Believers should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk

4.  Believers should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk

 Now that there is neither Jew or Greek, slave or free,  male or female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus, a Gentile now refers to one who does not know God; and therefore, believers are admonished saying;  “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19).

The admonition to every believer is that; “he/she no longer should live the rest of his/her time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles --- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you .They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1Peter 4:2-5).

And so, believers have been admonished saying; “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God (1Peter 1:13-21).

It is also incumbent on believers, not to imitate the ways of the Gentiles by worrying saying; “What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Mathew 6:31-34).

We truly have to gird up the loins of our mind and be steadfast in the faith because, the genuineness of our 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. Our faith is what is presently on trial and without faith it is impossible to please God and our faith can either be in the wisdom of men or in the power of God, the choice is for each individual to make.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFP1SMV

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Believers are indebted to imitate the life of Jesus Christ

 

1.     Believers are indebted to imitate the life of Jesus Christ

The life of Jesus Christ is the hallmark for every believer, and therefore we have been admonished saying; “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --- by whose stripes you were healed” (1Peter 2:21-25).

There is definitely a test for anyone who says that they are believers, for it is stated clearly; “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Believer therefore, have to imitate the life of Christ until the nature of Christ is formed in us (1John 2:3-6; Galatians 4:19).

The main objective of life as a believer is to develop the nature of the new man by imitating the life of Jesus Christ because, we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

As a human being Jesus Christ set us practical examples that we should follow. He was obedient to the Father and kept His commandments and He admonished us by saying, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).

It was His custom to go into the synagogue and teach on the Sabbaths and said quite explicitly; “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Luke 4:16;31; Matthew 5:17-19).

Another important characteristic of the life of Jesus Christ that necessitates our imitation is that of Godly fear, because we are told that; “in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” And His admonition to us is; “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” (Hebrews 5:7-8; Revelation 3:21-22).

My sincere and honest desire to all believers is that, we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. So let us be cognizant of the fact that, God will render to each one according to his deeds eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFP1SMV

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Believers are indebted to live and walk in the Spirit

1.      Believer are indebted to live and walk in the Spirit

 

There is a definite walk or way of life that is in accordance to the Spirit; and so we have been admonished saying; “Those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. It is incumbent therefore that believers both live and walk in the Spirit, because those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Now the way a believer demonstrates his/her indebtedness to the Spirit is by depicting the character of the new man which is stated as follows; “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do'.

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:12-17).

One who lives and walks in the Spirit demonstrates it by producing the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” There is further confirmation of this indebtedness to the Spirit stating; “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit, let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:22-26).

And, the way of life in the Spirit is stipulated by the word of God because Jesus Christ stated quite emphatically; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Therefore, to live and to walk in the Spirit is to be indebted to the word of God and not following the customs and traditions of men which is vain and useless.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ATINGS6

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

Believers are not indebted to live in accordance to the flesh

 

1.     Believers are not indebted to the flesh

Believers have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors --- not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:12-13).

Now the reason why a believer is not indebted to the flesh, it is because, “those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, and to be carnally minded is death, because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

It is therefore incumbent on all believers to mortify the deeds of the flesh, because those in whom Christ dwells, the body is dead with regards to sin, and therefore are admonished to; “Put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.'

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and 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” (Colossians 3:5-11).

The works of the flesh are easily manifested, for it is clearly stated; “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/145385777X

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Believer's job description

 

With the babble of confusion that currently exists in the Christian faith the question which all sincere and loyal believers should ask themselves, “Is there a job description or a stipulated code of conduct that is applicable to all believers? Or is everyone permitted to do as they please?  If under any circumstances there is a stipulated code or a job description for all believers, why aren’t all believers complying to it, since God is not the Author of confusion, and believers have been admonished saying, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who  above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

It is not the will of God that the church be so divided, in fact sectarianism is a sin and therefore the apostle Paul wrote; “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but  you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1Corinthians 1:10).

It would be rather impossible to be of the same mind and judgment, if there were no job description or stipulated code of conduct to keep everyone joined together, and speaking the same thing. Therefore the problem for our present dilemma is the cause of those who have assumed or given the position and responsibility of authority to edify the church.

For we are told that; “He (God) Himself gave some be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head --- Christ ---from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4: 11-16).

Those who have assumed or given the responsibility to edify the church have been admonished saying; “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”(1Peter 4: 10-11).

