Powers of Christ Death and Resurrection

Christ’s death has spiritual significance as well as physical significance. Christ’s death and resurrection is being celebrated across the world, especially in Christendom, in the name of Easter, but very few really understood the meaning of His death and resurrection, and it physical and spiritual impart.
Let’s really look at it, is it not absurd to tell a man ‘Christ died for you’, Christ who died by crucifixion more than two thousand years ago and the man probably his lineage has never been born by then. Pray, tell, how do you think it sound? Ridiculous, I suppose!

True, Christ death is for all human beings, living by then and by now, being born into the world by then and by now, and yet to be born. It was not just death on the cross, great power of God was released at his death, powers that completely put to destruction ‘special forces of Satan that were holding them world against God; serving as barriers between Him and man, subjecting the world into occult, sin and death. The Bible said, “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land … And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people,” (27:45-53, NIV).

Closely observe this passage, “…he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” If the death of Christ wrought such physical events, then think of what transpired in the spiritual realm at His death. Each of these has meaning, for people with understanding mind to comprehend. At His death, or the power of God that was released at his death, wrought great destruction to the powers of darkness in the celestial realms. Special forces (demons and evil spirits) of Satan the devil that enslaved the world (even though the world was ignorant of this, for this transcended far beyond the physical and natural world), serving as barriers between God Almighty and human being living by then and being born into the world by then, fell to destructive power of Christ death; as the barriers were broken. The temple curtain torn, a spiritual significant that the door to God Almighty is now open widely for every human being to come to Him with no barrier (except barriers made by humans themselves who loves sin and its vain pleasure than God and Christ). Hades and Death (the most dreadful and one of the most powerful plane in the kingdom of forces of darkness on earth and in heavenly places) lost their overwhelming powers as Christ death freed the dead that has fallen to their powers (few saints actually, with spiritual significant that death has no more hold on the saints of God, those redeemed by Christ through their willingness to come to God through Christ the only True Way). From the time of Christ death onward to our presence days and far into the future, every human beings living in the world and being born in the world is no longer under the powers of these ‘special evil forces’ (except through human-created medium through sins and evil practices) – this is part of the source of the saying that ‘Christ died for you and I’ even after more than two thousand years his crucifixion took place.

Christ Himself did not remained dead for ever, he resurrected from the dead. The scripture accounted that, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me,” Matthew 28:1-10. Glory be to God in the Highest, Christ Himself, whose death freed the dead saints from the powers of Hades and Death, did not remained dead for ever – He broke the power of death over him!

His resurrection completed the total defeat of Satan and his forces of darkness, now there is no other name than that of Jesus Christ that one can be saved from the wrath of God Almighty coming furiously upon the sinful world. Christ Jesus is the True Way, a burden bearer and a friend of all sinners who is ever ready to share in our sorrows, problems, pains and affliction. May God the Father be praised forever for giving His only Son Jesus Christ, who has redeemed mankind back to Him; reconciling the gap sin and its powers had wrought between Him and humankind.

Samuel Akinola

Divine Surrender

I’ve been learning lately about surrendering to God. It’s a weird place where I am right now, but what God is telling me to do is to surrender to Him. When thoughts in my mind are overwhelming, God is saying, “Surrender. Put your will at the cross and take mine.”

A week ago, the Lord told me, “My will and your will can co-exist, but it will limit what you get from me. The less of you in you and the more you surrender the rest to me, the more I’ll be in you.” If you want to live with the fullness of grace, you’ll have to give up anything that stands in your way to achieve that. So, if you want to go this far, well, you have to give up your own will to God.

God is way bigger than you can ever imagine. The visions He wants to give you are much greater than what your eyes can see. The same goes for the dreams He wants to give you, for the glory He wants to manifest in your life. So, if you depend on yourself, you’ll fall short. Surrender your eyes, your mind, your whole self: body, soul, and spirit.

They always say to expand the limits of your expectations when it comes to God. But what’s the difference between putting an infinite God in a small tent or in a gigantic temple? Nothing. He still doesn’t fit; He’s INFINITE. So don’t expand anything; break those limits down! Expect God to break the limits of your expectations, for He’s so good!

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). So, does this mean that I shouldn’t expect anything? Of course not, but know what to expect. Expect the result and not the way He’ll do it. Expect that your financial needs will be fulfilled, not that someone will give you money. If the Holy Spirit leads you to expect a certain way, do it. But if not, then don’t.

