The testing of our faith

 

The Testing of our faith

To all those who have been ordained or may have assumed the responsibility of being a Shepherd of the flock of God which is among us, not only are we required to serve as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to us, but being examples to the flock, we are also called to be a watchman and to warn God´s people of any impending disasters, which if we don´t will result in serious consequences as forewarned by the prophet Ezekiel saying:

“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.

When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:6-9).

What is coming very fast and furious to destroy and devour the flock of God which needs to be addressed urgently before it is too late is the testing of our faith in regards to our future heavenly inheritance which is the ultimate objective of our existence. To all of us who claimed to be believers in Jesus Christ should be assured and continue reminding ourselves of the reason why Jesus Christ took on flesh and paid the price of sin in our stead, otherwise, we will easily lose sight of the objective of this high calling.

For this reason we have been admonished saying; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith --- the salvation of your souls” (1Peter 1: 3-9).

I am afraid to say that, this incorruptible, undefiled inheritance which we are destined to inherit is on the verge and in danger of being compromised by those who are lacking knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ because what is being promulgated and advocated today is very detrimental to our future inheritance and it is in diametric opposition to what we are supposed to do. What is being advocated today is that we are to have faith and follow science which is diametrically opposite to what we have been duly instructed to do.

What we have been duly instructed to do is not to be persuaded by words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power and that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

According to the apostle Paul, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:5-8).

Unfortunately, instead of us relying on the wisdom and power of God which He ordained before the ages for our glory, we are placing our faith and confidence in the wisdom of men which are coming to nothing and despite of their confessions some people are still not taking heed. Imagine hearing from a top scientist that, “the vaccine will prevent a person from getting sick but may cause infections.”

So I beg to ask the question, what is an infection? Is it not when another organism enters the body and causes disease! Is it not referring to an invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms or parasites ranging from mild to fatal in severity?  And in the case of the COVID 19 vaccine doesn’t it contain tissues from other creatures which will mutate and alter one´s DNA and neutralizes one´s immune system which has a vital role in safeguarding the body from harmful substances, germs and cell changes that could make us ill?

But the worse condemnation of all is the promulgation of the idea and belief that a vaccine is the only solution to this pandemic which in effect disrupts and neutralizes the very guard the Creator designed to safeguard, protect and to heal the body, thus implying that, man´s wisdom is far superior to the wisdom of God, what a travesty? And so many people are gullible to such profanity.

What all sincere believers should consider is the fact that, God in His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, This incorruptible undefiled inheritance is our human body which is formed in the image and likeness of God, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should not be mutated with tissues of other creatures.

For we have been duly admonished saying; “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

It is therefore imperative that those of us who profess to be believers should consider having our faith in the power of God and not in the wisdom of men by believing and demonstrating our belief and confidence in what Jesus Christ has attained for us as we have been duly admonished saying;

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalms 103: 1-5)

Please note carefully that these benefits are current, it is not something of the past it is currently in force but applicable only to those who abides in the presence of the almighty as confirmed by King David who consoles us by saying, “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalms 91:3-12)..

Our guaranteed protection is to abide under the shadow of the Almighty, and have the truth of God as our shield and buckle. But those who will partake of the mark which grants them the privilege to be able to buy or sell will not be protected from the wrath of God, For we have been forewarned saying, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image” (Revelation 16:1-2).

So then, let us be candid with ourselves is there a proposed mark that unless we have it we will not be allowed to enter any institution, commercial center or even gain any employment? The choice is yours you have been forewarned.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph