RIGHTEOUSNESS If theres any subject in Christendom that has attracted lots of controversies for so long is this very subject under discussion today - Righteousness. Therere just too many Christians even Christian leaders (ministers) up till date who still dont believe that its one hundred and one possible for man to be righteous even after he has received salvation. This is because theyve held so tightly to a widely quoted scripture in the book of the Prophet Isaiah that says: But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away Isa. 64:6 (KJV). Many Christian leaders or elders are still babes (infants) in the word of righteousness as recorded in Heb.5:13. Get it straight from me that this article isnt an attempt to pick at anybody. Absolutely NOT! Im just speaking the Word of God as it is. See, from my understanding of the Bible, elders arent just those grey headed people in the Church. Rather, theyre those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice of the Word of God to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law - Heb.5:14 (AMP). These are those the Bible referred to in the book of James when it asked: Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s Name. And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven James 5:14-15 (AMP). As Christian leaders or ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, its important that we fully comprehend the fact that weve been entrusted with a huge responsibility of teaching Gods people His Word. This however calls for a voracious appetite for the Word. A huge demand is placed on us to study and be eager and do our utmost to present ourselves to God approved (tested by trial), as a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. On the other hand, we must come to understand that our message to Gods people must first of all affect us at the place of studies, where we receive insights from the Word about whats on the mind of God concerning His people. If the message hasnt blessed us, it makes no difference how good we are in preaching or teaching such a message, it wont make any meaningful impact on the congregation no matter how they scream and shout in excitement. And as a minister, you must have it at the back of your mind that its of great importance that you hear from God before you mount the pulpit. Thats to say, you cant afford to prepare a casual message to teach Gods people. Dont prepare your own message except the ones inspired you of God and must be in the exact prescribed order. Never pick any subject or topic to preach or teach because it sounds good to you. No! You cant do that. Dont be in a haste to preach or teach a message that hasnt been inspired by God. Havent you read in the Bible that Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work? 2 Tim.3:16-17 (AMP). Thus, if the Scripture is put together (written) by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, why should your message be inspired by your small brain and not the One (God) who has placed you charge over His people? See, as a minister, you must understand and recognize at all times that the congregation belong to God no matter the number and that youre Gods mouth piece to them. Just like Moses in the Bible, you receive message from God for His people. No matter your age, as far as God is concern, youre their spiritual father. And as their spiritual father, its your responsibility to feed them with Gods Word not just with the sincere milk of the Word but with the strong meat of the Word (Heb.5:13-14). In the natural, any child whos being fed continuously with milk will remain as a babe (infant). Hell be physically weak and unfitting. But the one whos well fed with strong meat will be physically strong and fitting. The same applies to the spiritual. Any Christian whos continuously still being fed with the milk of the Word (that is, the elementary teachings of the Word after receiving salvation), will be deficient of spiritual nutrients and will be weak spiritually, but the one whos being fed with strong meat of the Word (that is, the fundamental principles of Gods Kingdom) will be spiritually strong and fitting for the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why as a minister of God, you must constantly be intuned with God through His Word and fellowship with the Holy Ghost. And note that the congregation you preside over is a reflection of your message(s) to them. That congregation can never go beyond the level of your revelation of God to them. So, if youre a baby minister, one who hasnt been trained and given to the Word, youll definitely end up raising a baby congregation, a congregation not well fed with the Word. For instant, as a minister if youve not been taught the concept of righteousness as it relate to the new creation in Christ, the congregation God made you charge over will have to struggle through life trying to make themselves righteous before God which cant be possible. This however, is the major reason members of certain congregations today are held captives in their minds because of the erroneous belief and teaching by whoever presides over them on this portion of scripture earlier read in Isaiah that says But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Theyre born again and yet, they still find themselves struggling to be righteous in the sight of God because theyve not been taught all that Christ has accomplished on their behalf regarding this subject. But its my heartfelt prayer for you today that as I share with you Gods Word on the subject of righteousness through this piece, the Spirit of God will cause your eyes of understanding to be enlightened and you shall be free from the bondage of religion and begin to enjoy all your rights is Christ in Jesus Name. Amen. To be continue.... Stay blessed!
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:39:05 +0000
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