Here’s one way to surrender to God: surrender your body to the Holy Spirit. When you’re worshiping God, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your body moves and start moving your body as He guides you. For me, when I do this activation while dancing, I don’t know what the next move is, but when the time comes, I feel what I should do, or I see myself in the spirit doing it before actually doing it. The Holy Spirit may guide you in many other ways.

Surrender your mouth by speaking in tongues, and you can also, while praying in a known language, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in your prayer and pray. But this time, same as dancing, you don’t know what the next sentence or idea is, but when its time comes, you’ll feel or see or you’ll just know what to pray.

You can also surrender your eyes and your whole self! Surrendering your body to God is amazing, but what’s more important is surrendering your way of thinking and your will to God. Your will at even daily choices! The closer you are to Him, the more you’ll be able to surrender yourself to Him, especially your will.

Bachir Samaha

Fill The Space

By Francisco Arboleda

Recently, while completing some tasks at home, I suddenly felt the presence of the Lord. It came so quickly and heavily that I had to stop and lean into His presence. I heard the Lord say, “Fill the space.”

Immediately, I put down what I was doing and went into a private room where I could begin to pray.

The Lord continued, “My mandates are not optional, they are my orders for my people; if you don’t fill the space someone else will.”

That word provoked me and brought the fear of the Lord with it. The thought of the enemy filling spaces that the children of the Lord leave open is troubling, to say the least.

I believe the Lord is bringing His people into a revelation of His authority like we have not seen before, and through this word, and others like it in the days to come, the Body of Christ will have an opportunity to engage with the Holy Spirit to activate the Lord’s mandates across the earth.

We are in challenging times in our nations. But as we choose to seek God above all else, the Bible promises that the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

In this hour, it is of critical importance to remember the authority we have in Him… AND how to use that authority. It’s not for selfish gain. Remember, what the Lord gives, He gives for the benefit of all people.

I want to share some key insights so that you can engage with this word today.

“Fill The Earth”

In Genesis 1:28, we are told that “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it….’” Fill the earth is another way to say fill the space that He has entrusted to us.

A key word in this text is “be.” He wants us to “be”-come what He has mandated. We do this through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord will help us to “be” a multiplier of Kingdom authority on the earth.

So here is your question to ponder with Him this month: Where can you partner with the Holy Spirit to become a Kingdom multiplier and fill the space(s) He has entrusted to you?

Ask the Holy Spirit where you may have the opportunity to increase.

Part of understanding authority is to realize that, as believers, we are to steward the blessings of the Lord. Can the Lord trust you with the blessings of heaven?

When the Lord told “man” (male and female) to fill the earth and subdue it (i.e., rule and reign on His behalf), Adam and Eve had not done a thing to earn that authority, but they did have the opportunity within their relationship with God to grow in their ability to steward all He had blessed them with.

It is the same for us today.

You do not need to “earn” the authority God has given to you in the spaces (realms, spheres, territories, and assignments) to which He has called and entrusted you. But it is time for us to steward the things He has given us so that we can begin to see the increase.

Hint: It’s more about your willingness to learn than what you already know.

We are Set Under the Authority of Jesus

In Luke 7:8-9 the Roman officer says, “For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’” When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed Him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Can you imagine Jesus saying this about you? I believe He wants to. According to the Bible, God’s entire plan is to use those who believe in Him to show others how it should be.

We are to be an example to the world around us and in this story, we see Jesus pointing out exactly that.

I love what the centurion says, “For I too am a man set under authority.” There are a lot of places we can go in the area of authority, according to this teaching. But what I see on display here is the humility shown by this man. With Kingdom authority, a Christ-like humility is required. Remember, Jesus came to serve and not be served and yet was given all authority. He came down from heaven to display the mercy of our heavenly Father, and in obedience, took our place on the cross so that we might be saved.

In the case of the centurion, others responded to his authority, which was given to him by a superior authority. He also obeyed his superiors and carried out their orders. This earned him promotion within the ranks.

Similarly, Jesus is our Superior Authority, and the more we submit to Him, the more authority we carry into the world for the benefit of others.

