REMAINING RIGHTEOUS

HOW DO WE REMAIN RIGHTEOUS?

There is a time and a season for everything under the sun my beloved. The time I was writing about  “CLOTHERED IN CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS” I thought of adding the main Scripture that I am tacking today, but I couldn’t find it as it was not ordained for that day but for today’s message. And indeed, today is the day that the Lord has made; a season and a time in God’s own dispensation. I wouldn’t define righteousness again on today’s message, but I would kindly request you check it on my blogs post please (Clothered in Christ Righteousness). 

CHRIST LIKENESS

Truly, truly I urge us brethren to be righteous and remaining righteous. It is the wisest thing and the main purpose why we are called Christians in the first place. Christ followers, were first called Christians; because there was no doubt, their walk with Christ  and manner of life, attested to that of Christ, because they had taken a step of faith and never wanted to look back nor waver in their faith (Acts 11:26) “And when they had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a while year they assembled with the church taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Jesus said during His call to His disciples that, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). But it is fitting my beloved that when one makes a decision to follow Christ, it is not wise that one should turn back; but to simply rely on God for His righteousness to be available, because the life of the redeemed springs forth from faith and reliance to God’s Word and obeying His commandments. God in His part responds to the trustful surrender of all self by empowering the believer for spiritual activity and service.

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH

 With all due respect, receive the Scripture and may the Lord give all of us understanding (Ezek. 3:20-21) “Again when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” Very tricky and challenging to the prophet as well as the righteous who backslide from his faith and ceases to be righteous anymore indeed.  Just because righteousness prevails at some time in a person’s life there is no guarantee that he will always cling to it. In fact, he may turn resolutely against that righteousness and opt for a life of iniquity. It’s my call, plea and encouragement for someone today that, we cling and hold fast to that faith till the very end. Because the process of beginning the journey again my brethren; it is not that easy and it retards our spiritual growth. In my own opinion, I would advise that one takes a rest shortly, just shortly but not forty years like the children of Israel in the wilderness. Many a times the devil advises us otherwise going back to Egypt; the land of affliction, sorrows and hard labor instead of focusing to the Promised Land that is full with honey, milk and liberty. Remember beloved, that nothing in life that will come easily on a white silver plate. Even, how I write these epistles, it’s my choice and a price that I have paid dearly for many years both locally and internationally. And for those who would opt going back to Egypt; beloved it is a waste of time, and please be informed that for one to go back to Egypt when already set for the promised land; there is too much challenges on the way, without first of all, the presence of the Lord, no covering, no food, no water and above all, Moses the servant of the Lord with the rod is not with you anymore. How would one cross the red sea without Moses and the rod to depart the water on the right hand side and the left hand side as one passes by? Analyze this beloved! This is the regrettable possibility which the Lord placed before Ezekiel. The prophet’s responsibility was to warn, to wave some red flag if he saw apostasy taking place as I have seen it taking roots in our generation today. These verses should hit a raw nerve in all of us. Even for the most devoted and the most saintly, righteousness can become something to spurn, and iniquity can become something to embrace God says that repudiation of righteousness leads to death. The word is indeed solemn. I Grace Favor have done my part; to exhort and warn, such that no one’s blood will be required at my head, but your own heads. I again repeat, “He who has got ears, let him hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the churches and individuals and apply before it is too late; because for sure, no one can survive it back to Egypt again!

 Adam and Eve illustrate that turning away from righteousness, as do King Saul, Judas Iscariot and Demas.  In every case the consequences were tragic. These are the people who started well in the spirit, their lives were transformed, but after a while grew horns, rebelled and taken hostage by the devil. In their own arrogance and pride, they also just like anyone else, had thought to make it back to Egypt but unfortunately, they did not and death emerged as a consequence. What many of us “FAILS” to understand is that; Satan will target one, use and after wards, one is left alone languishing in their own blood while the devil as the master celebrates. What a shame!  It is like some wicked men in our society today; a man enjoys intimacy with someone’s daughter, and in the process, this someone’s daughter conceives. When she informs the man; the answer being, “I am not responsible.” If then, the man seems not to be responsible, and then who does? Your master the devil? Men! Of this type! Shame on you and style up! If a man is not able to take care of someone’s daughter leave alone the baby why waste their time? And to our daughters and young ladies, please style up as well; chips and chicken will cost you a big deal! Carrying a rejected child as you take off, and landing as a single mother with lots of regrets.  May the Spirit enlighten our understanding!    Who would dare to imitate Peter at this point; “Even if all were made to stumble because of you, I will never be left to stumble” (Matt. 26:33).  Peter had even gone further in verse 35, swearing to die with Christ and not to deny Him. These are the same sweet words that our men use to entice our young women; “you are my world, I will give you everything and I am ready to die for you.” Nonsense! Who would have imagined that Peter of all the disciples would deny Jesus three times? “Do not be deceived! Evil company corrupts good moral/habits.”  Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Cor. 15:33). Demons do not stay far away from us but right with us. It is very unfortunate that our own beloved brethren, the ones we dip our hands together with them in one plate can deceive as that much and cause our death. Who would have imagined that Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples would be used by the devil to betray Him to the authority? Our world of today is full of Judas Iscariots. So beloved watch and pray lets we dash our feet on the stone and stumble and may the Lord baptize us with the Spirit of discernment.

GOD’S PROMISE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The wise words of the preacher (Prov. 21:16) “A man who wonders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.” Man by himself will never attain to righteousness, and so to life. His case is deplorable. He is radically and totally sinful, a rebel and a transgressor from his very conception, unrighteous and wicked in every area of his life. Consequently, he is under the burning anger of God and facing the sentence of death. Already he is languishing and his glory vanishing. His only hope is that God Himself in His unfailing love and enduring faithfulness will elevate him to the high ground of righteousness. This is precisely His promise. Here the meaning of justification begins to emerge. Against the backdrop of our sinfulness rises the prospect of perfect righteousness through the person of the great Son of David. A message from Paul’s desk (Heb. 10: 35-39) “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need for endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure on him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” And in verse 22 from the same chapter he state thus, “Let us draw near with a true heart with full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Yes beloved, He who promised is forever faithful. Peter the apostle added thus (2 Pet. 1:9-10) “For he who lacks this things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore brethren be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”  And Luke said (Luke 19:10) “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  Beloved, may we be diligent enough to make our call and election sure so that we may stand firm and not stumble nor give way to devil’s vile schemes. Indeed no one is righteous but we too like David, can have the joy of or salvation restored and once more experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives enabling us to live in obedience to the laws of holiness and righteousness recorded in God’s Word.

“Grace to you and Favor from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen, and Amen and Amen.”