The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines the word “anathema” as “a thing or an idea which you hate because it is the opposite of what you believe”. Notice the use of the word hate. Something that is anathema is hated, and the definition explains why-it is the opposite of what that person believes, which means there is no room to reconcile that thing or idea with what is believed. The thing or idea which is anathema is not just different from the viewpoint of the subject, it is opposite thereto. It is like light and darkness, good and evil, heaven and hell, God and Satan, peace and war, prosperity and poverty, living or dead etc. Anathema signifies such an extreme from the subject’s viewpoint that there is no room for reconciliation!
Now what does all this have to do with anything? Why are we trying to write a thesis on such an obscure word-“anathema”? Well because I suddenly found that God has such a strong view on some thing that he actually declares it anathema! Well that is for those who believe the Bible to be the word of God, and written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In rounding up his first epistle to the Corinthians, Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16: 22, (KJV) “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” At first, I simply did not understand what this verse was saying. I had a sense for the dictionary meaning of “anathema”, but what was the word “maranatha” doing right after it? And is this verse using “anathema” in its dictionary meaning? That calls for an investigation, doesn’t it?
Checking out a cross reference linked to “anathema” takes us to 1 Corinthians 12: 3 where the verse says, “…no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed…” and in the margins, there is a note that the word “accursed” means the same as “anathema”. Trouble, Trouble!!! For the man who doesn’t love Jesus Christ that is! We can now read our original scripture to be saying, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed”. The Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary confirms this interpretation. It explains that “anathema” is the transliteration of a Greek word that means “accursed” or “separated” and could also refer to someone “devoted to destruction” or “false beliefs”. The New King James Version of course makes everything clear, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed…” it simply says.
So what was the word “maranatha” doing in the verse? Let’s read the whole verse in the Amplified Version-“If anyone does not love the Lord (does not have a friendly affection for Him and is not kindly disposed toward Him), he shall be accursed! Our Lord will come! (Maranatha!)”. Hmmm. The MacArthur Study Bible confirms a view that “accursed” means “devoted to destruction” and explains the verse as “Paul perhaps appeals for the Lord to take away the nominal, false Christians who threatened the spiritual well-being of the church. This was also an expression of eagerness for the Lord’s return”. The word “Maranatha” according to our Nelson’s Bible Dictionary is an Aramaic expression meaning “Our Lord Come!” and the contextual meaning is that “Our Lord is coming soon, and he will judge all those who do not love him”
What should all these mean to us? Do I love the Lord? Do you? Are we sure? How can we be sure of our love for him? Can we risk God considering us anathema to him? Accursed? Devoted to destruction? Separated from him? It is not a risk worth taking. The ultimate test of our love for Jesus Christ is; do we obey his commandments? “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:4).
Monday, September 22, 2008
Faith to please him
The book of Hebrews is believed to have been written by Apostle Paul in Rome around 68AD along with Galatians and the second book to Timothy. One of Paul’s objectives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit was to confirm Jewish Christians in the faith; to confirm to the Jews that prophesy had been fulfilled concerning the Christ that was to come. Not surprisingly considering this objective, the book focuses heavily on faith, and in chapter 11 we see Paul declare his faith and remind the Hebrews about the faith that their fathers-Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and others had lived by with conviction and with passion.
In verse 6, it is made clear why Paul harps on the importance of faith as he declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” The Bible Scholar, Dake commenting on this verse emphasizes the absolute necessity of faith, and actually describes it as “the secret of pleasing God”. If Paul and Dake are to be believed, faith is the secret formula, the foundation, the route to pleasing God, and as we shall later see, to obtaining a good report, not just from men, but like the fathers of our faith, from God and generations of believers to come. Why is it impossible to please God if you do not have total, absolute, complete faith in him and his word? The second part of verse 6 shows why- “…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently serve him”. Indeed the very first verse of chapter 11 describes faith as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.
In short, the only reason a man will obey God’s commandment not to steal, kill, hate his brother, serve other Gods, commit adultery or why he would repent from such actions, and worship God in truth, loving his fellowman, accepting and preaching the true gospel of Christ without personal motives, making worthy offerings to God and paying his or her tithes, not fearing principalities and powers, not doing evil even in secret places, etc is that he totally and completely believes in the existence, power and sovereignty of God and that God’s word and promises will be certainly be fulfilled. He must believe in the reality of heaven and hell, in the certainty of the victory of light over darkness, in the truth of the second coming of Christ, in the certainty of a day of judgment. Otherwise why will you refuse that bribe, or that temptation, or that portion of the king’s meat?
Let’s go back to the biblical examples of outstanding faith in Hebrews 11. In verse 4, we are reminded of Abel, who offered a “more excellent sacrifice” because he gave of the “firstlings of his flock”. It appears to me that God had regard to Abel’s sacrifice rather than Cain’s because Abel did not take God for granted and took care to give of the firstlings of his flock, “and of the fat thereof” (see Gen 4:4). Why did Abel bother? By Faith! Why did Enoch so please God that God decided that he should not see death? Because he had faith in God. The one I find most interesting is Noah. If we were around at the time of Noah and saw him suddenly building a great ark, what would we have thought of him? If we had asked him, Mr Noah, why are you building this great ship and he answered that God warned him of a mighty flood to come, would we not have laughed at him and called him a fool? Would we have thought he was not “reasonable”, not a “practical” Christian? Would we have wondered if Noah was not taking this thing to an extreme?
How many Noahs are we criticizing today, simply because God has spoken personally to them, and they have chosen to obey the word of God rather than do as the world is doing? Alas, Hebrews 11: 7 testifies of Noah that, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Note that the things Noah was warned about were not seen AS YET, still he moved with FEAR, and as a consequence saved his household. He did all this only because he believed every word that God had uttered to him, without an iota of doubt.
Of course we know about Abraham’s many acts of “stupid” faith, as it would have looked to curious onlookers-when he was called departed from the land of his fathers and went out, “not knowing whither he went” (Heb 11: 8) or when he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac upon God’s instruction even though he had waited until old age before Isaac was born. If Abraham told you of God’s promise that he would be a father of a generation at the time he was yet to have neither Isaac nor Ishmael, would we not have laughed him to scorn? If God told a sister that she would have four children and she was already thirty-eight years without a husband, would she still believe? What has God told you that is yet to manifest and you are beginning to wonder if God has not made a mistake? A wife or husband? The fruit of the womb? Healing? Protection? Great prosperity? A call to ministry? A new beginning? Restoration? Promotion? Can you, like Abraham believe in the evidence of things not seen? Can you like Noah believe in that which as yet, had not happened?
Can you like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, “…not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them…”? (Heb 11:13) Consider Joseph who we are reminded in verse 22 on his death bed, gave instructions to his children concerning the returning of his bones to Israel. How come he was so certain that indeed over four hundred years later his bones would be returned to the land of promise? We see this great testimony of faith and faithfulness in Gen 50: 24-25 where the bible records that when Joseph was 110 years old spoke to his descendants on his death bed saying, “…God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob….God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence”. It is amazing as we see in Exodus 13:19 that the faith of Joseph was rewarded many years later-“And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.”
Or Moses who chose to suffer affliction with the children of Israel, rather than enjoy the pleasures of Pharaoh’s household (verse 25) and esteemed the reproach of Christ above the treasures of Egypt (v.26); or the children of Israel who “passed through the Red Sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned”; or Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel and the prophets all of whom along with the other fathers of faith we have discussed “who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Heb 11: 33-34). This is the testimony of which we are called to inherit for being in Christ, we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3: 29). Will this be the testimony in heaven and generations to come concerning our faith? Does our faith please God?
Opeyemi Agbaje
In verse 6, it is made clear why Paul harps on the importance of faith as he declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” The Bible Scholar, Dake commenting on this verse emphasizes the absolute necessity of faith, and actually describes it as “the secret of pleasing God”. If Paul and Dake are to be believed, faith is the secret formula, the foundation, the route to pleasing God, and as we shall later see, to obtaining a good report, not just from men, but like the fathers of our faith, from God and generations of believers to come. Why is it impossible to please God if you do not have total, absolute, complete faith in him and his word? The second part of verse 6 shows why- “…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently serve him”. Indeed the very first verse of chapter 11 describes faith as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.
In short, the only reason a man will obey God’s commandment not to steal, kill, hate his brother, serve other Gods, commit adultery or why he would repent from such actions, and worship God in truth, loving his fellowman, accepting and preaching the true gospel of Christ without personal motives, making worthy offerings to God and paying his or her tithes, not fearing principalities and powers, not doing evil even in secret places, etc is that he totally and completely believes in the existence, power and sovereignty of God and that God’s word and promises will be certainly be fulfilled. He must believe in the reality of heaven and hell, in the certainty of the victory of light over darkness, in the truth of the second coming of Christ, in the certainty of a day of judgment. Otherwise why will you refuse that bribe, or that temptation, or that portion of the king’s meat?
Let’s go back to the biblical examples of outstanding faith in Hebrews 11. In verse 4, we are reminded of Abel, who offered a “more excellent sacrifice” because he gave of the “firstlings of his flock”. It appears to me that God had regard to Abel’s sacrifice rather than Cain’s because Abel did not take God for granted and took care to give of the firstlings of his flock, “and of the fat thereof” (see Gen 4:4). Why did Abel bother? By Faith! Why did Enoch so please God that God decided that he should not see death? Because he had faith in God. The one I find most interesting is Noah. If we were around at the time of Noah and saw him suddenly building a great ark, what would we have thought of him? If we had asked him, Mr Noah, why are you building this great ship and he answered that God warned him of a mighty flood to come, would we not have laughed at him and called him a fool? Would we have thought he was not “reasonable”, not a “practical” Christian? Would we have wondered if Noah was not taking this thing to an extreme?
How many Noahs are we criticizing today, simply because God has spoken personally to them, and they have chosen to obey the word of God rather than do as the world is doing? Alas, Hebrews 11: 7 testifies of Noah that, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Note that the things Noah was warned about were not seen AS YET, still he moved with FEAR, and as a consequence saved his household. He did all this only because he believed every word that God had uttered to him, without an iota of doubt.
Of course we know about Abraham’s many acts of “stupid” faith, as it would have looked to curious onlookers-when he was called departed from the land of his fathers and went out, “not knowing whither he went” (Heb 11: 8) or when he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac upon God’s instruction even though he had waited until old age before Isaac was born. If Abraham told you of God’s promise that he would be a father of a generation at the time he was yet to have neither Isaac nor Ishmael, would we not have laughed him to scorn? If God told a sister that she would have four children and she was already thirty-eight years without a husband, would she still believe? What has God told you that is yet to manifest and you are beginning to wonder if God has not made a mistake? A wife or husband? The fruit of the womb? Healing? Protection? Great prosperity? A call to ministry? A new beginning? Restoration? Promotion? Can you, like Abraham believe in the evidence of things not seen? Can you like Noah believe in that which as yet, had not happened?
Can you like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, “…not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them…”? (Heb 11:13) Consider Joseph who we are reminded in verse 22 on his death bed, gave instructions to his children concerning the returning of his bones to Israel. How come he was so certain that indeed over four hundred years later his bones would be returned to the land of promise? We see this great testimony of faith and faithfulness in Gen 50: 24-25 where the bible records that when Joseph was 110 years old spoke to his descendants on his death bed saying, “…God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob….God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence”. It is amazing as we see in Exodus 13:19 that the faith of Joseph was rewarded many years later-“And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.”
Or Moses who chose to suffer affliction with the children of Israel, rather than enjoy the pleasures of Pharaoh’s household (verse 25) and esteemed the reproach of Christ above the treasures of Egypt (v.26); or the children of Israel who “passed through the Red Sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned”; or Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel and the prophets all of whom along with the other fathers of faith we have discussed “who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Heb 11: 33-34). This is the testimony of which we are called to inherit for being in Christ, we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3: 29). Will this be the testimony in heaven and generations to come concerning our faith? Does our faith please God?
Opeyemi Agbaje
No Shaking!!!
I always assumed the phrase “No Shaking” was invented by some political godfather, some motor park chieftain, labour leader, student activist, or other rabble rouser confident of his survivalist skills. Then I saw this quote in Hebrews 12: 27-28, “Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear.” Surprise, Surprise! Did God invent the phrase? Now naturally I had to read this bible verse more closely. What is the verse saying? Are there some things that can be shaken, and those that cannot be shaken? What are the ones that can be shaken, and which are the ones which can’t be?
Since I saw the quote above in a New Kings James Bible, I turned to the Amplified Version to get a detailed view. The Amplified Bible said, “Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all (that can be) shaken-that is, of that which has been created-in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. (Ps. 102:26.) Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe.” Since there was a reference to Psalm 102:26, I quickly checked that out as well, also in the Amplified-“They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away. But You remain the same, and your years shall have no end. (Heb. 1: 10-12.)”
Another cross reference to Hebrews, so I checked out Hebrews 1: 10-12, “And (further), You Lord, did lay the foundations of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but You remain and continue permanently; they will all grow old and wear out like a garment. Like a mantle (thrown about one’s self) You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure. (Ps. 102: 25-27.). In Hebrews 1, Apostle Paul was clearly referring to Jesus Christ, our Lord. In verse 2, he had said, “…in the person of a Son, Whom He appointed, Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds…”
What is the meaning of all this? What are the things that can be shaken? Things which were created! That includes Satan, doesn’t it? Of course, Lucifer was created, so he will be shaken away. What of your human and spiritual enemies? Those who have sworn that you will not achieve your destiny, except over their dead body? Of course, they too were created and would pass away? The MacArthur Study Bible explains this verse thus, “Everything physical (“things…being shaken”) will be destroyed; only eternal things (“which cannot be shaken”) will remain. So what things cannot be shaken? Our faith in Christ is not physical! Our salvation is not physical. The power in the blood of Jesus is not physical. Our promise of eternal life is not physical. Our victory over the kingdom of darkness is not physical. God’s covenants-of protection, provision, deliverance etc are not physical. His grace, his forgiveness, his mercy, his compassion, his restoration all of which never fail are not physical. So they can never be shaken!
Why is this so? Because our God himself cannot be shaken. He was, is and will for ever be. Like the beautiful song says, “Ancient of days, as old as You are,,….You will never change!”. Another of my favourite songs based on Isaiah 25:1 declares, “…Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” How can he that created the earth and fixed its beacons as he liked, be shaken? Surely, Never! That is why verse 28 counsels us to relate with this God who has given us an unshakeable faith with awe, reverence and godly fear. So next time, the devil and his agents come and threaten you at night or even during the day with fear, death, destruction, or any other attack, tell them, No Shaking!!!
Opeyemi Agbaje
Since I saw the quote above in a New Kings James Bible, I turned to the Amplified Version to get a detailed view. The Amplified Bible said, “Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all (that can be) shaken-that is, of that which has been created-in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. (Ps. 102:26.) Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe.” Since there was a reference to Psalm 102:26, I quickly checked that out as well, also in the Amplified-“They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away. But You remain the same, and your years shall have no end. (Heb. 1: 10-12.)”
Another cross reference to Hebrews, so I checked out Hebrews 1: 10-12, “And (further), You Lord, did lay the foundations of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but You remain and continue permanently; they will all grow old and wear out like a garment. Like a mantle (thrown about one’s self) You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure. (Ps. 102: 25-27.). In Hebrews 1, Apostle Paul was clearly referring to Jesus Christ, our Lord. In verse 2, he had said, “…in the person of a Son, Whom He appointed, Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds…”
What is the meaning of all this? What are the things that can be shaken? Things which were created! That includes Satan, doesn’t it? Of course, Lucifer was created, so he will be shaken away. What of your human and spiritual enemies? Those who have sworn that you will not achieve your destiny, except over their dead body? Of course, they too were created and would pass away? The MacArthur Study Bible explains this verse thus, “Everything physical (“things…being shaken”) will be destroyed; only eternal things (“which cannot be shaken”) will remain. So what things cannot be shaken? Our faith in Christ is not physical! Our salvation is not physical. The power in the blood of Jesus is not physical. Our promise of eternal life is not physical. Our victory over the kingdom of darkness is not physical. God’s covenants-of protection, provision, deliverance etc are not physical. His grace, his forgiveness, his mercy, his compassion, his restoration all of which never fail are not physical. So they can never be shaken!
Why is this so? Because our God himself cannot be shaken. He was, is and will for ever be. Like the beautiful song says, “Ancient of days, as old as You are,,….You will never change!”. Another of my favourite songs based on Isaiah 25:1 declares, “…Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” How can he that created the earth and fixed its beacons as he liked, be shaken? Surely, Never! That is why verse 28 counsels us to relate with this God who has given us an unshakeable faith with awe, reverence and godly fear. So next time, the devil and his agents come and threaten you at night or even during the day with fear, death, destruction, or any other attack, tell them, No Shaking!!!
Opeyemi Agbaje
Ready to go higher?
Most members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) will by now be familiar with the phrase, ‘Come Up Higher’ as it was the theme of the recently concluded March Special Holy Ghost Congress held from 6th to 8th March 2008. Our General Overseer (G.O), Pastor E.A Adeboye anchored the ministration on Friday 7th on the scripture in Revelation 4: 1-“After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” The Amplified Bible translates this last sentence as “…Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future”. As Daddy G.O explained, God is setting an open door before us; he is promising to open the heavens before us; he is promising to open every door that had been previously closed against us; to set us free from every prison, poverty, bondage or limitation; he is releasing showers of blessings, because when the heavens open to a man, blessings, favour, promotion, honour, glory and restoration are what follow; and when he opens that means we can walk into our breakthrough as no man or power can close a door that the Lord himself has opened.
As I meditated further on this matter however, one thing occurred to me-this statement ‘Come up Higher’ was an invitation, and not a command. God himself is inviting us to come up to a higher level, so we can see and take hold of the marvellous things he has in store for us. But he will not force us higher, except we accept the invitation. Notice that he didn’t say, “Go up Higher” which might be interpreted as an instruction or command. Of course even if it was an instruction, God usually leaves us free to choose to obey or not, and receive the consequences of obedience or disobedience of his instruction. But in this case, it is an invitation, not an instruction. Each of us must decide whether we want to accept the invitation. In making this decision, we will examine the nature of the invitation. First who is this God who is asking us to ascend higher? Gen 14:18 calls him the ‘most high God’. Gen 14:22 calls him the ‘possessor of heaven and earth’. He is the one who told Abraham, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen 15:1). He is ‘the Almighty’ (Gen 17:1); “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46: 1); he is “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1: 8) A wise man will carefully consider any invitation that comes from such a source!
If we receive an invitation from a President, Governor, Minister or Commissioner, Ambassador or any other powerful human authority, we would usually hasten to accept in the expectation that we can benefit in one way or the other from these princes and kings. How much more the person who created all Kings and Princes? Remember Psalm 146: 3-“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help”; Doesn’t it make even more sense to accept the invitation of the Lord who can turn the mind of the King in your favour or against you. According to Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will”. He is the only one who can truly promote and establish a man-“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6-7). He is the only source of true security. Psalm 91:1-3 which we all know declares boldly that, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” No matter what the devil and his agents do, surely I will never depart from under the shadow of this awesome God. What about you?
Another question a reasonable person would consider in deciding on this invitation is, what has happened to those who have accepted previous invitations from the same person? What for instance happened to Simon called Peter who accepted an invitation from Jesus Christ who is son of God, and his brother Andrew, and indeed all the other disciples who followed him? (Mathew 4:18-20) Well they became fishers of men. Can you imagine how many fishermen were on earth in the days of Christ? They must have been many even in Israel. Certainly all over the world there were many fishermen. But today we continue to read only of Simon Peter who became the rock upon which Christ built the Church (Mathew 16:18). How about Abraham? He also accepted the invitation from God to get out of his country and kindred, and father’s house and go to an unknown place which the Lord was to show him. (Gen 12) Well Abraham became a father of many nations, and today all of us partakers of the salvation of Christ are descendants of Abraham. How about Daniel who accepted God’s invitation to live righteously and never defile himself? (Daniel 1:8) Well God brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince (Daniel 1:9); God gave him wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:20); God revealed the deep and secret things to him (Daniel 2:22); and God preserved Daniel in the lion’s den, gave him victory over his enemies and prospered him (Daniel 6). There are of course many other examples we can cite in the Bible, but the story is the same-all those who accepted God’s invitation were honoured by God above their peers.
But is there a price to pay, when you accept God’s invitation? It is also a reasonable question to ask. Are there any sacrifices? Are there any costs? In Luke 14:28, Christ himself confirmed that we must count the cost before accepting his invitation. He said, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Clearly there are sacrifices-liberties forgone, sins repented off, restitutions made, persecutions endured, trials and tribulations sometimes, just like the disciples, just like Abraham and Daniel endured, but there is victory through it all. Abraham had to give up the known for the unknown. He was even willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Daniel went into the lion’s den, ready to die in the faith; the disciples endured persecution and martyrdom; Joseph had to deal with envy from his brothers and blackmail from his master’s wife; Job lost almost everything before God restored him, but they all had great testimonies in the end.
Even in these times, God is still inviting us his children-to salvation for those who are yet to know him; to holy and righteous living; to manifestation of his power; to a higher level of service; to evangelism and love for our fellow men; and happily he still rewards us with blessings of favour, provision, security, restoration, promotion, victory and at the end of our journey on earth, eternal life. Will you accept his invitation?
Opeyemi Agbaje
As I meditated further on this matter however, one thing occurred to me-this statement ‘Come up Higher’ was an invitation, and not a command. God himself is inviting us to come up to a higher level, so we can see and take hold of the marvellous things he has in store for us. But he will not force us higher, except we accept the invitation. Notice that he didn’t say, “Go up Higher” which might be interpreted as an instruction or command. Of course even if it was an instruction, God usually leaves us free to choose to obey or not, and receive the consequences of obedience or disobedience of his instruction. But in this case, it is an invitation, not an instruction. Each of us must decide whether we want to accept the invitation. In making this decision, we will examine the nature of the invitation. First who is this God who is asking us to ascend higher? Gen 14:18 calls him the ‘most high God’. Gen 14:22 calls him the ‘possessor of heaven and earth’. He is the one who told Abraham, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen 15:1). He is ‘the Almighty’ (Gen 17:1); “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46: 1); he is “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1: 8) A wise man will carefully consider any invitation that comes from such a source!
If we receive an invitation from a President, Governor, Minister or Commissioner, Ambassador or any other powerful human authority, we would usually hasten to accept in the expectation that we can benefit in one way or the other from these princes and kings. How much more the person who created all Kings and Princes? Remember Psalm 146: 3-“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help”; Doesn’t it make even more sense to accept the invitation of the Lord who can turn the mind of the King in your favour or against you. According to Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will”. He is the only one who can truly promote and establish a man-“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6-7). He is the only source of true security. Psalm 91:1-3 which we all know declares boldly that, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” No matter what the devil and his agents do, surely I will never depart from under the shadow of this awesome God. What about you?
Another question a reasonable person would consider in deciding on this invitation is, what has happened to those who have accepted previous invitations from the same person? What for instance happened to Simon called Peter who accepted an invitation from Jesus Christ who is son of God, and his brother Andrew, and indeed all the other disciples who followed him? (Mathew 4:18-20) Well they became fishers of men. Can you imagine how many fishermen were on earth in the days of Christ? They must have been many even in Israel. Certainly all over the world there were many fishermen. But today we continue to read only of Simon Peter who became the rock upon which Christ built the Church (Mathew 16:18). How about Abraham? He also accepted the invitation from God to get out of his country and kindred, and father’s house and go to an unknown place which the Lord was to show him. (Gen 12) Well Abraham became a father of many nations, and today all of us partakers of the salvation of Christ are descendants of Abraham. How about Daniel who accepted God’s invitation to live righteously and never defile himself? (Daniel 1:8) Well God brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince (Daniel 1:9); God gave him wisdom and understanding than all the magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:20); God revealed the deep and secret things to him (Daniel 2:22); and God preserved Daniel in the lion’s den, gave him victory over his enemies and prospered him (Daniel 6). There are of course many other examples we can cite in the Bible, but the story is the same-all those who accepted God’s invitation were honoured by God above their peers.
But is there a price to pay, when you accept God’s invitation? It is also a reasonable question to ask. Are there any sacrifices? Are there any costs? In Luke 14:28, Christ himself confirmed that we must count the cost before accepting his invitation. He said, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Clearly there are sacrifices-liberties forgone, sins repented off, restitutions made, persecutions endured, trials and tribulations sometimes, just like the disciples, just like Abraham and Daniel endured, but there is victory through it all. Abraham had to give up the known for the unknown. He was even willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Daniel went into the lion’s den, ready to die in the faith; the disciples endured persecution and martyrdom; Joseph had to deal with envy from his brothers and blackmail from his master’s wife; Job lost almost everything before God restored him, but they all had great testimonies in the end.
Even in these times, God is still inviting us his children-to salvation for those who are yet to know him; to holy and righteous living; to manifestation of his power; to a higher level of service; to evangelism and love for our fellow men; and happily he still rewards us with blessings of favour, provision, security, restoration, promotion, victory and at the end of our journey on earth, eternal life. Will you accept his invitation?
Opeyemi Agbaje
The blood of Jesus
Every culture and religion appears to recognize the spiritual power inherent in blood. Traditional religionists when they have a “client” with a small spiritual problem will ask him to sacrifice a chicken. When the problem is bigger, they may demand a goat, then a cow, then seven cows, and some allege that the sacrifice may even rise to require human blood in certain contexts. In some cultures for instance, the death of Kings is accompanied by burying some of his chiefs, citizens or strangers along with him. Of course, the physical always mirrors the spiritual, so medical doctors will confirm that when a life is drained of blood, it dies. Whenever there is a serious medical emergency, a blood transfusion may be one of the actions a doctor will take to restore life when it appears to be slipping away.
In the Old Testament, the Jews demonstrated a strong understanding of the power inherent in the blood as a means of sacrifice and atonement. Apostle Paul recounts this history very brilliantly in the ninth chapter of Hebrews. Paul writes about the old testament meaning and significance of the blood (referring to the first covenant) and contrasts the physical sanctuary of the Jews (he calls it ‘worldly’ or ‘earthly’) with the sanctuary in the hearts of the new testament Christian built by the coming of Christ who built a “greater and more perfect tabernacle” not with human hands, but through his own divine spirit. But first, Paul graphically depicts the layout and purpose of the old sanctuary of Jewish worship so we can understand the reason why Christ’s blood was shed.
He describes the outer sanctuary, behind a first veil, called the holy place which had a lamp stand, a table and the sacred bread. Then there was a second veil behind which was a tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. This had a golden altar of incense, the Ark of the Covenant given to Moses, which contained a golden jar which held the manna, the rod of Aaron, and two stone slabs of the covenant bearing the Ten Commandments. There was the mercy seat and the two cherubims which were the symbols of glory. The priests enter regularly into the outer sanctuary, but only the High Priest enters into the Holy of Holies and even he does so only once a year, and “never without taking a sacrifice of blood with him, which he offers for himself and for the errors and sins” of the people. The blood is that of one goat while the priest symbolically transferred the sins of the people to a second scapegoat which was sent into the wilderness.
This Old Testament practice was an imperfect foretaste of the perfect sacrifice that was to come. The annual ritual of taking the “blood of goats and bulls” had to be repeated every year. The High Priest who went into the Holy of Holies, was himself human and subject to sin, and needed himself to be purified. It was possible even for the High Priest, if his atonement did not please God to die right there. He would have to be pulled out in this tragic eventuality and I suspect the succeeding High Priest would have been filled with mortal dread as he entered to perfect the people’s sacrifice! But for the mercy of God!!!
So there was need for a better and perfect covenant. Against this background, it is easy to appreciate why that sacrifice had to be offered by the son of God, who was himself sinless, so he would not require atonement for himself-“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect sacrifice…” One can then understand why his blood had to be shed, because “Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”. And there was need for an eternal sacrifice, not one that would be repeated every year, and who better than Christ who “through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God…”
By Christ’s death, his new testament came into force (for a will and testament as the lawyers will tell you comes into force only after the death of the testator), and he has become the mediator, negotiator, intercessor for the redemption of our transgressions. Unlike the high priest of old, he is not entered into a physical holy of holies, but a heavenly one to intercede with God for us. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9: 28)
Opeyemi Agbaje
In the Old Testament, the Jews demonstrated a strong understanding of the power inherent in the blood as a means of sacrifice and atonement. Apostle Paul recounts this history very brilliantly in the ninth chapter of Hebrews. Paul writes about the old testament meaning and significance of the blood (referring to the first covenant) and contrasts the physical sanctuary of the Jews (he calls it ‘worldly’ or ‘earthly’) with the sanctuary in the hearts of the new testament Christian built by the coming of Christ who built a “greater and more perfect tabernacle” not with human hands, but through his own divine spirit. But first, Paul graphically depicts the layout and purpose of the old sanctuary of Jewish worship so we can understand the reason why Christ’s blood was shed.
He describes the outer sanctuary, behind a first veil, called the holy place which had a lamp stand, a table and the sacred bread. Then there was a second veil behind which was a tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. This had a golden altar of incense, the Ark of the Covenant given to Moses, which contained a golden jar which held the manna, the rod of Aaron, and two stone slabs of the covenant bearing the Ten Commandments. There was the mercy seat and the two cherubims which were the symbols of glory. The priests enter regularly into the outer sanctuary, but only the High Priest enters into the Holy of Holies and even he does so only once a year, and “never without taking a sacrifice of blood with him, which he offers for himself and for the errors and sins” of the people. The blood is that of one goat while the priest symbolically transferred the sins of the people to a second scapegoat which was sent into the wilderness.
This Old Testament practice was an imperfect foretaste of the perfect sacrifice that was to come. The annual ritual of taking the “blood of goats and bulls” had to be repeated every year. The High Priest who went into the Holy of Holies, was himself human and subject to sin, and needed himself to be purified. It was possible even for the High Priest, if his atonement did not please God to die right there. He would have to be pulled out in this tragic eventuality and I suspect the succeeding High Priest would have been filled with mortal dread as he entered to perfect the people’s sacrifice! But for the mercy of God!!!
So there was need for a better and perfect covenant. Against this background, it is easy to appreciate why that sacrifice had to be offered by the son of God, who was himself sinless, so he would not require atonement for himself-“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect sacrifice…” One can then understand why his blood had to be shed, because “Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”. And there was need for an eternal sacrifice, not one that would be repeated every year, and who better than Christ who “through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God…”
By Christ’s death, his new testament came into force (for a will and testament as the lawyers will tell you comes into force only after the death of the testator), and he has become the mediator, negotiator, intercessor for the redemption of our transgressions. Unlike the high priest of old, he is not entered into a physical holy of holies, but a heavenly one to intercede with God for us. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9: 28)
Opeyemi Agbaje
The Christian Marathon
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12: 1-3
The passage above is written against the background of the preceding chapter in which Apostle Paul had reminded the Jews about previous “witnesses” of old-in chapter 11, we recall Paul had spoken with passion and erudition about the faith of Enoch, Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Moses and others who as the Amplified Bible explains have “borne testimony to the truth”. Having reminded them about their history and inheritance, one which as followers of the faith we now share as spiritual children of Abraham, Paul proceeds to describe the Christian journey using the metaphor of a race. He talks about a “race that is set before us”. Why does Paul describe our faith and walk with Christ as a race? What is the nature of this race?
Again the Amplified Bible talks about “the appointed course of the race that is set before us”. So there is a race, and it is not a spontaneous, unregulated race, in which there are no lanes, judges, starters, guidelines and a specified course. There is an appointed course, a defined course for every Christian and the Bible encompasses the rules and regulations governing the race. Indeed the New International Version talks about “the race marked out for us”. So we are not free to run “as we like”, or “anyhow” otherwise we may be disqualified from the race much like an athlete who jumps the gun, crosses into another competitor’s lane or drops the baton. The race must be run strictly in line with the principles laid out in the originator’s manual, in this case, the Bible.
There are many types of races-the one hundred metres dash, and the other short (or relatively short) distance races such as 200, and 400 metres races. These sprints are dependent on strength and speed. There is a variant of the 100 and 200 metres races that has hurdles right in the athletes’ path and the victor is expected to run, and jump over the hurdles at intermittent points on the track. Then there are the middle distance races-400, 800 and 1,500 metres races. These ones begin to require in addition to strength and speed, also endurance and perseverance. There are some other really long distance races-the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 metre races-the type the Ethiopians, Kenyans and other Eastern Africans are used to winning. There is the steeplechase, in which there are all sorts of obstacles in the way-water, hurdles etc. And then there is the decathlon and hepathlon-races which combine so many other activities-throwing the javelin, jumping, running and all. And then there is the marathon.
Now imagine a marathon that is say over 100, 000 metres. You are required to run as fast as possible, but you must also run “with patience” because the course is long and winding. Imagine that there are hurdles just like in the 110 metres hurdles; there are pools of water like the steeplechase; there are sand pits like in the long jump; there are high bars like in the high jump; there are very high barriers for which you need a pole vault; there are even boxing rings on the way in which you must “fight” and resist the “fiery darts” of the enemy; in short a race that is a synthesis of all types of races-the sprint, hurdles, decathlon and marathon. That is the nature of the Christian race. You can only run such a race with speed, endurance and with patience. Indeed the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary describes a race as “a contest that involves speed and endurance”. And you had better follow all the referee’s instructions so that at the end of it all you are not disqualified like those who are found to have used illegal steroids in secular sports!
Now that we understand the nature of the race, it is easy to understand why Paul counsels that we “lay aside every weight” before proceeding with the race. Imagine a serious competitor in the Olympics whether in the sprint, jumps or decathlons who decided to wear a heavy piece of jewellery or other adornment. His failure is guaranteed! And that is irrespective of his skill, speed, strength or other abilities. When Paul speaks of “weights”, what does he have in mind? Dake interprets this to mean laying aside whatever is hindering Christian progress. The Amplified Bible talks about every encumbrance. In short, anything-pride, conceit, anger, envy, hypocrisy, ignorance, legalism-anything whatsoever that gets in the way of our faith. Indeed the Macarthur Study Bible interprets Paul as speaking about the outward things in the Levitical system that ensnared and impeded the Jews from a true knowledge of Christ-the spirit of religion.
And then the Christian must lay aside every sin that so easily besets us. Paul speaks to the individual here. What is the sin that so easily besets each of us? Love of money and covetousness; the pleasures of the flesh and the opposite sex (or also the same sex); the desire for power and control; gossip and backbiting; various forms of wickedness and unbelief. Let each man and woman sort out their salvation with fear and trembling! In the Bible apart from Hebrews 12, there are other references to races, including Ecclesiastes 9: 11 (…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” This reminds us that running the race cannot be with our own strength, but to seek the grace and favour of God. That is why Paul asks that we look only unto Jesus, who is the author (source, beginning, origin, designer, cornerstone) and finisher (end, perfecter, glory, rewarder) of our faith.
But then like all races, there are prizes to those who successfully accomplish the race and complete the course. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul had written, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” That is why in 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, he declares, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” Paul had completed his own marathon-a course marked with afflictions and victories; persecutions and testimonies; torments and rewards; but at the end of it all, he was able to complete his course, and to receive his prize. His course is different from yours or mine, but the principles are constant, and they are contained in the Bible.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12: 1-3
The passage above is written against the background of the preceding chapter in which Apostle Paul had reminded the Jews about previous “witnesses” of old-in chapter 11, we recall Paul had spoken with passion and erudition about the faith of Enoch, Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Moses and others who as the Amplified Bible explains have “borne testimony to the truth”. Having reminded them about their history and inheritance, one which as followers of the faith we now share as spiritual children of Abraham, Paul proceeds to describe the Christian journey using the metaphor of a race. He talks about a “race that is set before us”. Why does Paul describe our faith and walk with Christ as a race? What is the nature of this race?
Again the Amplified Bible talks about “the appointed course of the race that is set before us”. So there is a race, and it is not a spontaneous, unregulated race, in which there are no lanes, judges, starters, guidelines and a specified course. There is an appointed course, a defined course for every Christian and the Bible encompasses the rules and regulations governing the race. Indeed the New International Version talks about “the race marked out for us”. So we are not free to run “as we like”, or “anyhow” otherwise we may be disqualified from the race much like an athlete who jumps the gun, crosses into another competitor’s lane or drops the baton. The race must be run strictly in line with the principles laid out in the originator’s manual, in this case, the Bible.
There are many types of races-the one hundred metres dash, and the other short (or relatively short) distance races such as 200, and 400 metres races. These sprints are dependent on strength and speed. There is a variant of the 100 and 200 metres races that has hurdles right in the athletes’ path and the victor is expected to run, and jump over the hurdles at intermittent points on the track. Then there are the middle distance races-400, 800 and 1,500 metres races. These ones begin to require in addition to strength and speed, also endurance and perseverance. There are some other really long distance races-the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 metre races-the type the Ethiopians, Kenyans and other Eastern Africans are used to winning. There is the steeplechase, in which there are all sorts of obstacles in the way-water, hurdles etc. And then there is the decathlon and hepathlon-races which combine so many other activities-throwing the javelin, jumping, running and all. And then there is the marathon.
Now imagine a marathon that is say over 100, 000 metres. You are required to run as fast as possible, but you must also run “with patience” because the course is long and winding. Imagine that there are hurdles just like in the 110 metres hurdles; there are pools of water like the steeplechase; there are sand pits like in the long jump; there are high bars like in the high jump; there are very high barriers for which you need a pole vault; there are even boxing rings on the way in which you must “fight” and resist the “fiery darts” of the enemy; in short a race that is a synthesis of all types of races-the sprint, hurdles, decathlon and marathon. That is the nature of the Christian race. You can only run such a race with speed, endurance and with patience. Indeed the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary describes a race as “a contest that involves speed and endurance”. And you had better follow all the referee’s instructions so that at the end of it all you are not disqualified like those who are found to have used illegal steroids in secular sports!
Now that we understand the nature of the race, it is easy to understand why Paul counsels that we “lay aside every weight” before proceeding with the race. Imagine a serious competitor in the Olympics whether in the sprint, jumps or decathlons who decided to wear a heavy piece of jewellery or other adornment. His failure is guaranteed! And that is irrespective of his skill, speed, strength or other abilities. When Paul speaks of “weights”, what does he have in mind? Dake interprets this to mean laying aside whatever is hindering Christian progress. The Amplified Bible talks about every encumbrance. In short, anything-pride, conceit, anger, envy, hypocrisy, ignorance, legalism-anything whatsoever that gets in the way of our faith. Indeed the Macarthur Study Bible interprets Paul as speaking about the outward things in the Levitical system that ensnared and impeded the Jews from a true knowledge of Christ-the spirit of religion.
And then the Christian must lay aside every sin that so easily besets us. Paul speaks to the individual here. What is the sin that so easily besets each of us? Love of money and covetousness; the pleasures of the flesh and the opposite sex (or also the same sex); the desire for power and control; gossip and backbiting; various forms of wickedness and unbelief. Let each man and woman sort out their salvation with fear and trembling! In the Bible apart from Hebrews 12, there are other references to races, including Ecclesiastes 9: 11 (…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” This reminds us that running the race cannot be with our own strength, but to seek the grace and favour of God. That is why Paul asks that we look only unto Jesus, who is the author (source, beginning, origin, designer, cornerstone) and finisher (end, perfecter, glory, rewarder) of our faith.
But then like all races, there are prizes to those who successfully accomplish the race and complete the course. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul had written, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” That is why in 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, he declares, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” Paul had completed his own marathon-a course marked with afflictions and victories; persecutions and testimonies; torments and rewards; but at the end of it all, he was able to complete his course, and to receive his prize. His course is different from yours or mine, but the principles are constant, and they are contained in the Bible.
The faith to receive
Our General Overseer, Pastor E.A Adeboye, has declared 2008 as the year in which The Almighty God has decreed new things in our life. Daddy G.O has repeated over and over again the words of Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Can we comprehend the scale of the Lord’s proclamation in this verse? When God does something that is new in the life of a brother or sister, that means if they were previously unmarried, they would find their own God-chosen life partner; if they were childless, they would have babies; if they previously lived in a rented apartment, they would buy or build their own; if they had a house in Lekki, they would have one in London or New York; they would be lifted up in ministry; they would excel in their professions or businesses where they used to be average; in short the Lord will do something in their lives, that would give them a new and glorious testimony.
Moreover Pastor ID has assured us in City of David that this year, all prophesies of God concerning us will be fulfilled. That means that our set time, the appointed time in which God will do a new thing in our lives; in which God will take us to the next level has come (Psalm 102:13). But even though once God speaks, it is done, men need faith to receive. The Webster’s New International Dictionary defines faith as, “belief without evidence; confidence; trust…allegiance; faithfulness, truly, honestly”. The same dictionary also includes “belief in God, the Bible” as meanings of faith. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary on the other hand, says ‘faith’ is “trust in subject’s ability or knowledge; trust that subject will do what has been promised …strong religious belief”. In the Old Testament, the word translated as “faith” is ‘emunah’ meaning ‘certainty and faithfulness’. In the New Testament, it is ‘pistis’ meaning ‘firm persuasion or conviction’. These give us an idea of what we must do to receive the promises of God. We must be certain that what God has promised concerning us shall, will, must, come to pass, because God is faithful and true. We must have the full conviction and be firmly persuaded that this year, God will do a new thing, indeed many new, good and excellent things concerning us, in 2008. According to Romans 4: 20-21, (speaking concerning Abraham)-“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
There are several dimensions of faith. Faith leads to TRUST ( 1 Cor 2:5; 1 Cor 15:14; Phil 1:25)- If we have faith in God, we will trust completely in his promises; It implies TRUSTWORTHINESS (Rom 3:3; Gal 5:22)-if we trust in God, that is because we believe he is worthy of our trust. But we would also want to be worthy of his trust since trust is reciprocal; faith implies FIDELITY (meaning loyalty, faithfulness, accuracy)-God is loyal to his word, he is faithful and just (1 John 1:9), but we will also be faithful and loyal to his words and to his commandments. We will also have knowledge concerning THE FAITH, because we can not exercise faith in that which we do not know (Gal 1: 23). We would “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2: 15). Most importantly faith manifests as OBEDIENCE. The well-known story of Noah and the building of the Ark, was according to one notable Bible scholar (Dake), “an example of perfect obedience”.
There are other well-known Biblical examples of faith manifesting as obedience-even when it looked foolish or stupid so to do. We know of Abraham who was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God’s word (Gen 22: 1-18) even when he had waited until old age before his wife Sarah bore him Isaac. He believed God’s promise that he would be a father of nations even when men would have laughed at any such notion. Hebrews 11: 1-40 in that brilliant exposition on faith, tells us “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Now that is opposite to human understanding. In the courts of men, the evidence of things not seen, would be deemed inadmissible evidence-hearsay, uncorroborated, unreliable-but not in the courts of God. As Christians, like Noah, Abraham, Sarah and others, we believe the word of God, even when we have not seen the physical manifestation, but we have the firm assurance that whatever God has decreed concerning us, is exactly that-a decree, and is settled in heaven, and will manifest imminently before the eyes of men. Amen.
Faith is the active ingredient in all miracles, as clearly demonstrated in the ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In Mathew 4: 24, “they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy…” because they had faith that he would heal them, “and he healed them”. The disciples followed him because they had faith in his promise to make them “fishers of men”. The Leper of Mathew 8: 1-3 believed that “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” and “immediately his leprosy was cleansed”. The Centurion believed Christ could heal his servant by merely saying the word (Mathew 8: 5-13), and so it was done unto him; the woman with the issue of blood believed that all she needed do was to touch the hem of his garment, and her faith made her whole (Mathew 9: 20-22); Jesus cautions us not to be of little faith, and not to doubt (Mathew 14:31) so that we can receive that which he has promised, because he is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12: 2) for our hope is both sure, and steadfast (Hebrews 6: 19). We must believe in order to receive.
Opeyemi Agbaje
Moreover Pastor ID has assured us in City of David that this year, all prophesies of God concerning us will be fulfilled. That means that our set time, the appointed time in which God will do a new thing in our lives; in which God will take us to the next level has come (Psalm 102:13). But even though once God speaks, it is done, men need faith to receive. The Webster’s New International Dictionary defines faith as, “belief without evidence; confidence; trust…allegiance; faithfulness, truly, honestly”. The same dictionary also includes “belief in God, the Bible” as meanings of faith. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary on the other hand, says ‘faith’ is “trust in subject’s ability or knowledge; trust that subject will do what has been promised …strong religious belief”. In the Old Testament, the word translated as “faith” is ‘emunah’ meaning ‘certainty and faithfulness’. In the New Testament, it is ‘pistis’ meaning ‘firm persuasion or conviction’. These give us an idea of what we must do to receive the promises of God. We must be certain that what God has promised concerning us shall, will, must, come to pass, because God is faithful and true. We must have the full conviction and be firmly persuaded that this year, God will do a new thing, indeed many new, good and excellent things concerning us, in 2008. According to Romans 4: 20-21, (speaking concerning Abraham)-“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
There are several dimensions of faith. Faith leads to TRUST ( 1 Cor 2:5; 1 Cor 15:14; Phil 1:25)- If we have faith in God, we will trust completely in his promises; It implies TRUSTWORTHINESS (Rom 3:3; Gal 5:22)-if we trust in God, that is because we believe he is worthy of our trust. But we would also want to be worthy of his trust since trust is reciprocal; faith implies FIDELITY (meaning loyalty, faithfulness, accuracy)-God is loyal to his word, he is faithful and just (1 John 1:9), but we will also be faithful and loyal to his words and to his commandments. We will also have knowledge concerning THE FAITH, because we can not exercise faith in that which we do not know (Gal 1: 23). We would “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2: 15). Most importantly faith manifests as OBEDIENCE. The well-known story of Noah and the building of the Ark, was according to one notable Bible scholar (Dake), “an example of perfect obedience”.
There are other well-known Biblical examples of faith manifesting as obedience-even when it looked foolish or stupid so to do. We know of Abraham who was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God’s word (Gen 22: 1-18) even when he had waited until old age before his wife Sarah bore him Isaac. He believed God’s promise that he would be a father of nations even when men would have laughed at any such notion. Hebrews 11: 1-40 in that brilliant exposition on faith, tells us “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Now that is opposite to human understanding. In the courts of men, the evidence of things not seen, would be deemed inadmissible evidence-hearsay, uncorroborated, unreliable-but not in the courts of God. As Christians, like Noah, Abraham, Sarah and others, we believe the word of God, even when we have not seen the physical manifestation, but we have the firm assurance that whatever God has decreed concerning us, is exactly that-a decree, and is settled in heaven, and will manifest imminently before the eyes of men. Amen.
Faith is the active ingredient in all miracles, as clearly demonstrated in the ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In Mathew 4: 24, “they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy…” because they had faith that he would heal them, “and he healed them”. The disciples followed him because they had faith in his promise to make them “fishers of men”. The Leper of Mathew 8: 1-3 believed that “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” and “immediately his leprosy was cleansed”. The Centurion believed Christ could heal his servant by merely saying the word (Mathew 8: 5-13), and so it was done unto him; the woman with the issue of blood believed that all she needed do was to touch the hem of his garment, and her faith made her whole (Mathew 9: 20-22); Jesus cautions us not to be of little faith, and not to doubt (Mathew 14:31) so that we can receive that which he has promised, because he is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12: 2) for our hope is both sure, and steadfast (Hebrews 6: 19). We must believe in order to receive.
Opeyemi Agbaje
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