Fill Your Space

Lastly, in the story of David and Goliath, the enemy is viciously taunting God’s people through Goliath, who is filling the space with mocking and taunts of defeat. The enemy was filling the space intended for the army of the Lord… God’s people cowered on the sidelines instead of defending their territory (space).

But all it took was one “David” to arise on behalf of God’s plans and purposes! Just one, who was willing to fill the space with truth, boldness, and confidence in the Lord. Just one, who was willing to step out into the “impossible” to take back the space and see the enemy defeated.

David learned to “fill the space” in the pastures and as an errand boy and worshipper. He came to know, love, and trust God in all things.

When you love God above everything – His ways, His commandments, His statutes – you discover how to let Him fill the space of your heart and mind. From there, we can then partner with Him to fill any space, realm, or territory on the earth.

It’s time to see an increase in the authority of the Lord in His people.

Are you ready to fill the space?

Are you ready to be a David? Are you willing to trust the Lord in all your ways? Are you willing to allow the authority of the Lord to grow in you as you move in obedience toward His mandates?

If so, join me in this prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your promises… and that since creation, it was always part of Your plan that we would walk in the Kingdom authority You have given to us. Lord, help me to fill the spaces of my life with Your presence. I look to Your promises to follow You and lead others in the way we should go. I look to Your Word as orders for my life; I know You love me, and You’ll lead me where I should go. In Jesus’ name, help me to walk in Your authority and fill the spaces. Amen!

Francisco Arboleda

Francisco Arboleda is a key member of the Patricia King Ministries family.  He was hand-picked by Patricia to serve as the Pastor of Shiloh Fellowship – a church with both a global and local outreach. He has the heart of a true shepherd, caring for and covering every member of the congregation.  He is walking in his calling, and living his dream. His passion is to help others do the same.

A Theological Reimagining Of Altruism

The concept of altruism was first introduced by A. Comte which remained problematic despite a number of analyses. The crucial question as to what the relationship is between the good for other and good for oneself as a classic question of the relationship between altruism and egoism. This classic question has led many theologians and philosophers to envisage whether altruism is only a one-way act of giving from the side of one associated with a one-way act of taking from the side of another, and whether this the end of the act or it is reciprocity. However, this classical question has unattained philosophical and logical answer. In light with this classical question, has provoked me to explore it more from a theological dimension. The theme embarks us to revision which is existing, that is the concept of altruism to be re-visioned. The term re- visioning is the act of doing some revision, in other words the act or process of revising, which simply implies it is the process of revisioning what is existing. To revision altruism it requires to move beyond from the existing or transcend from the existing position, which is the concept of Kenosis therefore theologising this helps us to reimagine altruism theologically. self-interess

Transcending antails surpassing one’s personal desire, needs, and concerns to prioritize the well- being of others or strive for a higher purpose The concept commonly associated with altruism compassion, and soffiessness, in religious and philosophical traditions, the notion of transcending self- interest considered to be a noble and virtuous pursuit, reflecting a commitment to the welfare of others and an acknowledgment of Interconnectediness and mutual responsibility. It can also be perceived as a spintual practice that fosters personal growth and a deeper understanding of the human experience.

To transcend self-interest, individuals must develop empathy and compassion towards others comprehending By and empathizing with the needs and emotions of others, individuals can make choices that henefit the broader community rather than solely focusing themselves, Acting in the best interest of others, even wihen there is no immediate personal gain, can lead to greater fulfilment and satisfaction. By engaging in community service and offering assistance to these in need,own self-interest and play a role in creating a more harmonious society. To explore it further the below two important aspects helps us to explore the theme with different theological dimension.

