KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 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.”

Christianity is not a religion. Religion is by works to receive approval from their supposed supreme being. Christianity is by grace through faith, Eph 2:8,9. One aspect of this grace is the gift of righteousness God imputes to the man who believes in Jesus. Our key scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus exchanged our sin with His righteousness, so that we became the righteousness of God. Righteousness is one of the gifts that we receive at salvation.  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.)” Please note that the reason people of other faiths are lost is that they have sought to be acceptable before God by their own righteousness, of which God says it is like filthy rags before the Lord. Isa 64:6 KJV” But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” This is the sad reality of all those who seek to be justified before God by their works.  Dear reader, there is no salvation outside our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12.

Please read through Romans 10:1-4. In this passage, Apostle Paul starts by saying it is his prayer that his people, the Jews, would be saved. This implied they were not saved, although they strove to observe the laws. He said they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, yet they seek to establish their own righteousness and so do not submit to God’s righteousness. What is God’s righteousness? This is the righteousness which we receive by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). This righteousness is the nature of the new man we receive at salvation. The Christian is born with a righteous nature. We do not pray to be righteous. We do not strive to be righteous. We believe in staying and walking in righteousness.

With the above insight and understanding, we live a righteous lifestyle. Many Christians do not know that they are righteous by their birth into Christ. Some do know it but have not believed or accepted it. that they are indeed righteous. Dear Christian, you have a righteous nature. That is your spiritual garment.

Keep it always white by living an upright life. Anytime you decide to walk in sin, you actually change that pure white garment for something filthy Eph 4:22-24. This is a very unreasonable thing to do. That is changing your pure white garment of righteousness to take on a filthy one that is liable to sin and error. The righteous garment cannot be defiled.  It is a big spiritual confusion for a Christian to sin. Sin, therefore, shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace (righteous nature)

CONFESSION

I am a Christian because I have received the gift of righteousness through faith in the Lord Jesus. I do not strive or pray to be righteous, but it is my nature by grace. I live an upright life by virtue of my righteous nature. This is my great source of victory in Christ.

FURTHER STUDIES

Phi 3:9 KJV “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

Rom 3:21 KJV” But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV” Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

We continue with our discussion on who a Christian is. Our key scripture says if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. We learnt from 1 Corinthians 12:13 that the Holy Spirit places everyone who submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ into Christ. This, we said, was a spiritual baptism. The Christian now has a place of abode. It is in Christ. According to our key scripture, the moment you are placed in Him, you become a new creature. Every old nature, influence, or control ceases. You have become a son of God, just like Jesus (John 1:12,13). John 1:13 KJV” Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Thus, the new creature is called the new man. The old man was crucified with Jesus Rom 6:6. The new man or new creation is the very Spirit of Jesus according to Gal 2:20. The new man or new creation is Holy and righteous. Eph 4:24 KJV “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” The life of this new man is not the Adamic lie corrupted by sin, but rather it is eternal life called Zoe in Greek. This is a supernatural life or a higher life. It is superior to the forces of decay in this life. The forces of decay are sin, disease, demonic control, and lack of all good things.

This new Man does not function by himself. His medium of action is by the word of God. That is only executed by faith. God is the source of this new man. God is a faith God, Rom 4:17. He does everything by faith. Most Christians have difficulties in their life because they have not trained themselves to live by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV” (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”The life of the Christian is purely by faith. Faith is confidence in God and His word to the point that you do whatever the word says. The Christian is a new creature, like Jesus, and he lives by faith.

CONFESSION

I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. I have eternal life, a higher life, superior to Satan, sin, and sicknesses. Everything about me comes from Jesus, making me one with Him. I live by faith and a very victorious life, bringing glory to my master in every sphere of life. I act in the stead of my master, taking his healing power to my generation.

FURTHER STUDIES

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.”

John 1:12 KJV” But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matt 5:14 KJV “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

In some parts of Ghana, anytime the Electricity corporation’s light goes out, there comes a corresponding shout of displeasure from the populace. The moment the lights are turned on once again, there is a corresponding shout of excitement and appreciation. Light is a blessing always. The Lord Jesus announced to his disciples that they are the light of the world. We are light by our birth into Christ. Joh 8:12 KJV Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Every Christian is light, and for that matter, he gives light to the world. The opposite of light is darkness, which stands for evil. If you are light, then your ways should be naturally upright. If you have a love and a subsequent practice of sin, then you are not light. This means you are not a Christian. So many people associate with Christianity and even call themselves Christians, yet they are very unreliable. They can even tell lies without knowing they are telling lies. Some have lived in corrupt systems such that it has become a normal part of them to take bribes, cheat, and do all kinds of things which are alien to the natural lifestyle of a Christian.

