The kingdom of God suffers violence

How many of us heard that right?! The kingdom of God suffers y'all...."From the days of John the Baptist (Baptizer) until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence/force and the violent/forceful seize it" (Matthew 11: 12). I've been asking myself, and I want you to ask yourself too, who are the "violent" that take it by force?  

It is a tale of two kingdoms: there's a war going on between the kingdom of God on the one hand and the kingdom of darkness (largely represented by the marine kingdom) on the other hand. The forces of darkness (Satan and his agents) attack believers because, as Jesus said, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17: 20-21); we are "carriers" so to speak of the kingdom of God through the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3: 16) and the presence of Jesus (in spirit) in our midst when we gather together (Matthew 18: 19-20). We see their operations all around us, how in many places, they have rendered church attendance a mere formality, reducing it to a social gathering and fashion parade! I often think to myself, what spirit is behind that? I can't remember the last time I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in church.

 One day I went to a mid-week service and during the preaching, I could hear in the spirit someone saying something but I didn't know what they were saying. Next thing I knew, I was nodding off and could barely keep my eyes open! And so, they render church attendance ineffective, in order that believers do not benefit spiritually from going to church, causing people to fall asleep, distracting them in various ways so they are unable to focus on the word of God. Even worse, I've been in churches where in the spirit (ie. not audibly) I heard the words (instructions?) "Fornication with the pastor", and I've even been asked what color bra I'm wearing! So the violent or shrewd ones (see Luke 16: 8), in this context, are the agents of Satan coming against the kingdom (authority, will and word) of God, primarily by attacking the children of God and preventing people from finding God in the church.

Now how are we to respond when these things are happening to churches in our land, in our towns and homes as children of God? We're supposed to be pushing back the kingdom of darkness from our territory, they're not supposed to be ruling the spiritual atmosphere wherever we live (cf. 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5). How do we as believers deal with the incessant and offensive warfare from the kingdom of darkness, take back ground that has been lost to the enemy and exercise our God-given authority over the powers of darkness?

I recall the passage in Jude where the author talks about godless men that have slipped into their midst, who scorn authority, speaking arrogantly and presumptuously about things they don't really understand. Even the archangel Michael did no such thing, but said instead "The Lord rebuke you" when contending with Satan over the body of Moses (Jude 1: 9). Indeed, Jesus said in the Beatitudes that the MEEK shall possess the earth (Matthew 5: 5). Furthermore, the apostle Paul exhorts us not to sin when angry (Ephesians 4: 26). So think about whether some of the prayer points we say are in line with the word of God! 

Well, I don't claim to have the answers but I do know that prayer is the key. In James 5: 16, we are instructed to confess our sins and pray for one another...for the constant, consistent supplication of the just is very powerful. We must confess our sins in order to be "just" or right with God and regularly intercede for each other in prayer (cf. 2 Chronicles 7: 14; 1 Thessalonians 5: 17; Ephesians 6: 18). I think we must get angry in our spirits at the activities of the kingdom of darkness that we see all around us (Mark 3: 5; 1 John 3: 8) and pray forcefully, with greater vigor. In this way, we can seize or defend the kingdom of God here on earth from enemy attack (see Luke 16: 16; Matthew 18: 18). We are also to pray collectively for there is power in community (Hebrews 10: 25; Matthew 18: 19-20; Acts 4: 23-31). We must not only go to church but also be the church!

There's a contest for the kingdom of God. There's a race and sadly the church seems to be losing this race. However, I am encouraged by the promise of Jesus that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church of Christ (Matthew 16: 18). We have to be conscious of the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and be determined that Satan and his agents will not win (Luke 10: 17-20; 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4). Therefore, put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done ALL to stand, remain standing (Ephesians 6: 13).

Servant Eezy - Mad at Me

Is Jesus God?

Last updated: February  2022

In the early hours of Tuesday 20 April (2021), while reading my Bible, I received some revelation on 1 John 4: 2-3 "This is how you will be able to know whether it is God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God. But anyone who denies this about Jesus does not have the Spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the enemy of Christ (aka the anti-Christ); you heard that it would come, and now it is here in the world already."

I thought to myself and asked God why would the humanity of Jesus be the "acid test" that the Spirit is of God, when so many people agree that he was human but dispute his being God; the Muslims and even atheists acknowledge that Jesus was (just) a man, albeit good man, a prophet etc. 

By contrast, many Christians, especially in the West are emphasizing worship of Jesus and indeed praying to Jesus instead of God!

Feeling indignant about how the children of the world are always trying to steal from God's children (Luke 16: 8), especially through covert monitoring, I recalled with "righteous anger" Jesus rebuking the Pharisees in John 8, (not that I'm not comparing myself to Jesus!), when the passage about Jesus' humility in Philippians 2 came to mind.

Paul tells of how Jesus, even though he had the nature of God, did not exalt himself to the status of God but humbled himself: "...he did not think that by force he should try to remain (or become) equal with God" (verse 6). He NEVER commanded his followers to worship him as God. When Jesus said he and God the Father are one (John 10: 30), I believe he was talking about his fellowship and union with the Father, just as he prayed for his followers to be one (John 17: 11, 22-23) by being united to him (John 14: 20 & 15: 4-5). He did tell his disciples to pray to the Father in his name (John 14: 13-14 & 15: 16 & 16: 26). However, this is the trend we're seeing in modern day Christianity - the worship of Jesus replacing worship of God.

In Philippians 2: 7, Paul the apostle says 'he [Jesus] became "like" a human being and appeared in human likeness'.  And going back to our key verse in 1 John 4: 2, John, his close disciple, says that he came "as" a human being; they're both saying this by the Spirit of God. John said in his gospel that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1: 1-2) sent down from heaven and in Psalm 107: 20, it says he [God] sent his word [Jesus?] and healed them. To use an analogy, the message (gospel, word) or the messenger (prophet, apostle, Son cf. Matthew 21: 33-46) is not greater than the one who sent it (1 Corinthians 15: 24, 27-28). Moreover, I really don't think anyone can conclusively argue from Scripture that Jesus said he was God.

Then I thought of the verse in Revelation 19 : 10 where John wanted to worship the angel who told him "Don't do it! I am a servant (one who serves) together with you and your fellow-believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God! For the truth that Jesus revealed is what inspires the prophets (in some translations, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy)."

So what then is the truth that Jesus revealed? He claimed he was the way to the Father (John 14: 6) and plainly states in John 14: 28 that the Father is greater than him!

Then a passage of Scripture God has been using to convict me came to mind, 1 Timothy 2: 3-6 "This is good and it pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth. For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man (there it is again!) Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem everyone."  (Today's English Version)

Therefore, this trend in modern day Christianity of worshipping Jesus as God does not seem to be sound doctrine or in line with Scripture or even what Jesus himself taught. Rather, it seems to be a false doctrine from the spirit of the anti-Christ, the one who will set himself up as God, who is already in the world, and has been here for thousands of years (1 John 4: 3).

In fact, I overheard a woman who sat next to me on the bus the previous evening say, "Jesus Christ is a Christian", and wondered if she actually knew what she was saying or if it was the result of some botched "programming".

My concern is that Christians are being deceived by this spirit of error and that, in these "end-times", a man will arise from a "church" background, claiming to be Jesus Christ, and set himself up to be worshipped as God. Many will be deceived because they've already been indoctrinated (programmed) into the belief that Jesus is God, worship Jesus. 

It is crucial that we don't substitute the worship of a man for the worship of God, which perhaps is the hidden agenda of the anti-Christ spirit, and why the apostles and early disciples of Jesus emphasized his coming as a man, taking on the nature of a servant (Philippians 2: 7) which is also stated by Jesus, see Matthew 20: 28; Mark 10: 45; John 13: 1-17. He did NOT make himself equal with God, setting an example for us to follow (cf. John 20: 17). Worshipping a man as God is idolatry (Deuteronomy 6: 4-5).

I believe God, who knows the end from the beginning, wants everyone to come to a knowledge of the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment, by the Spirit of truth who comes from Him (John 16: 7-13). God cares about us and He knows there's this big deception, and will use whoever He can to try and save as many as possible (John 3: 16; 1 Timothy 2: 4-5).

Victory through the Word - Love

These three abide - Faith, Hope and Love

"Eandem in spe et fide quam in amore." The same in hope and faith as in love. Bengel 

Love is the quintessential characteristic of Christianity and those that are mature in the faith (ie. mature believers) must walk in love, for God is love (1 John 4: 8). And to love God with all your heart, understanding, and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12: 33).

Loving God

Deuteronomy 6: 5 - And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might [cf. Deuteronomy 30: 6].

Psalm 91: 14 - Because he has set his love on Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My name [cf. Psalm 119: 132]

Psalm 145: 20 - The LORD preserves all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

2 Chronicles 19: 2 - And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Should you help the wicked and love those that hate the LORD? Because of this, the LORD'S anger is upon you.

Exodus 20: 6 - And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments [cf. Deuteronomy 7: 9-10].

1 John 5: 3 - For to love God means to keep his commandments, and his commandments are not oppressive [cf. Matthew 11: 30].

Romans 8: 28 - And we know that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to his purpose [cf. Isaiah 64: 4].

1 Corinthians 8: 3 - But God knows all those who love Him [how encouraging!].

1 John 2: 15 - Do not love the world [i.e. the world’s system as opposed to the natural world or God’s creation] or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him [cf. Revelation 18: 4-13].

Matthew 6: 24 (also in Luke 16: 13) - No one can serve two masters, for he will either hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [the love of God and love of money are incompatible cf. Hebrews 13: 5, Mark 10: 23; Matthew 6: 21; Ecclesiastes 5: 10-11]

1 Timothy 6: 10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; some have been led astray from the faith by their craving, and have pierced themselves with many pains.