Obviously the reason why there is so much confusion and disagreement in the body of Christ-the church, it is because those who are speaking or teaching the word, are not doing it as the oracles of God, because, surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFP1SMV

What therefore is the job description or stipulated code of conduct for the believer? The job description for the believer is as follows:-

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The sixth critical choice of life

 

1.      The choice of Faith            

Faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen has a very significant role to play in the life of every human being, but here again we all have been given the prerogative to choose, for we have been duly admonished by the apostle Paul saying; “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 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.”

“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” (1Corinthians 2:3-8).

It is of great significance for us to note that, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Now, the two diametrical substance of faith is either the power of God or, the wisdom of men, which do not correlate with each other, they have absolutely no mutual relationship or connection whereby one can affect or depend on the other. The stark reality is, we can only have faith in one or the other, for thus says the Lord; “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images” (Isaiah 42:8).

The worse mistake and indictment that have been levelled on the human population is that of attributing man’s ingenuity and scientific achievements to God and worst of all clamoring the popular slogan of “trust the science” making man’s scientific and technological explorations and achievements to appear as being superior and more powerful than even the Creator Who created humanity.

But the crux of the matter is, there is a power that is far superior than that of the wisdom of men in Whom we should place our trust and confidence because, Jesus Christ became for us wisdom from God --- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD" (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).

What is of intrinsic importance for us to know, understand and believe is the fact that, from the time Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, man became like God knowing good and evil. This was made known to Eve by the devil who said to her; “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

This was later endorsed by the Lord Himself who said; “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken” (Genesis 3:5; 22-23.

Please note carefully that, the criterion by which man attained this power to become like God to know good and evil was contrary to the will of God and later on during the course of man’s history the Lord said; “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them” (Genesis 11:6).

Therefore, man on his own has the capabilities and the power to achieve whatever he sets his mind to achieve and in addition to this man has received from Satan his power, his throne and great authority. For we have been instructed saying; “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:3).

It is imperative that we know, believe and understand what is taking place behind the scene, the root cause of what is taking place around us is Satan’s quest to be worshiped just as God is worshiped and to have men to place their faith in the wisdom of men instead of in the power of God. But this is a choice that we all have to make as individuals, for we have ben admonished saying: “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:22).

So what is taking place around us today is a test of our faith whether to have our faith in the wisdom of men which is to God foolishness and which the root cause of our present dilemma is, or whether our faith is in the power of God which is the only solution to our present predicament. But the choice is for each individual to make on his/her own volition.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1466328568

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Our conflicting natures

 

Man is the offspring of both Adams.

To better understand the struggles that we face as human beings it is imperative that we know, understand and believe that we are descendants of two Adams. From the first Adam, we inherited a sinful corrupt nature, which according to scriptures, “Is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; It is hostile towards God, not subject to His laws, nor can it ever be: and, it is a temporary physical existence (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:7 James 4:14; Hebrews 9:27)

On the other hand, we inherited from the last Adam Jesus Christ, spiritual life which is eternal, with a holy righteous nature which is in harmony with God, and it is in subjection to His laws. We therefore have a conflict or a battle that takes place in our mind between two diametrically opposite natures the desires which reside in man’s flesh, and the desires which reside in man’s spirit are in conflict with each other and so, we have been duly admonished saying:  “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Galatians 5:16-17).

Those who live their lives according to the desires of the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. They sow to the flesh, and will of the flesh ultimately reap corruption. For we have been instructed saying; “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

We have also been forewarned saying’  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (.Romans 8:5-6; Galatians 6:7-8).

Those who live their lives according to the desires of the Spirit, set their minds on things above, the things of the Spirit, they sow to the Spirit and will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And so the admonition is; “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and 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” (Colossians 3:1-11).

And so, instead of exhibiting the works of our former carnal nature which is to be disobedient to the laws of God and fulfilling the desires of the flesh, we now as the elect of God, holy and beloved, have to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which also we were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15).

And so the question is, are we striving to be slaves of righteousness so as to be clothed with immortality and be forever the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit? The choice is ours.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/145385777X

Love in Jesus’ name.

 Lucius Joseph

 

The sustenance of Holiness

How is holiness sustained?

Holiness, the state in which the new man was Created in Christ Jesus is sustained only if, we indeed continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which was preached to every creature under heaven” (Colossians 1:23).

The gospel which was preached to every creature under heaven is, “The hidden mystery of Jesus Christ, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ”. But now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith” For, “Had the rulers of this age (Satan and his demons) knew of this hidden fellowship of the mystery they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory” (Ephesians3:4, 9; Romans 16:25-26; 1Corinthians 2:8).

And so, holiness is first and foremost sustained by, “Having a walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called,” which is to be holy. For we have been duly admonished saying: “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Pet. 1: 15-16;

And secondly, by having daily confession and communion with God as we have been admonished saying; “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. 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” (I John 1: 7-10).

And so, to maintain that close intimate relationship with the Father we have been instructed saying; “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1John. 1: 1-2).

One should also take into consideration the fact that, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness as illustrated by Jesus Christ Who during the last supper took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26: 27-28).

It is clearly stated; “for the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” And so, Jesus Christ has given His body to eat and His blood to drink in the form of the bread and wine in order to sustain our holiness (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22).

Therefore, being a new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness, and so, like righteousness, it is he who practices holiness that is holy even as Christ is holy. For we have been duly instructed saying; “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1John. 3: 7).

And so, it has been granted to us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. The provisions have already been made and therefore, we are without excuse. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9QXQ4E

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

In pursuit of holiness

Before embarking on the other critical choices we as believers have to make let us look t the subject of holiness because the rational for becoming slaves of righteousness it is to produce holiness which ultimately culminates to everlasting or the immortality of the body.

Holiness is defined as; “A unique quality of divinity; consecration to God; spiritual purity.” But can mortal man whose heart is said to be sinful above all things, and desperately wicked, and whose mind is enmity or hostile towards God, not subject to His law, and can never be in subjection, be holy?

Despite how gloomy and rather impossible that transformation may seems to be, the irony of truth is, God has chosen man in His Son Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world in order that, “he should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1: 4)

But the question is how feasible it is for sinful mortal man to be holy and blameless before God? One thing is certain, God would not require anything from us if He knows that it could not be fulfilled, neither would He require anything from us and not providing the provisions and resources by which it could be accomplished.

We are therefore admonished saying, “Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1Peter 1:13-16).

The feasibility of being holy and blameless before God is through God Himself who, has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ , and gave us the Ministry of reconciliation”: that is, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

God has now, “Reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Christ’s sacrificial body is the new and living way by which we can draw near to God in a holy and blameless state. (Colossians .1:21-22’Hebrews 10:19-20).

Hence the reason the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And such confidence he said, “Is ours through Christ before God– Not that we are competent or sufficient in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,  but our competence or sufficiency comes from God” (Philippians 4:13; 2Corinthians 3:4-5).

The Apostle Peter assured us by saying, “God’s divine nature has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness (2Peter 1:3).

Holiness and righteousness were imputed upon man at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At His death, He bore our sins and paid the price of sin in our stead. For, we judge thus: “That if one died for all, then all die. And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2Corinthians 5: 14-15).

At the resurrection of Jesus Christ, mankind became a new creation: he was created in righteousness and true holiness. For it is written: “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” (2Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24;1Peter 1:3).

Mankind inherited righteousness and true holiness from Jesus Christ at His resurrection. For, “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” We are the offspring of both the first and the last Adam. Christ is the vine and we are the branches (Acts. 17 28) John.15:5).

Because of God’s great love with which He loved us, ”Even when we (mankind) were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6).

Jesus Christ the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true—even in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1John. 5:20).

But the most important question for us is how are we able to sustain the righteousness and holiness of the new man which was created in us according to God?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/145385777X

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The third aspect of true righteousness

3.    The body of Jesus Christ

The third aspect of the act of righteousness to which we are enslaved is the body of Jesus Christ which represents the church that is sanctified and set apart from the world. We are enslaved to this aspect of righteousness by having due care and attention for one another as we have been duly admonished saying; “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1Corinthians 12:25-27).

It is this third aspect of enslavement to righteousness that unites the body of Jesus Christ, the church and presents the members as one before the Father as we have been duly admonished saying; “I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1Cornthians 10:15-17).

It is through the breaking of bread that members of the body of Christ becomes one and given access to the presence of the Father as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “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).

And so, the threefold aspect of the act of righteousness to which we are enslaved for having been set free from sin is first and foremost to Jesus Christ the Spirit Man from heave, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist: He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

And this preeminence is demonstrated and exemplified by declaring “His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens: Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary: Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name” (Psalms 96:3-8).

This act of service is accomplished by observing the Lord’s Sabbaths as we have been duly instructed saying; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2)

This act of service is also intertwined to the second threefold aspect of our enslavement; for it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus Christ) all the fullness (of the Godhead) should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

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.' It is in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Leviticus 17:11; Ephesians 1”7; Colossians 1:14).

 Then, intertwined with the second and first aspect of the threefold aspect of our enslavement to the act of righteousness is the body of Jesus Christ representing the church which according to the apostle Paul; “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:21-22)/.

So the act of righteousness to which we are enslaved for having been set free from sin is to offer the Lord the food for His offerings at the appointed times for thus says the Lord; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

And loving our neighbor as ourselves as we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” And by applying the practical example of love which says; “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but indeed and in truth” (Matthew 7:12; 1John 3:16-18).

So why are we slaves of righteousness? We have become slaves of righteousness in order to serve the Lord in His temple day and night, to become righteous just as Christ is righteous, and to serve one another. Therefore we have been admonished saying; “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

The sad thing is, instead of being slaves of righteousness, many choose to remain slaves to sin, and fail to fulfill the purpose for which Christ has been delivered us from sin.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9QXQ4E

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

The second threefold aspect of our enslavement to righteousness

2.    The Blood of Jesus Christ

The blood of Jesus Christ is the second of the threefold aspect of our enslavement to righteousness or our enslavement to God. For it is written; “For if by the one man's [the first Adam] offense  death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's [Christ the last Adam] righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life: For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:18-19.

This righteous act is the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ which is also the righteous acts of the saints that makes their garments white; as it is written; And to her [the church] it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. This righteous act is the application of the blood of the Lamb, which Jesus Christ offers as High Priest when interceding on our behalf (Revelation 19:8).

It is only the blood of the Lamb that can make one’s garment clean, for it is written; “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me; "these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’

“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:13-17).

One becomes enslave to this aspect of righteousness by taking heed to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings at the appointed time. For thus says the Lord; "Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

The church, the body of Christ as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. They are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people, that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”  (1Peter 2:5, 9).

This aspect of our enslavement is the source of our redemption, because without the shedding of blood there is no remission or forgiveness of sin. 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.' It is through the blood of Jesus Christ represented by the wine that we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Leviticus 11:7; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:22).

This aspect of our enslavement typifies also our enslavement to the way Jesus Christ lived because, “For to this we were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --- by whose stripes you were healed” (1Peter 2:21-24).

We are enslaved to this aspect of righteousness by practicing and imitating the life of Jesus Christ because, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world” (1John 4:17).

If we fall short in our pursuit in imitating the life of Jesus Christ provisions have been made to reinstate us, for we have been duly admonished saying: “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1John 2:1-2).

So in short, the second aspect of our enslavement to righteousness is the blood of Jesus Christ which refers to His life and the redemption price He paid for all humanity.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/145385777X

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

The threefold aspect of our enslavement to righteousness

1.    The Spirit

The first important aspect of our enslavement to righteousness or to God is Jesus Christ the Spirit who has Become for us wisdom from God --- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption ---that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD" (1Corinthians 1:30-31).

This is a fulfillment to a prophecy which states; "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

The Lord is our righteousness because He made things right with us with the Father, by paying the price of sin in our stead, and imputed to us the gift of righteousness by begotten us and creating in us a new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).

Jesus Christ is also the Spirit of truth by which we can draw near to the Father as explained by Jesus Christ Who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The truth here represents Jesus Christ Himself the Word of God Who said; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 14:6; 6:63).

Therefore, our first enslavement to righteousness or to God is to be obedient to Jesus Christ the Word of God, the Spirit of truth Who will guide us into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell us things to come (John 16:13).

The Spirit of truth also refers to Jesus Christ in His current position as our High Priest Who is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession on our behalf when we come to present ourselves before the Father as confirmed by the apostle Paul who wrote; “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).

So, the first of the three-fold aspect of our righteousness to which we are enslaved is Jesus Christ our Righteousness, Who is the Spirit of truth and our eternal High Priest, to whom we are to be obedient and submissive all the days of our lives.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9QXQ4E

 To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph