is that this work will not be repeated ever again. It is a one-off offer, and valid for this earthly phase. All I can do is only good for this present earthly phase. A day comes soon when I will get the due reward or punishment for my response to what I have been offered. May all the pain that Jesus suffered for me not be in vain. May I have no eternal regrets. God's time of favour is here. 

This Jesus 4!

This Jesus 4!

John 16:33 AMP

[33] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

At some in the earthly ministry of Jesus, He knew the time for change had come, the end of the earthly phase of His assignment was close, and He needed to fortify His disciples with the right information on what was ahead of them. For four whole chapters in John, it was just Jesus and His disciples, men into whom He had poured Himself, taught them the principles and practices of God's kingdom, and challenged them to focus on both earthly impact and eternal life. It could have been easy for Jesus to avoid hard truths, but the verse above makes it clear that Jesus would have me know what is coming, so I can prepare the right way.

The cross was reaching out to Jesus; the world was mounting pressure on His disciples; there was uncertainty about what was ahead, and all Jesus could do was to again re-emphasize that this world will not get easier. Being in a fallen world means that, as long as I am in the world, it will hate me if I do not conform to its demands and standards. How can I expect the world's system to just stand by and watch me oppose everything it stands for? One great thing that happened here was that Jesus prepared His disciples for all that the world will throw at them. As it was then, so is it today: this world will not get better; only those who are in Christ have something to look forward to. 

Jesus teaches me to hold on to Him even when everything around me is falling apart. He encourages me to hold on to His Word even when nothing looks like it is working. The world has more questions than answers, but in Jesus lies all the answers to all the questions that the world may throw at me. The world has tribulation, distress and suffering, but Jesus has perfect peace. You cannot give what you do not, and you cannot sustain that which you did not initiate. Jesus is qualified to offer me peace because He is the Prince of Peace. Satan can only give lies as he is the father of lies. Which of these two options do you want to have as your eternal reality? 

Another reason why I have joy is because my eternal hope has been sealed. Jesus makes it clear that I should be courageous, confident and filled with joy because He has overcome the world. How do I know this? It is because I am alive today. It is because there is a joy in me that no situation can take away. It is because the One in me has already conquered death and the grave. His victory is not subject to the whims of the world. His victory is not the type that the world can debate or deny. His conquest is accomplished. His death and life make it possible for me to experience His life too. His victory over death has become my victory too. Is it the same for you? God's time of favour is here.

This Jesus 3!

This Jesus 3!

Hebrews 12:2 AMP

[2] [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

The verse above charges us to look away from all that will distract us. This tells me that the default setting of the natural man is to be engaged in many things, and not that one very important thing. The world seeks to give us several options, and seeks to keep us focused on things that look 'legitimate' but are also distracting us at the same time. It is very important to take care of our families, as well as the needy around us, but it must never be at the expense of a living, breathing, healthy relationship with this Jesus. As we go through life, earthly pursuits and priorities will change in line with our age and health, but the one thing that will not change is our need for God. 

The verse above does not leave us clueless. It tells us what to avoid, and what to focus on. It tells us to look away from all that will distract and to focus our eyes on Jesus. Focus is 'the act of concentrating full attention, effort, or energy on one specific task, object, or person while filtering out distractions'. It takes all or full attention; as long as there is shared attention, it is not focus. It is clear that we will not be able to do this without help, and that is why Jesus offers us Himself as the Source of all that we need, and the end-goal of our faith. He is the One who births our salvation, and He is the One in whom we find purpose, direction, and fulfilment. 

If someone is both the Author and Perfecter of faith, it means that He is also responsible for alll that happens between start and end. He does not have a great start and a terrible end. He did not come to the earth in human form, and then avoid the walk of shame that led to my salvation. He went all the way by standing in my place, taking on my guilt and shame, and even suffering the rejection of His Father as He hung on the cross. You do not do these things unless you know the value and purpose  behind the pain. Jesus knew the pain that was coming, but He also knew the joy that was ahead. He kept His eye on the prize, which were the lives that would come and put their trust in Him.

The joy ahead made the cross worth it.  The cross brought shame, but it was the pathway to the glory that was ahead. He already had glory, but there was no way to describe the glory that would be made manifest in mortal man. Picture a mortal man being the carrier of an immortal God. Picture an immortal God, who brought Himself down to the level of mortal man, so He could bring mortal man to realms of glory beyond man's understanding. All of these were made possible by the focus of this Jesus. He has finished the work of the cross, and He is still working to bring to completion the work He has started. Have you met this Jesus? God's time of favour is here.