1 John 5: 1 - Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah is born of God [i.e. a child of God], and everyone who loves the Father, loves His child(ren) [The worship of Jesus by Christians may seem absurd to those of other religions and of none. After all, it is stated here in the Bible that he too is a child of God. However, this practice is not unheard of; to use an old testament example, in 1 Kings 1: 34-35, King David said, "Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and say 'Long live King Solomon!...and he shall reign in my place, for I have appointed him to rule over Israel and Judah'. Like the Davidic dynasty, God the Father has appointed the Son to reign in the present dispensation of grace (ie. the Church era; see Philippians 2: 9-11; Ephesians 1: 19-22; 1 Corinthians 15: 24-28), and is glorified not diminished by this].

Revelation 2: 4 - But I have this against you, that you have left your first love [alternatively, you have lost the love you had at first (CJB)].

Matthew 24: 12 - And because iniquity [some translations, lawlessness cf. 1 John 3: 4] shall abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Loving people

Romans 13: 10 - Love does not harm his neighbour. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law/Torah [see Luke 10: 25-37].

Psalm 119: 165 - Those who love your law have great peace; nothing makes [or causes] them to stumble [cf. 1 Peter 2: 7-8].

1 John 2: 10 - He who loves his brother abides [remains] in the light, and [seeing clearly] there is nothing in him that makes him stumble [cf. ibid. verse 11 & Matthew 6: 22-23].

Leviticus 19: 18 - You shall not take revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD. [Although we are to love people in general, it is important to read this verse in context. Here God is talking to Israel, who was chosen from among the nations to be His people, and is laying down the law for how God’s people are to treat one another, which is taken up by Jesus in his new commandment to his disciples/followers in John 13: 34-35 cf. Zechariah 8: 16-17, Romans 13: 9; James 2: 8; Luke 10: 25-37]

Leviticus 19: 34 - But the foreigner living among you shall be to you as the native-born, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God [cf. Deuteronomy 10: 18-19; Isaiah 56: 6-8].

John 13: 34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another [clearly this is referring to loving fellow disciples/Christians].

1 Peter 1: 22 - Seeing you have purified your souls in obedience to the [gospel] truth so you have sincere brotherly love, love one another fervently with a pure heart:

1 John 4: 7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4: 12 - No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us [see 1 John 4: 20].

1 John 3: 14 - We know that we have passed from death to [eternal] life, because we love the Christian brethren. Whoever does not remains under [condemnation of] death [being alienated from God cf. Luke 15: 31-32].

1 John 4: 16 - We know and have believed the love which God has [deposited, Romans 5: 5] in us. God is love, and he who abides in love remains in God, and God remains in him. [We remain in God by keeping His commandments (John 15: 10), especially loving one another.] 

Hebrews 10: 24 - And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good works [cf. Galatians 5: 14-15].

Ephesians 5: 33 (see also  ibid. verse 5) - Nevertheless let each man so love his wife as he loves himself; and the wife is to respect her husband.

Proverbs 15: 17 - Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

Proverbs 10: 12 - Hatred stirs up strife but love covers all sins [cf. 1 Peter 4: 8; Luke 7: 47; Proverbs 17: 9].

1 John 3: 18 - Little children, let us love not only in word and talk, but also in action and truth [cf. Ephesians 4: 15].

Romans 12: 9 - Let love be genuine, without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good [cf. Amos 5: 15; Proverbs 27: 5-6].

Ecclesiastes 3: 8 - A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

1 Thessalonians 3: 12 - May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for everyone, even as we do for you:

Matthew 5: 44-45 - (also Luke 6: 35 cf. Exodus 23: 4-5) - But I say to you, Love your enemies, and pray for them who persecute you [cf. 1 Peter 3: 9], that you may [truly] be children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise [impartially] on the evil and the good, and sends his rain on the just and the unjust [I have often wondered how God can tolerate the wicked until one day while praying I felt his conviction that I was behaving like the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32). Then I saw it from his perspective as a Father (Hebrews 12: 9) who still loves all his children/creation regardless (Ezekiel 18: 23; 2 Peter 3: 15). Unforgiveness and hatred of your enemies could give Satan and his agents the “legal right” to afflict you (see Matthew 18: 34-35; 1 Peter 4: 8) which, in my experience, may take the form of constant harassment both spiritually and physically. Remember every trial has a purpose (Luke 22: 31-32; 1 Peter 1: 6-9; James 1: 2-4), and although others might mean it for evil, God allows it for our good in the long run (Genesis 50: 20; Romans 8: 28).]

Proverbs 17: 17 - A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for [times of] adversity.

John 15: 13 - Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends [and how much greater is the love of God, exemplified in Jesus Christ who laid down his life for his enemies!].

God’s kind of love

Romans 5: 8 - But God demonstrated his love for us through Christ dying for us while we were still sinners.

John 3: 16 - For God loved the world by giving his one and only Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life [God never asks us to do what He isn’t prepared to do himself cf. Genesis 22: 1-12].

Ephesians 5: 2 - And walk [live] in love, just as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God with a sweet-smelling fragrance [we are to reciprocate the sacrificial love of God see Romans 12: 1; cf. Genesis 8: 21].

Psalm 11: 7 - For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteousness; the upright will see his face. [Do we love what God loves? See Isaiah 61: 8; Proverbs 15: 8-9; Psalm 33: 5, 45: 7, 97: 10, 99: 4, 119: 47]

Micah 6: 8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?

Proverbs 3: 12 - For whom the LORD loves he corrects, like a father the son he loves (cf. Hebrews 12: 6; Proverbs 13: 24; Revelation 3: 19).

1 John 2: 5 - But, truly, love for God has been perfected in whoever keeps his word: this is how know we that we are in him.

John 14: 23 - Jesus answered him, Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and live with him [through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, see ibid. verses 16-20].

Romans 5: 5 - And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love [love which is from God] is poured out into our hearts  through the Holy Ghost who was given to us.

1 Thessalonians 4: 9 - But concerning brotherly love, you don’t need me to write to you: for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another [when/how would these Gentile believers (see 1 Thessalonians 1: 9), who presumably don’t attend the synagogue, have been taught by God, except by the Holy Spirit (see Colossians 1: 8)?]

2 Timothy 1: 7 - For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but [a spirit] of power, love and self-control.

Galatians 5: 22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering/patience, kindness, goodness, faith/faithfulness...

Romans 11: 28 - As concerning the gospel, they [Israel] are enemies [opposed to the gospel] for your sake [so that you may receive salvation through hearing the gospel see Matthew 4: 12-17, v.25 & 28: 19], but concerning election [being chosen for salvation], they are loved for the fathers’ [patriarchs] sake [God is faithful to his covenant promises].

Jeremiah 31: 3 - The LORD appeared to me long ago, saying, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness [some translations, mercy] have I drawn you.

Hosea 14: 4 - I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away from him [Israel].

Song of Solomon 8: 7 - Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

Galatians 5: 6 - For in Jesus Christ what matters is not whether or not you are circumcised but faith acting in love.

Ephesians 3: 19 - And to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Romans 8: 39 - Neither height, nor depth, nor any created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 37 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Philippians 1: 9 - And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and in all discernment,

1 John 4: 18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect [ie. obedient, see 1 John 2: 5] love casts out fear [of judgment, ibid. verse 17], because fear has to do with punishment [some translations, torment]. The one who is fearful has not been made perfect [through obedience] in love.

John 12: 25 - He who loves [is attached to] his life loses it, and he who hates [does not cling to] his life in this world will keep it for eternity [cf. John 10: 17].

Revelation 12: 11 - And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even to death.

1 Thessalonians 5: 8 - But let us who belong to the daylight stay sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love [love is therefore an essential part of our spiritual armour; this breastplate is also described as righteousness in Ephesians 6: 14]; and the hope of salvation for a helmet.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 - Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs [cf. Isaiah 43: 25]. Love takes no pleasure in evil [cf. Ezekiel 18: 23] but delights in the truth. Love never gives up, always trusts, always hopes, always endures.

1 Corinthians 13: 13 - But now abide faith, hope and love - these three. And the greatest of these is love.

Victory through the Word - Hope

These Three Abide - Faith, Hope and Love

Happy 2020 y’all!!!! How’s everyone going with their new year resolutions? Where would we be without hope eh? ;)  We all have things we hope for and in adverse circumstances, hope may be the only thing that keeps us going. What does the best selling book of all time, the Bible, have to say about hope?

Proverbs 13: 12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 23: 18 - For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off [the context (see verses 15-17) is the dilemma of the prosperity of sinners, those who do not fear God; the exhortation is nonetheless to follow the example of the wise, those who fear the Lord (see Proverbs 9: 10 & 24: 14)].

Ephesians 4: 4 - There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope of your calling. [It is important to note that just as there is one Christian faith (verse 5), so there is but one hope which, to my mind, is the hope of eternal glory, being with God and as He is for eternity (cf. Titus 2: 13 and Colossians 1: 27). This hope is multi-faceted and has various aspects and stages, including salvation, regeneration, resurrection etc. All who have this hope are united as one body, the body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.]

1 Peter 3: 15 - But in your hearts sanctify (set apart) the Lord Christ (cf. Isaiah 8: 13), and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear [given that Jesus Christ himself told Peter and the other disciples not to predetermine what to say when under trial (see Matthew 10: 19 & Luke 12: 11-12), ‘always being ready’ in this context may perhaps be interpreted as a willingness to speak up for the faith at all times, even if you haven’t prepared what to say in advance.]

Colossians 1: 4-5 Having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens [ie. our heavenly inheritance, see 1 Peter 1: 3-4], of which you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel [so the fruit or outworking of this hope is faith in Christ and love towards the body of Christ (aka saints)].

Romans 8: 24-25 - For in [into] this hope we were saved: but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees [has obtained]? But if we hope for what we don't see, then we wait for it with patience [hope helps us persevere, see 1 Thessalonians 1: 3 and Hebrews 6: 11-12].

Hebrews 3: 6 - But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast [steadfast confidence (in some translations, boldness) derived from hope is an essential trait of those who are members of God's house or family (see Numbers 14: 6-9 & v. 24 and beginning of Revelation 21: 8). The fount of both our confidence and hope is the faithfulness of God himself, see Hebrews 10: 23].

Psalm 119: 49 - Remember your word to your servant, upon which you have given me [cause to] hope. [Is the psalmist referring to God's word in the Torah which perhaps he has internalized, or a prophetic "rhema" word given directly to him? Whichever the case may be, the word he has received and believed has become a source of confidence and comfort to him in times of affliction cf. Psalm 130: 5.]

Psalm 31: 24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.

Hebrews 6: 18-19 - That by two unchangeable things [the promise to Abraham and confirmation by oath see Genesis 22:16-18], in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled [to God] for refuge might be strongly encouraged to take hold of [grasp] the [gospel] hope set before us, which we have as an anchor of the soul [that which keeps our souls from straying, see 1 Peter 2: 25], a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil [the presence and glory of God].

Hebrews 7: 19 - (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope [of salvation] is introduced, by which we draw near to God [What is meant by "made...perfect" in this verse? This is surely not a reference to our future glorification ie. the resurrected body and restoration of all that was lost in the Fall, see Romans 8: 18-23. Reading around the text suggests that Paul is talking about the perfection of our conscience now from the consciousness or guilt of sin, see Hebrews 9: 8-10 &  Hebrews 10: v.1-4, v.14 & v.19-23.]

Zechariah 9: 12 - Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of [the] hope; even today I declare that I will restore to you double [Although this verse is referring to the physical captivity of the Israelites in exile, it also has a deeper, spiritual meaning that is applicable to us today ie. deliverance from bondage to sin and (greater) spiritual restoration of our status and relationship with God before the Fall, see Colossians 1: 27].

Jeremiah 29: 11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you hope in your latter end [in some translations, a hope and a future; an expected end. God's plan is for his children to prosper but often He goes about it in unconventional ways, through the fire of affliction and trials. Often this seems cruel to us but God is only subjecting us to the same treatment as his only begotten Son, perfecting us through suffering (1 Peter 2: 21; Hebrews 2: 10), and preparing us for better things to come.]

Romans 12: 12 - Rejoicing in hope, enduring in oppression, continuing steadfastly in prayer. [Maintaining a joyful hope is a recurrent theme in Paul’s letters eg. Philippians 4: 4.]

2 Corinthians 1: 10 - [God] who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will yet again deliver us. [As I write this I am currently under such spiritual attack in Africa that, like Paul, I’ve “despaired even of life”. And, just like Paul, I have prayed repeatedly for this thorn in the flesh to be taken from me but here I am still getting pricked. I think the reason for this protracted trial is perhaps so that I too can come to the end of myself and learn to trust solely in God (see verse 9 & 1 Samuel 13: 8-14), and discover that his grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10). And so suffering works in us hope (cf. James 1: 3 and Romans 5: 3-4) - as exemplified by the hope that Paul expresses here - if God has done it before, he can do it again!].

Romans 5: 5 - And hope does not make us ashamed because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us [the Holy Spirit relays and deposits into our hearts a knowledge and awareness of God’s love for us, as well as a reciprocal love for God albeit unequal in magnitude].

Romans 15: 13 - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in [through the indwelling presence and] the power of the Holy Spirit.

What are some aspects of the gospel hope (Colossians 1: 23)?

Grace & Mercy 

2 Thessalonians 2: 16 - Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by [His] grace (cf. Hebrews 4: 16).

1 Peter 1: 13 -Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ [hope continually on the grace God is giving you incrementally as you grow in the knowledge (and likeness) of Jesus Christ until that hope is fulfilled at the second coming of Christ "when Christ...is revealed" see Colossians 3: 4].

Psalm 33: 18 - Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in (some translations, await) his mercy (cf. Psalm 147: 11).

Psalm 130: 7 - Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption (cf. Lamentation 3: 21-23). 

Salvation 

1 Thessalonians 5: 8 - But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation [being ever mindful of the gospel truth that God himself has appointed or predestined us for salvation through Jesus Christ (see verse 9) is our defence against the twin weapons of fear and unbelief which Satan, the adversary, uses to make us doubt our salvation. A good analogy is having a doctor's appointment or a date. It's already been booked, you get regular reminders, all you have to do is show up and not get caught up in the things that can hinder or derail you; in this case it's an appointment unto salvation. It is notable that Paul adopts the imagery of the Lord as Saviour and intercessor in Isaiah 59: 17, and applies it to us.]

1 John 3: 3 - And everyone who has this [gospel] hope in him [of predestination unto salvation and becoming like God, see verse 2]  purifies himself, even as he is [already or being made pure (cf. 1 John 4: 17b; see Philippians 2: 12 ‘works out his salvation’ even as he is saved); alternatively, everyone who has this hope purifies himself just as God is pure, is perhaps the more common interpretation of this verse, see 1 Peter 1: 16]. 

Psalm 119: 166 - LORD, I have hoped for your salvation, and done your commandments [here we see the psalmist’s faith combined with works ie. obedience to God’s commandments cf. James 2: 17-18]. 

Lamentations 3: 26 - It is good that a man should both hope and quietly [implies patiently] wait for the salvation of the LORD (cf. Isaiah 30: 15). 

Resurrection 

1 Peter 1: 3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again [ie. spiritual rebirth; I like the NHEB translation of this, ‘who...became our father again’] unto a lively [some translations, living] hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15: 20; 1 Thessalonians 4: 14).

1 Corinthians 15: 19 - If our hope in Christ is for this life only, we are to be pitied more than all men [Just as our faith is meaningless without the resurrection of Christ from the dead (see verse 17 of the same passage), so too our hope in Christ if this life is all there is.]

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like [in the same manner as] the rest, who have no hope. 

Glory 

Colossians 1: 27 - To whom [ie. the saints] God has chosen to make known the riches [treasure, abundance] of this glorious mystery among the Gentiles (non-Israelites, see Ephesians 3: 6; Galatians 3: 14), which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Ephesians 1:18 - The eyes of your understanding [in some translations, heart] being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling [some translations, the hope to which you were called], what are the riches [wealth, abundance] of his glorious inheritance [heritage, rights, privileges] in [reference to, (p)reserved for] the saints (eg. Isaiah 54: 17).

Romans 5: 2 - Through whom [ie. Jesus Christ] we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of [in some translations, sharing; experiencing] the glory of God [ie. partaking of the divine nature cf. Romans 8: 30, John 17: 22]. 

Eternal life 

Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (see Titus 1: 2). 

Galatians 5: 5 - For we through the Spirit wait by faith for the hope of righteousness [alternatively, the hope of having been made righteous. This righteousness is forward looking and pertains to eternal life, thus incorporating all of the above-mentioned things hoped for cf. 2 Corinthians 5: 21;  2 Timothy 4: 8; Romans 5: 21 CJB].

The Power in the Blood of Jesus

“There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb, there is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.”

These old hymns contain some timeless and precious truths, which sadly are not understood by many today. This post is an attempt to explain the significance of the blood of Jesus, what it has done for us and the implications that follow.

The Law

In the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20), God tells us not to make, possess, worship or serve other gods and idols. He makes it known that he is jealous and will punish the children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate him (Exodus 20: 5). What this means is that not only will you suffer the consequences of your own sin (Deuteronomy 27: 26; Ezekiel 18: 4), unless you repent you will also pay for the sins, particularly that of idolatry, of your forefathers (ancestors).

The Judge: God's Verdict

“I will not profane my covenant or alter what my lips have spoken” (Psalm 89: 34). If we are faithless God remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2: 13). This is the crux of the matter. What this means is that God stands by His Word, which cannot be revoked. He is watching over His Word to bring it to pass (Jeremiah 1: 12), whether good or bad, blessings or curses, if the conditions are met. The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15: 56). If you break the law, you will be penalized. However, this is often God's way of disciplining those He loves. His purpose is to bring about repentance and in turn cessation of punishment, and the sooner the better. God is not a sadist - He does not even delight in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18: 23, v32).

The Prosecutor: Satan the Adversary

Satan is a legal expert and knows the Bible inside out. The minute we break one of God's laws (righteous requirements), he stands ready to accuse us before the heavenly court (Revelation 12: 10) and to demand that we are punished on the grounds of God's justice. God's hands are tied: He cannot deny His word. Therefore, Satan has a licence through sin to wreak havoc in a person's life, which, unlike God, he takes great delight in doing. This commonly happens through generational curses, and curses spoken by mediums and other practitioners of sorcery and divination e.g. Balaam the prophet who was hired by Balak the king of Moab to curse the Israelites (Numbers chapters 22-25). For instance, they may "divine the moment of God's anger and utilize it to bring a curse" on someone (see footnote to Numbers 24: 1 in the Tanach, Stone edition), which could work because the presence of sin in the person's life makes the curse legitimate (Proverbs 26: 2). Therefore people perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4: 6; John 8: 31-36) due to ignorance about the spirit realm and spiritual laws.

The Defendant: The Christian

The believer who understands all that the blood of Jesus has attained for him or her can plead “Not Guilty” to Satan's accusations. On what basis? It is written through the blood of Jesus we have redemption and the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7). Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, taking our curse on himself when he died on the (wooden) cross, for it is written cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (Galatians 3: 13; Deuteronomy 21: 22-23). He has blotted out the ordinances (regulations) that were against us, nailing it to his cross (Colossians 2: 13-14 cf Isaiah 43: 25). Through the blood of Jesus we have been justified (Romans 5: 9) or vindicated and sanctified, set apart unto God (Hebrews 13: 12). By his stripes (wounds), we are healed (Isaiah 53: 5).

In order to avail ourselves of these covenant promises, we first have to break all other agreements and covenants that either we or our ancestors have made, knowingly or unknowingly, through idolatry, involvement in divination, sorcery etc (1 Corinthians 10: 14-22; Deuteronomy 18: 9-14 & 7: 26), so that our covenant with God through the blood of Jesus can take effect and his blood can begin to act on our behalf (Matthew 26: 28; Hebrews 9: 22; Leviticus 17: 11; John 1: 29). Furthermore, we have to resist any efforts by the other party to reinforce the former covenant/agreement, which usually happens covertly in the spirit realm, and which we become aware of through our dreams. This is done by repenting (Mark 1: vv. 4 & 14-15), verbally confessing our sins and those of our ancestors (see Daniel 9: 1-20; Romans 10: 10) and renouncing any evil agreement that has been made. Plead the blood of Jesus over your life and against their advances because by his blood we have been reconciled to God (Colossians 1: 19-20) and transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1: 13-14). It may also be necessary to cast out any demons or unclean spirits that have entered your life through a curse or involvement in the occult by commanding them to leave in Jesus’ name, supplemented with prayer and fasting depending on the kind of evil spirit you are dealing with (Matthew 17: 14-21).

The blood of Jesus is our defense plea (Revelation 12: 11). We can use it to rebut Satan's accusations because Jesus has paid in full the price for our sins, satisfying God's wrath (Romans 6: 23). However, his blood bought covenant promises are conditional - we have to be walking in the light; in other words, we have to be living right (Hebrews 10: 26-31; John 3: 18-21; 1 John 1: 5-10). Only then are we covered by his blood which is continually cleansing us from all sin. So next time you're feeling condemned and all hell is breaking loose, instead of pleading the fifth amendment, plead the blood of Jesus (Romans 8: 34)!

Victory through the Word - Faith

These Three Abide: Faith, Hope and Love

Habakkuk 2: 4 - Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith (cf. Genesis 15: 6).

1 John 5: 4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that has  overcome the world, even our faith. [Because Christ has overcome the world, if we are in Christ i.e. united with him through faith, so have we cf. John 16: 33; Revelation 12: 11; Ephesians 4: 5].

Hebrews 11: 1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [Faith is the substance or essence (in some translations "assurance") of "things hoped for" - is faith derived from hope cf. Colossians 1: 4-5)? It is also evidence of unseen truths and realities (2 Corinthians 4:18; Ephesians 6: 12; 1 Peter 1: 7-8; 2 Corinthians 5: 7) e.g. an afterlife that so many believe in. The fact that you have faith is the evidence that these things, though unseen, are real!  True faith, the kind that endures testing and persecution, must therefore be something supernatural, outside of ourselves, that we cannot conjure up or produce on our own (Ephesians 2: 8; Romans 5: 7; Mark 13: 11; Matthew 13: 11-16)].

Hebrews 11: 6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that He Is [that he exists cf. Exodus 3: 14], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1 Peter 1: 8-9 - Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  [Buddhism teaches that Nirvana, a state of liberation from samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth) involves renunciation of the world and self or ego, leading to a state of “emptiness” (sunyata) or freedom from attachments and suffering, and is achieved by one’s own efforts.  This reminded me of a time I heard a young man of SE Asian origin say in the supermarket that you control your own stress, which many people try to do through yoga, meditation etc. In Hinduism, it is characterized by renunciation of the world (sannyasa) and unity or oneness between the self or soul (Atman) and the Hindu godhead (Brahman) whereas, in Christianity, “liberation” or salvation of the soul is from bondage to sin (not samsara) and is achieved by faith in Christ (Galatians 3: 26), through which we have overcome the world (1 John 5: 4) and the worldy or “fleshly” passions/lusts that war against the soul (1 Peter 2: 11).

I am amazed at some of the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity e.g. the doctrine of renunciation, “dying to self”, asceticism, self-control and mindfulness or constantly being aware of one's thoughts and reactions, in order to ward off unwholesome qualities (thoughts, emotions, desires) and to develop positive qualities by meditating on the good, see Philippians 4: 8. How can this be when Buddha lived 500 years before Jesus and even earlier than Paul, an apostle of Jesus who wrote Philippians and many of the New Testament books of the Bible? Did Paul even know about Buddha, given that this was way before the industrial era, radio, newspapers, television and the internet, or could it be the same eternal Spirit guiding them into knowledge of truth, albeit in part (1 Corinthians 13: 12; John 16: 13; 2 Peter 1: 20-21)? Was Buddha himself led by the Holy Spirit without recognizing it (Galatians 5: 22-23)?]

Romans 10: 8-10 - But what does it say? [i.e. faith-based righteousness, see v.6] The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [it is worth noting the above-mentioned belief is in the resurrection of Jesus, without which our faith in the atonement made by his death is not justified see 1 Corinthians 15: 17.]

1 Corinthians 15: 17 - And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [This implies that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to our faith; without it our faith is meaningless cf. Ephesians 4: 5].

Galatians 3: 2 - Only this I want to learn from you, Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? [I think the key to understanding this verse is to determine what “works of the law” the writer Paul is referring to, whether it be ceremonial performance and rituals or obedience resulting from belief in the gospel see Luke 11: 13. Bear in mind that faith in Jesus is in fact faith in the one who alone perfectly fulfilled both the letter and the spirit of the law!]

2 Timothy 2: 13 - If we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.  [Perhaps another way of reading this is to substitute “himself” with “his word”. It is a sobering thought that if we are unfaithful, we will suffer the consequences of our unfaithfulness (i.e. judgment), in this life or the next.]

1 Peter 1: 5 - [You] who are being kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Ephesians 2: 8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

Romans 4: 1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand [we can appropriate or lay hold of God’s grace (his unmerited favour, forgiveness, redemption) through faith], and rejoice in hope of the glory [partaking of the divine nature cf. 1 John 3: 2] of God.

James 2: 17 - Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone [in contrast to faith that is put into action].

Matthew 17: 20-21 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Move from here to there; and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting [an example of faith in action i.e. prayer and fasting].

Romans 3: 31 - Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. [How is the law established through faith? Through Jesus' atonement for our sins (grace), the law is fulfilled and sin is rendered powerless or “condemned” (Ezekiel 18: 20; 1 Corinthians 15: 56-57; Romans 8: 3). God does for us and in us what we cannot do for and by ourselves. This does not abolish the law but rather fulfils it because the whole purpose of the law is to deter sin. Therefore grace is not a means of righteousness apart from law, which is a common misinterpretation of Romans 3:21. Grace becomes another way of fulfilling God's law (righteous requirements) by the enablement (sanctification) of the Holy Spirit through which sin and, therefore, Satan has no power (Hebrews 2: 14; Romans 6: 23; Galatians 3: 13-14; Isaiah 59: 20-21; Romans 8: 4 ).]

1 Thessalonians 5: 24 - Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it.

Ephesians 6: 16 - And besides all these, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [Faith together with love is also described as the breastplate of righteousness, another piece of our spiritual armour see 1 Thessalonians 5: 8, Ephesians 6: 14b & 23.]

Galatians 5: 22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering/patience, gentleness/kindness, goodness/generosity, faith/faithfulness, meekness, temperance/ self-control: against such there is no law. [Faith is both a gift (1 Corinthians 12: 9) and fruit of the Holy Spirit. According to some Bible scholars the gift and fruit of faith are different from saving faith (Ephesians 2: 8). The gift of faith has been described as having “God’s own faith” (Derek Prince Legacy Radio, Gifts of the Spirit) - the kind that performs miracles and moves mountains (1 Corinthians 13: 2b) - whereas the fruit of faith can be regarded as sustaining faith - faith in God that endures trials and tribulation, and abides (1 Corinthians 13: 13). Notwithstanding the real danger of losing our faith (like most things if you don't use it, you lose it) and, therefore, our salvation (see Matthew 7: 21-23; Hebrews 6: 4-6 & 10: 35-39; 1 Timothy 6: 10; 1 John 1: 19; Philippians 2: 12-13), it is likely that where there has been a genuine conversion, saving faith is the same as sustaining faith, which would support the view of Christian ministers, such as RT Kendall, that “once saved, always saved”.]

Romans 4: 17 - As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickens [gives life to] the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. [If we are to imitate God who, by his spoken word calls into being the things that do not yet exist, we too must start calling things that be not as though they were cf. Proverbs 18: 21.]

Matthew 9: 29 - Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. [This is an important, though often overlooked, spiritual principle cf. Matthew 8: 13 & 18: 19; Mark 11: 24; James 1: 6-7. What we believe is most commonly revealed by what we say (Luke 6: 45). Are the words you speak in agreement with God's words?]

Mark 9: 23-24 - Jesus said unto him, “If thou can? [see v.22] All things are possible to them that believe.” And immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief.” [We too can make this our prayer when we struggle with doubt cf. 2 Corinthians 12: 9.]

Romans 10: 17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God [How can we get faith by hearing when it is God who gives us faith (Ephesians 2: 8)? The key to this apparent paradox lies in what is being heard: the word of God is spiritual (Hebrews 4:12; John 6: 63; 2 Timothy 3: 16) and the ability to "hear" i.e. perceive God's word as intended and heed it is also spiritual (Isaiah 6: 8-10; John 5: 38; 2 Peter 1: 20-21; 1 Corinthians 2: 10-14). In either case, the Word comes first which, like a seed, germinates and blossoms into the fruit of faith in those who are grounded in it (Matthew 13: 1-23).]

1 Corinthians 2: 4-5 - And my speech and preaching was not with persuasive words of “wisdom”, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1: 22-24; Romans 1: 16).

Luke 16: 10 - He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. [God values faithfulness in the small things and often tests us in this regard before we are “promoted” to bigger and better things cf. Zechariah 4: 10].

James 5: 15 - And the prayer of faith shall restore the sick one, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [Whose faith is James referring to - the faith of the sick person or the faith of those aiding and praying for the sick? It would seem that God honours not only personal faith see Luke 8: 48 & 17: 12-14,v.19; Mark 10: 46-52 but also intercessory faith i.e. the faith of those praying or interceding for others see Matthew 8: 13 &  9: 2 & 15: 28. And faith in who or what? See Acts 3: 2-8,v.16 & 14: 7-10; Philippians 2: 9-11]

Luke 18: 7-8 - And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily [alternatively, suddenly]. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth? (cf. 2 Peter 3: 8-9; Exodus 34: 6; 2 Corinthians 13: 5.)