1 Theological Praxis

The practical implementation of theological beliefs and principles in real life scenarios is referred to as theological praxis, it encompasses the active implementation of faith, whereby individuals actualize their religious convictions through concrete actions and behaviours. Theological praxis serves as a way to embody and express one’s faith in a concrete and meaningful manner. The application of theological praxis has the potential to serve as a potentinstrumentin envisioning and revitalizing altruism. it offers a structure through which Individuals can comprehend the underlying significance and Intentionality of benevolent actions and empathy. Through anchoring altruistic conduct in theological precepts and ethics, Individuals are able to nurture a more profound and limpactful approach to altruism that is firmly grounded in their spiritual ideologies and beliefs. in the realm of reimagining selflessness, theological praxis encompasses the integration of theological perspectives on selflessness into one’s actions and interactions with others. This may involve employing religious teachings or ethical principles to guide and inform selfless behaviour, actively engaging in acts of service or charity as a means of living out one’s faith, and reflecting on how theological beliefs shape and influence one’s approach to selflessness. Revisioning altruism through theological praxis goes beyond mere discussion or theoretical contemplation. It necessitates active engagement withaltruism In practical ways to explore how it can be reimagined, redefined, expanded, or improved upon. This may involve the implementation of new strategies to promote altruism, questioning existing norms or assumptions about altruistic behaviour or non-altruistic behaviour, and actively seeking opportunities to test and refine these ideas through practical action. James Cone while describing Black theology states no Christian theology could exist if it does not inentify with the bumiliated ad abused” therefore we nid to put our discussion lectures and teachings in praxis all teachings and lects must not be confined to ou lassrooms, seminars and urch but extend to the sorty, to the marginalized immunities, abused beings, numiliated Individuals and communities. Hence our theology must be in praxis, therefore, theological praxis in the context of revisioning altruism emphasize the importance of actively engaging with and applying the thoughts, ideas and approaches to altruism in order to create positive change and promote a more effective and meaningful practice of altruistic behaviour

De-othering

De-othering is the concept that highlights the importance of acknowledging and respecting the humanity and dignity of individuals who have been marginalized, stereotyped, or dehumanized. This concept involves breaking down the barriers that separate different groups and communities and so called “us” and “them”. These barriers and divisions are broken byde-othering which recognizes the common humanity that unites all individuals. In the context of revisioning altruism, de-othering holds utmost significance as it paves the way for fostering a more comprehensive and empathetic approach towards assisting others. By breaking the walls that separate individuals on the grounds of dissimilarities like race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or socio-economic status, people can nurture a profound understanding and bond with those who require aid.

2 De-othering

De-othering involves seeing beyond superficial differences and recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. It requires actively listening to so called others’ stories, experiences, and perspectives, and working to dismantle stereotypes and prejudices that may hinder genuine understanding and compassion. By de-othering, Individuals can foster a more inclusive and equitable approach to helping others, rooted in a genuine recognition of shared humanity and a commitment to justice and solidarity. This process can lead to more meaningful and sustainable forms of support and empowerment for those in need, as well as contribute to building a more compassionate and just society. To reimagine altruism, de-othering provides space to look for commonality that underpin Christian theology such as love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness, towards those who are marginalized, and subjugated on the various ground day to day.

Conclusion

The theological relmagining of altruism through the lens of transcending self-interest offers a profound exploration of the interconnectedness between individual well-being and the welfare of others. This re-visioning, prompted by the theme “Re-visioning Altruism, urges a shift from conventional perspectives and calls for a deeper understanding rooted In theological dimensions. The concept of theological praxis emphasizes the practical Implementation of altruistic beliefs, guiding Individuals to embody selflessness in tangible ways. By integrating theological principles into actions and engaging with altruism actively, Individuals can create a more impactful and meaningful approach, grounded in spiritual ideologies. Furthermore, the notion of de othering is crucial in breaking down societal barriers, fostering empathy, and recognizing the shared humanity that unites us all. By acknowledging the dignity of marginalized Individuais and actively dismantling stereotypes, a more inclusive and compassionate approach to altruism can be cultivated, contributing to a just and equitable society. The theological reimagining of altruism Invites Individuals to go beyond theoretical contemplation and actively engage with altruistic practices. It advocates fora transformative journey that transcends self- interest, integrates theological principles into everyday actions, and promotes a more inclusive and compassionate society. In this pursuit, theology becomes a lived experience, extending beyond classrooms and churches to actively contribute to positive change in the wider community.

Sanjay Anand Raj G J

5 Life Lessons From Colossians

Lesson 1: Chapter 1 – Christ is everything.

Colossians 1:17-20, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

It’s easy to get overwhelmed in this world with which we live. It seems like there are competing philosophies and views about almost everything. But the words in the above passage hold amazing and transforming words. Jesus Christ means everything and as his followers we need to reflect that.

Lesson 2: Chapter 2 – Live in Christ.

Colossians 2:6-10 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Being a Christian means more than just assenting to a creed, or a particular moment in faith, or a public confession. We are to live in Christ.

Our lives are established and experienced in a daily commitment to follow the way of Jesus. He alone is the authority of our lives and he directs our path. Worldly “religion” and philosophy have no place in the lives of believers.

Lesson 3: Chapter 3 – Set your mind on Christ.

Colossians 3:1-3, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

I don’t want to be misinformed or uninformed so I try to keep up with the news reports of what’s going on around me. However, in today’s world that can still happen if you watch the news. We can get overwhelmed, confused, and at times thrown in despair. Too much of this world’s information can take our minds off of things from above. Focusing on Christ, his mission, his priorities and his values helps us get things right.

Lesson 4: Chapter 4 – Walk wisely as witnesses for Christ.

Colossians 4:2-6, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

I’ve seen two extremes in witnessing. Many say, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism and I’m not good at talking with people, so I’ll just live the Christian life, be an example.” That’s a good start, but if that’s all you do you’re going to have to live the Christian life better than Jesus because he not only lived the life (perfectly), he also spoke to sinners about salvation.

On the other hand, some Christians come across as what I call “throat crammers for Jesus.” These are the types who work in telemarketing and love it or just stand on a street corner screaming that everyone’s going to hell. They have no problem accosting total strangers and shoving their message down the person’s throat. And then the person who gets accosted makes sure they never go near another religious fanatic again. And unfortunately, those who are “silent” witnesses gain another excuse for why they don’t talk to others about Christ: They don’t want to be like those rude, insensitive “throat crammers for Jesus.”

There are two things here: First, there is the content of the gospel itself; then, there is how we share and discuss that content.

The Lord doesn’t want us to be “silent witnesses” or “throat crammers for Jesus.” He wants us to be wise witnesses who live godly lives and who take advantage of every opportunity to talk graciously to lost people about the Savior.

When Paul says that we are to walk with wisdom toward outsiders, he means that we are to live in line with God’s Word so that those who are not Christians will see the beauty of our lives and relationships that reflect Jesus Christ. They ought to be able to see the fruit of the Spirit in us, which should draw them to the Savior.

It should be noted that Paul asked for prayer so that when God opened the door, he would SPEAK the gospel. He was confined in prison, but he was still looking for ways to both live as an example of the gospel AND speak the gospel. That should be our mindset as well.

Jeff Hagan

Reach Your Breakthrough

We often seek God for breakthroughs, hoping for new paths, shattered walls, and opened doors. But how do we attain such breakthroughs?

In Numbers 13:17-20, when Moses sent twelve spies to Canaan, he instructed them to spy out the land, its people, strength, population, and the nature of its cities. They returned saying “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit” (Numbers 13:27). Significantly, they said the same words God used to describe the land, indicating God’s promise, they were assured that this land was a part of the land that God promised to give them, they were assured that they have God’s promise to take this land. Yet, challenges appeared such as tall, strong people, giants, numerous nations, and fortified cities. While ten spies doubted, two reassured that they could claim the land. But Israel followed the majority, missing the promised land. We see an opposition between two thoughts, one focused on tough challenges in the material world, which is facing a stronger opposition, and the other is anchored in God’s promise to take the land.

Sometimes, we see an opposition between God’s promise and what reality is. Once, during a season of learning about breakthroughs, I faced difficulty entering the Holy of Holies in a worship meeting. This has happened many times before. So, as usual, I sat down and thought, “It looks like I won’t be able to enter the Holy of Holies today. Unfortunately, it happens. Maybe next time.” However, the Holy Spirit intervened, telling me God wanted me to enter. Then, I understood God’s will and my own, that I desired to be in God’s presence and connect with Him.

I asked God: “We both want the same thing, why isn’t it happening?” Then I saw in the spirit a big wall between me and God. I got on my knees and I started praying. In my prayer, I poured out my heart to God and I held onto his promise for me, putting my faith in it, it was fighting everything that is against God’s promise. This word from the Holy Spirit guided my prayers until a breakthrough happened!! The wall blocking my way broke down!! It reminds me of the Jericho wall. God’s people trusted that by following His instructions, He would give them victory. Indeed, when they shouted at the end of God’s instructions, the mighty wall of Jericho broke down, and they won the war against a tough enemy because they acted upon God’s word. If God says it then I believe it!!

What breakthroughs do you need? