Luciusministry

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Sunday, March 22, 2026

In pursuit of higher learning (part 3)

Godliness

Which is holy living as an absolute necessity because it is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1Timothy 4:8).

Unfortunately, this state of life has been perverted by men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth who suppose that godliness is a means of (material and financial) gains. God fearing people have been warned to, ‘Withdraw themselves from such people, because godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and it is certain we can carry nothing out, but if we have food and clothing with these, we shall be content. One should therefore avoid covetousness, and be content with such things as he/she has.

3. Faith

Which is believing that God is who He is, and a re-warder of those who diligently seek Him. And, having confidence in the testimony that God has given us with regards to His Son through the medium of the scriptures, preaching, and the gospel. The testimony which God has given concerning His Son is that, “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has (the real) life; he who has not the Son of God has not (the real) life” (1John 5:11-12).

The apostle John said, “I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” This assurance should give everyone the motivation and impetus to pursue a higher learning in the life in the Spirit because, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And since it is clearly stated “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? “And, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Hebrews 11:1; James 2:20; 26).

It is therefore imperative that we learn to exercise our faith and experience the results as stipulated by Jesus Christ who said; “I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Also, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you” (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6).

The exercising of faith is a personal responsibility as we have been duly instructed saying; “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves; And again, whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:22-23).

Therefore, it is everyone’s individual responsibility to come to the knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ and what He has bestowed upon humanity and express our gratitude and appreciation for what He has done for us and learn to have trust and confidence in Him and the power and authority He has bestowed upon us.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Friday, March 13, 2026

In pursuit of higher learning (part 2)

In pursuing a higher learning, a Godfearing individual should, shun the desire to be rich, and the love of money by which men fall into temptation, into a snare, and into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction, and aim at the six(6) things that are truly worthwhile and re-assuring. They should make it their aim to pursue:

1. Righteousness

Which is the state or condition which has been imputed to man by God’s grace; but nevertheless, has to be developed and perfected by practicing the law of righteousness. As it is written: “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray, he who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7).

Incidentally, this righteousness is not based on man’s standard of right and wrong for there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. This righteousness is based entirely on all of God’s commandments, which according to the scriptures, “All your commandments are righteousness.”

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our righteousness because His death fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, by paying the penalty of sin in full, which is death, and conferred His righteousness to all those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness, and will reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

As the result of this one act of righteousness, justification which brings life, came for all men. As the scripture clearly states; “But now, the righteousness of God apart from law has been made known, to which the law and the prophet testify. This righteousness from God; comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 5: 17-19; 3: 21-22).

This righteousness has not only been imputed, but has to be practiced as well, because we have been duly admonished saying; “you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.’ And, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteousness just as He is righteous” (1 John 2:29; 3:7).

This act of righteousness is the only righteous act that can produce holiness, because according to the prophet Issiah “But we are all like an unclean thing and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Also, “by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Issiah 64:6; Romans 3:20)

Therefore, this act of righteousness is to become slaves to God as priests, to offer to Him His food for His offerings at its appointed time, and having become slaves to God, the benefit we reap leads to holiness, and the result is everlasting life.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

In Pursuit of higher learning

IN PURSUIT OF HIGHER LEARNING

Being present at a graduation ceremony regardless of what level of education, is a thrilling and exhilarating experience, especially if you personally or someone very close to you is on the verge of becoming a graduate, and better yet graduating with high honors, or a recipient of a reward. Every graduation is a mile stone, an achievement in higher learning, and a momentous occasion.

The greatest concern however is that, people are not as exuberant, zealous, and enthusiastic in pursuing a higher learning in the spiritual aspect of life as they do for the physical mundane life. Apparently, it has not yet dawn on the mind of many people that there is definitely and practically a life in the flesh, and a life in the spirit.

I have no qualm about anyone seeking to improve his/her lot in life by raising their standard of education, thus enabling them to earn a better salary and improve their living conditions. As the common saying goes, “If you think knowledge is expensive, then try ignorance.” Ignorance I believe plays a major role in the plight of human misery. The Lord said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me” (Hosea 4:6).

A heavy prize to pay for ignorance. The serious concern is, the seemingly total neglect, and absent mindedness of persons to pursue a higher learning in the life in the spirit as they pursue that of the flesh.

In reality, the same emphasis which is placed in pursuing a higher degree of learning in the physical realm in order to gain recognition, fame, and material gains, should also be placed in attaining a higher plateau in the spiritual life, because in the final analysis the life in the spirit is everlasting and far superior than the life in the flesh.

The apostle Paul wrote: “I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification” (Romans 6:19).

Similarly, the members of the human body can be used to either promote the growth and development of the human life, or promote the growth, and development of the life in the spirit. There is wisdom of men –the wisdom of this age; which is doomed to pass away, and there is wisdom of the Spirit which endures to everlasting life.

In every aspect of life, the main objective is of paramount importance. The objective of Higher learning in the physical realm is to improve the quality and conditions of life, and to attain material gains. Unfortunately, human wisdom and all its material gains are fleeting and temporary, and worse of all, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction” (1Timothy 6:9).

Many people after their graduation are under severe stress to repay their student loans, and even after they have succeeded in paying it off, may not even live long enough to enjoy the fruit of their labor. The reality of the whole situation is, we should all take heed and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And even if one is successful and fortunate enough to have his/her heart’s content, and can say to his/her soul, Soul, you have ample goods, a good pension plan laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry; There is the likelihood that God may say to this individual, “You Fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:19-20)

In light of this therefore an appeal goes to all those who have the fear of God in them to shun this perspective and objective of higher learning. Do not be conformed to the ideals of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, in order to test and approve what is God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.

If money is the rationale and main objective in pursuing higher learning, then one should seriously take heed to the Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy which states, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs” (1Timothy 6:10).

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Are we true witnesses of the Way? (part 6)

There is a saying that; “One rotten apple spoils the whole bunch.” The Lord spoke to the prophet Ezekiel concerning His people and said, “Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them” (Ezekiel 22:26).

Remember, the church is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, for the purpose of, ‘declaring the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light.’ They, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Now according to the apostle John; “This is the message we have heard from Him [the Way] and declare to you; God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1John 15-7).

When the church presents itself before God, and partakes of communion; this is figurative to an Old Testament law called the law of jealousy which an unfaithful wife was required to observe to prove her fidelity, as described in the book of Numbers chapter 5 verses 11-29.

This law was applicable when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband, or when feelings of jealousy came over a man because he suspected his wife. The priest had her to stand before the Lord and applied the entire law to her. The husband would be innocent of any wrong doing, but the woman would bear the consequences of her sin. If, however, the woman had not defiled herself and was free from impurity, she would be cleared of guilt and would be able to have children.

Comparatively, “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord, eats and drink judgment on him-self. That is why many among us are weak and sick; and a number of us have fallen asleep.

This is the epitome of the Christian fellowship; “But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord [which takes place at the communion service], we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world” (1Corinthians 11:31-32).

Therefore, if the church is experiencing the same distress and calamities with the rest of the world, we should know the reason why! We are admonished to, “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).

In conclusion I ask the question again; Are we a true witness of the Way?” Or are we false witnesses!

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Are we true witnesses of the Way (part 5)

It is also at such a fellowship that the sins of the believer are forgiven. Because if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives. However, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” but, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins,” therefore, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1John 1:7-10).

The blood which purifies the believer from sin is the cup of the new covenant taken at the Lord’s Supper. This arrangement was instituted by Jesus Christ on the night before His death, when He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to the disciples, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew .26:28).

It is through the consummation of this mystery and reaping of its benefits that the believer can truly testify of the Way, and, “Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-13).

The trademark of the Way which is, the fellowship of the believers was what really distinguished the first century church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ ‘All believers were together and had everything in common” (Acts.2:42).

Indicating that, when they met, they all without exception partook of the bread and wine as confirmed by the apostle Paul who wrote; “So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment” (1Corinthians 11:33).

This chosen group has an admonition from the Lord saying, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between and temple of God and idols?’

‘For we are the temple of the living God, as God has said; I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. ‘Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Most people equate this warning of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers, more to marriage relationship between a believer, and a non-believer, and to some extent in business relationships. But this warning is even more pronounced in the case where, a believer, in whom the Holy Spirit of God dwells, the future bride of Christ, God’s holy temple fellowshipping together with unbelievers, one in whom the Holy Spirit is not residing, and who has made his/her body an idol of worship.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Are we true witnesses of the Way? (part 4)

What exactly was revealed to the apostle Paul?

What was revealed to the apostle Paul was with regards to the Way. Jesus Christ, who is the Way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. What was revealed to the apostle Paul was “The mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men;’ and ‘which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory” (Ephesians .3:3-5; 1Corinthians 2:7-8).

The apostle Paul unveiled the mystery to the church at Corinth when he said to them, “For I have received from the Lord what I also passed on to you; The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1Corinthians 1:23-26).

The consummation of this mystery is the trademark of the Christian church. The apostle Paul wrote; “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power. Although I am less that the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me; to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:7-11).

It is also through the consummation of this mystery and having faith in Him, that we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

It is at the consummation of this mystery that believers enjoy fellowship with one another and with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

To be continued