KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:20 KJV “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

The righteous are as bold as a lion. They have no skeletons in their wardrobe. There are certain husbands who cannot leave their phones all alone in their bedrooms. They would keep it on themselves and carry it to everywhere they go in the house. They would never receive a phone call in front of their spouses. As the Lord said, these people have something to hide, and so would keep everything in the dark. The scriptures teach us to avoid every appearance of evil. 1Th 5:22 KJV” Abstain from all appearance of evil”. We, the children of God are light. We are called the light of the world. We must naturally love acts of righteousness for that is what we are. Build this consciousness into your being. It was said of Jesus in Hebrews 1:9 as follows   “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

The man who walks in darkness lives under the power of darkness. His acts are always influenced by darkness. Just as the man who loves righteousness is anointed with the oil of gladness, the wicked is also anointed with the oil of sorrow. There is a constant sense of emptiness in the heart of the man who walks in darkness. Now darkness is not just a state, but a personality. Darkness has a kingdom or authority. Col 1:13 KJV “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” The word power in this scripture is the Greek word ‘exousia’ which means authority. Dear one, it is not what you profess to be, but what you submit to that determines who reigns over you.

Please consider the following scripture Rom 6:16 KJV” Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” What kind of works do you experience in your life? Is it peace, victory, health, love for all, kind words, or inner torment, sicknesses, anger of rage, unforgiveness, harsh words filled with insults? Whatever you experience depends on who you have chosen to be your master, whether light or darkness.

 Please note that the man who submits to the Lord Jesus, is a master over the devil and his works.

THOUGHT: LOVE THE WAYS OF LIGHT AND RULE OVER DARKNESS.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 4:6-8 KJV “And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 3:19 KJV “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

God reveals an undeniable truth about man. He states that man loves darkness more than light because his deeds are evil. This truth shows man’s need for God’s salvation. God’s assertion about men is very true.

 The crises and pain that. man finds himself is as a result of his own creation.

From the very beginning of creation, man forsook God and his way, and chose the lies of Satan, which is darkness. The result was spiritual death which brought men under the rule of Satan. Let’s look at a few scriptural revelations about men.

1. Jeremiah 17:9 KJV “The heart (of man) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

2. Mark 7:21 KJV” For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:”

3. Colosians 3:5 KJV” Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

4. Romans 3:13 KJV Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: and the way of peace, they have not known

The above scriptures cumulatively show the wickedness of the heart of man, and that no one can really tell. People are basically so selfish that, they would eliminate their neighbour to satisfy their longings. Peace has eluded many homes because the heart of man is filled with rage.

Man, according to the word of God is dead in sins Eph 2:1.

The word says further that, the strength of sin is the law, why? The law states all the righteous demands, but because man is dead in sin, his real weakness is exposed by the law. Apostle Paul says he was alive when there was no law. His weakness towards sin was brought to the fore, the moment the law came. All these was so because man is lost in sin.

This is the conclusion of the matter. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus is God’s solution to the power of sin. Dear one get on your knees and switch the control of your life to Jesus today.

THOUGHT:   IT TAKES ONLY THE LIFE FROM JESUS TO MAKE MAN WHOLE

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 3:10 KJV As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:13 KJV Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

1 John 3:8 KJV He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:18 KJV “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The Lord Jesus did not come to condemn the world. He gave His life that men may be saved. Although He’s done everything for   man’s redemption, it is up to every man to welcome or accept this great sacrifice. Anyone who refuses to surrender to His Lordship has condemned himself. The scriptures remind us that, He came to His own, but His own received Him not. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). He is the only name under heaven given among men, whereby we may be saved (Acts 4:12). What does it mean to be saved? Salvation is a very broad term involving everything that brings a sense of comfort to man.

 Salvation in the light of our present discussion is to be rescued from death.

According to Rom 5:12 KJV “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Death reigned and worked in the life of every soul born into this life. Salvation in this light is to receive life. It is to be delivered from spiritual death to partake of the life of God.2Ti 1:10 KJV “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”

Jesus has abolished this master who ruled over all, that is death.

 Condemnation is the reign of death over a man.

Refusing to make Jesus Lord over your life is to perpetuate the power of death in you. Death would continue to work and rule over your life if you refuse, this offer of life that our Lord Jesus freely gave to us. According to our key scripture anyone who accepts the Lordship of Jesus receives life, and is not condemned.

 The man who rejects Jesus abides in death, and so is condemned

 To be condemned or not to be, is in your hands.

It is all about what you do with Jesus. This is your moment to pass from death to life. Decide to make Jesus Lord of your life. Remember that spiritual death means separation from the Spirit of God. This gives access to every evil power to invade your life. Spirits of infirmity, that is sicknesses, sins of all kinds, the power of failure and many more will easily dominate you when you allow death to reign in you. To believe in Jesus is to reverse this order of things.

THOUGHT: SALVATION, PEACE, HOLINESS, GOOD HEALTH IS VERY REAL FOR ANY WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS

FURTHER STUDIES

2Timothy 1:9 KJV “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Rom 5:17 KJV” For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:17 KJV “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

The prophet Isaiah said the following prophecy about Jesus. Isa 42:3 KJV” A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”

A reed is a plant that grows in swampy areas meaning it is very soft because it is the water that hold up its shoot. If a reed is bruised then its condition is really helpless. To break it, will be just wickedness. He also said a smokey flax, will he not quench. If the flax is not flaming with fire but giving out smoke, then it is just close to being quenched off. To estimate it will be wickedness. This word about the Lord Jesus is exactly what he came to do. Man was dead in his sins and trespasses.

 Man needed life and not condemnation.

 The most unfortunate part of the whole thing is that most men, do not realise they are lost and this is the reason he needs help.

When a man forsakes the relation with a woman to lie with another man, then men are lost. If a man would lie with a dog and the world body see it as right, then man is indeed dead. In this day and age, when there is so much knowledge in abundance, how could any man claim Jesus is a myth? This points further to the hardness of men’s heart, proving that man is dead in sins Eph 2:1. One unfortunate lie swallowed by many in the face of abundant knowledge is the teaching that says Christianity is a western or European religion. Europe, before the arrival of Christianity was into sorcery and idolatry.

 Christianity was never the religion of any nation, but, according to the bible, it comes to takes over any community it goes into.

All nations of the earth were into idolatry. ALL the above shows how blind, lost and dead that man was.

The Lord never condemned any. He said they were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus does not condemn anybody, neither does He turn His eyes away from any. To the women who was brought to him, claiming she was caught in the act of adultery, He asked her accusers, if any of them had not committed sin before? They should then cast the first stone at her. No one did. He told the woman, neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. (John 8:3-11)

Please note, men could only be condemned after they had been given the chance to receive life, and if they willingly rejected it, then would it be right to condemn them. Jesus has died for all men, would you accept His sacrifice for you?

THOUGHT: LOVE ALWAYS LIFTS UP THE FALLEN, AND DOES NOT ACCUSE THEM  NEVER CONDEMN YOUR FALLEN BROTHER, RATHER HELP HIM TO STAND

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 53:6 KJV “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Rom 5:8 KJV” But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:16 KJV” 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.”

All those who would surrender to Jesus in submission to him would live. They would receive eternal life. What is eternal life? There are various forms of life. There is the life of plants. There, is also the life of animals. Humans also have a life called psuche . Psuche is a soulish life. There is also a higher form of life. This is the life of God. It is called Zoe.

John 5:26 KJV” For as the Father, hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; “Eternal life is not just life after death. It is an endless life. Eternal life is the life of God, that we receive when we believe in Jesus. This is the kind of life the word says, “is the light of men”. John 1:4 KJV” In him was life; and the life was the light of men”. The Lord said this life shines in darkness, that is the power and works of Satan CANNOT, understand, overcome, put it out or stop it.

Let’s take a good look at the statement in John 1:4. In the Son or word is life, and this life is the solution of man against all the works of the devil. Many saints easily yield to the works of the devil, like sin, sicknesses, demonic harassment, and any other works of the devil. Dear child of God, the day you gave your life to God, you partook a life that is higher than the man who has not surrendered to Jesus.1Jn 5:11 KJV “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” Anyone who has the Son has life. You have God’s solution for a life of victory and constant success

Our key scripture of this study shows that those who reject Jesus, or do not believe in Him will perish. Satan, has set up the power of failure, destruction and decay for all men and creation as a whole. Romans 8:20 KJV” For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,” The answer to this is the life Jesus brought to us. Anyone who does not receive Jesus would ultimately perish in hell. If you would give your life to Him, you would be a Victor now in this present life and age, as well as the life to come. Choose Jesus choose life and mastery over Satan.

THOUGHT: TO REFUSE JESUS IS TO CHOOSE, FAILURE IN THIS LIFE, AND ETERNAL DESTRUCTION IN THE LIFE TO COME.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 8:21 KJV” Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

1 John 5:13 KJV “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:16 KJV” 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.”

In our earlier discussions of this verse, we have considered God’s love for all, and the fact that, He gave Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. Now, we would look at the vital part that men have to play in this work of salvation. The earlier discussions have all been considering God’s special roles He played h to rescue men. For our part, the Lord says all those who believe in Him would not perish. To believe is to declare that God is faithful. In Rom 1:16, Apostle Paul says He is not ashamed of the gospel of our Lord Jesus, because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Believing is receiving. Many wonder, wish and cry yet are bereft of the power of God that can save them from every evil.

Believing is of the heart or the Spirit. Romans 10:10 KJV” For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Believing is also not a mental act although your head must fully agree with what the heart accepts. Believing also involves throwing away every contrary reasoning that opposes the word of God.2 Corinth 10:5 calls it casting down imagination, and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge God.

Everyone who truly believes have what they believed for. In this study, what are we to believe about Jesus? We believe that Jesus is Lord. We also believe he died for our sins. Lastly, we believe that Jesus resurrected from the dead after the third day.1 Corinth 15:3,4. This is what the gospel of our Lord Jesus is about.

Salvation is an all-inclusive word. It involves forgiveness of sin, healing the sick, preservation, peace of mind, prosperity and every form of comfort that the Spirit provides. Whenever you believe the word concerning any of these things you receive the solution to that condition. This is real in everyone of the above blessings.

THOUGHT: BELIEVING IS RECEIVING

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 10:9 KJV “: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

1Corinth 15:3,4 KJV” For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:16 KJV “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.”

God showed His love for you by sacrificing Jesus for you. According to Isaiah 53:6 All men are like sheep who have lost their way. The scripture says we have gone astray, and God has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. The sheep is a creature with so much disadvantages. It is basically helpless before predators. That is the description the Lord makes about you. Your iniquities were all laid on Jesus. The scripture put it beautifully this way.2 Corinth 5:19 KJV” To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

The above scripture is so amazing. He says God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself. To reconcile in this context means to change thoroughly. How did He do it? He did it by placing all our sins on Jesus, and as a result we were sinless. He said in the scripture, He did not count any of their sins against them, because they have all been placed on Jesus. Dear one God is not counting any of your sins against you. What is the worse thing you might have done? God is not counting it against you. They have all been placed on Jesus. This was why He died. Jesus died in our place so we could stand before God without any sin. 2nd Corinth 5:21 reveals that God has made Him to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. This is the wisdom and love of God

Dear one, in the light of all that has been discussed above, are you going to remain defiant to His call? He says I stand at the door knocking, if any will open the door of his heart He would come in and eat and sup with you and you with Him. Any man who refuses such an offer will have himself to blame on the day our Lord Jesus judges the secrets of men’s heart. You may also die and that would also mean a judgement time for You. You would not have another opportunity to repent. After death what awaits you is judgement Heb 9:27″ And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

THOUGHT: JESUS WOULD HAVE DIED FOR YOU, EVEN, IF YOU HAPPENED TO BE THE ONLY MAN ON EARTH

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 5:8 KJV But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1Corinth 15:3 KJV” For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:16 KJV” 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.”

There are some individuals who live a very sad life, because they just don’t understand the essence for living. They feel this way because they have nothing doing with Jesus and so cannot employ His all-conquering power to suppress any negativity. Some people also live with deep seated inner worries or cares with no solution in sight.

 NO ONE SHOULD LIVE AN UNHAPPY LIFE.

Dear one, the bible teaches that you are very special to God. You are in the centre of His thoughts, plans and love.

 To say God so loved the world, means you are very much within those He so loved.

Please just consider the following verse.1Jn 4:9 KJV “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

The scripture says, if He so loved us why wouldn’t He with Him freely give us all other things. (Rom 8:32) Please note that you are so special to Him that, even He knows the number of strands of hair on your head. Luke 12:7 KJV “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” NOW, why are most people still hurting, worried, anxious and afraid? The answer is that, the shepherd of their souls has been relegated far away from them. This Lord of glory and prince of peace cannot express any good thing in your life until you choose to take His instructions and leading.

The message for you today is that God loves you, so much yet, you would have to respond to Him, or else, you have no peace outside Him.

 To get the peace of God, you must first be at peace with God.

We have peace with God when we are justified by faith. That is, when you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 KJV “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Dear one, make that decision, to make Jesus Lord of your life, and you would be at peace with God. You would then receive the peace of God. The peace of God is that supernatural power that keeps you at peace and unperturbed even in the face of crises. This is what He wants you to have today. Make peace with Him by believing in Jesus.

THOUGHT: ANYONE WHO NEEDS PEACE IS IN NEED OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 1:18 KJV “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Rev 3:20 KJV “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:14 KJV “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:”

In Numbers 21, the children of Israel after defeating the Canaanites went from mount Hor along the red sea to compass the land of Edom. They were weary about the journey and so started speaking against Moses. The Lord allowed fiery serpents to attack and bit them. They started dying, so they called on Moses who also asked the Lord to drive out the serpents. The Lord did not drive out the serpents, but asked Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, so that whosoever was bitten and looked at the brazen serpent lived. Num 21:8 KJV. Only those who humbled themselves to look were healed and lived.

The Lord Jesus referring to the above story, said He would likewise be lifted up. Moses’ experience, was foretelling of the Saviour’s death and significance. In the story of the Israelites, they were bitten by serpents, and it was an image of a serpent that God used to save those who believed. Our Lord Jesus became sin on the cross. (2Corinth 5:21) Sin is like serpents that has bitten all humanity. The solution is an exchange or a divine substitution. When you look, as in the wilderness or you believe now in Jesus, the power of sin and its effect shall be broken.

There are many people today who have heard everything about Jesus yet cannot bring themselves to accept that, His death on the cross is God’s provision for salvation.1Corinth 1:18 KJV” For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. ” During the days of Moses some people would have died because they reasoned, how can a brazen serpent on a pole save us? These people sadly refused to look, and so died.

 Now which one is difficult? Just looking and being saved or refusing to look and dying?

In our time you have to turn to Jesus and believe on Him as your Lord and saviour, then instantly you would be saved. Dear one, do not allow your reasoning to rob you of a life of peace, and a true nature of humility.

WRONG REASONING which the bible says is  a blinding effect by the god of this world is a major cause why many refuse this glorious salvation and remain in their sins. Some wrong reasons;

1.This is a Whiteman’s religion.

2 Jesus died so many years ago, how can that save me now?

3 I don’t know if all these about Jesus are true?

4. Some will reason, this is not fair there should be other ways to be saved.

Moses had only one way. Now God has given us only one way. John 14:6

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, you are the only way to be saved. I believe you died to take away my sins, and you were resurrected to give me a new life. Be the Lord of my life from now on.

THOUGHT: IT IS SO SIMPLE TO BE SAVED YET, VERY DIFFICULT FOR MANY.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinth 1:23 KJV “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

John 14:6 KJV “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:13 KJV “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

Our Lord Jesus came from heaven to testify of the truth about God to all humanity. Our key scripture revealed a very important observation that we have to carefully consider. The last phrase of our key scripture reads, ” even the Son who is in heaven”. The Lord was physically on earth at that instant yet the scripture said He was in heaven. How was this possible? I explained in our previous study that heaven, that is the dwelling place of God is not a physical place, but a spiritual state. The Lord was of the Spirit and so had his influence power and authority from this spiritual realm. He lived in the presence of the Father. John 8:29 KJV “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” The Father is always in this spiritual state called heaven. If the Father, is ever with Him then he was also in the environment of the Father, called heaven. The Lord Jesus therefore operated from the heavenly sphere.

Children of God, although they are physically on the earth are spiritual beings just as our master Jesus. As Jesus they are heavenly beings. Eph 2:6 KJV” And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” We have an inseparable union with our master Jesus. Once again, the Lord said in John 12:26, that “those who serve Him, would be at where He would be”. Where is he now?

He is presently in heaven. Dear child of God, you are a candidate of heaven or you are actually present in heaven.

One more scripture that clearly reveals our heavenly status is Heb 12:22 ” But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,”

In the light of your heavenly status, you must live with a mentality of absolute superiority over devils. We are seated far above all principalities and powers. Eph 2:6. As heavenly citizens we are holy men and women. The bible says, let your affections be on things above, where Christ is seated on the right hand of God. As heavenly citizens, we are transiting this place. We must make a strong impact on the many who have not found Jesus, through our life and testimony.

THOUGHT:  WE ARE HEAVENLY CITIZENS, BUT MUST MAKE OUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE

FURTHER STUDIES

Philip 3:20 KJV” For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Colossians 3:1 KJV” If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.