The fourth reason for fearing God

 

4.     His Forgiveness

The fourth reason for having the rightful fear of God it is because of His forgiving mercies for it is written, "If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you that you may be feared (Psalms 130:3-4).

Thankfully, "the Lord has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities; but He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us or will He keep His anger forever" (Psalms 103:8-10).

The willingness for the Lord to forgive ought to stimulate the rightful fear in us, by holding Him in high esteem, reverence, adoration, and to depart from evil. For, "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us" (1John 1:8-10).

The gracious thing is that, Jesus Christ has made all the provisions for His people to live in holiness, and be constantly cleansed of their sins, through the cup of the New Covenant (agreement) which He instituted on the night before His death. For it is written; “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11, Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20; Hebrews 9:22; 1John .1:7; Matthew 26:28).

The cardinal error which most people make is, accepting sin as part of our new nature. How often do we hear people make such comments as, "God understands!" when someone exercises a lack of faith by not trusting God, or being disobedient, or exercising a lack of self-control, by habitually living in sin. This is very prevalent because the basic assumption is, God understands their needs, their predicament, their weakness of the flesh, and therefore will sympathize with them when they compromise with sin. But what the Lord truly understands is our willingness not to sin as we have been duly admonished saying; "My little children, these things I write to you that you may not sin" (signifying that there is the possibility of not sinning. And if anyone sins (not when anyone sins, as though it is expected, but "IF" signifying that it is optional, peradventure), we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." What the Lord understands and sympathizes with us is, "As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him: For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (1John 2:1; Psalms 103:13-14).

Notice; His pity is not towards those exercising lack of faith, or lack of self-control, or who violates His laws with impunity, but towards those who fear Him because, it is by the fear of the Lord that one departs from evil.

And so, we have been instructed saying;, "The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them" (Psalms 103:17-18).

The Lord pities those who strive for excellence because we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” So, those who strive to enter the narrow way; those who, when faced with trials and temptations whilst pursuing the right path, will boldly come to the throne of grace, so that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." For, "Indeed, He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham" (Hebrews 4:16, 2:16).

Furthermore, we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

And, "for to this we were called, because Christ also suffered for us (in the flesh by being tempted just as we are being tempted yet without sin), leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth" (1Peter 2:22).

Therefore, since Jesus Christ suffered for us in the flesh and leaving us an example that we should follow His steps, we are to arm ourselves with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin" (1Peter 4:1).

Yes, if indeed we have proven that the Lord is gracious, His forgiving mercies will stimulate the right fear of God in us, and we will strive to give unto Him the honor, the reverence, and the glory which is due to Him by departing from evil, stop disobeying His commandments and making excuses. That is, not allowing our independent sinful nature which is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked to entice us to walk after the imagination of our own evil heart and do what seems right in our own eyes and worshiping Him according to the commandments and traditions of men.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The third reason for fearing God

3..      His abundant grace

The third reason for fearing God it is because of His abundant grace which is described as His unmerited favors, mercy and compassion which He imputes on humanity without their participation and input. for “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace we have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:4-9).

When we consider the fact that, everything that we have is a gift from God, for; to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift: Therefore, who we are is not of ourselves as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (Ephesians 4:7; 1Corinthians 4:7).

Therefore, since our salvation is all by the grace of God this should stimulate the rightful fear, respect and appreciation of God in us and should be cautious in heeding to the apostle Paul’s admonition which states; “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

So, since all that we are and everything that we have is a gift from God and we will have to give an account to God on how we use and develop it ought to stimulate the rightful fear of God in us. But how do we demonstrate the rightful fear of God in appreciation of His Grace?

Well, the rightful fear of God in appreciation of His grace is demonstrated by honoring Him for who He is as duly instructed saying; “A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?' The Lord further said; “For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts, "And My name is to be feared among the nations” (Malachi 1:6, 14).

It is by observing the Lord’s Sabbaths which were ordained specifically to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings that the rightful fear of the Lord demonstrated, for thus says the Lord; “'You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.” For it is as often or whenever one eats of this bread and drink this cup, that the purpose or the objective for the Lord's death is proclaimed until He comes (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2; 1 Corinthians 11:26).

It is by worshiping the Lord in spirt and in truth that one demonstrates his/her fear, love, reverence and appreciation of the Lord for Who He is and for what He has done and is still doing for humanity.

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With brotherly love

Lucius joseph 

Fear God because of His holiness (part three)

 

the irony of truth in relation to the holiness of God is that, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:5-7).

Please note carefully that, the cleansing that takes place in order to have fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another through the blood of Jesus Christ is current, it is something that transpires during the fellowship service and it is critical because, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 5:8-10).

It is also very important to note that, according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission because, the life of the flesh is in the blood, and God has given it to us upon the altar to make atonement for our souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:11).

It is also imperative to note that the main objective for having a holy convocation is to offer the Lord the food for His offerings, For thus says the Lord; “These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day.”

We should note carefully that offering the Lord the food for His offerings is besides or in addition to observing the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:37-38).

Each appointed feast or holy convocation commemorates an event which the Lord has made in His master plan for the salvation of humanity, and they also foreshadows things to come.

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Lucius Joseph

Fear God because of His holiness (part two)

In order for one to have fellowship with the Father holiness is paramount as we have been duly admonished saying; “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

And so, there is an established protocol by which one gains access to the throne of grace which states as follows; “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, tremble before Him all the earth” (Hebrews 12:14; 1Chronicles 16:29-30, Psalms 29:2; 96:7-9).

 Holiness is associated to people, time and object that are consecrated to God for holy use. Christians are called "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own special people, that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light" (;1Peter 2:9).

Having a good understanding of the necessity of being holy should stimulate the rightful fear in every one who has indeed proven that the Lord is gracious, for to the chosen people of God, He says; " I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt (synonymous to sin), to be your God, you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45).

Not only has God set apart His people for holy use, He has also set apart certain things as holy, and for holy use for He spoke to the prophet Ezekiel saying; "Her priests (Israel's) have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy (profane), nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them" (Ezekiel 22:26).

Therefore, disregarding to the Sabbaths, especially when Jesus Christ said, emphatically, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" is a dishonor to God, a form of irreverence even though one has the liberty to observe or not to observe as endorsed by the apostle who stated clearly; “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it” (Mark 2:27-28; Romans 14:5-6).

For Christ to be Lord (Master) of something holy as the Sabbath, should generate a certain amount of fear in those who have indeed proven that the Lord is gracious. Closing one's eye to the holiness of the Sabbath is profanity. The rightful fear of God, because of His holiness, should stimulate the awareness of making a clear distinction between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean (Leviticus 10:10).

One of the Holy things of God is His law. We are told that, "the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." And within the context of the holy commandment, we are specifically reminded saying; "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy:" Because, "the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it (made it holy)" (Romans 7:12; Exodus 20:8, 11).

There are also specific times of holy convocations or holy assemblies, which the Lord specifically instituted, for the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them; the feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts". Again He said, "These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times" (Leviticus 23:2-4, 7, 8, 21, 24, 32, 35, 36, 37).

The truth of the matter is, God alone is holy and He has set apart holy times for His people to come and worship Him in the beauty of holiness by providing them with the medium by which they become holy themselves so as to have fellowship with Him and His Son and with one another.

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Lucius Joseph 

The second reason for fearing God

 

2. HIS HOLINESS.

The second reason for fearing God is His holiness, which is the unique quality of divinity; a life totally void and separated from sin and when properly understood should generate a tremendous measure of fear in us, if indeed we have proven that the Lord is gracious. And so, we have been duly instructed saying; "as obedient children, not conforming ourselves to the former lusts, as in our ignorance, but as He who has called us is holy, we also be holy in all our conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1Peter 1:14-16).

Holiness is purity, completely free from defilement and profanity, but the question is, how does a person become holy? For one to become holy God has ordained a specific method by which one become holy For this is what He spoke to Moses saying; “Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:32-33).

So then, the way one becomes holy, it is by eating of those things with which the atonement was made, which in our new dispensation is synonymous to the body and blood of Jesus Christ which is the new and living way by which we can draw near to God, as attested to by Jesus Christ who said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Jesus Christ is the way to the Father through His flesh; He is the truth, by being the Word of God our High Priest, now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf, and He is the life through His blood, for the life of the flesh is in the blood, and God has given it to us upon the altar to make atonement for our souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul' (Leviticus 17:11).

The apostle Paul rendered his support to this principle by saying; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

The crux of the matter is, the body and the blood of Jesus Christ which is repented by the bread and the wine have replaced all offerings and sacrifice for sins: For we have been duly instructed saying; “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He (Jesus Christ) came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.”

“In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come --- In the volume of the book it is written of Me --- To do Your will, O God.' "Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:4-10).

So, once and for all times and for all peoples there is an offering which can present the worshiper perfect, holy, blameless and irreproachable before God, for which they are Commanded to be careful to offer to Lord at their appointed time, because there are specific appointed times to offer the Lord the food for His offerings.

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Lucius Joseph

Gentiles and the fear of God

Are the appointed times relevant and applicable to Gentiles?

Anyone who truly knows Jesus Christ should know that, He is the One who created the heavens, the earth, the seas and all that are in them, Who gave His laws to Moses, chose the children of Israel as His chosen people, became flesh and blood and dwelt among men and remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

Gentiles we know at one time "were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having (at that time) no hope, and without God in the world, but now, in Christ Jesus, gentiles who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He (Christ) Himself is our peace, who has made both (Jews and gentiles) one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between the two. Giving gentiles now the opportunity to rejoice and glorify God (not in isolation or in opposition to the Jews but rather) together with the children of Israel (Ephesians 2:12-14),

Therefore, we are told to, "Receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God (to preserve and perpetuate God's truth), to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to you among the gentiles, and sing to Your name". And again He says; "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" (Romans 15:7-10, Deuteronomy 32:43).

Therefore, the current situation right now is that, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:8-29).

And if we have been born in the spirit then, we have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all” (Colossian 3:10-11).

The appointed times to have fellowship with the Father and the Son therefore, are specifically for those who are living in the spirit whether Jews or Gentiles because Jesus said plainly; “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:22-24).

The rationale for the appointed times which the Lord has ordained for His people to appear before Him and have fellowship with Him, is more profound in the New Testament dispensation than they were in the Old Testament dispensation. For example, in the Old Testament the feast of Unleavened Bread was to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from the captivity of slavery. In our New Testament dispensation it is to commemorate our deliverance from the bondage of sin and death.

The feast of weeks was to commemorate the first fruits of the Lord and the day the law was given to Moses. In our New Testament dispensation, this day commemorates the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and the feast of Tabernacles was a reminder to the Jews of their temporary dwellings, but in our new dispensation this feast is to commemorate the Word Who became flesh and dwelt among us and became our permanent dwelling. The Eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles commemorates His circumcision by which Gentiles became joint heirs of the commonwealth of Israel.

The true significance of the Sabbaths therefore, is to make us aware, or to remind us that the Lord is the sovereign God and we express and demonstrate this belief and appreciation by observing His Sabbaths as we have been duly admonished saying; "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come: and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water" (Revelation 14:7).

The Sabbaths is the only sign the Lord God gave to identify Himself as the Creator of heaven and earth for thus He said, "The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath throughout their generation as a perpetual covenant: It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed" (Exodus 31:116-17).

The crux of the matter is, the Sabbaths are blessed, sanctified, hallowed, a time of refreshing, rejoicing, and celebration of the Lord’s sovereignty, ascribing to Him the glory due to His name as instructed saying; "I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God" (Ezekiel 20:19-20, 44:24, Isaiah 58:13-14, Jeremiah 17:21-22. 27).

Although one has the freedom to observe or not to observe, this freedom nevertheless, does not relegate the rationale and objective for the Sabbaths which the Lord ordained as times of holy convocation.

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

God's sovereignty demands our fear

 

There are basically seven things about God that should stimulate every believer to have the rightful fear of Him in us and which will cause us to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Now, the seven reasons why we should fear God are as follows:

His Sovereignty/ Majesty

Because of God’s sovereignty or His majesty it is imperative that we fear Him, for as He declared to the prophet Jeremiah saying; "Do you not fear Me? Says the Lord! Will you not tremble at My presence; who have placed the sand as a bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it” (Jeremiah 5:22)

But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; they have revolted and departed, they do not say in their heart, let us now fear the Lord our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter in its season, He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have withheld good things from you."

Holding God in high esteem and honor is His rightful due as was declared to the prophet Jeremiah saying; “For Inasmuch as there is none like you, O Lord (You are great, and Your name is great in might), who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is your rightful due, for among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like you? (Jeremiah 10:6-7).

To openly demonstrate one's fear of the One and only true God, who created the heavens, the earth, the seas, and springs of water, God has appointed specific days and times so that His people can come together to reverence His name, and give Him glory and honor. For according to the Psalmist David; “Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God” (Psalms 86:8-10).

He also wrote; "who in the heavens can be likened to the Lord? God is greatly to be praised in the assembly of the saints and to be held in reverence by all those who are around Him" (Psalms 89:6-7).

The assembly of the saints is not left for them to decide, for themselves when to come and appear before the Lord because, the Lord has ordained specific times for His people to appear before Him because He spoke to Moses saying:;“The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.” And, “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:2, 4).

Therefore, it is not left for one to decide for themselves when he/she should appear before the Sovereign Lord to pay respect, reverence and adoration to Him  as the Sovereign God ; for thus says the Lord; "You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:30, 26:2).

Again the Lord said, "Surely My Sabbaths (plural) you shall keep for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you" (Exodus 31:1`3).

Apart from the weekly Sabbath, the Lord has ordained three times or seasons in the year, when His people should appear before Him as the sovereign Lord God. For thus says the Lord. "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:18-24, Deuteronomy 16:16-17).

One thing we should all take into consideration is the fact that there is a protocol as to when and how to appear before the throne of grace. It is not because Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and man that one should presume that they can have audience with the Father without an appointment and furthermore, the appointed times have been preordained by the Lord Himself who said; “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times” Leviticus 23:1-4).

And so, when one decides to have fellowship with the Father on a day He has not appointed this is what is being said to them; “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:12-15).

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Lucius Joseph

Reasons for fearing God

 

Due to the wrong perception of grace which most people believe did away with obedience to the law of God and giving people the false notion that God can be worshiped anyhow and anytime, despite the fact there are prerequisites and protocol in respect to the way one approaches the throne of grace, I think that it is imperative that we all get back to the basics in order that we all can be of one faith and of one mind when it comes to fulfilling the purpose of our lives.

To understand how imperative it is to have the rightful fear of God let us ponder on the advice of wise King Solomon who admonished us by saying; “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all” (Ecclesiastes 11:13).

Since fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man it is imperative that we firmly establish in our hearts how to go about of fearing God, because the Lord Himself spoke to the prophet Isaiah saying; “ Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," Says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:1-2).

The downfall of the majority of us who profess to believe in Jesus Christ is the problem of lack of knowledge, a charge which the Lord brought against the people of the land when He spoke to the prophet Hosea and said; “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).

The Apostle Paul expressed a similar sentiment when he wrote saying; “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10: 1-2).

Now since the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments my humble question is, do we all truly know what it means to fear God! And what is the rationale, the purpose, the objective for fearing Him? Let me state first and foremost that, having the fear of God is not to be scared of Him but rather, it is to stand in awe in adoration in gratitude for whom He is and for what He has done and continues to do.

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Lucius Joseph

Trusting God what it entails (part four)

 

Man’s wisdom or science is unfortunately not the only hindrance that hinders men from having complete trust in God, His name and Jesus Christ. Although, man’s wisdom or science is the most destructive of all due to its permanent everlasting effect it will have on man’s ultimate purpose and destiny which is to inherit the kingdom of God and to rule with Jesus Christ as kings and priests and be one with God, but there are six other areas where people place their trust instead of in God and they are as follows:

•           Weapons

Anyone who has placed their trust in God should not trust in weapons to defend themselves against their enemies. For it is written, “It is through God we will push back our enemies, it is through God’s name we trample our foes, we do not trust in our weapon, our weapon does not bring us victory, but God gives us victory over our enemies, He put our enemies to shame” (Psalms 44:5-7).

•           Wealth

Anyone who has placed their trust in God should not trust in wealth, whether it be hefty solid bank account, a good comprehensive insurance, a good solid pension plan, a reliable investment, or a secure job, because; “Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him ---For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever” (Psalms 49:6-8).

In contrast, the instructions given to us by the Lord is, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 2:15).

In light of this, Jesus Christ gave a parable of the ground of a certain rich man which yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?” So he said. I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry,” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This night your soul will be required of you, then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21).

Instead of being anxious and fearful when things seems gloomy, we are admonished to, “Consider the birds of the air who do not sow or reap, have no store room or barn; yet God feeds them. And consider how the lilies grow, they do not labor or spin, yet even Solomon in his entire splendor was dressed like one of these. And if God feed the birds which have neither storehouse or barn: and clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he feed and clothe us, who are of more value than birds and lilies.

Therefore, we are not to set our hearts on what we will eat, or drink; nor have any anxious mind. For all these things the Gentiles seek after, and our Father knows that we need these things. But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:28-33).

Those who have placed their trust in God are to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving, should make their request and prayers known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guide their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6-7).

If one who has surrendered his/her life to God becomes despondent, discouraged, fearful, and anxious when the situation looks bleak, it simply means that his/her trust is not in God, but in the things which makes him/her feels secure such as:

•           Leaders

Those who have placed their trust in the Lord are admonished to; “Not to put their trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. Because when their spirit departs they return to the ground, on that very day their plans come to nothing” (Psalm 146:3-4).

•           Man.

For it is written; “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength, whose heart depart from the Lord.” One can never know when a man will stop being faithful to God, and turn away from the way of God (Jeremiah 17:5).

•           Works

Anyone who places his/her trust in works and their treasures strengthens himself in his wickedness. For thus says the Lord; “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23; 48:7, Psalms 52:7).

•           His/her own righteousness                                                      

For thus says the Lord, “When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed he shall die” (Ezekiel 33:13).

And so, instead of placing our trust in man’s wisdom, (science), weapons, wealth, leaders, man, works and our own righteousness we ought to place our trust in God’s name, His word and Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the majority of us who profess to believe in Jesus Christ, place our complete trust in God only when it becomes the last resort because everything else have failed. What a tragedy!

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Trusting God what it entails (part three)

 

Trusting God is demonstrated by having complete trust, confidence and reliance in the following:

·         In God’s name

 As demonstrated by the Psalmist David who wrote, “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name” (Psalms 33:20-21).

·         In God’s Word

The Psalmist David again wrote “Let your mercies come also to me, O Lord – your salvation according to Your word, so shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word” (Psalms 119:41-42

•           In Christ;

As we have received the consolation saying; “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust."  (Matthew 12:18-21).

Therefore, those of us who profess to have surrendered our lives to God should truly examine ourselves especially in this time of global crisis and ask ourselves the candid question, where is our trust? Is our trust solely in God’s name, His word, in Jesus Christ? Or is it in science and our security? Remember, we have been admonished saying, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalms 62:5-8).

What we believers are facing presently is the testing of the genuineness of our faith which is 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 and let us not forget that, it will be only those who has overcome this world just as Jesus Christ overcame and has gain the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark, over the number of his name that will be granted to sit with Jesus Christ on His throne.

For this is what the Lord is presently saying to those who claim to believe and trust Him, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:19-22).

We have also been cautioned by the apostle Paul saying; “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Totally contrary to the popular slogan we are hearing today which is, “let us trust science”.

But as believers our legitimate concern is the fact that; “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:9-12).

Evidently one can clearly see that, if one decides not to place their trust in science they are being victimized, discriminated and allow suffering the same consequences which states; “that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name:” Even going so far as not being allowed to travel and gain lawful employment and even accommodation, when one’s faith ought to be in the power of God and not in the wisdom of men. What a shame!

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph