Luciusministry

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With brotherly love\

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

How are we to walk by faith (part 2)

To walk by faith necessitates that we overcome and resist the following:

d. Discouragements

One who walks by faith should not be discouraged because God is overall, and should remember the words Moses spoke to Joshua saying, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you… “And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you: He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31: 6, 8).

And according to the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel it is ' Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 1:6).

e. Doubts

To doubt is to be void of faith, and the word says quite clearly, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man supposed that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8).

Since God according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, those who have obtained like precious faith with the apostles by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1: 1-4).

f. Fear

To the children of Israel Moses said; “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:6-8).

It is stated that, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us (1John 4: 18-19).

It is further stated in scripture that; “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13).

In conclusion, to walk by faith is simple believing that, it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure, and that the substance of things hoped for, is Jesus Christ whom we must believe is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. And the evidence of things not seen is as Jesus said to doubting Thomas; “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

The challenge is to avoid the negatives, and accentuate the positives by doing what the Lord asked us to do, because faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. For someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe --- and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:17-20)

Faith therefore is being perfected by works as clearly stated by Jesus Christ who said “for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).

Nevertheless, one’s faith should be between him/herself and God, for we have been duly instructed saying “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:22).

It is therefore imperative for us as believers to learn to have faith in God and know for a fact that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, March 16, 2024

How are we to walk by faith

How are we to walk by faith?

Because of the assurance of Christ’s resurrection, believers are expected to be walking by faith and not by sight, because without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a re-warder of those who diligently seek Him, but how exactly is this being done?

To walk by faith one needs to know exactly what faith is, and it is stated quite clearly; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

The substance of the things hoped for that is called faith is complete confidence and trust in Jesus Christ, and the evidence of things not seen is the trust and confidence that all things are possible with Him. Walking by faith therefore is to think and believe like the apostle Paul who said; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And for it is God who works in you both to will, and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 4:13; 2: 13).

To walk by faith is to believe and practice what the scripture says about Jesus Christ, because the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:22-25).

To walk by faith one has to believe the scripture which says; “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:4-6).

To be walking by faith one is required to overcome at least six negative influences which are:-

a. Anxiety

We have been admonished saying’ “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

There is also the consolation which says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Let us not forget the words of Jesus Christ to His disciples which says’ “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, 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” (Matthew 6:25-34).

b. Despair/Despondency

This is a state of mind which normally stems from a condition of hopelessness especially when facing a crisis and having a dreadful feeling that nothing good can happen, or pining over losses of material things or loved ones. But regardless of the terrible loss we have been admonished saying, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."This sentiment is also echoed by the apostle Paul who wrote saying; “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Luke 12: Hebrews 13:5-6).

c. Disappointments

To walk by faith necessitates that we overcome disappointments because according to the scripture, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” And it is He who works in us both to will, and to do for His good pleasure.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Sunday, March 10, 2024

The Christian life

The Christian Life

With so many divergent views, and contrary opinions that are being circulated regarding the Christian life, many innocent, God-fearing people are in confusion and discombobulated not knowing who to believe. But somewhere we need to strike a balance, and rescue these innocent victims.

The Christian life is not that wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction and many are going through it, but it is a straight, narrow, and difficult way which stands between two extremes. It stands between the rough deadly and turbulent waters of legalism on one side, and the calm, placid, but highly toxic and deadly waters of liberalism on the other side.

The Lord’s instruction to us therefore is; “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7: 13-14).

The individual who desires to live the Christian life must be extremely vigilant and steadfast, so as to maintain his/her equilibrium and not stumble and fall in either extremes.

The reality is, there is not one single aspect of life that does not have or requires a set of living, practical principles which governs its growth and perpetuation. Every single aspect of life is governed by immutable laws without which it cannot exist. And the truth of the matter is, Ignorance of those laws is no excuse, if we know them and apply them, happy are we; on the other hand if we don’t know them and don’t apply them, we will have to pay the consequences.

This living principle is clear, for it is written; “And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:47-48).

These living principles are so impartial that one automatically reaps the benefits of obedience even when they are not knowledgeable of these existing laws, for it is written; “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Romans 2:12-6).

The Christian life is no exception, there is a thin line between law and grace, and if one is ignorant of it, he/she is apt to stumble and fall in either legalism or liberalism.

The thin line which exist between law and grace is that straight, narrow and difficult way that can be understood by understanding the apostle Paul’s statement which states; “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge; for they being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believe” (Romans 10:2-4).

Notice, the apostle Paul did not say that Christ is the end of the law of righteousness, what he said is, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, signifying that He did not do away with the law of righteousness, but did away with the law as the means of attaining righteousness.

The apostle Paul again addressed this issue by saying; “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” And in the same breath he says; “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

He asked again, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin (transgressing the laws of God) that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who have died to sin live any longer in it? He also said; “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet” (Romans 6:14-15; 1, 2, 7).

This law is found inscribed in the Lord’s everlasting covenant - the Ten Commandments. The thin line that exists between law and grace is simply this; It is utter folly to think and believe that there is no law, it is utter folly also to believe that there is no sin, because technically, and logically, sin is not imputed when there is no law. So the crux of the matter is this, the law though it exists and is in force, because it is spiritual, and eternal, it however, cannot save man from sin, it cannot produce the righteousness of God, and so Christ became the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For it is only through His sacrifice man is redeemed and saved from sin.

Even having faith in Christ does not annul or make null and void the law because the apostle Paul again says; “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).

The conclusion of the matter is, to the legalists although we agree that the law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good, when obeyed, it should not be under command, coercion or compulsion, but rather obeyed through faith and love, for it expresses our reverence, gratitude, and appreciation to the Lord. And whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

And to the liberals, it is ignorance and stupidity on your part to believe that our Loving God, our heavenly Father would allow every man to walk after the imagination of his/her own sinful heart, does what seems right in their own eyes and not directing them in the way that they should go, so that all may be well with them. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Perfect sacrifice of thanksgiving (part 5)

· The Life

The life by which we come to God is by the blood of Jesus Christ, which is represented by the wine. It is stated categorically that, “The life of every creature is in the blood, and God has given it to us to make atonement for our souls on the altar, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).

It is for this reason that on the night before Jesus Christ was led to be crucified, He instituted the new covenant of His blood by blessing the cup and gave thanks saying; Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28).
It is through this process that we can now 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, holding fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:19-25).

This is our door, our gate way our pass word to the Father, whenever we want to present ourselves before Him. For thus says the Lord; These are the Lord's appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the Lord by fire (zeal) – the burnt offerings (Christ the Lamb of God) and grain offerings (Unleavened Bread Christ's body), sacrifices and drink offerings (Wine; Christ's blood) required for each day. These offerings are besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides our gifts, besides all our vows, and besides all our free will offerings which we give to the Lord (Leviticus 23:37-38).

These are the times the Lord has ordained for people to come and give to the Lord the glory due His name; to bring an offering, and come into His courts, and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, therefore, it is required of all those who come near to God to regard Him as holy, For this is what the LORD spoke, saying: ' By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him. (Leviticus 10:3; Psalms 89:6-7).

Be reminded that, the church, the body of Christ was chosen in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4).

The scriptures are replete with instructions requiring the holiness of all those who appears before the Father but the question is, how does one becomes holy?

To become holy one must partake of the things by which the offering for sin was made just as the Lord instructed Aaron and his sons saying; “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 29:33).

To state it briefly, the formula for holiness is to partake of the things with which the atonement for sin was made which in our present dispensation is the body and blood of Jesus Christ represented by the bread and wine and the requirement for holiness is paramount because this is the will of the Father even before the foundation of the world.

As we have been duly instructed saying; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

And this state of holiness which is required of us on a daily basis is attained and sustained by have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. And this is required on a daily basis as we have been duly instructed saying; “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” (Luke 1:74-75).

Truly, these times of ignorance God has overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. We need to cease worshiping God in vain, and stop setting aside the commandments of God to keep the commandments of men, and our own traditions.