KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:4 “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”

The Holy Spirit sent Paul and Barnabas from the church in Antioch. They were very influential in raising the church of Antioch, but did not claim they had to sit there and ran the church, but they yielded to the Holy Spirit, ready to obey His instructions. Dear man of God, it is not what you want that you do, but what the Lord says.

They quickly obeyed the Spirit’s commission. May we all be obedient to our Lord’s commission. Matthew 28:19 reads, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations. …..” This is the Lord’s commission to every Christian, and we must all religiously obey it.  Many of us do not go out there to share the Gospel because we are not ready to lose our comfort.  Serving God means denying yourself to love the Lord and do that which pleases him.

Matthew 16:24” Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

They first went to Seleucia a distance of about 41 miles by sea, from there they sailed to Cyprus, an Island in the Mediterranean which is not far from Seleucia. Now note this, the Spirit asked them to go and preach but did not tell them where to go in particular. As we have also been commissioned to go and teach all nations, we do not wait for the Spirit to say go here or go there. We get going and share with whosoever we meet. (The Holy Spirit in some cases can be specific about where to go)

They got to Salamis which is a principal city and seaport of Cyprus. It was the custom of the apostles to preach first in the synagogues which were Jewish gatherings.

Acts 13:16 reads “when they went through the Isle………” These men were simply combing through the region and sharing the Gospel to as many who were ready to receive them. We must likewise move everywhere to share the Good News with all men.

The deputy governor of the country (Paphos) was called Sergius Paulus. He invited Paul to listen to the word of God.  What made a deputy of the Land, call on Paul and Barnabas to listen to the Gospel? I believe what prompted this invitation was the impact of the message.

1.The gospel brings peace to all those who believe it.

2.The gospel brings transformation of the life to all who receive it. Sinners receive power to be free from sin.  

3.The sick are healed when they believe the gospel.

4. People who were filled with hatred, strive, and anger begin to express true love to their neighbours when they receive the gospel.

I believe these are some of the impacts of the gospel that caused the proconsul or deputy governor to invite Paul and Barnabas to hear them, too.

Dear child of God, the gospel, or good news, is the power of GOD unto salvation to everyone who believes. SHARE IT. The gospel declares our Lord Jesus died for our sins, and was raised on the third day for our Justification or to make us righteous. (Rom 4:25)

Dear reader, if you have not received eternal life, then believe in the Lord Jesus today and admit Him to be the Lord of your life by confessing Him as your Lord.

 CONFESSION

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. I share it wherever I go, bringing heavenly blessings to all who receive it. It is indeed a great joy to be a partner with the Lord in sharing this good news.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinthians 5:15” And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again”.

John 3:16” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:2. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

  Paul and Barnabas returned from Jerusalem to Antioch, where they joined the brethren in a time of prayer, fasting, and ministering unto the Lord.

   The scripture said they ministered to the Lord and fasted. The word ministered means to serve. To serve or minister in this context was to offer the fruit of your lips, which is praising and giving thanks unto the name of the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, That is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Whenever we sing or express words of thanksgiving, it is a form of service we are rendering unto the Lord. Do not take it lightly, it is the delight of the Lord that we minister unto Him. May you continue to offer the fruit of the lips unto the Lord always.

 Along with praising and giving thanks unto the Lord, they fasted. Fasting is an abstinence from food and pleasure to devote time for God in prayer and meditation on His word. Fasting strengthens one’s desire for the Lord. Fasting is not an optional   Christian discipline but an obligatory one. The Lord said in Matthew 6:16, “Moreover when ye fast…….” It is proper for every Christian to set up specific times or days to fast, pray, and minister unto the Lord.

 As they fasted, the Holy Spirit said Separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. “The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is an active person who has will, choice, and instincts. He said Paul and Barnabas should be separated unto him. It is only God who demands our dedication to Him. This makes Him one with God. He is God. The Holy Spirit is our helper, guard, and guide. We can only be successful if we recognise that he is Lord of the work. We must continually seek his guidance. Failure in ministry is serving without his assistance in leading. As many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God.

 Pastor Benny Hinn described the Holy Spirit as   Jesus Christ’s unlimited. When the Lord was on the earth, He was confined to a body and located in one place at a time.

 The Holy Spirit can be everywhere at the same time, working through anyone who gives him the right to lead and guide him. Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus is presently unlimited, alive in every child of God, and ready to do what He did when He was physically present on the earth. Cooperate with Him for an effective life and ministry

PRAYER

I thank you, heavenly Father, for giving us the Holy Spirit, our helper, advocate, counsellor, comforter, and guide. Through His leading, I am never found wanting, always a success in all I do.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 27:6 “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore, will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:5 KJV” Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

Please read Acts 12 1-17

The following narrative clearly shows that God may not do anything about man’s situation until men pray. Certain individuals in certain conditions seem not to change, yet they ask Do I have to call ceaselessly on God before a change would come? Yes, that is the answer.

In the passage, King Herod took James and killed him. James was one of the three inner core men of Jesus’ ministry. The bible said it pleased the Jews so much that he decided to go for Peter, who happened to be the leader of the church at that time. This was a very big blow to the church. The marginal bible reads as follows: that instant and earnest prayers were made without ceasing unto God for Him. Please note that Peter was arrested before the Passover, and he was to be kept in prison until after Easter, then he would be slain, like Herod did to James. This means these brethren were to pray without ceasing for at least three days or more.

I believe they fasted and prayed as well. These brethren decided that they were not going to allow King Herod to slaughter Peter, too. Please remember that God has given so much authority on this earth to man to determine what God permits or prohibits. Matt 18:18 KJV” Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” If we say no to a condition, heaven would back us and sanction no to it. If we say yes, then heaven’s response would be yes. They kept praying until the last night when he would be killed the next day, then God’s answer came through. Many of us have not gotten answers to our desires because we did not pray through, but stopped halfway through.

Pastor Yonggi Cho, who pastored the world’s largest church, shared a testimony concerning his son, who drank poisoned water with thirty other boys. Sadly, all the boys died. When his son was brought to him, he was almost unconscious and was gradually losing his senses. He started praying, yet the son died. He decided not to give up. He prayed for three hours, but the son did not come back to life. He prayed for another three hours, and the boy instantly vomited the poison as he came back to life. The son said the following after being raised back to life: that, in the dead state, he was with Jesus and wanted to go along with Him, but the Lord told him that his father would not let him die, so he had to go back. Please, dear brother or sister, God has given so much power to Christians. Do not easily give in to challenges or give up; hold your ground till you receive your desired answers.

THOUGHT: IF YOU CAN PERSIST SOME MORE, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT GOD SAYS YES TO YOUR YES.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luk 18:1 KJV “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV “Pray without ceasing.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

 In our last study, Apostle Paul was sent to Tarsus to save his life from the Greeks who were planning to kill him. When the work of God was growing at Antioch, Barnabas decided to go for Apostle Paul. Tarsus was Paul’s home, where he was a maker of tents.

Acts 18:3 says, “And because he was of the same craft, he abodes with them and wrought for by occupation they were tent makers.” What was he doing at Tarsus? Had he gone back into tent-making? Could it be that the first instant of the Jewish plot to slay him at Damascus, and the subsequent plans by the Greeks to kill him, had caused him to slow down on his aggressive work in witnessing? He could also have been involved in sharing the Gospel in Tarsus.

 The word says that Barnabas went for him. This is more of a subjective state. This suggests he had calmed down on his fervency. Barnabas did not give up or forget him. He went for him. Let us also be sons of consolation who would strengthen and lift those who are weak.   A positive word would change somebody’s life and future forever. Make up your mind to build up rather than to cast them down.

 James wrote in his epistle that a fountain cannot give out fresh and salty water simultaneously. It can only give one kind of water. The Lord Jesus was an uplifter of men. He said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, Neither do I condemn you, but go and sin no more.

Acts 11:26 says When Barnabas brought him to Antioch, they stayed there for a year teaching the brethren. I believe Barnabas, who led him back, would automatically be the leader of the team, yet because of Paul’s encounter with the master and the revelations granted him, he was made the main teacher of the brethren.  Barnabas had awakened a giant who might have been sleeping.  The impact of Paul and Barnabas’s ministry in Antioch made the brethren to be called Christians. This means to be like Christ.

I believe Apostle Paul’s insight into the new creation realities and the divine life of God available to every Christian sparks in them the awareness of the oneness with Jesus, and so they began to talk and act like Jesus. I believe miracles and healings were rampant. This is the hallmark of Jesus.

 CONFESSION

I have the Holy Spirit, the spirit of comfort and encouragement. I always lift the weak and have a positive word for all under all conditions. I bless and inspire towards fulfilment and success.

 FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;’

James 3:10” Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:29” And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.”

OUR key scripture states clearly that Apostle Paul spoke boldly in defense of the gospel. I realise a great part of the church lacks that level of boldness in talking about Jesus. I ask, why is it so? Most people lack this boldness because they do not have a good knowledge of the truth to freely talk about it. Our previous studies revealed to us how Paul had to isolate himself somewhere in Arabia, to learn and also to be taught by the Spirit concerning the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Anyone with a good knowledge of the truth would be very bold in communicating it. The next reason for one to be bold in communicating a truth is the knowledge of its truthfulness, thus its ability to answer man’s challenges

Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16, that, ‘ I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes…..” This conviction inspired him to speak boldly about Jesus. Dear one, “may you also come to the conviction that the gospel is the only truth to save lost humanity.

What was the thinking of the Greeks? 1st Corinth. 1:22 says, “For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom “. The Greeks were philosophical in their views. The Greeks saw the preaching of the cross as foolishness. Despite how worldly the Greeks were, Apostle Paul spoke boldly or freely, such that he made nonsense of their thinking and teaching. Paul did not dispute with them along their lines of ‘wisdom’ but kept establishing that the death and resurrection of Jesus is the wisdom of God to save men.

To get an idea of Paul’s defense of the gospel among the Greeks, please read 1st Corinthians 2:1-16. Please read the following verses: 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: “Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to defend the gospel

The Greeks also planned to kill Paul. The brethren, realising this, took him away and sent him to Caesarea and later to Tarsus. May we always be alert to protect the set men God has placed over us. They are arrowheads whose impact is very effective and cuts deeply into the works of the enemy. Losing one anointed vessel is a great loss to the larger body of Christ. Paul’s life was saved by the brethren, and we must protect the anointed men God has given to us.

 PRAYER:

I pray that the church of God would be strong to confound the world by her witness and her lifestyle.

FURTHER STUDIES

 1 Corinthians 2:13” Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

1 Peter 3:15” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Heb 13:2 KJV Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Please Read Acts 9:23-42

Apostle Paul went to the Synagogue at Damascus to engage the Jews.

The Jews in Damascus, realising they could not comprehend the level of insight and knowledge with which Paul taught about Jesus, decided to kill him. Unfortunately, religion creates murderers. Sadly, there are many professing Christians who are just religious.  They observe ordinances without personal knowledge or submission to    Jesus.

Acts 9:23). They lay in wait at the city gate so that when he passed by, they would attack and kill him. Apostle Paul got to know of it. Acts 9:25 says the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket. These brethren who helped him escape did not know they were saving somebody who would write about half of the letters in the New Testament.  I do not believe they knew that God had given him a special revelation that would change the course of the world. Dear child of God, the convert you have been privileged to care for and raise may be a special instrument in God’s hand to affect many lives. He or she may be another Paul or Peter. He or she may be another Pastor Chris Oyakhilome or bishop Dag Heward Mills.  Give him or her every love, care, and attention needed to make him or her stand strong in Christ.

Those disciples who let him down in the basket were risking their lives by doing that. The Jews who had wanted to kill Paul would have attacked them if they had seen them attempt to let Paul down the wall. Give every sacrifice to protect, help, and strengthen that new Christian you have found.

The story continues that when Paul got to Jerusalem, the brethren were so scared of him that they could not believe that he was a disciple. It took Barnabas, whose name meant Son of rest or son of consolation, to stand with Paul and defend him before the apostles. Love believes all things. There is no fear in love. Don’t stay far and judge. Get close and allow the Spirit to communicate the truths about that particular individual to you so you would be able to relate well with him or her.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for all Christians to be committed to lovingly and sacrificially discipling all new converts that they find in their midst.

FURTHER STUDIES.

John 21:15-17” So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yes Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:22. “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ.”

 Acts 9:20 reveals that Paul started preaching about the Lord Jesus straight away. after his conversion. The question is what he knows about Jesus Christ to be able to teach, and the Jewish lawyers and teachers? Apostle Paul, as a new convert, needed to be taught the truths about Jesus. According to Isaiah 28:13, ” But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” This verse shows us how the scriptures are interpreted or rightly divided. A little here, a little there

Our question in Acts 9:20 is answered by Galatians 1:12, which says,” 

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

These developments give credence to what Paul said in Galatians 1:15-17. It was after he visited Arabia and was confined in the presence of the Lord that he received insight into the truths about Jesus. It was on his return to Damascus that he started teaching in the synagogues and confounded the Jews.

  From what Paul wrote to the Galatians about himself, we can explain what Luke wrote in the Acts of the Apostles.  When we explain scriptures with other portions of the bible, we appreciate the clarity of what has been written.

Some brethren complain they do not understand the scriptures, because what they may be reading may not be so clear. Dear one, my piece of advice to you is that keep reading the scriptures generally. A good grasp of the scriptures as a whole would explain to you part of what may be lacking in one part that you might have read. The bible is indeed an amazing book. It has so many books written by various persons, yet the author is one, the Holy Spirit. It says all scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.2nd Timothy 3:16. The Holy Spirit, who inspired these men to write the scriptures, gives a perfect blend and meaning to what has been penned down, by taking a little here and a little there.

People go into heresy or error in interpreting the scriptures because they try to explain or make doctrines out of one verse, without reading further to understand what subsequent verses teach. I have heard people of other faiths trying to condemn Christianity as a whole simply because they read one verse and went ahead to conclude and even use it to condemn Christians. The bible is one book. Acts 9:20 cannot be interpreted in isolation.  A critical examination of the verse would raise many difficult questions that one may find hard to answer.

PRAYER

Father, help me through the assistance of your Spirit to be able to blend various portions of the scriptures, so I will rightly divide and apply them effectively.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1:16 “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. “

Apostle Paul said that after the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, he did not seek any human influence but went into Arabia (solitude). He went to Arabia, which was very close to Damascus, precisely in the southern part of it. It was after three years that he went to see Peter in Jerusalem. Through that isolation to stay in God’s presence, he had a deeper knowledge of God and the truth about Jesus. Our present social media age robs many of that quality time to know God because most people have been taken over by the attention to their phones.

  In the Acts’ account, which was recorded by Luke, he talked about the blindness that fell on Paul and also about Ananias, one of the Lord’s disciples, who was sent by the Lord to pray for him. His eyes were opened, and he received the Holy Spirit. There is no conflict between these two reports. It is the case of what the Holy Spirit wanted to communicate at each instant. Why did Paul have to stay in Arabia and Damascus for three years before coming to the brethren in Jerusalem? He needed to know the Lord who had commissioned him more deeply. It was in his solitude that he received most of the revelations. No wonder he came back to challenge the Jewish teachers.

  Paul ‘s devotion and confining himself to seek the face of the master allowed him to receive such mighty revelations. Some of the revelations were so deep that Apostle Peter had to admit that some of the things taught by Paul were hard to understand, and those who do not understand and are unstable wrestle with the message as they do with the other scriptures. (2nd Pet 3:16).

   Paul’s personal commitment to the Lord Jesus exposed him to these wonderful truths. Many are converted but do not have any personal relationship with the Lord. Dear child of God, the Christian life is a revelation of Jesus through you. How can he be revealed through you if you don’t know him? It must be your number one ambition to know him on a very personal level. Jesus said I am the vine, and ye are the branches; abide in me, so that you will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) Develop a deep personal devotional time with Him. Keep all destruction of the phone, TV, and others out. The more you relate to him, the more useful you will be to him.

   There are many people whom we win through personal evangelism, and we need to disciple them to become workers for God. We have to pray, teach, and encourage them to develop a personal relationship with the master. So long as they know Jesus personally, they will remain fruitful. Please take this working definition of a disciple: One becomes a disciple when he becomes stabilized in the faith, and has an ongoing commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ, and has developed the basic disciplines of Christian living and services, so that the lifelong maturing process is guaranteed as much as humanly possible. This could be achieved through a discipleship program.

PRAYER.

I pray for all Christians to develop a strong desire to be acquainted with our master, Jesus. That they would not be carried away by the present wind of entertainment through social media, but would give quality time to seek the face of the Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 15:7-8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Isaiah 40:31” But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:4 “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me.”

Various persons who are saved encountered God in a special way. Some through hearing the preaching of the gospel. Others may even be watching the great dedication of another Christian brother. The following is how Apostle Paul, who used to be called Saul, encountered Jesus.

Saul had received letters from the Sanhedrin (High Priest) in Jerusalem to go to Damascus and arrest any Christian he found. Saul, by nature, commits his total abilities to whatever he does. In considering his aggressive approach to which Paul does his activities, we would categorise him as of a choleric temperament. A temperament is an individual’s emotional disposition or behavioural trait that dictates how one responds to life situations.

    Paul is a goal-oriented individual who would kick away anything that stands in his way of getting that anticipated goal. This behavioural trait was seen throughout his life.

The bible said in Acts 9:2 that as he and his entourage got to Damascus, a light from heaven hit him to the ground. He describes this in Acts 26:13 as follows:” At mid-day, oh king, I saw in the way a light from the heavens above the brightness of the sun, shinning round about me and them which journeyed with me.” Through this encounter, Saul’s course of life was changed.

Through a physical encounter with Jesus, Paul, though a rugged persecutor of the Christian church, became a Christian, defending the very faith he tried to destroy. God has various ways of encountering men with his good news to bring about a change in their lives.

 There are over a million and one ways of conversion. The method or process of conversion may not be so important as the result and impact of your conversion. Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1:16 that he was saved so that God would reveal his Son in him that he might preach him among the heathen, immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood. 

He meant he did not allow any human influence to get in his way. There was a drastic turnaround in his life. What is the result of your conversion into Christ?  Can men testify to a change in your life? Has Jesus Christ indeed become the Lord of your life? Are you still controlled by the past or former habits? Apostle Paul said he conferred not with flesh and blood. He spent a total of three years in Arabia and Damascus, receiving revelations from the master. His devotion to the master helped him to know a lot from the Lord, which made him very effective. Deepen your relationship with the master to increase your *usefulness unto him

  PRAYER

Father, I pray for all children of God, especially leaders of the flock, to deepen their devotion unto God so they can be more effective.

FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 1:17-18” Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and abode with him fifteen days.”

Mark 3:14 “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

I believe many would quickly ask, How can you say no Christian is Evil. Some can easily point out people they know very well who are very diabolical and mischievous. Some may even be supposed men of God who actually practice evil. I do not object to any of these. Indeed, many call themselves Christians, but are never one. Rom 2:29 KJV” But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” This scripture properly refers to the Christian.

It describes the man who pays lip service to being a Christian, yet he is not so at heart. The Lord talked about the last day when he would tell those who claimed Jesus was their Lord, yet kept doing evil, that He never knew them.

In this study, I am talking about those who sincerely believe in Jesus as their Lord, yet they find themselves doing wrong. Such people may see themselves as sinners or evil people. I wish to say that, from the teachings of the scriptures, such people are not evil, but have not understood the teachings of the word. They have also not learnt how to appropriate the revelations of scripture for a victorious life. Christians have a substituted life. Every Christian has exchanged his or her life or nature for that of Jesus. 2Co 5:21 KJV “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” I would add another verse to strengthen my first point. Col 1:21 KJV “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” The word reconcile in this verse does not only mean to join together but to change thoroughly by putting away the barrier, that is the evil nature He added in the following verse that we Col 1:22 KJV In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: Through the Lord’s sacrifice he took away the old nature of sin, giving us his nature, which makes us holy, unreproveable and unblameable.

You cannot have this glorious, holy nature and be evil. It is your responsibility to acknowledge that you are holy, unblameable, and unreproveable. This nature is what Christ exchanged with our sinful, evil nature. If sin is knocking on your door, tell yourself, your new nature is holy, unblameable, and unreproveable, and so you do not do such things. If you fail to acknowledge that you have a new nature that is pure like Jesus, then you will easily submit to sins’ requests. If you consider yourself evil because of your slips and faults, then you can never lead a victorious life. Maintain a consciousness of true holiness and uprightness. If you are a Christian, then you are like Jesus, and so stop seeing yourself as an evil person.

THOUGHT:  À RIGHTEOUS CONSCIOUS CHRISTIAN IS ALWAYS VICTORIOUS, BUT A SIN-CONSCIOUS ONE IS ALWAYS WEAK.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 6:14 KJV ” For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Gal 5:1 KJV “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”