Day of Atonement current or obsolete

One of the instructions the Lord gave to the children was, ""Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God.

For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath" (Leviticus 23:27-32)

I therefore beg to ask the question, what is the current status of this statute which was ordained forever throughout generations in all our dwellings? Is it current or has it become obsolete? To those who might think that this instructions are only applicable to the children of Israel, this is what the Lord says; "This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever" (Leviticus 16:29-31).

In our New Testament dispensation, believers do not have to wait once a year to have their sins forgiven, because we have Jesus Christ as Our Sin Bearer, our Advocate and High Priest, who continues to bear our sins, and who intercedes and pleads to the Father on our behalf.

And because He continues forever, we have an unchangeable priesthood who is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself" (Hebrews 7: 24-27).

And so we have the consolation which says, "My little children, and 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) .

The only difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament dispensation is application as we have been duly admonished saying; " Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 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" (Romans 14:4-6).

 Therefore, it is up to the individual to know and understand the relevance of this day which is to commemorate Jesus Christ as Our Sin Bearer, Advocate and High Priest, who continues to bear our sins, and who intercedes and pleads to the Father on our behalf and in recognition and appreciation of what the Lord has done, he who observes the day, observes it unto the Lord and he who does not observe it, to the Lord he does not observe it.

To those who would like to express their gratitude and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ for the work He is doing as our High Priest the Day of Atonement begins on Wednesday evening 15th September 2021,

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Responsibility of Church leaders

 

What is the role and responsibility of the church and its leaders in our new dispensation?

Since it is clearly stated that; “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” And, “the anointing which we have received from Him abides in us, and we do not need that anyone teach us; but as the same anointing teaches us concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught us, we will abide in Him.”

And since God has appointed in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues, how effective are these ministries in the light that it is the anointing who teaches us concerning all things?

Well the reason why He (God) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, it is for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until 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 ---(Ephesians 4:11-15).

The different ministries are for the edification of the church, 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. So, having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Ephesians 4:16; Romans 12:6-8).

The role of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and teacher is first and foremost to; “Shepherd the flock of God which is among them, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to them, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (Acts 20:28; 1Peter 5:2-4).

They are to warn the flock of impending disasters, they are to; "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up their voice like a trumpet and tell God’s people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” They are to act as a watchman for the house of Israel, hear a word from the Lord, and give warning from the Lord (Isaiah58:1 Ezekiel 3:17).

The members on the other hand have the responsibility to remember those who rule over them, who have spoken the word of God to them, whose faith they should follow and imitate not blindly, but as they imitate Christ, considering the outcome of their conduct (Hebrews 13:7).

And so the admonition is; “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.’

 “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” ( 1Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; 2Thessalonians 3:6-12).

 Members are also admonished to obey those who rule over them, and be submissive, receive them in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; for they watch out for our souls, as those who must give account. We are to let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for us. And we are urged to recognize those who labor among us, and are over us in the Lord and admonish us, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake and be at peace among ourselves (Hebrews 13:17, Philippians 2:29; 1Thessalonians 5:12-13).

We are also required to share in all good things with him who teaches following the example of the apostle Paul who wrote; “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

“Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void” (Galatians 6:6; 1Corinthians 9:11-15).

The apostle Paul further stated that, “It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors: For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages" (Romans 15: 27; 1Timothy 5:17).

Let us learn how to maximize the use of God’s grace to His honor and glory, and let us not be guilty of receiving it in vain.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Have we received the grace of God in vain (part three)

1. The Gospel

The fourth aspect of the grace of God is the gospel the medium by which we can grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because, the new man whom we have become is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him  (2Peter 3:18, Colossians 3:10).

God’s grace can be received in vain if we act like the servant who received the one talent and did not invest it, but hid it in a napkin. By abandoning God’s grace, never invest it, not making maximum, effective use of it and by not using it properly. This also refers to those who hold on to men’s traditions as alluded to in scriptures saying, “This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men” (Mark 7:6-9).

No matter what portion of grace one has received, it is grace that trains and teaches us. Our teacher is the Holy Spirit whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus Christ to teach us all things, and bring to remembrance all things spoken by Jesus Christ. We have an anointing from the Holy One and know the truth (John 14:26; 1John 2:20).

When we do not believe and understand the truth, we allow the wicked one to come and snatch away what is sown in our heart. According to the scriptures, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart” (Matthew 13:19).

But we have received the consolation saying, “The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1John 2:27).

As the Spirit teaches, our duty is to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and not to be conformed to this world, following the Status Quo, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God, and as we behold the glory of the Lord from what is learnt from the scriptures, we are to be transformed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another. Christianity is one’s personal relationship with God. It is, “To him who knows to do what is good, and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

”If one says, “Surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? Remember, each of us shall give account of himself to God. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (Proverbs 24:12; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

One thing we should all bear in mind is that, “God repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way; Each one will be rewarded according to his own work, the righteous judgment of God is to render to each one according to his deeds, each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor (Job 34:11; Psalms 62:12; Romans 2:6; 1Corinthians 3:8; Matthew 16:27).

Now when it comes to having faith it is also a matter between the individual and God, for we have been duly admonished saying; “If anyone has faith, let him has it to himself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14: 22).

Since Christianity is one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ, where does the church fit in this dispensation, or the stewardship that has been entrusted to it? Firstly, in this new dispensation we are all sufficient or competent Ministers of the new covenant. “Not that we are sufficient or competent in ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2Cornthians 3:4-6).

So then, where does the church and its leaders fit in our New Testament dispensation, inasmuch as it is the anointing which we have received from Him abides in us, and we do not need that anyone teach us; but as the same anointing teaches us concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught us, we will abide in Him. I therefore beg to ask the question again, have we received the grace of God in vain?

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Stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Spiritual implications of mandatory vaccinations

 

Spiritual implications of mandatory vaccinations

With the inclination to effect mandatory vaccination on the world’s population I wonder whether the authorities have taken into consideration the effect this will have on the spiritual aspect of man. Inasmuch as we are living in a so called God fearing nations and man is not only a physical being but also a spirit being it is imperative that when such decisions are made one should take not only the physical aspect of man into consideration but should also take the spiritual aspect of man into consideration as well.

I know that this is not an easy decision to make since the physical and the spiritual are at war and contrary to each other and these things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Corinthians 2:13-14).

Because of this, one would expect those who profess to be spiritual and believers in Jesus Christ to stand up and defend the spiritual aspect and perspective of life instead of succumbing to the demands and pressures of this evil world since we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. Unfortunately, instead of defending and safeguarding God’s people their so called leaders are leading them to the slaughter.

What then are the spiritual implications of mandatory vaccinations? Mandatory vaccination is first and fore most idolatrous, profane and abominable. To even suggest and conclude that a healthy unvaccinated individual is a health risk to others and will not be permitted to work, buy, sell, travel and attend school is preposterous because, what this implies is that the body of the vaccinated individual is far superior to that of the unvaccinated and that the wisdom of men is superior and greater than the power of God who designed and created the human body. What profanity!

Another spiritual implication of a mandatory vaccination is the subtle implementation and application of the number of the beast which is 666 in the minds of the vaccinated. The sixth letter of the alphabet is “F” and here are the three F’s or 6’s that have been imprinted in the mind of people.

6. Falsehood:  Since when is it ever feasible to put out fire with fire? In the same token, how can it be feasible to destroy a virus with another virus? It is impossible because, either the virus is mutated and made stronger but no way can one plus one result in nothing. Unfortunately, this is the falsehood that is being promulgated and disseminated with the virus and the vaccine.

6. Fear: This is the second six of the number of the beast and it is being instilled in the mind of people because they want to protect their livelihood and be accepted in society.

6. Faith: This is the third six of the number of the beast where most people come to have faith in the vaccine which is the wisdom of men than having faith in the power of God, but these times of ignorance God has overlooked but knows commands all men everywhere to repent.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The foolishness of man's wisdom

The foolishness of man’s wisdom

Despite of all what should be known with regards to the wisdom of men, people who should know better continue to place their confidence and faith in man’s wisdom instead of having their confidence and faith in the wisdom and power of God.

We have been duly admonished saying; “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours” (1Corinthians 3:18-21).

We have been further admonished saying; “For since the creation of the world His (God’s) invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:20-22).

The word also states; “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom” (1Corinthians 1:19-22).

As one can clearly see the wisdom of this world which seems right to a man but its end is the way of death is what many of the so called believers in Jesus Christ choose to place their trust in and intimidating others to do the same. But let us take the Corona Virus pandemic as an example of the futility of man’s wisdom, the origin or the root cause of the Corona Virus is man’s wisdom, whether it is intentionally or accidentally manufactured, the crux of the matter is, science, man’s wisdom is the root cause of this pandemic.

Yet still, man is being solicited and even trying to mandate that people follow the science and take vaccines manufactured from the very same source and the root cause of the pandemic, which is also the root cause of the variants which are obviously derived from a struggle and conflict in mutation between the virus and the vaccines. How more ironic can this be: Seeking from the very enemy, a remedy and a solution for the virus, its variants and vaccines which they have either intentionally or accidentally manufactured to obtain their objectives. What a joke! This is truly exposing the stupidity of man’s wisdom which unfortunately so many are blind to perceive. What a tragedy and stupidity?

But thankfully, there is a consolation; “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1Corinthians 1:25-29).

My amazement is seeing those who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ placing so much confidence and faith in the wisdom of men instead of having their confidence and faith in the power of God. Thankfully, I consider myself to be among the foolish, weak and base things of this world whom God has chosen to put to shame and expose those who are mighty.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Have you received the grace of God in vain? (part two)

 

1. God’s forgiving Mercy.

The third significant aspect of God’s grace is His act of forgiveness. The medium by which sins are forgiven, diseases healed, life redeemed from destruction as alluded to by the Psalmist who wrote; “Praise the Lord O my soul; and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalms 103: 2-5).

 If this aspect of God’s grace is not being realized one should question him/herself and ask why? It is further stated in the scriptures saying; “If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

“You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. ‘Because he loves Me’, says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:9-16).

And we have been given the assurance that, “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful” (1Corinthians 1:9).

Therefore, if for any reason a true believer in Christ is not reaping the benefits of this aspect of God’s grace, it is simply because he/she is not partaking of the provisions provided, maybe not as often as he/she should, or he/she is partaking of the provisions provided in an unworthy manner.

As it is clearly stated; “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself, that is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1Corinthians 11:27-30).

As often or whenever one eats this bread, and drinks this cup which represents the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he/she proclaims or makes known publicly, thus fulfilling the purpose for which Christ died, until He comes. Remember, the cup is the new covenant or agreement of Christ’s blood for the remission of sins, without which there is no forgiveness.

I again beg to ask the question, have we received this aspect of God's grace in vain?

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Have we received the grace of God in vain?

 

Have you received the grace of God in vain?

We grow up and live in a society where very few people emerge as leaders and the vast majority as followers. In the Christian life however, each one must learn to stand on his/her two feet firmly planted on the solid foundation which is Jesus Christ. Whatever one builds on this foundation, his/her work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work (1Corinithians 3:12-13).

It is written, “But to each one of us grace was or has been given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7).

Grace is what brought us thus far in life, and it is grace that will bring us to our final destiny. Grace is what taught our hearts to fear, and grace relieved us of fear. What is this thing called Grace? Grace is God’s Unmerited Favor, which consists of four things:

1. His only Begotten Son whom He gave for the life of the world

Jesus Christ is life eternal and the Father has given Him to man as a gift, by which all humanity can come to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3, 1John 5: 20).

He gives to all men life and breath and everything else so that men will seek Him, and perhaps reach out for Him, and find Him although He is not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our existence. By one Spirit we were all baptized or immersed into Him at His death. According to the words of Jesus Christ Himself, “I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (.John 12:24).

This He said referring to His body that has become the true vine and we are all the branches. The branch that does not bear fruit, the Father who is the husbandman cuts, and the one that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. In order to be fruitful one has to remain in the vine, because without Him one can do nothing.

The question is “Have we taken this aspect of God’s grace in vain?

2. Gifts, talents, and abilities:

This aspect of God’s grace is to be used to the honor and glory of God, and to minister to others for the benefit and common good of all. As it is written; “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 4:10; Romans 12:6; 1Corinthians 12:4-7).

 Have we again taken this aspect of God’s grace in vain?

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph