Luciusministry

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, February 20, 2025

The third application of the law of liberty

3, . Know that the Lord receives us

The third basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know, understand and believe that, the Lord has received us. So whether one eats or don’t eat, or whether one observes or do not observe days the Lord has received them both, and so we have been duly admonished saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3).

This sentiment is also applicable in the observation of days as clearly stated; “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. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”

‘For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's” (Romans 14:5-8).

What is imperative to note and understand by everyone is that; “For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Therefore, whether one eats or not, or observing or not observing days these have absolutely no effect on one’s salvation because, according to the apostle Paul; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them” (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)

.Nevertheless, what we all need to take into consideration is the fact that, despite the fact that it is by grace that we have all been saved through faith and it is not of ourselves but it’s God’s gift to man; “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:9).

Now, before getting into the good works which God ordained beforehand that we should walk in them we should also consider the apostle Paul’s admonition which states; “What then? Shall we sin (transgress the law of God) because we are not under law but under grace? The response is, “Certainly not! (Romans 6:15)

Why, because having been set free from sin (free from transgressing the law of God) one became slaves of righteousness and being slaves of righteousness means that the individual is living within the confines of the law because according to the apostle Paul; “knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1Timothy 1:9-10).

Now the good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in is categorized in two (2) basic categories as stated by Jesus Christ saying; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

Now love towards God is expressed through true spiritual worship which has specific protocols and guidelines and although one has the prerogative to observe or not to observe, if one chooses to worship the Lord it must not be done under compulsion, coercion, according to the imagination of one’s own heart or according to the customs and traditions of men, because there are specific protocols and guidelines as to how we ought to worship God.

The second aspect of the good works which were ordained beforehand that we should walk in is to love our neighbor as ourselves which in short means that we are to do unto others just as we would like them do unto us.

As believers therefore, we are to be very mindful and watchful that we do not allow ourselves to be caught up in the rough turbulent waters of legalism or in the calm, placid but deadly toxic waters of liberalism because they are both equally detrimental to our spiritual growth.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, February 15, 2025

How applicable is the law of liberty (part 2)

2. Receiving one another with understanding

The second basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to receive one another with understanding for we have been duly instructed saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3).

The crux of the matter is, “Food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But instead, we have been duly admonished saying; “Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.” In addition to this, we should not let our good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3: 8-9; Romans 14:16-17).

The logical advice therefore given to all believers is, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

This perception applies not only to eating and drinking but also when it comes to worship For this is what we have been duly admonished saying: “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. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:5-7).

But the question is, does this liberty give one the freedom to worship God when and how one desires? Absolutely not because there are specific guidelines and protocol on how God ought to be worshiped for we have been duly admonished saying; “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

We have also been admonished saying; “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name."

And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" (Romans 15: 7-11).

But the crux of the matter according to Jesus Christ is, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:22-24).

And so the logical question for every believer is, the rationale, the objective, the purpose, the manner and the day that we set aside to worship God is it in spirit and in truth! Is it in accordance to the word of God because Jesus Christ said quite explicitly; “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)?

Yes we do have the liberty to observe or not to observe but if we choose to observe are we observing the days which honors and glorifies the Lord as the Lord or are we giving honor and glory to another so called god? For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Therefore, although the law of liberty gives one the freedom to live with one another with understanding, nevertheless, if we are to worship the One and only true God in spirit and truth we are to appear before Him and worship Him on the days He has ordained and not according to the customs and traditions of men.

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, February 1, 2025

How applicable is the law of liberty?

The law of liberty like every other law is applicable and has huge benefits when obeyed and huge consequences when disobeyed. Like all other laws there is a literal and practical way by which it is applicable and there are six (6) basic principles on how to apply it.

1 Building one another without offending them

In applying this first principle the first thing one should take into consideration is the fact that it is by grace we all have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Furthermore, and if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 11:6).

In the same token we also have to consider the fact that, we are all His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, despite our liberty and freedom there are certain guidelines that regulates our daily living especially when it comes to the worship of the One and only true God and even though we may not be breaking these guidelines ourselves but will be guilty if we approve of those who practice them.

Therefore, we must learn how to build one another in the faith without offending one another for example we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.”

The apostle Paul continued admonishing us by saying; “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is un-clean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:14-22).

This principle applies not only to what one eats and drinks but also applies to the day (not a day) of worship as emphasized by the apostle Paul who wrote 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. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's: For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:4-9).

This freedom however does not give one the license to appear before God on a day/s that He has not ordained for thus it is written: “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense (prayer) is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).

Please note carefully that, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies and the sacred meetings which the Lord says that His soul hates and cannot endure iniquity and are a trouble to Him and He is weary of bearing them are not the Lord’s appointed festivals: But rather the times when one comes to appear before Him on a day or occasion which the Lord has not appointed or ordained to come and appear before Him.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Believe that Jesus Christ is the Eternal God

It is quite apparent that most people who profess to know Jesus Christ do not attribute to Him the same degree of honor that is given to the Father. But Jesus in no uncertain terms said to the Jews, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.’

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:19-23).

Now, the way one demonstrates his/ her belief in Jesus Christ as the Eternal God is by observing the Eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the day that the Lord was circumcised and through His circumcision, Gentiles who were called Uncircumcision and at that time were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world were brought near to God through the circumcision of Jesus Christ.

It is also on that day that, God the Father highly exalted Jesus Christ and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here lies the root cause of the many problems that we face in the Christian community, which is the failure to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name and following the protocol. For this is what the Lord says; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Inasmuch as no problem can truly be resolved unless we deal with the root cause of it, ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name in the prescribed manner is the solution to the plea that we all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among us, but that we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

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Saturday, January 25, 2025

The eighth integral aspect of believing in Jesus Christ

8. BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE ETERNAL ONE

The eighth integral aspect of believing in Jesus Christ is that He is the eternal One, denoting that He eternally existed and since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, Jesus retained the same glory which He had with the Father before time began. In His prayer to the Father Jesus said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as you have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.’

“And this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:1-5).

Jesus Christ said quite explicitly, “I and My Father are One” In revealing the Father to the disciples Jesus said, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14:7-11).

In His prayer to the Father Jesus said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as you have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.’

Yes to believe in Jesus Christ one must believe that He is eternal, “His years are throughout all generations. Of old He laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of His hands. They will perish, but He will endure; yes, all of them will grow old like a garment; like a cloak He will change them, and they will be changed, but He is the same, and His years will have no end” (Psalms 102:24-28).

And at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ`s kingdom on earth, then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power: For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For "God the Father has put all things under His feet:" But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted: Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him, who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1Corinthians 15:24-28).

Believing in Jesus Christ therefore, is more profound than most people have realized, and unfortunately because of this lack of understanding, many of those who profess to believe in Jesus Christ, do not ascribe to Him the glory and honor due to Him as the eternal God, which is the main objective for worship, even by the angels and the hosts of heaven.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Why should a day of great joy to all peoples be unknown to them (part2)

Again I beg to ask the question why should a day which was ordained to be a day of great joy to all peoples be unknown and hidden from them and thus having the need to be substituted by the pagan festival of Christmas?

According to prophet Daniel the kingdom of God will be established during the reign of the fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire). For thus he wrote; “As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it in pieces.” But the court, shall sit in judgment and his dominion shall be taken away, and to be consumed and destroyed to the end.’

“And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High’ their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them” (Daniel 7:23, 26-27).

The kingdom of God is the principal and ultimate objective for our righteous way of living. It is stated that when Jesus returns He will separate the sheep from the goats, and say to the sheep on His right hand, “Come you are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

The prerequisite for inheriting the kingdom of God is the immortality of our body; because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Now in order for the immortal to put on immortality, and for the perishable to become imperishable, the Holy Spirit must dwell in the individual; because it is only if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit which dwells in you.

The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, nor will the immoral, idolaters, adulterers, sexual perverts, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and robbers inherit the kingdom of God. Those who are guaranteed inheritance in the kingdom of God, and reaps God’s ultimate plan for man are those who drinks the water that Christ has given which is His blood, and it will become in him a spring of water, which is the Holy Spirit, welling up to everlasting life, which is the immortality of the human body. This is what believing in Jesus Christ entails, it is not merely a vague nebulous ideology with little or no substance.

But as believers, how do we demonstrate our belief in Jesus Christ as being the King of kings and Lord of lords? The way one demonstrates his/her belief in Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords is by observing the Feast of Tabernacles which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and also foreshadows the Millennium when the kingdom of God will be established on earth.

Remember, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and the way the King and the Lord of hosts will be worshiped in the future is stated as follows; “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16).

This festival commemorates the day the Word became flesh and tabernacle among men and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. When Jesus was brought before Pilate and he asked Him, “Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).

By observing the Feast of Tabernacles is how Jesus Christ is acknowledged as the King of kings and Lord of hosts and we have been forewarned saying; "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16-19).

Here again we see clearly that this festival was ordained for the joy of all peoples so I beg to ask the question again, why should a day ordained for the joy to all peoples be hidden, unknown and had to be substituted with the pagan festival of Christmas?

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