INTRODUCTION

— Hope is able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.

– Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous. (Prov. 23:18)

– Like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity. (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Pet. 3:15)

– Hope is one of the three main elements of Christian character. (1 Cor. 13:13)

– It is joined to faith and love and it is opposed to seeing or possessing. (Romans 8:24, 1 John 3:2)

– In hope, the whole flurry of Christian vocation is centered. (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)

– Without Hope life loses its meaning. (Lam. 3:18, Job 7:6)

– Without hope, one can be sick — heart sick. Sick in the mind and souls. The sickness can lead to discouragement, depression and hopelessness. (proverbs 13:12)

— In death, there is no hope. (Isaiah 38:18; Job 17:15)

– Unbelievers are without hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13)

– Christ is the actual object of the believer’s hope because it is in his second coming that the hope of glory will be fulfilled. (1 Tim. 1:1; Col. 1:27, Titus 2:13)

– It is spoken to as lively (1 Pet. 1:3)

– The righteous who trust and put their hope in God will be helped, not confounded and put to shame. (Psalm 28:7; Isaiah 49:23; Jer. 29:11)

– Along with Faith and Love, Hope is an enduring virtue of the Christian life and love springs from hope. (1 Cor. 13:13; Col. 1:4-5)

– Hope produces joy and peace in believers through the power of the Spirit. (Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13)

– Hope in the return of Christ is the basis for believers to purify themselves in this life. (Titus 2:1-14; 1 John 3:3)

— Hope is an anchor of the soul that makes a believer’s faith in God’s promises unsinkable. It is so rich that the rapture of the church is called the Blessed Hope.

– The word hope in the Greek is the word used for the Christian’s joyful, sure and confident expectation of what God has promised. It is the cousin of faith.

– True hope is uniquely a Christian thing.

– Hope takes practice, it takes faith, hope takes work. It must be an active word in out vocabulary. Hope must be invited, welcomes and practiced.

  1. DEFINITION OF HOPE.

– The word hope in the Greek is the word “elpis”, which was coined by the great philosopher Plato. The same word is used by Paul in Phil. 1:20.

– Hope is not a wish neither is it a kind if unsure optimism. Modern idea of hope is to wish for, to expect but with uncertainty of the fulfillment; to desire very much but with no real assurance of getting your desire.

– In scriptures, according to the Hebrew and Greek word translated by the word hope and according to the biblical usage, hope in the scripture means a strong and confident expectation.

— Hope is akin to trust and confident expectation.

– Hope may refer to that activity of hoping or to the object hoped for —the content of one’s hope.

By its very nature, hope stresses two things: futurity and invisibility. (Romans 4;24-25)

– Hope is to trust in wait for, look for or desire something or someone or to expect something beneficial in the future.

–Hope is the proper response to the promises of God. (Romans 4:18; Hebrews 6:18)

–The New Testament  definition of hope is comprised of 3 indispensable elements: patience, confidence and expectation.

– Hope is our confidence in an unfailing source. (Romans 15:13; Jer. 17:7)

Our hope is only as good as the credibility of the source we are hoping on.

– Hope is our conviction of His unlimited solutions. (Jer. 17:17)

Hope there means a shelter or refuge. Jeremiah did not know how, when or where but he knew surely that the Lord would find a way to help him.

Our lives will never face a predicament that is not met by the providence and provision of God. That is why Paul wrote in Romans 5:5. “hope maketh not ashamed”.

–  Hope is our comfort from  his unwavering security. (Prov. 14:32;Col. 1:5)

– Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown. (Romans 8:24-25, Hebrews 11:7)

– Therefore,  Hope can be said to be the confident expectation, the sure certainty that what God has promised in the word is true, has occurs or will in accordance with God’s sure word.

–Hope is powerful because it is grounded in faith that is founded in the word of God.

Hope depends on knowing the word of God (Romans 15:4; Col. 1:5-6), in knowing and resting in God’s grace (2 Thess. 2:16) and the spirit filled life. (Romans 15:13, 1 Pet. 1:13)

– There are a number of warnings in the scriptures against putting our hope in anything other than the Lord because these things  leave us ashamed, frustrated, disappointed and in ruin. (John 8:11-15; Psalm 33:17; Psalm 146:5;Proverbs 10:28; proverbs 11:27, proverbs 24:14)

– Worldly hope is different from biblical hope in the sense that worldly hope speaks about something in the future that is not certain but biblical hope means that something in the future is certain.

THE MEANS AND BASIS OF THE ONLY TRUE HOPE

God is called the God of hope. This means he is the source of all real hope. If we are going to have hope, it must come from God fir He alone has the power to give it. (Psalm 62:5, Romans 15:13)

If you are without Christ, you are without God and without hope. (Eph. 2:12, 1 Tim. 1:1-2)

THE NATURE OF HOPE

The word hope generally expresses two different ideas. Outside of the Christian context, it entails wishful thinking, the desire for something we might not receive. On the other hand, hope refers to a desire for something we are certain to receive, an assurance concerning the future. This is Christian hope.

OBJECT OF HOPE

Like faith, hope depends on its object. Hope can be false when we look to something or someone that cannot fulfill it. (Psalm 33:17)

Hope can be uncertain, when it stands on something or someone that may not be able or willing to fulfill it.

Hope is sure when it reacts in something or someone absolutely able and wiling to fulfill it. This is the object of Christian hope. Like faith, the object of our hope is Christ. (1 Tim 1:1)

Christian hope stands on the excellence of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (John 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:20-21 2 Thess. 2:16-17, Romans 15:13, 2 Cor. 1:20-22)

THE COMMAND TO HOPE

Like faith, God tells us to have hope. Lack of hope may stem from ignorance, a lack of attention to God ad His promises or unbelief. (Psalm 131:3, Psalm 62:5, 1 Tim 6:17, 1 Pet. 1:13)

DESCRIPTION OF HOPE

  1. It is dynamic or active.

Biblical hope is alive and dynamic. It doesn’t leave us idle. If our hope is biblical and based on God’s word, it will put us on gear.

  1. It has results
  2. It changes how we see ourselves. (2 Pet. 1:13, 1 Pet. 2:11)
  3. It changes what we value. (Matt. 6:19-21)
  4. It affects what we so with our lives —time, talent and treasures. (Tit. 2:1-13, 1 John 3:1-3)
  5. It has rewards and blessings.
  6. It gives joy and peace. (Romans 15:13, Romans 5:2)
  7. It gives us protection (Psalm 33:18)
  8. It gives us strength, courage and boldness. (Psalm 31:24)
  9. It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death (1 Thess. 4:13)
  10. It gives us confidence in ministry. (1 Tim. 4:10

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAITH AND HOPE

We see faith in our action when we trust God and we see hope in our attitude when we have confidence in Him.

Both faith and hope depends in God’s promises.

The author of Hebrews mentions several occasions when God made a promise with an oath. An oath is a serious declaration that He will do those things promised. The promise fives us faith because we trust God’s promises. The oath gives us hope. God gave the oath so that we would have confidence (hope)  in him. (Hebrews 6:17-18)

SOURCES OF GETTING AND BUILDING HOPE

  1. The scriptures engender hope and it is a major source of building hope. (Romans 15:4)

Hope is a portion of faith. Hope is faith in the future tense. This implies that hope like faith comes and is strengthened by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17))

Hope comes from reading His precious and very great promises and looking to Christ who purchases them. (Romans 8:32)

  1. The Holy Spirit is also a source of hope. (Romans 15:13)
  2. Hope comes as a gift from God through grace. (2 Thess. 2:16)

BENEFITS OF HOPE

  1. Hope leads to Joy and peace, boldness, faith and love. (Romans 12:12, 2 Cor. 3:12, Col. 1:4-5)
  2. Hope also leads to comfort (1 Thess. 4:18)
  3. Hope has a sanctifying effect. (1 John 3:3)
  4. It stimulates good works (1 Cor. 15:51-58)
  5. It gives protection. (Psalm 33:18)
  6. It gives us strength and courage (psalm 33:18)
  7. It gives us endurance and confidence even in the face of death (1 Thess. 4:13)
  8. It gives us confidence in ministry. (1 Tim. 4:10)

WHY DO WE HAVE HOPE?

  1. Because we serve a God of hope who cannot lie. (Romans 15:13; Titus 1:1-2)
  2. Because of Jesus who is our hope and resurrection. (1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:3)
  3. It is an anchor to our soul. (Hebrews 6:18-19)
  4. You never get disappointed or ashamed if we keep our hopes alive. (Romans 5:5)

HOW DO WE KEEP OUR HOPE ALIVE

  1. Have a possibility mentality. Irrespective of the situation, keep the right perspective. (Mark 9:23; Proverbs 23:7)
  2. Refuse to give up. (Isaiah 38:2-5)
  3. Remember the past victories. (Lam. 3:27, Psalm 103:1)
  4. Remain joyful. (Romans 12:12, Neh. 8:10)

HOW TO GET HOPE

  1. Be born again
  2. Be believing patiently. (Hebrews 6:11-12)
  3. By feeding on the word of God (Romans 15:4)
  4. Through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

WAYS TO PRACTICE HAVING HOPE IN TIMES OF TROUBLES

  1. Pray often. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess 5:17)
  2. Remind yourself of who you are in Christ. (1 Pet. 2:9)
  3. Confide in a trusted friend especially a man of God. (Listen to the wisdom of others)
  4. Go outside. Take a walk. Thank God for His beautiful creation.
  5. Count your blessings. Write them down. Create a gratitude journal and add to it daily.
  6. Be joyful (Romans 12:12)
  7. Praise. Praise draws you into the presence of God and silences the enemy
  8. Do not neglect fellowship through the Body of Christ. (Hebrews 10:25)
  9. Get in the word, stay in the word, pray the word, memorize the word, meditate the word. His word life to us.
  10. Expect the unexpected turnaround.

REASONS WHY WE CAN HOPE IN GOD

  1. God is higher than anything that causes us to feel hopeless. (Psalm 113:4-5)
  2. God’s ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
  3. Jesus is Lord over all. (Phil. 2:9-11)
  4. God is faithful and cannot lie. (Titus 1:2)

  1. CONCEPT AND DEFINITION OF HOLINESS

The basic concept of holiness in the bible is that of separation – Separation from sin and separation to God.

The call of holiness is based on the character of God being a holy God. No one can embrace God and fail to embrace holiness.

Holiness is an experience that takes place in a particular moment in time and initiate a process of growth that will continue until we die.

Holiness is an attribute of God. (Exo. 15:11, 1 Chro. 16:29, Psalm 47:8, 93:5, Titus 1:2)

The Church of God is called a mountain of Holiness. (Jer. 31:23 Psalm 60:6, Isaiah 62:9)

The people of God are meant to be holy. ( Isaiah 63: 18, Heb. 12:14,  2 Cor. 7:1)

God imparts us with his holiness at salvation and we are partakers of it. (Heb. 12:10)

God’s holiness is centered  to understanding who and what He is.

God is holy and we can share the same communicable traits though we can never approach His perfection.

DEFINITION OF HOLINESS

  1. KJV dictionary defines it as the state of being holy. Purity or integrity of moral character.

Applied to God.: it denotes perfect purity of integrity of moral character (Exo. 15)

Applied to Man: it is the purity of heart or dispositions , sanctified affections, moral but not perfect goodness .

Applied to Church & things: It is sacredness. The consecrated or

hallowed to God or to His Worship.

  1. Holiness is Christ-likeness (Rom. 8:29)
  2. Holiness is to be set apart . to be consecrated, sanctified or hallowed.
  3. It is pureness of heart (Matthew 5:8)
  4. It means to be set apart for honourable use. (2 Tim. 2:21)
  5. Holiness is total Obedience to God and His Word. (Psalm 119:9/11)
  6. Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God according as we find His mind described in the scriptures.
  7. Holiness in the highest since belongs to God (Isaiah 6:3, Rev. 15:4) and to Christians as consecrated to God’s service in so far as they are confirmed in all things and the will of God. (Romans 12:1-3, 6:19-22, Ephesians 1:4, Titus 1:8 1 Peter 1:15)
  8. God saved us from sin by grace. (Titus 3:3-5, 1 Cor 6:11) and set us apart from the world for godliness (Romans 12:2)

The pursuit of holiness doesn’t end when we come to Christ but It begins. There is a positional holiness that we inherit at regeneration and a practical holiness which we must actively pursue. (1 Pet. 1:14-16)

God expects us to cultivate a lifestyle of holiness and commands us to cleanse ourselves of all defilements, perfecting holiness. (2 Cor. 7:1, 1 Pet. 1:14-16)

  1. Bringing Holiness to perfection is a continuous thing. I means that we should increase in spiritual fruitfulness, consider ourselves dead to sin and refuse to go back to our old selves. (Romans 6:11 2 Tim. 2:21)
  2. Holiness is the mark of every true Christian. (1 John 3:9-10)
  3. Holiness is a combine work between God and His Children. (Phil. 2:12-13) we work out what God works in us. Our responsibility is to yield to His wishes. Holiness will not be brought to completion in our lives with no effort in our part..

IS BEING HOLY POSSIBLE SINCE ONLY GOD IS HOLY?

Holiness is not only a possibility for Christians, it is a requirement. (Hebrews 12:14, John 3:7-9)

The difference between God and us is that He is inherently holy while we become holy in relationship with Christ and increase in practical holiness as we mature spiritually.

Holiness is meant to be pursued in this world and attained in the world to come.

IS HOLINESS THE SAME AS RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Righteousness is a state or condition of rightness in amoral sense and/or right standing in a relational sense (especially with God). Righteousness is the mind and way of God. It is exclusively of God to be righteous. Therefore it is imputed in a man.

Holiness is sourced in righteousness. It is a fruit of righteousness. It is walking and living in the spirit. (Galatians 5:16/25)

It takes righteousness to be holy. Righteousness is a gift. Until one stands right, he can never walk right and live right(holiness).

There is no true holiness without righteousness. Purity is a fruit if an upright heart and rightful mind.

  1. Meaning of Holy life
  2. A life that is pleasing to God (1 Thess. 4:1)
  3. A life going on with God. (2 Pet. 3:18)
  4. A life of clear cut separation. (1 Thess. 4:3-7, 2 Cor. 7:1)
  5. A life the body is kept under control (1 Thess. 4:4, Romans 12:1, 6;13)
  6. A life that is transformed. (1 Thesis. 4:5, Romans 6:4)
  7. It is a love filled life. (1 Thesis. 4:9-10, Rom. 5:8)
  8. A life of absolute honesty (1 Thess. 4:12)

Note: A holy life requires a Crisis and a Process. A crisis — (a definite act of surrender and of faith which takes place in a moment and a process which is progressive and requires the build on the positional holiness.

  1. Motives of Holy Life (What compels us?)
  2. God commands it. (1 Thess 4:1-2)
  3. The world expects us to live a holy life.
  4. Steps to attaining a Holy life

We can never by our own strength make ourselves holy. God gives us His Holy Spirit, who helps us to work out holiness. (1 Thesis. 4:8)

The Holy Spirit is the secret of a holy life.

Does that mean that we have nothing to do? No! Holiness is responsible.

  1. We must recognize a his presence. (1 These. 4:8)
  2. We must respect His person.

This calls for the adjustment of life and dealings of those things that will grieve Him.

  1. We must receive His power. Count on Him to make and keep us holy
  2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A HOLY MAN.
  3. A holy man will endeavor to shun every kind of sin and keep every known commandment. He will desire to do His will and will have a greater fear of displeasing God. He would please God than please the world and will love all His ways. (Romans 7:22, Psalm 119:128)
  4. A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus. He will labour to have the mind of that was in Christ and confirm to His image. (Romans 8:19, 12:1, Phil. 2:5)
  5. A holy man will follow after meekness, longsuffering and other fruits of the spirit. (Gal. 5:22-24 2 Samuel 16:10, Num. 12:3
  6. A holy man will follow after temperance and self denial. He strives to mortify the flesh. (Luke 21:34, 1 Cor. 9:27)
  7. A holy man will follow after charity and brotherly kindness. He endeavors to observe the Golden rule. (Romans 13:8)
  8. He follows after the Spirit of mercy and benevolence toward others.(Acts 9:36 2 Cor. 12:15)
  9. A holy man will follow after purity of heart. (Matthew 5:8)
  10. A holy man will follow after the fear of God. (Neh. 5:15)
  11. A holy man will follow after humility. (Phil.2:3)
  12. A holy man will follow after faithfulness in all his duties and relations in life (Col. 3:23, Romans 12:11)
  13. He will follow after spiritual mindedness. (Psalm 63:8, 119:57, Col. 3:1-2)

WHAT HOLINESS IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

Holiness is the ability to keep from sin made possible by the power of God within.

Holiness is not freedom from mistakes

Holiness is the purification of heart. (Prov. 4:23)

Holiness is an individual thing. It is expected of every believer at salvation to work out his/her holiness.

Holiness is practical. It is an action.

Holiness is not a denomination

Holiness is not a false outward appearance or a religious superiority that reveals itself in arrogance.

It is not something that we put on.

It is an outward expression of an inward dedication to a God who is holy.

It is one of the essential attributes of divine nature.

Holiness is an everyday attribute of a believer. It doesn’t have time and season. (Eccl. 3:1)

Holiness cannot save us. It cannot put away sin, cover iniquities or pay our debt to God. It is by grace we are saved through faith. (Eph 2:8-9)

Holiness is an imperfect work. The work will continue until we reach heaven.

Holiness does not come to ripeness and perfect all at once.

Sanctification is a progressive work. Some are in the blade, some ear and some full Corn.

Holiness is not some spiritual state of ecstasy. It is a verb of action that one prepares to do in his mind. (1 Pet 1:13-15 NIV)

Holiness entails rapt obedience.

Holiness is a commandment (1 Pet. 1:16)

It is an end-time agenda (Zech 14:20-21)

  1. KINDS OF HOLINESS

-Holiness of men

  1. Ceremonial Holiness

The ceremonial holiness is one that corresponds to the  impersonal objects and depends upon their relation to the outward service to God.

  1. Priest and Levites (Exodus 29:1, Lev. 8:12, 30)
  2. Nazarite (Num. 6:5)
  3. Israel (Exo. 19:6, Lev. 20:24)
  4. Ethical, Personal, Spiritual Holiness

This is a higher holiness. Man was made in the image of God and is capable of reflecting the divine likeness. And as God reveals Himself as ethically holy, he calls man to a holiness resembling His own. (Lev. 19:2).

Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonition on watchfulness, prayers and perseverance. (1 Cor. 1:30 2 Cor. 7:1, Ephesians 4:23-24)

  1. REQUIREMENTS OF HOLINESS
  2. Self Denial ( Matthew 10:37-38, 16: 24-25, Luke 14:26-27)
  3. Sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2)
  4. Submission to Jesus even unto death. (Ephesians 4:1, James 4:7)
  5. ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF HOLINESS
  6. To be holy, one must be connected to God –the source of Holiness. (Exo. 15:11, 1 Samuel 2:2, Isaiah 40:25)

This begins with Salvation.

  1. To be holy one must be separated to God as His possession. (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, Leviticus 20:26, 1 Cor. 6:19-20)

This aspect is called positional holiness.

  1. To be holy, one mist be separated from the common/ordinary/profane/unclean. (Ezek. 22:26,44:23, Lev. 10:10)

Unclean and clean has nothing to do with neatness. It is a religious term to clearly state and emphasize that God has a standard of moral and ethical rights and wrongs.

  1. To be holy, be must be separated from all that God says is defiled morally. (Habakkuk 1:12-13 NIV, 1 Peter 1:14)

To be holy, one must be obedient to God’s word. (Lev. 19:2-3, 20:7-8)

In addition to the positional holiness there is an ethical holiness which requires obedience to Gods word.

IMPORTANCE OF HOLINESS (Why is Holiness important?)

  1. We must be holy because of the voice of God commands it. (Matthew 5:20/48, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, I Peter 1:15-16, Leviticus 20:7)
  2. We must be holy because it is the ground end and purpose for which Christ came into the world. (2 Cor. 5:15, Ephesians 5:25, 26, Titus 2:14 I Peter 1:2 Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 12:10)

Believers are said to be elect through the sanctification if the Spirit, predestinated to be confirmed to the image of God’s son, chosen to be made holy, called with a holy calling, and suffer to be partakers of holiness.

  1. We must be holy because this is the only sound evidence that we have saving faith in our Lord Jesus. (James 2:17)

A dead faith is one which goes no further than the profession of the lips and has no influence in a man’s character. True faith shows itself by its fruits, sanctify and walk by love, overcomes the world and purify the heart.

  1. We must be holy because it is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. (John 14:15 21, 23, 15:14)
  2. We must be holy because it is a evidence that we are true children of God. (John 8:39,42, Romans 8:14)
  3. We must be holy because it is the most likely way to be good to others (1 Peter 3:1)
  4. Without Holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven because it is a holy place. (Rev. 21:27)
  5. We must be holy because our present comfort depends in it.

There is a connection between sin and sorrow, holiness and happiness, sanctification and consolation.

BENEFITS OF HOLINESS

  1. Assured way to see God (Matthew 5:8)
  2. Qualifies us to possess our possession in Christ (Obadiah 17)
  3. It brings us to a place of health relationship with God. (1 John 1:6)
  4. Holiness is an access (Rev 3:7-9)
  5. It is a criterion for heaven (Rev. 21:27)
  6. It distinguishes (Exodus 15;11)
  7. It qualifies us to be used of God. (Isaiah 6:6-8)
  8. Holiness brings a man to a place of boldness. (Proverbs 28:1)
  9. It is a spring board for a new thing or level. (Joshua 3:5)
  10. A man walking in holiness is a mobile altar. (John 4:23-24)
  11. It ensures a speedy answer to prayers. (Psalm 66:18)
  12. Holiness brings us to sit with God in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)
  13. Holiness is a pathway to power. (Ephesians 1:4)
  14. It is an essential requirement for true worshipping (John 4:23-34)
  15. It is a highway to glorification. (Isaiah 35:8-10, Exodus 15:11)
  16. It is a key requirement o praising God. (Leviticus 19:24)
  17. It unlocks the door to understanding everything about God.

INTRODUCTION

It is hard to talk about the Bible without coming in terms with the word “righteousness “.

When considering righteousness, we must consider God.

In Greek, it has its translation as ” dikaisuna”. The new testament uses the term 228 times, at least, 40 in Romans. Righteousness and its counterpart Righteous, appear 540 times in 520 verses of the Bible.

The Word “righteousness” means “move in a straight line”. Thus, righteous (right wise) means in the straight (or right) way.

Used with reference to morality, it means living or acting in the right ways.

But What is the right way? In our society, people commonly say that everyone must determine what is right for oneself. However, the scripture offers a different standard. Indeed, the ultimate standard of rightness of righteousness is God Himself.

God’s character reveals what is absolutely right. It is the measure of moral right and wrong. He is the source of right living. God has done everything that needs to be done to restore things to the way He originally intended –the right way. He dealt with sin through Jesus’ death on the cross (Rom. 5:6-11) and He transfers the righteousness of Christ to those who trust in Him. (Rom. 5:1-2)

GENERAL BACKGROUND ON RIGHTEOUSNESS

(Matt. 5:13-20, Exo. 19:1-8, Deut. 28, Exo. 20, Deut. 27:9-26, Joshua 24:14-27)

God is the all-surpassing God and His righteousness is an all-surpassing one.

Righteousness is being like God, sinless and absolute obedience to His laws.

God’s laws tells us exactly what righteousness is. God’s law says, “Do this” and so it tells us exactly what God’s will is for our lives. God’s law has, built into it, a threat. “Do this, or else!” It says, “Do right, or get punished”.

We know exactly how to get the righteousness required of us by God: Obey the Law. But the problem is we cannot. We cannot do the righteousness God wants or demands.

Human beings tend to come up with two solutions to solve this problem of righteousness. These solutions are summarized by looking at two groups of people that followed Jesus Christ around, listening to His sermons.

  1. Tax collectors and prostitutes
  2. Pharisees and Teachers of the Law.

The Tax Collectors or the Publicans and Prostitutes did not confront the law. They ignored it. They tried to abolish it. The law commands honesty, Fairness, integrity. Tax collectors were known as liars, cheaters and thieves. (Luke 19:1-10)

The Law forbids immorality, greed and perversion. Prostitutes were guilty of these. These people ignored God’s will for their lives and tried to ignore the consequences of their actions. They tried to live like there is no law at all.

We see this approach in the world today. The culture of this world preach a message of ” do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else”. We engage in different sins forgetting that God detests sin.

The problem with this solution is that it is no solution at all. The answer to the problem of the law is not just to ignore it. That’s mor of the problem not less of it. It answers the problem of our sin by ignoring the law and sinning all the more.

The second group, how did they confront this problem?

They said to themselves, “Let’s do it!” They tried to obey the law. They tried to fulfil it themselves. The law commands us to separate ourselves from sin. The Pharisees separated themselves from the publicans, the prostitutes and sinners. The law demands perfect obedience. The teachers of the law poured over every letter of every word of the law to find an obedience they could do. The people committed themselves completely to obeying the law and to avoiding its punishments. They tried to live like the law was Thiers to obey and hoped that God would smile on their efforts.

We see this approach today too. Mist people consider themselves to be good people by their own standards and good works. This too, is a very human solution to the problem of the law to just pretend that righteousness is a thing we can do.

The problem with this, is that it is not a real solution either  it is just as bad as the solution of ignoring the law, because it ignores the truth about our sin. The solution is a lie we tell ourselves  that our own righteousness could ever be enough. We swell with pride and self I righteousness and sin, when we think God’s righteousness –obeying the law –could be achieved by us.

The result of every human attempt to deal with the problem of the law is more sin. And that is the  real problem. Sinners cannot solve the problem of the law nor righteousness because the law is pure, holy, spiritual and just. (Rom. 7:12,14)

But there is an OPTION. The third solution exemplified by the third group of people that Jesus dealt with. The third group included many tax collectors, prostitutes, some Pharisees and teachers of the law. This group includes us too, the disciples. It is the believers. It is the people who have found the only solution, God’s solution to the problem. The solution is Jesus but He doesn’t abolish the law. (Matt. 5:17). Jesus withholds the law as the perfect description of God’s will for our lives. He also acknowledges the punishments of the law.

But most of all, Jesus uses the law for what it was always designed to do. He shows our sin. He shows how much we need Him. (Rom. 7:12-15)

And then, Jesus fulfills the Law, lives a perfect life, one perfectly in line with God’s will. And He takes the “or else” of the law on himself (punishment) and God punishes His perfect son with all if the death we deserve.  Jesus used the law to show us our need and then gave us what we need – himself. Jesus gives us His own all-surpassing righteousness. He gives us a place in the kingdom of heaven.

Now the law is a guide for us to live in the righteousness that Jesus won for us. It is not the harsh, “Do this or else!” anymore. It is simply a “Be this, because this is who you are.”

DEFINITION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

A layman’s definition of righteousness is simply, “right standing with God.”

W.E Vines Greek dictionary defines righteousness as the character or quality of being right or just. It was formerly spelled rightwiseness which clearly expresses the meaning. It is used to denote an attribute of God and that of the gracious gift of God to men.

Righteousness is the condition of being in right relationship with the Lord. This can only happen through total faith and dependence upon Christ. There is no other way and there is nothing we can add to our faith to obtain right relationship with the Lord. (Rom. 11:5)

Broadest use of the word is to observe divine laws.

It can also mean to be innocent, faultless and upright. It is to follow after the will of God.

A person is said to be righteous, if his ways of thinking, feeling and acting is conformed with the will of God.

Righteousness is not right doing but right being. (Gal. 2:16, 2 Cor. 5:21)

Righteousness is a lifestyle that distinguishes us as Christians and invites opposition from the world. (Matt. 5:10)

Righteousness starts in the heart and changes a person from the inside out. (Matt. 5:20)

Righteousness causes us to seek God’s approval above everything else. (Matt. 6;33)

Righteousness is the foundation of the throne of God. (Psalm 97:1-2)

Righteousness is the priority in the kingdom. Matt. 6:33

Righteousness is the main gene of our new nature. (Eph. 4:24)

The Hebrew word that are translates righteousness or uprightness describes ethical conduct that conforms to God’s standards and moral character that comes from a right relationship to the Lord and His word.

True righteousness is not just toeing the line and obeying the rules. As Jesus teaches in the sermon in the Mount that it is possible for us to obey the law outwardly while cultivating sin inwardly. (Matt. 5:21-48)

John the Baptist preached righteousness. Jesus also preached righteousness.

Jesus saying yes to God’s will required obedience to God’s commandments. (Matt. 3:15)

In the gospel of Luke, Men were called righteous because they were obedient to the will of God. (Luke 1 and 2, Luke 3:21-38, Luke 23:50-56)

The Holy Spirit convinces and convicts the believers regarding righteousness.

Paul declares that righteousness comes by faith. (Gal. 2:20, Rom. 10:6, Phil.3:9)

Paul also states that the believer is to be dedicated to righteousness in the sense of obeying God and His word. (Rom. 6:12-14, 2 Cor. 6:7, 2 Cor. 9:10, Eph. 4:24, Phil. 1:11)

Paul charges Timothy to be Strong for righteousness and  tells us that the word is a training manual for righteousness. (1 Tim. 6:11, 2 Tim. 3:16)

Peter reports that we are to die to sin and live righteousness and to be prepared to suffer for it. (1 Pet. 2:24, 3:14)

John says to follow Jesus is to live a righteous life. (1 John 3:7-10)

Righteousness is a continuous act of surrender birthed in the presence of God.

Righteousness is a concept with origins in God’s very character and actions.

Our God is the God of righteousness because;

  1. He is a righteous God. (Deut. 32:4; Psalm 11:7)
  2. His word is righteous. (Prov. 8:6-9, Isa. 45:19, Psalm 119:138)
  3. God’s acts are righteous. (Jer. 9:24; Psalm 116:5, 129:4, 145:17, 18;30, 119:12, Dan. 9:14)
  4. God desires His people to be righteous. (Matt. 5:48; Eccl. 7:20, Psalm 7:11, 11:7, 92:12; Prov.10;30)
  5. God provides righteousness for those who will accept it. (Prov. 17:15; 1 Pet. 3:18)

For man, there is a standard of righteousness, which is God, Himself. However, for God, there is no standard except, again, Himself.

God’s righteousness is eternal righteousness. (psalm 119:142)

For us as fallen sinners, it is impossible to achieve God’s perfect standard of righteousness even for a second because God is God. He cannot relax His standards to allow us access to Him based on something less than whom He really is.  How do we know what God’s righteousness is?

God’s righteousness is revealed first in His laws and then in His Son. In the Law of God, we see what God is like. All the commandments and statutes that make up His laws show us God’s very character. For example, when He says, “do not steal,” He condemns it because He never stole. His commands are simply demanding that we be like Him.

We must have God’s righteousness to be right with Him.  Man’s dilemma is there is no righteousness within him or in the world to help him.

True God-accepting righteousness is only found through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son.

THOSE WHO NEED GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

All men need God’s righteousness. (Rom. 3:22-23)

THE ONLY PLACE GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FOUND

It can only be found in Jesus Christ. (Rom. 3:24; Gal. 2:16)

HOW DOES ONE RECEIVE IT?

By Faith. (Rom. 3:22)

WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE?

The life of God or the very nature i.e. the righteousness of God (John 3:16)

Justification, redemption and propitiation are received. (John 3:26, Rom.3:24-25)

WHY DID GOD DO THIS?

To show us His Righteousness. (Rom. 3:25)

RESULTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

  1. Boasting is excluded (Rom. 3:27-28)
  2. There are no distinctions (Rom. 3:29-30)

WHAT IS THE DETERMINING FACTOR IN GOD’S JUDGEMENT OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS?

it is commonly thought that our actions are the determining factor to attaining God’s righteousness. That’s not true. Truly, there is a relationship  between our actions and our right standing with God. The right relationship with God produces actions and not the way round. We are not made righteous by what we do.

Righteousness is a gift that comes from the Lord to those who accept what Jesus has done for them by Faith. (Rom. 5:17-18) The gift of salvation produces a change heart that in turn, changes our actions. Actions cannot change our hearts. It is the heart of man that God looks upon (1 Sam. 16:7) and we must be righteous in our hearts to truly worship God. (John 4:24)

When we rely on our actions, we are more or less like the Pharisees. (Matt. 23:25-26) actions are truly indications of what is in our hearts. Actions are the fruit the heart produces. The change comes from faith in the gospel which contains the power of God and not by human efforts. (Rom. 1:16) The law only affects actions. The gospel changes hearts.

IS RIGHTEOUSNESS THE SAME AS HOLINESS?

Righteousness is not the way we act, but it is what we are. Holiness is our conduct as a result of our separation from the world unto God. Righteousness is what we are – the nature of God.

THE PATH TO TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

  1. There is a standard and God is this standard. God’s righteousness is the standard by which everyone must be measured. ( Matt. 5:48)
  2. Man’s shortcomings
  3. Man is declared a sinner by God. (Rom. 3:23, Gal. 3:22, Rom. 3:10-18)
  4. The very best man can produce is flawed and corrupt. (Isa. 64:6; Phil.3:9, Rom. 3:10-12)
  5. At our very best, we fall short of God’s standard -Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23; Isa. 53:6; James 2:10)

If we are weighed in the balance against God’s righteousness as Belshazzar was (Dan. 5:1-31), we too would come up short. God’s righteousness is always more in quantity and quality than ours with ever be.

  1. God’s Solution
  2. God knows the depth and extent of Man’s fallen nature. (Psalm 103:14)
  3. God knows man can never earn himself righteousness.
  4. God’s plan is a multiple step plan that is guaranteed to bring man into a state of true righteousness, holiness and perfect standing before God. (Rom. 5:6-9, 2 Cor. 5:21, Rom. 5:1)
  5. His plan is an old plan. (Rev. 13:18)
  6. His plan involved a death on Calvary. (2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19)
  7. His plan involved a resurrection (Matt. 28:1-6; Rom.4:25)
  8. His plan involves the conviction of sin. (John 6:44)
  9. His plan involves the grace of God. (Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 5:20)
  10. His plan involves faith apart from works. (Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:31)
  11. His plans involves total justification. (1 Cor. 6:9-11)
  12. His plan involves eternal life -John 10:28; John 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:5)
  13. His plan involves an eternal heavenly home. (Rev. 21:4; 1 Cor. 2:9)
  14. His plan involves an ironclad guarantee. (Heb. 7;25; Heb. 13:5)

Once we have been declared righteous, God then wants us to:

  1. Live righteously. (1 Pet. 1:15-17)

Through Christ, man had the power to live righteously. (Romans 5:17, Gal. 2:20)

  1. Practice righteousness (Matt. 5:6)

The practice starts from hunger. We must need to have continuous appetite for righteousness.

This hunger can be satisfied by studying and doing God’s word. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jer. 15:16)

  1. Bear fruits of Righteousness (John 15:16)
  2. The fruit of inward attitude. (Gal. 5:22-23)
  3. Fruit of outward actions. (John 15:7-8; Phil. 1:22, Phil. 4:17-18, Heb. 13:15, James 3:18)
  4. Uphold the purpose of righteousness (Phil. 1:11; Psalm 23:3; John 15:8)

The purpose is the glory and praise of God. God is glorified when we bear fruits.

We can only be saved when we have the righteousness that exceeds anything we could ever produce through our own efforts and that is by Jesus. (Matt. 5:20)

Man is not righteous and could never earn one. However by simple faith in Jesus Christ, God declares him righteous. (Rom. 4:18-25)

Jesus was in right relationship with God as no one else can be. He is the son of God. He is God manifest in the flesh, yet he became sin for us. (2 Cor. 5:21) He took our sin in His body on the cross. (1 Pet. 2:24, Isa. 53:4-5) In return for Jesus taking our sin, those who put their faith in Him get His righteousness instead of their own. It is our trust in Jesus that imparts the righteousness of Jesus into our born-again spirits and makes us acceptable to the Father. (Rom. 10:3, Rom. 11:6; Gal. 5:4)

KINDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  1. Righteousness in the eyes of God (Righteousness Coram Deo)

This is the first kind of righteousness. It is also called passive righteousness, the righteousness of faith, the righteousness of the gospel, alien righteousness. It is the righteousness of identity because it restores Man’s identity as a child of God.

We Receive this righteousness from God to be in right relationship with God, when we simply receive the imputed obedience of Christ and the forgiveness of sins through faith. This righteousness is passive and comes apart from the law.

This holds that man is not righteous in God’s eyes because of His character, his emotion, piety or intellect but he is righteous because the Father chooses him from the foundation of the world. (Eph. 1:3-14) and declares him righteous on account of Jesus’ atoning death and justifying resurrection. (Rom.3:21-28, 4:18-25)

This is the kind of Abraham’s righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) Righteousness by faith which does no depend on any works but on God’s favour and his reckoning, on the basis of grace.

It is likened to marriage. When a man and a woman are married, they share all things in common. Through faith, man is married to Christ. Through faith in Christ therefore, Christ’s righteousness and all He has becomes ours; rather, He Himself, becomes ours.

Man’s relationship with God has always been defined by God’s promises and faith. Even before the fall into sin, Adam and Eve were righteous in God’s eyes, not because of their obedience but because God declared them good and they believed. Thus righteousness before God cannot depend on human achievements or merit.

  1. Righteousness in the eyes of the world. (Righteousness Coram Mundo)

This is also known as active righteousness, the righteousness of character because it deals with a person’s attitudes and behaviors. A person is righteous coram mundo when he is in right relationship with the rest of creation and this is done through man’s actions.

Without the first kind of righteousness, this righteousness is but dead works.  The righteousness is active, that is, the righteousness of works. The righteousness achieved by the workings of the Holy Spirit through a man that has yielded. This righteousness is informed by the law i.e. the good will of God.

Unlike the first dimension where the law accuses, in the second dimension, the law acts as a guide. The law shows man how God designed the world to work and warns that there are often temporal  consequences to sin.

The purpose ultimately is the welfare of the kingdom in relationship with God.

It is also the active righteousness to the new obedience of Christians and believers who have become right through faith in Christ. They have first of all the righteousness of faith that is reckoned to them and there after the righteousness of new obedience to Christ or good works that are begun in them. (Titus 2:12)

This can be likened to the fruits or products of righteousness coram deo.

BENEFITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

  1. God orders the steps of the righteous (Psalm 37:23, Prov. 11:5)
  2. God watches over the righteous. (psalm 34:15; psalm 37:25)
  3. God upholds the righteous. (Psalm 55:22; Prov. 12:21; Prov 18:10)
  4. God blesses the home of the righteous. (Prov. 3:33, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 5:12, Isa. 3:10, psalm 34:10, Prov. 8:20-21)
  5. God bless the righteous with joy. (Prov. 10:28)
  6. God listens to the prayers of the righteous (Prov. 15:29, 1 John 3:21-22; Prov. 10:24)
  7. God brings security to the righteous. (Prov.10:3,25; Psalm 140:13; Psalm 34:17; psalm 37:39; Psalm 55:22)
  8. God keeps the righteous from trouble. (Prov. 11:8)
  9. God assures the righteous of life everlasting. (Prov. 11:18-19)
  10. It is always well with the righteous in every situation. (Isa. 3:10; Rom. 8:28)
  11. God withholds no good thing from the righteous. (Psalm 14:11)
  12. What the righteous desires would be granted. (Prov. 10:24)
  13. The righteous will thrive. (Prov. 11:28; prov. 13:21)
  14. The righteous is unstoppable. (Prov. 24:16)

CONCLUSION

1.Righteousness comes by faith alone.

  1. The gospel includes a call to righteousness
  2. Righteousness is required to walk in the will of God.
  3. The Holy Spirit deals with us regarding righteousness
  4. Believers are required to purse righteousness.

INTRODUCTION

accountability is so important in the life of the believer.

We are accountable to God for our freedom but many times we don’t acknowledged this truth.

Paul warns the Christian community against the evil of judging one another concerning certain doubtful or debatable practices where one Christian holds one opinion and another a different opinion.

He concludes the portion of his argument with a reminder of every Christian’s accountability at the judgement Seat of God (Romans 14:10-12)

The stark reality of scripture is that every person, Christian and non-christian, is accountable before a Sovereign God and will one day have to bow before Christ. (Romans 3:9-19; Phil. 2:9-11)

Jesus said much will be required from one given much. (Luke 12:48b) Many reject this declaration by all manert if human nationalization and bias, but the rejection cannot alter the reality of accountability.

Accountability was one of the vital areas Jesus taught in. (Matt. 12:36)

Everyone will be accountable for their actions and words.

Accountability is a language best known to stewards. One has to comprehend and embrace the reality of stewardship and that of being a steward if one wants to be truly accountable. In other words, the proper and perfect understanding and practice of accountability would not be attained if the concept of stewardship is not perfectly understood because accountability is one of the characteristics of a good steward.

If one is devoid of his identity as a steward, then accountability would be Greek to him.

STEWARDSHIP

What is stewardship?

Stewardship is God-given responsibility with accountability.

Stewardship is the commitment of one’s self and possession to God’s service.

Stewardship involves relationship between an owner, a steward, a resource and the purpose for which that resource is to be used.

When we talk about stewardship within the context of the Christian life, we mean God is the owner of all things.

These resources would be anything and everything He has given us.

This would be our salvation, the gospel message, our churches, our education, our time, our energy, our thought life, the words we speak, our talent; everything we have. It all belongs to Him and He has entrusted it to us for a specific purpose.

What’s the purpose?

The purpose for which God had entrusted to us which He owns is so that we can be busy advancing His Kingdom. (Matt. 6:33).

This includes mission and evangelism.

It also includes benevolence.

Stewardship is being entrusted by God with His Resources to accomplish His Desire or Will.

The picture of stewardship in the scripture is one where He gave His all for us and we gave our all for Him.

Who is a steward?

A steward is an administrator, a person who manages.

Specifically, one who has authority over the servants or slaves of a family to assign tasks and portion.

Stewards could be slaves eg- Eliezer (Genesis 15:2) and Joseph (Gen. 39:4) or a free person who simply was employed. (Luke 16)

As Christians, God has called us stewards. We do not choose to become stewards, we are stewards.

What kind of Steward  are you? (Matt. 25:14-29) The context of this passage was seen in Matt. 24:3.

To be a good steward is an honorable thing. (1 Tim. 3:13, Prov. 27:18)

Examples of Stewardship on the Bible

INDIVIDUALS ACTING AS STEWARDS

– Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15)

– Joseph in Potiphar’s House (Gen. 39:4-6)

– Daniel an administrator in Babylon. (Daniel 6:1-3)

GROUPS ACTING AS STEWARDS

– The Priests serving in the tabernacle. (Lev. 22:9; 1 Samuel 2:15)

– The Seven chosen by the Jerusalem Church. (Acts 6:1-6)

HOUSEHOLD STEWARD

Genesis 43:16; Genesis 43:1-12; Gen.15:2; 2 Sam.19:17;Esth. 1:8

JESUS TEACHING ON STEWARDSHIP

Using parable to emphasize accountability. (Luke 16:1-12; Matt. 25:14-30;Luke 19:12-27)

Emphasising each individual’s responsibility. (Luke 12:48, Matt.12:36)

THE APOSTLES CONTINUED IN THIS TEACHING

Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:4-5

Christians are entrusted with the stewardship of the gospel. (1 Cor. 4’1-2; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor.5:19-21; Gal. 1:15-16; Gal.2:7; 1 Thess. 2:4, 1 Tim. 1:11; 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Tim. 6:29; 2 Tim.1:14; Tit.1:3,7

Christians are to be wise stewards of their God-given gifts. 1 Cor. 4:7, use their gifts to benefit other.(1 Pet. 4:10-11) They are to develop the gifts. (1 Tim. 4:14-15) They are to be wise stewards of their material possession. (Deut. 8:17-18)

Living a biblical view of stewardship by itself will not make you a good christian but if you are a good christian, you cannot help but live with a biblical view of stewardship. (Acts 10)

FOUNDATION OF STEWARDSHIP

The concept of Stewardship grow out of the very natural character of God — It is about who God is and what He has done.

God is the owner of everything and has the right to determine what we do. (Gen. 1; Isa. 29:16, Is a 64:8, Rom. 9:21)

In the Parable of the shrewd manager, the rich man owns the very things to which he had entrusted the manager or steward. (Luke 16:1-13)

The owner has the right to set certain expectations of the one to whom he has entrusted the goods.

Jesus is our Living  Redeemer, Saviour, King and Lord – It is His expectation that we strive to live and glorify Him.

FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP

  1. God owns it all. (Psalm 24:1-2; 1 Chron. 29:11-14)

If you are a Christian, (not name bearing or nominal Christian) authentic born-again, regenerated person in whom the Spirit of God dwells, then everything you think is yours, is really God’s.

In the system of the world, you may have legal rights to those things which God has entrusted to your care, but you don’t own them. (Luke 12:16-21)

If you have been bought with a price, —His Blood — then you and everything you have belongs to Him.

  1. God with hold us accountable.

When Jesus taught about stewardship in the Parable of the talents, He placed this parable right in the middle of His teaching on the Second Coming. (Matt. 25:14-25)

We are stewards and when Jesus comes back, He is going to hold us accountable for that which He has entrusted to our care. He will call us to account, to see if we have been faithful or faithless stewards. (Luke 12:42-48)

  1. How we use His Resources reveals our hearts. (Matt. 6:24:34)

FOUR PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP

  1. THE PRINCIPLE OF OWNERSHIP. (Psalm.24:1; Deut. 8:17)

This principle states that God owns everything.

Therefore, Stewardship expresses our obedience regarding the administration of everything Gid had placed under our control which is all-encompassing.

  1. THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBILITY (Luke 16:1-13,Luke 19:11-27)

This principle states that God has entrusted man with everything he has and he is responsible to increase what God has given him. He may increase it or diminish it.

  1. THE PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY (Matt. 25:14-30; 2 Cor. 5:10)

This principle states that God can call me into account anytime.

This is the maxim taught by the Parable of the Talents (Matt.25)

Like the servants in the parable, we will be called to give an account of how we have administered everything we have been given.

We will give account to the rightful owner as to how well we manager the things He has entrusted to us.

  1. THE PRINCIPLE OF REWARD (Col. 3:23-24; Matt. 25:21)

It states that every one will be rewarded according to the will of the Father. There is always a reward for our responsibilities.

The Bible shows in the Parable of the Kingdom that faithful stewards who do the Master’s will with the Master’s resources can expect to be rewarded incompletely in this life but fully in the next.

Having understood the meaning of stewardship. It is obvious that we are all stewards and it is requires of every steward to be accountable –first to God and to those God places over us.

ACCOUNTABILITY.

Accountability is a compound word that comprises of two other words — account and ability. Accountability therefore, is the ability of one to render or give an account of himself or whatever his master or employer has entrusted it to his care.

Christian accountability is accounting for what we are up to. It is the realization that we are liable, responsible and answerable for our actions in life to God as well as to those he has placed above us. (Romans 2:16; 14:2, 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; John 13:34; Phil. 2:4)

Accountability is not a new concept. Each of us is accountable in many ways to different organization and people. But when it comes to our character and spiritual development, we are prone to resist accountability because we think between God and each one of us, there is no body else and it is nobody else’s business.

Accountability is a relation between believers wherein one has invited the other to monitor the development of character in one or more areas.

Accountability is a check and balance system to protect us from harm from ourselves and others.

Accountability is one of the ways  God uses to bring about solid growth and maturity with the freedom to be what God created us for. There won’t be a good making of disciples ad mature Christians without accountability.

Accountability is a mandate for those  in leadership and ministry.

Accountability is one of the crucial problems the Body of Christ suffer in the recent times. Everyone has become individualistic. The Bible doesn’t deny our individualism. It promotes it, but in a way that holds us each accountable to Him first an then to others He will place us under.

Since the fall of man (Genesis 3), man has been a rebel who wants to do his own thing without any or very little accountability for his actions.

MEANING OF ACCOUNTABILITY

The word accountability means to be held accountable , liable, answerable or be held responsible for what a person has been given.

Accountability is not the use of coercive tactics, the invasion of privacy, bringing others under the weight of someone’s taboos, legalism, manipulative or dominating tactics.

By accountability we mean , developing relationship first with God and then to other christians as He directs one to help promote spiritual reality , honesty, obedience to God and genuine evaluations of one’s walk and relationship with God and with others.

What are we accountable for?  every word, gift, sin of omission and action in this life. (Matt. 13:36, Romans 14:11-12 l; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; Luke 16:10-12; Matt. 25:14-30; Eccl. 12:14; James 4:17)

Biblical examples  of accountability.

Moses and Aaron (Exodus), David and Jonathan (1Sam. 18-20), Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Lukas, Titus and Timothy. (Acts11-14; 2 Cor 2:12). Our Lord Jesus with the twelve ad the inner three.

JUSTIFICATION FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

It is biblical.

Apart from seeing it in The Trinity, there are numerous New Testament passages which teach the concept of accountability of the flocks to the leaders. (1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim 3:1-5; Heb. 13:7,17; 1 Pet. 5:2-3)

True accountability is of two kinds viz: to God and to men He places over us. (Ezek.34:2-4; Matt. 12:36-37, 2 Pet. 2:10-11; 1 Cor. 12 )

  1. Accountability to God

Without a sense of accountability to a sovereign God, the world can quickly gravitate in the direction of the ruthless acts and tyranny of people.

In order to be accountable to God, the first prerequisite is to accept the Lordship of Jesus in our life.

Since we are accountable to God, we need to strive to please Him by obeying His commandments.

  1. Accountability to men.

This is one of the systems God uses to check us on the area of accountability. God is a Spirit. Man being a spirit also but enclosed  or housed in a body and lives in a natural world I’d limited in his interaction with his maker. God in his infinite mercies uses and works in men to ensure accountability.

When God wants to change a person l. He places him in a relationship where he must give account of his action before other people.

The effectiveness of our spiritual authority depends in the level of our accountability to God and to people He has placed as authority above us.

Here, accountability is the ability and willingness to be under God’s delegated  authority. (Matt. 8:5-10)

It is to be under authority that has been set by God for our good and protection.

If you really want to grow in faith and be effective in ministry, you must be held accountable otherwise you will fall back, backslide or be ineffective because of imbued pride.

DOCTRINE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

(Parable of the Talents –Matthew 25)

This parable is one that depicts the Kingdom of Heaven. It involves a master giving three of his servants talents.

A talent was a measurement of money. To open further the parable, the talent can be likened to a spiritual ability.

Every person is given different spiritual abilities and the Master had a purpose with the spiritual abilities he gives.

At the end we all will be accountable for those abilities.

Only faithful people are rewarded.

Whether ignorant of the talents or not, God shall hold us accountable.

Whether the talents are discovered or not, that is not an issue. You are just as accountable to them.

Some may think God requires so much from them and ad such He is unfair. If you noted in the parable, the talents were given out based in the secret will of the master. God is accountable to Himself. (Romans 9:20)

God is not interested in what we would do for Him, if we had more. What He is interested in is your faithfulness in that little. Use faithfully what you have.

The Parable of talents is not about salvation or righteousness but about how we use our work and our gifts to fulfill our earthly calling.

it is about whole-life stewardship.

The unfaithful steward did not waste the Master’s money but an opportunity.

We are responsible for what we do for God with what we have been given and one day we will be held responsible and accountable.

NECCESSITY OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability is key in the disciple-making process.

To believe you can make disciples or develop true maturity in others without some form of accountability is like believing you can raise children without discipline or run a company without rules.

Accountability is to the Great Commission what  tracks are to a train.

  1. Accountability is of God.

Though the members of the Trinity –The Father, Son and Holy Spirit – are co-eternal and co-equal, scriptures give evidence of accountability that exists within the Godhead.

The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father , through the Son to believers. (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7) The Spirit accepts His role as the Enabler or Comforter to come and indwell believers of the charge age. He will unite the people and present the church unto Jesus, perfect and unified. (Lev. 23:16-17)

The Son accepts His role as the suffering saviour.  (Phil. 2:5; Heb. 10:5-10; Rom. 8:34) but this accountability of the Son is seen in (1 Cor. 3:23; 11:3 and 15:24-28) When we look at the life of Christ, we see that He did not live independently of His Father in everything – words and deeds. He was always accountable to His Father, even to his earthly parents for 30 years(John 8:28; Luke 2:51)

  1. Accountability helps to promote biblical controls or check and balances. It provides the necessary discipline and support needed to see people reach godly goals while we are all ultimately accountable to God. (Romans 14:7-12)

God had established other levels of accountability to aid us in the matter of control, support and growth.

  1. Accountability is necessary because like sheep, we tend to wander and go our own way. We are self wikk and we want to protect our comfort zones and avoid having to deal with certain issues that are important to becoming obedient Christians which is the goal of the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:19-20)
  2. Accountability promotes servant-kike leadership in keeping with the pastors mandate to watch over the flock. (Eph. 4:11; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)

One of the key requirements of a servant leader is faithfulness to the things entrusted to him. (1 Cor. 4:1-2; 1 Tim 2:2)

  1. It is God’s instrument that helps people enter God’s fullness and His calling. (Matt. 25:29;)
  2. God makes us accountable to transform us. Accountability helps us stay in the right spiritual condition and stick to a particular spiritual and moral standard.
  3. Since we do not only give account to God, but also to people that love us, care for us and keep us from falling, It helps us grow spiritually and move forward in our lives.
  4. Accountability enables us to share our lives with one another in a deeo , introspective way. (Rom. 12:5; 14:13-23; Eph. 5:21)
  5. Accountability is essential for every Christian to help reach his or her full potential.

Accountability is not just for the weak and needy. It is for the strong who want ti be stronger and the unconnected who desires to be connected. (James 4:7-12; 1 Lev. 5:1-11)

Accountability to God and to man according to the directives of the scripture is the foundation for freedom and liberty.

Note: Freedom is not the  right to do as one pleases but it means the capacity to exercise choice, but never so that it is devoid of responsibility or accountability.

Man who desires to be faithful will be accountable to other faithful men and real godly women will be connected to other godly women if they want to be fruitful in character and godliness.

Leaders and Pastors who are not accountable will eventually fall.

Accountability was insisted and practiced by Christ Himself.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN ACCOUNTABILITY

There are two essential elements to accountability: TRUST and the ability to Relate.

If one must develop in his/her Christian accountability, then he/she must develop in these areas.

Developement of Christian accountability starts with the development of trust.

Developing trust is a slow process and it takes time to develop and grow. Patience is required in the school of trust.

Glorious Father, we come to You this awesome morning in the name of Christ Jesus. We praise You as our faithful God. Nothing can thwart Your eternal purposes. Nothing can hinder Your plan. What You have purposed to do must surely come to pass.

When we observe with awe at the wonders of Your creation, we are humbled to ask in an act of worship, ‘what is man that You are mindful of him and full of gracious thoughts for him?’

We thank You for Your eternal goodness and kindness towards mankind. You have beautified man through fellowship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask that the great work You have begun in our lives through Salvation, will be perfected by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“ To me, (though I am) the very least of all the saints (God’s people), this grace (which is undeserved) was graciously given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the incomprehensible riches of Christ (that spiritual wealth which no one can fully understand)” Ephesians 3:8

Certainly, the greatest miracle in the life of man is the glorious work of Salvation through Christ Jesus. The message of the Cross sounds foolish to the world and a stumbling block to the Jews. But in this glorious work, the surpassing wisdom of God and unlimited power of God was demonstrated. Objects of God’s wrath, became the recipients of God’s mercy. The weakness and perversion of man was swallowed by the surpassing strength and righteousness of a Holy God!!!

“ Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” Psalms 103:1-2 

David, the man after God’s own heart, recognized the tremendous mercies of God in his life. God raised him up from being a mere shepherd boy to a mighty warrior,  shepherding the people of God. David was a man of war who faced ferocious personal battles but also, unending wars for the people of God. He experienced God’s amazing forgiveness, deliverance, guidance, healing, restoration and provisions. There are tremendous benefits associated with God’s salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

“ But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for He is the One who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6

The covenant of grace through faith in Christ has made available to believers tremendous benefits. These undeserved favors and blessings are yours, not based on your merits or good works, but, entirely rest on the finished work of Christ on the Cross. What Satan intended for evil in your life, the Father turned it around through His Son to do you amazingly great favors. Hallelujah!!!

“ By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

Foremost among these wonderful promised benefits of salvation is that you have become a child of God. Your spirit man, your true self has been recreated to be like Christ. You now have the spiritual DNA of God in you. You have the power to love what the Father loves and hate what He hates.

“ So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father. For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16

And as God’s dear children, you have inalienable right to the riches of His Kingdom. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is delighted to share His inheritance with us. That is the mystery of the Father, hidden before, but now made known to the saints through the gospel. Hallelujah!!!

“ But to all who believed Him (Jesus Christ) and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” John 1:12-13

“ And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.” Romans 8:17

And having been adopted as God’s dear children through Christ Jesus, an open doorway has been made available for us to approach the Throne Room. We are no longer strangers to our heavenly Father, but can address Him dearly as “Abba Father!!!”

“ According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” Ephesians 3:11-12

“ So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the Throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14-16

The greatest need of children is the abiding presence of their parents to cuddle, protect, provide, teach and correct them. So they can grow up in a healthy and nourishing environment to be complete and assume responsibility as adults. It is the same with our relationship with the Father. Our critical need is His Presence!!!

You need the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. He is yours just by asking the Father through faith in Christ. This is according to His Word of promise.

“ And I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him not know Him, but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

“ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Luke 11:13

Recreated children of God have the privilege of His Presence dwelling in their hearts. Through the finished work of Salvation, the gift of baptism of the Holy Spirit becomes available to us. But you have to desire Him and ask the Father to fulfill His gracious will for the Spirit impartation. The Holy Spirit fullness was not only a past experience of the Apostles, as revealed in the Acts of the Apostles, but also available for believers today.

The Holy Spirit has come to:

  1. Lead you to desire to grow in the knowledge of your Savior, Jesus Christ.
  2. To be rooted and be built up in the love of Christ.
  3. Give you deeper understanding of the Word of God
  4. Grant you power to obediently live by faith in the promises of God
  5. Encourage you and comfort you through the hardships in your walk with God
  6. Convict you when you are going the wrong way, so you steer course to please your heavenly Father
  7. Reveal to you things to come so you are not ignorant of God’s will.
  8. Help you to pray effectively according to the will of the Father.
  9. Gives you boldness in sharing the gospel of Christ to a world blinded to eternal truth.
  10. Gives you inner strength to persevere in whatever assignment the Lord has graciously called you to fulfill for Him.

Further reading on the Ministry of the Spirit can be found in John 14-16, 1 Corinthians 12.

As a redeemed child of God, the privilege of the abiding presence of unseen mighty warriors, heavenly angels, at your disposal by faith. Since you have set your heart to love God through Faith in the Son of God, there is a promise of angelic protection around you.

“For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone…” Psalm 91:11-12.

“And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17

I give You my Praise:

Gracious Lord, we thank You for such an awesome privilege to be called a child of God. You have been so good to me and my family. What would life be without You in our lives?

We praise You for the abundance of grace granted to us in putting this message together. Spirit of perfect truth and grace, we ask that You will bless those who read this writing. Grant them the fire of Your presence to check the Scriptures to verify everything presented here. We pray for spiritual illumination and power to believe and appropriate the wonderful promises of God through faith. In Jesus Christ wonderful Name we pray. Amen.

 

 

Health screening and free medication in different communities, like Ibadan Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu State, Nnobi Anambra State, Abuja Nigeria, Calabar Cross Rivers State Nigeria. on July 2021.

Providing financial support for surgical conditions / and awarding Scholarships to the students.

Sharing the gospel of the kingdom of God and winning  souls for Christ.

Fellowship with other believers and encouragement of ministries.

 

Holy Father, we come to You this beautiful Sunday morning. We declare that this is the day that the Lord has made. We enter this awesome day with thanksgiving in our heart. You gave us good health, sound mind and a peace that surpasses understanding.

We thank You for revealing Your loving kindness and faithfulness through Your wonderful Son, Jesus Christ. We declare Him as our Lord and savior. We exalt Him for His Cross and the blood He shed at Calvary for the forgiveness of sin. We now understand through His demonstration of who You are, a loving Father, that it is not Your desire that any man or woman should perish in hell.

Rather, through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, everyone is granted clemency and reinstated as a redeemed child of God. And positioned towards right relationship with You to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What an awesome God You!!! We invite You Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts as we write on the Lord’s goodwill and provision for all mankind.

We bind satanic powers that blind people from understanding the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of our invisible God. Almighty God, may You open people eyes of understanding so they can make the right choice and receive this good news of Salvation in Christ. May they receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The glory of true knowledge and understanding

We admire and appreciate our physical world through our various sense organs for sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste. And we make judgments through our thought processes as intelligent beings with a will power for self-actualization and determination.

But we have been deceived to a large extent to focus on the physical world at the expense of the spiritual world. The unseen world is even more real and lasting compared to our physical or material world. Everything is manufactured by an intelligent being, and man is created by a Super Intelligent being, God, the Almighty. The devil has blinded mankind to focus mainly on what he or she can know through the physical senses or natural mind.

However, the Bible, the authorized constitution of God, and Manual of mankind reveals, that mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. Since God is Spirit, it means humans are spiritual being with a physical body or tent. Mankind also has a soul, as revealed by this Manual, which consists of the mind, emotions and will. God, as Spirit, can only communicate with mankind through the spirit component. The spirit of man had pre-eminence over the soul in the original design of the Maker until the Fall.

The great deception of Adam and Eve, caused a spiritual separation from God and loss of communication. The soul of man then gained pre-eminence over the spirit component. Humans then defaulted to Religion as an attempt to connect with the unseen world. This attempt by man to reach out to the unseen was based on his own terms and has caused untold havoc in the relations between persons, tribes and nations. In His great love, the Father made an easy way to re-connect with all mankind. God inaugurated a relationship of trust through His Son, Jesus Christ.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (ignorance of spiritual truths).

Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6.

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, (human reasoning by natural mind) that Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles (non-Israelites) has come in.” Romans 11:25

Now if many in Ancient Israel were ignorant of the nature of God and His ways, then the rest of the world, regardless of all their religious practices are in big trouble. The Lord made Himself known through Moses. He gave them the Law; the Ten Commandments but they failed woefully in keeping them.

“For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”               

1 Corinth. 1:19-20

It is impossible to understand God or to rightly relate to the One who dwells in the spiritual realm with our natural mind or human intelligence. Such attempts led to myriads of religious systems that are simply based on superstitious beliefs and self-serving ventures.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23

So what caused mankind to default to a fruitless attempt to connect to God through their soul instead of the spirit? Separation from God, a work of Satan, resulted in spiritual and physical death.

“Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has Blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

2 Corinth. 4:3-4

Spiritual blindness and ignorance was a consequence of Adam’s disobedience and, therefore, forfeiture of mankind glorious privilege to commune with God. And be His rightful representative over the physical realm. But we have a loving Father who is faithful in all His dealings. Whatever He initiates He has the surpassing wisdom to redeem and restore even at the cost to Himself. He made a way for all mankind through the Cross and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

“The (reverent) fear of the Lord (that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome) is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom (its starting point and its essence), And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.” Proverbs 9:10

When you recognize the fact that you were created by God, our Heavenly Father, and turn your heart (the center of your life) to Him in humility. And receive His gift of love, Jesus Christ, the Holy One, that’s the beginning of true wisdom. And a life of forgiveness, peace and joy of His presence in your life. It is a free gift of His righteousness, received by Faith. Your good deeds or self-righteous acts do not matter before God. The sin issue and burden must be taken away by the only One who can do that; and your conscience cleared of guilt and condemnation through the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary. Then your spiritual eyes will be opened to understand God and His ways.

“Nevertheless, when one turns (in repentance) to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.” 2 Corinth. 3:16-17

“He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross (willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice), so that we might die to sin (becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin) and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you (who believe) have been healed. For you were continually wandering (lost) like (so many) sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

“For He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin (though sinless) for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinth. 5:21

Jesus Christ, as the Anointed of the Father, and the Messiah, carried the burden of sin and buried it in the grave. And God’s justice system must be satisfied. The penalty of sin and rebellion must be paid. The perfect righteousness of the Son of God, made His sacrificial blood acceptable to satisfy the Father’s righteous judgment over sin. God is Holy and cannot compromise His holiness, even, as He is also a loving Father.

“Therefore, consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness. Otherwise you also may be cut off.” Romans 11:22

“And according to the Law (of God) almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

While ancient Israel was in the captivity of the godless nation of Egypt, a temporary provision was made for them to escape the final plague. The final judgment over Egypt was the death of all their firstborn sons in one night. God asked the Israelites to put a smear of blood from a lamb without blemish, in the form of a cross on their doorpost. On that particular night, the destroying angel will Pass over every household with such blood on the doorpost. And spare their firstborn sons but that of the Egyptians were killed for the hardness of heart and rebellion of Pharaoh.

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place, once for all, having obtained eternal redemption…………..How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:11-14.

God, the Father, has sent a special invitation to you. He is zealous for your soul. The Devil wants you to join him in the dungeon of hell fire. But hell was not meant for mankind but for the Devil and the fallen angels (demons). Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace due to His unfailing love and compassion for mankind. You must make a choice while you are alive. There is no purgatory!!! That’s one of the deceptions of religion. After death, you must come before the judgment seat of Christ. Not accepting Christ means rejection of mercy, and by inference, invitation of the fiery wrath of God. Jesus took the wrath so that you do not have to face it. So, we encourage you to receive His forgiveness and reconciliation before it is too late!!!

“And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

Even if your sins are glaringly offensive or morally reprehensible, the potency in the blood of Jesus will cleanse you and make you pure in the eyes of God. And no person can stand before God and claim to be righteous. Everyone was born in sin and need a Savior!!!

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18b

And Jesus made things clearer to His disciples, “Thus it is written and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46-47

“And He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel (Good News of Christ underserved mercy) to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16

In obedience to the Great Commission, apostle Peter, preached the gospel at the inauguration of the Church and about three thousand souls were saved in a single day!!! They recognized the seriousness and the urgency of the matter and asked the greatest question that is relevant to every person’s eternal destiny: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

And Peter responded, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

Repentance comes from the heart. It comes from the core of your being. It is a sense of godly sorrow for living a self-focused life that ignores or neglects God’s Sovereign right over your life as Creator. And One worthy of adoration and worship!!! It is a turning to God in Faith from a life of faithlessness or paganism or empty religious rituals which have no place in right relationship with the Almighty God.

So, what is God’s prescription for turning around from a self-focused life to a life of Faith in God and His Word?

“That if you Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and Believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one Believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation.” Romans 10:9-10. Hallelujah!!!

You believe in your heart that you were born in sin and lived under the lordship of Satan. But now you believe in the saving grace of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the precious Lamb of God that shed His sinless blood at the Cross of Calvary. And God, the Father, glorified Him in the resurrection on the third day, for your justification. You Confess with your mouth that in Christ you are now forgiven and He is now the Lord of your life!!! This is the born again experience. Your spirit man or woman is now made alive to the Spirit of God. With the power to respond rightly to God and His Word in Faith.

So, what is the Baptism all about? And who should be baptized?

Biblical baptism is a total body immersion in water. This is Christian experience after one gets saved by His grace. This is a public declaration or demonstration of becoming identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no place for infant or young children baptism because they do not understand what it is all about. Jesus Christ is our model in everything concerning God. He was not baptized as a baby. The Word of God instructs us to raise our children by teaching them about God and His ways.

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” Romans 6:3-6

I give You my Praise:

Most Holy Father, we come to You again in the precious name of Jesus Christ. We Thank You for Your inspiration and guidance in putting this message together. It is the entrance of Your Word into the heart of man that brings understanding. We bind every demonic stronghold that blinds people from the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the only way to salvation and entrance into heaven. May hearts be touched and the power of saving faith be released, so many will cross over from darkness into Your marvelous Light, by accepting God’s only hope for mankind, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Precious Heavenly Father, I come to You this beautiful day, June 12, 2021. A wonderful day that You made for us to rejoice and delight in the works of Your awesome hands. We praise You as the Almighty God and Maker of all things, both in heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ, the Son of Your love. For through Christ all things were made, thrones, dominion, rulers, principalities and powers. In Him all things are held together. He has supremacy over all created things, and remains One with the Father. Your years will never end, and your Kingdom and dominion is everlasting. Everything will grow old and fade away but You remain the same from generation to generation. Thank You that You have brought us into fellowship with Jesus Christ. You have given us the vision and perspective of those who are called by Your awesome name. We pray for your Counsel and guidance as we pen this message for all of us to the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

The Bible, the authoritative Word of God and Father of all, is outstanding and exceptional in literary style, poetry and full of humor. Yet, in this relationship book, you find established and rare treasures that reveal the pure heart of the Father for His children. The Word of God, Manual for life, is the good seed sown in a fertile ground that is expected to yield good tree with accompanying good fruit.

 However, the Enemy of God, Satan, who is the Corrupter and Destroyer came through subterfuge and deceived all. The devil caused spiritual blindness and separation from the source of true Light, Jesus Christ. Without Christ, mankind is disconnected from His source. We choose a lifestyle that pursues the natural, earthly glory at the detriment of the spiritual and heavenly. Thus, there is an established and narrow Way of God, a Walk with God; and there is another way that is broad and ruled by human reasoning and philosophy, independent of God and ruled by satanic influence. But the Father is good and His mercies are everlasting. He revealed and demonstrated His mercies and abundant grace through His Son, Jesus Christ.

It was few weeks ago that the Lord spoke to me through a dream of the night. I encourage you to pay close attention to the illustration in this beautiful artwork. Check the Bible as you reflect and pray for spiritual understanding ( 1 Corinth.2:14) and the ability to apply what you understand in your daily walk ( James 1:22). The first part of the dream revealed a very busy street. The whole road way was filled with people, men and women, young and old, engaging in the hustles and bustles of life. It looked as though their lives were consumed with the merchandizing of daily life. But they are blinded to what truly matters; the essence and purpose of life. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

Your days are numbered. And there is a hereafter.

“The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the Fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:10-12.

Your hard work and the dividends like money, riches and esteemed position in life are good. But cannot Save you from eternal judgment and condemnation.

“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore, pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts come iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth………..They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” This is what the wicked are like….always free of care, they go on amassing wealth……….I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down to ruin.” Psalms 73.

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions………But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God.” Luke 12:15-21.

So one can gain the whole world and be bankrupt in God’s judgment. How can one be rich and gain God’s acceptance and approval?

In the next phase of this divine revelation, I was drawn out of the first phase onto a deserted and narrow road. As I walked along this lonely way, I came across a man carrying a gigantic load on his shoulder. I was particularly struck by the fact that he looked like a regular guy. No one had compelled him to carry this terrifying size of load. He had a choice of laying it down but he did not. It appeared he was just willingly and voluntarily carrying the load. Who is this Man and what does this mean?

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Matt. 7:13-14.

Only the manufacturer of a product has the blueprint and the right instruction manual for the effective functioning and optimal performance of the product. All the great inventions of man have a blueprint and instruction manuals. Mankind, a great invention of the Father through His Son, also has a blueprint and instruction manual known as the Bible, the inspired Word of the Creator, who is forever praised. Hallelujah!!! To understand man, you must get out of human wisdom and philosophy. You must take off your eyes and heart momentarily from the busyness and rat race of this physical world to the true God who made all things. As you turn in humility and begin to acknowledge that there must be a Sovereign above you something will happen.

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44

“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He you will die in your sins.” John 8:24

As a young man out of medical school and a practicing physician, my whole being was consumed in the busyness of making money and living large. I was introduced to the fast ways of cutting corners to get quick returns. I quickly rose in influence as I joined the cream of the society as a Rotarian. I was also member of a religious system and admired the rituals and all the accolades. Self-indulgent practices escalated and the self-control I must have built growing up was quickly eroded. I soon realized my life had no rhythm and no rest. At my sober moment, I wondered what was happening to me. My curiosity of the existence of God heightened. “If there was God then why is my life not at peace? Why is God not helping me to overcome self-indulgent lifestyles? Why go to church and partake in all the hypes but I had a secret life that church people must not know about?”

Then one night something amazing happened. In this dream of the night, I found myself in deep quest for God’s presence in my life. I asked same question, “If there is God, why does my life seem out of rhythm and no peace?” Suddenly, my attention was drawn to the cloud above. It was as if the One up there responded in the affirmative. The cloud moved with such unmistakable strength that my whole being spontaneously went into worship, “Oh, my God how great thou art!!!”

Now I knew without a shadow of doubt of the existence of God. However, it appeared to be a higher level of mental accent. I thought of God more but still had no power to overcome my soulish lifestyle. And then another supernatural occurrence. I was going through a particularly disturbing family trouble that would have scuttled my marriage. My emotions were running wild and I was at a loss on how to handle the situation. This particular night, I was deeply asleep and a voice echoed into my heart that shook my entire being. “ I am the Lord, Your God. Thou shall not have any other god beside Me.” I was so terrified and visibly shaken. My tears were flowing like a stream and my dear wife was shocked and couldn’t understand what was happening because I just kept repeating ‘the voice.’

Finally, my increasing mental and emotional acknowledgment of God’s existence progressed to the spiritual aspect. I was invited to a Gospel church. I heard the Good News of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. As I listened attentively, my heart suddenly broke. I realized God has been there for me all along. In all my struggles from birth I could see His hand in my life. I sensed I deserved judgment but His mercies have kept me. This deeper knowledge of His goodness despite my waywardness broke my heart. I cried uncontrollably. But it was a cry of appreciation of His underserved mercies, forgiveness and grace. Jesus Christ has carried away my burden of sins and the wrath of God. His love was poured into my heart. My reverence and honor for Him was birthed. Hallelujah!!!  

“All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him( Jesus Christ ) the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted. Yet He opened not His mouth. He was led as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:6-7.

“He is despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him……” Isaiah 53:3-5

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His Cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

“…who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins and in Him there is no sin.” 1 John 3:4-5

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

There is a right way to enter a home, nation that is legitimate. Otherwise, you are deemed illegal alien or an invader of a home. In the Kingdom of heaven there is a right and one way to enter. You cannot smuggle yourself inside. God is Holy even with His great mercies. God’s righteous justice system provided the only way for mankind back to Himself. Christ has to carry our burdens through death on the Cross to the grave. His resurrection proved His affirmation by the Father and provided for us justification by faith. So our sins are forgiven as we carry our sins to Him. And receive His abundant grace of forgiveness, peace and joy of salvation.

But the Father has given us a tremendous gift of Choice and Free will. Do you want to carry the burden of your sin and face eternal judgment and condemnation? Or just like me, humbly and gratefully, lay your sins at the foot of Jesus Christ. And receive His free gift of love, forgiveness and abundant grace!!!

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinth. 5:21

“Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

In summary, it is worth repeating the wise counsel of the Lord Jesus:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt. 7:13-14

Prayer

Precious Father, we thank You for the awesome privilege You gave to us to share Your love and great plan of Salvation to everyone. We ask that whoever is privileged to read through this Spirit-inspired writing will gain understanding and turn in faith to Jesus Christ and His way. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Looking back, I cannot but praise the Lord for His faithfulness. It is amazing to see how His hands have worked wonders in my life bringing joy to me for His glory.

I have learned that God’s grace and faithfulness can come in unexpected ways.

Two examples in my life stand out. The first one happened when I got a job after I graduated from Secondary school. My boss at that time treated me so harshly that I almost quit. I did not know that her oppressive behavior towards me was because of some grudge she had against my mother. I really loved the job because the salary was great for me and it was hard to just quit. So, I decided to take the matter to God in prayers. Not long after that her behavior towards improved remarkably.

Another notable example of God’s faithfulness in my life pertains to the issue of finance. My parents were very poor and life has been very hard. By God’s grace I gained admission into Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. Due to financial difficulties, I had moments when I thought of just giving up on my dream of pursuing agriculture as a career. Thanks to God for His faithfulness. He sent me help through Pinnacle House ministry. I am currently in 400 level and my dream will ultimately be realized. To God be the glory!!!,

My name is Mary Gideon. I am 20 years old, from Benue State, Nigeria but resides in Abuja with my mother. I have other siblings but happen to be the one with a job to support my family. My father died many years ago. I am writing to testify about the goodness of God in my life.

My mom was forced into early marriage at the age of 16. Since then life has been most unfair to her. Her story has been from one struggle to another until my dad died some years ago. She relocated the family from Benue State to Abuja in search of a better life for the family. She got a job as an auxiliary nurse and the salary was a great relief for us. But due to frequent sickness she lost the job. In one of her sicknesses she actually lost consciousness. I lost it and screamed and cried out to God to bring her back. Miraculously, she was revived. That was a great experience for the family!!!

My job was very stressful and the pressure of the financial burden was heavy in my heart. I have always wished to be in school but it appeared there was no way out of my family financial troubles. I prayed and cried out to God but it appeared He was not available to meet this need. I kept praying for a destiny helper.

I was raised Catholic but someone introduced Jesus Christ, as Savior to me. I started reading about Him. The more I read about Him in Bible studies, as I moved to a Bible based church, the more I was drawn to His beauty and goodness and abundant grace. I started to feel His presence. The burden in my heart was lifted.

I continued to pray to God but this time I focused on Jesus Christ, as I have given my life to Him as my personal Savior and Lord. I was still expecting an answer for a destiny helper. In March 20th, 2021, the Lord Jesus answered that prayer. Some people came to the restaurant where I worked in Abuja. These people were ministers of Pinnacle House ministry. I did not know at that time. They purchased things in a different store but asked if they could sit in our restaurant that had good sitting arrangement to eat. For unknown reason, we agreed contrary to the rule. As God would have it, through this gesture, they were impressed and gave us a generous token of appreciation. That led to more discussions about why I was not in school. To cut the story short, Pinnacle House ministry is God’s answer to my request for a destiny helper. They have provided me scholarship and promised to see me through university.

The Lord has done something amazing in my life and family. I am so happy that God truly answers prayers. I am a living testimony of the Lord’s goodness and I will live to serve Him for His kindness to me and my family.

 

 

 

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