Dearly beloved, you are light, if you are indeed a Christian.  Accept that that is who you are. Shining is very normal for light to do so. To shine means to do right. Shining also means going ahead for others to follow. It means being a pace setter. This involves doing certain sacrificial acts to be a blessing for many. As light, you must also bring God’s truth to the many in darkness, through your effort in evangelism.  The world is getting darker with evil, but dear child of God. Decide to make a big difference by shining so that men would see it and give glory to your father who is in heaven

CONFESSION

I am the light of the world. My ways keep shining, which glorifies my Father in heaven. I do not give place to any form of darkness, for that is not of me. Because I am light, the power of evil cannot Lord itself over me, for light always overcomes darkness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mat 5:16 KJV” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Phi 2:15 KJV “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Gal 3:27 BBE” For all those of you who were given baptism into Christ did put on Christ.”

Baptism is a Greek word transliterated into English. It means to be dipped into, immersed or buried in something. Everyone who came to Jesus to submit to His Lordship was dipped into Christ by the Holy Spirit.1Co 12:13 KJV” For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” This is different from the physical baptism in water. It is a spiritual one. The import of this is that every Christian is hidden in Christ. He has partaken of every nature, ability, experience, and the authority of our Lord. The Christian is a physical representative of the ascended Christ. When men relate to you, they should freely say, This man, or this sister, is like Jesus.

Romans 6:3-5 expounds more on this issue of the Christian baptism into Christ. The best term is our IDENTIFICATION with Jesus. Dear child of God, your life must fully reveal Jesus. This is what makes you a Christian. You are not just a follower of Jesus, but one with Jesus and, in reality, His representative. This is the great mystery of Christianity. 1Jn 4:17 KJV “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” The scripture rightly declares that as Jesus is, so are we in this world. No form of evil can dominate our Lord Jesus. No power of darkness should likewise Lord over us. Sicknesses, diseases, and sin cannot function any way around him. In a similar vein, none of these things must dominate the Christian.

One may ask how this be possible when we live in this body? Our opening scripture says, as a Christian, you have put Jesus on as a man wears a garment. This can be possible through your resolve to believe what the scriptures have revealed. A lack of acknowledgement of this truth is the cause of so much weakness and a lot of deception among Christians. The man who knows has absolute victory over the adversary would not be subjected to all the manipulations of quack prophets and a life of fear, worry, and anxiety because they feel helpless at the barrage of attacks from the enemy. The Christian is never weak, sinful, or helpless in the face of evil and wickedness. Whatever the Lord Jesus did and achieved was done with us. This is possible because of our baptism into Christ, glory be to God.

If you find yourself in any awkward situation, do not panic; take time to look into the scriptures and locate all that God has said concerning our victory in Christ. Take your stand on these scriptures and refuse to give in. This is what the scriptures call the fight of faith. Note that faith in God can never be defeated by the enemy on any front. Eph 6:16 KJV “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

CONFESSION

I am a Christian because I have been baptised into Christ, and I have therefore put Jesus on as a garment. I am identified with him. I cannot be defeated by the enemy in any contest, for I have taken my grounds to stand on His victory and never to give up, till my already established victory becomes experiential to me

FURTHER STUDIES

Eph 6:13 KJV” Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

1Ti 6:12 KJV “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Rom 13:14 KJV But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Phil 3:3 KJV. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

In our past study, we observed that the Christian worships the Lord in the Spirit and joyfully serve the Lord. There is the last part of the key scripture that we did not look at. The Christian has no confidence in the flesh. The Christian comes into Christ not by works but by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8-9. The scripture adds that there is no boasting. The reason for so many religions is a sad display of the men and women who have sought approval from whatever divine being they acknowledge. In the light of this region, they judge and claim certain people do not meet the standard, and so they must be persecuted. In the bible, the religious leaders brought the woman caught in adultery, claiming she must be stoned to death. Religion makes men easily condemn others. This is so because they consider themselves better than others. This is not so about the Christian, for everything he has is by grace. He cannot boast about how good he is.

Christianity is having a borrowed life. It is no longer you. We died with Jesus, and so it is now Jesus alive in us. You can’t have any confidence in your flesh because anything done via the flesh is death. Rom 8:6 “For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:” You cannot call yourself a Christian, and be self-righteous, because our righteousness is given to us by grace, and it is received by faith.

 Christianity is a life of grace from the first to the end. The scripture rightly said of His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. Pride, arrogance, and almost all these sinful ways are products of the flesh. Christian pastors who are drawn into competition about who has the largest congregation or who has the latest car are all a display of the flesh. You can’t be a Christian and have confidence in the flesh. Once again, another sign of a true Christian is that he never attributes any achievement to himself but ascribes all successes to the ability of God through him

Dear one, if you have been priding yourself on any achievements or associating anything with your special abilities, then either you do not understand what Christianity is all about, or you are just not one in the first place.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Co 3:5 BBE “Not as if we were able by ourselves to do anything for which we might take the credit; but our power comes from God;”

Gal 2:20 BBE” I have been put to death on the cross with Christ; still I am living; no longer I, but Christ is living in me; and that life which I now am living in the flesh I am living by faith, the faith of the Son of God, who in love for me, gave himself up for me.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Phil 3:3 KJV” For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

Apostle Paul demonstrated the kind of life that proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he was a Christian. Some have tried to argue that the people of God should not be called Christians, but sons of God or followers of God. I think this is neither here nor there. The term Christian means like Christ, and that is the best revelation of the people of God according to the Pauline revelations of Jesus Christ. The fact that many people call themselves Christians and do not even understand what they are talking about does not mean the term is wrong. We are one with Jesus. We are like Him in every way. This is indeed the right description of the people of Christ.

We go back to our topic of consideration: who is a Christian? From our key scripture, the writer says we are the circumcision: this talks about a physical sign done in the body that associates the Jewish people to God, but that aspect was not his focus. The Christian is not primarily about what you do in the flesh, but a spiritual relationship. He said we worship in the Spirit. This is a spiritual knowledge of Jesus in truth 2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV” Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” To know the Lord in the Spirit is to know Him in reality. It is sad to have just a mental knowledge of Jesus. The scripture teaches in 1st Corinthians 1:21 that man by wisdom knew not God. We can only know Jesus in reality by faith, that is, knowing Him in reality or by the Spirit

The apostle Paul added that we rejoice in Him. The next sign of one who is a true Christian is the joy of knowing Him in reality. This joy is the basis for a victorious life. The scripture teaches that with joy we shall draw water out of the Wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 Without this joy, all we do is superficial. The scripture also teaches that Rom 14:17 KJV” For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” The joy in the heart of the believer is a true sign that he has a relationship with Jesus.  Oh, how hard it is for the many who are trying to lead this Christian life without the joy of the Spirit. They struggle to worship, struggle to lead upright lives, and struggle to pay their tithe. They are hurting under all kinds of offences others might have meted out to them, while the man with a relationship with Jesus says Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing? TO SAY IT SIMPLY: THE TRUE CHRISTIAN HAS A JOYFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

Are you a Christian? Do you have that joy of knowing and serving the master? Please be sincere with yourself. If your walk with Jesus has not been with Joy, then you probably do not know him at all.

Call upon him right now. Ask Him to come into your life, repent of your works, and submit to His Lordship Today.

FURTHER STUDIES

Phi 1:21 KJV” For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

1 Peter 1:8 KJV” Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:26 KJV” 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 many people. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Is this a realistic question to ask at a time like this? Before Christianity became popular around the third century, this would not have been an issue to enquire about. Everyone who called himself or herself a Christian was indeed one. Most of the people who accepted to be Christian were people who were ready for martyrdom, that is, they were ready to die for what they believed. The bible said they overcame the devil because they loved not their lives, even unto death. Rev 12:11c. The type of Christianity we have these days is predominantly variant from this one. I ask again, who is a Christian?

The very first point is that a Christian believes in God, the creator of heaven and earth, whose Son is Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the whole earth. Gen 1:1,2.

The next point is that he has believed in Jesus, the Son of God, as his Saviour through His death, burial, and resurrection, as well as making him the Lord over his life.1 Corinthians 15:2-4

He lives to please Jesus. If you live to please yourself, then you are not a Christian at all

The Christian has encountered the new birth that makes him a new creature, with the old completely gone. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 He lives by faith of Jesus Gal 2:20.

The Christian has repented of his old ways and now walks on the path of righteousness. He also knows that by the grace of God, sin has no power over him.  (Rom 6:14)

The Christian has a dislike for sin and hates to sin, and will feel very uneasy when he sins, so he would quickly confess and forsake it. Prov 28:13 Anyone who is not seriously convicted about sin, and loves to live in it, has lost his spiritual sensitivity, and so is in his sins; he is not a Christian.

The Christian grows in his longing for the word of God, as well as a desire to pray.1 Pet 2:12, 1 Thess 5:17.

Dear Christian, if you are always moved to watch a worldly video program or something of fleshly amusement rather than pray, read your bible, or go out to win souls, then you might not be a Christian in the first place. The Christian is filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, Eph 5:18.

The Christian loves to join other Christians’ fellowship and worship the Lord. Heb 10:25, You can’t claim to be a Christian, yet you do not fellowship with other Christians. You are deceiving yourself

The Christian is filled with a sincere love for God and his fellow men. He easily forgives those who offend him and is also ready to share with those in need what he has. Heb 13:11 If you can’t forgive your offenders, then you may not have the Spirit of Christ.

The Christian has faith in God and is at rest within his heart, irrespective of challenging situations that may be prevailing around him. Heb 4:2-4.

The Christian has taken up his cross, and Jesus is first in his life. He lives with one purpose: to glorify Jesus in all he does. Luke 14:26-27. If you do not love Jesus above your very self, then you are not His disciple.

Christians are kind-hearted people, always ready to put a smile on the faces of the sad.

The Christian who is not other-inclined or places others before himself is either a fleshly one or not a Christian at all.1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The Christian has received the ability to heal the sick through faith in the name of Jesus. Mark 16:15-19,  Acts 3:16.

The Christian believes that the Lord Jesus would come back to rapture the church, that is, those who are ready for Him, and those who are not ready would be left behind to face the horrors of the tribulation.2 Thess 2:1-17.

Dear reader, have you partaken of Christ? You might have been going to church for so many years, yet today you have realised you were not a real Christian. Do not be shy to pray now, by asking Jesus to be the Lord over your life. Repent of your sins and choose to follow Him in truth.

FURTHER STUDIES

Titus 2:11 KJV” For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

2Pet 1:8 KJV” For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 2:15 KJV “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

In today’s study, we examine the divinity attributed to the gold in the Ark. The spiritual realm is the normal dwelling place of the child of God. It is the place of power and authority. In the Spirit, Satan and his hosts are helpless before the child of God. God expresses Himself perfectly through the Christian who functions in and from the Spirit. To be in the spirit is not to function like the wind, although the Bible describes the man born of the Spirit like the wind John 3:8. I mean you do not become like the wind in reality. The vehicle that carries us into the Spirit is the word of God. Remember the word is alive, Spirit and life, John 6:63.

2 Peter 1:4 explains how the word gives us access to the supernatural. 2 Peter 1:4 KJV” Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” We partake of the divine nature or the Spirit nature by believing the promises of scripture. On the flip side, corruption and decay would easily function because men submit to the influence of the flesh.

In Romans 8:2, the Holy Spirit taught us that in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life makes us free from the law of sin and of death. The law of sin and death is the power of sin that works death, as well as the consequences of sin, like sicknesses, which are incipient death. Once, Evangelist John G Lake, who travelled to South Africa to minister at a time when there was a deadly epidemic. Anyone who physically came into contact with the bacteria died. He touched the sick and prayed for them, yet nothing happened to him. A medical group was curious to know why he was immune to the attack of deadly organisms. They experimented to ascertain the reality of his experience. They took samples from the body fluid of an infested individual, examined the organisms under a microscope. All the bacteria were alive and active. But when the same sample was poured on his hands and observed, he then shockingly realised the bacteria were dead. He explained to them that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made him free from the law of sin and death. The bacteria symbolised the law of death, and could not function in the face of the Spirit of life.

Dear Child of God, this is the power at work in you. It gets operative when you function in the Spirit. This happens to the man who makes the word of God rule in his life. The power in the word goes into effect when we believe what is said or written. The Lord’s disciples once asked him, what must we do that we may work the works of God? The following was the Lord’s answer:” This is God’s work that ye may believe on Him whom He sent, John 6:29.

Many Christians hear, read or even say the word, yet they fail in the final act, that is, believing. Believe Him with all of your being, and surely he would take over.

PRAYER

Lord, stir in our hearts the ability to believe you always, through all situations.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mar 5:36 KJV” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”

Gal 5:16 KJV This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 16:2 “And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, the asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink”.

King David left his palace in Jerusalem to avoid any open confrontation with Absalom. On his way, he was met by Ziba, who brought food on a couple of asses saddled for King David’s men. This man was Mephibosheth’s servant. Would Ziba have come out to show kindness to David if David had also not shown some kindness to Mephibosheth? May we always learn to show kindness to one another. God is the rewarder of a kind deed done to others. Some people may not return a kind deed done to them, but don’t be worried about those who will not reciprocate a kind deed. Always know that whatever good thing you do for somebody, you do it unto the Lord. Matthew 25:44 “Then shall they also answer Him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or thirsty or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them saying, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Our heavenly Father is the final receiver of every good or bad deed we render to one another. Be very careful how you treat people. Some have entertained angels unaware.

As David and his men were going to their new destination, one Shemei, who is also a Benjamite from the house of Saul, came up and rained insults on David. He even cast stones at him. Abishai, one of David’s men, requested that David go and discipline Shemei. David was furious at him and said, “And the king said, what have I to do with you ye Abishai, sons of Zeruiah? So, let him curse because the Lord has said unto him Curse David. Who shall then say wherefore hast thou done so?

David was ready to accept God’s discipline to the limit. He never wanted to act against God’s way. David also knew that it was God who enthroned and dethroned. He was not going to act according to his will any longer. David also said further in verse 12 as follows, “it may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day”. May we always learn to let God have his way in our lives.

CONFESSION

My will is subjected to the will of God. Pleasing Him in everything I do is all that positive living entails.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Colossians 3:17 ” And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”.

Psalms 119:30-31” I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Rom 12:1 KJV” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

In our study about the makeup of the ark, we left out two qualities of the gold that I would want us to talk about now. We said the gold naturally must be pure. Its process of purification is through fire. This act means it naturally accepts great sacrifice to attain its desired end. The word is sacrifice. Sacrifice is to willingly give up something dear or precious that ultimately glorifies God. It is a willing act.

As the living Ark of God, we must make lots of sacrifices. When I talk about sacrifices, I do not mean things like sickness. The Lord taught that sickness is an oppression of Satan, and the child of God must not tolerate. He must always stand against it and resist it in faith, and the Lord says it would flee away like its source. When I talk about sacrifice, I mean actions that keep us more pure and holy as saints of God. A Saint of God must fast and pray. Many times, it is not praying for ourselves but praying for others. Especially those who are bound by sin and all kinds of demonic activities. We must also endure hardships as ministers or servants of God. 2Co 6:4 KJV “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” Apostle Paul says he w8llingly accepts to go through these distressing circumstances and does not get offended in any way. This is one of the means of sacrificing.

The essence of sacrifices is to end up very pure. Purity is seen in a heart truly in love with God, and that makes you want to please God. Purity is not about showing anything to men, but a state that increases your commitment to God. It is this true love for God that constantly drives you away from sinful fleshly life to always choose that which would honour God. Sacrifice should be normal with us because that is our nature. When dealing with certain difficult people, we must bear with their difficulties. This is a sacrifice. When we have to go out of our way to support the weak and needy. Many times, this is done not out of our abundance but at quite challenging times. Mar 12:43 KJV “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” This woman made a great and real sacrifice. Such unqualified sacrifice always attracts God’s unqualified attention. Please, how many of the worshippers who offered touched Jesus to make any comment but this poor widow? In the way Jesus commented, Heaven would release angels to go and assist her so she does not go hungry and poor. God would always respond to your sacrifice.

CONFESSION

I am a living Ark of God, and I represent God by making sacrifices on every occasion as the word of God and the Spirit of God would demand. My sacrifice draws me closer to the Father in love and purity. God also responds in many amazing ways, showing his power and providence. Amen

FURTHER STUDIES

1Co 15:58 KJV:” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Phi 2:17 KJV” Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”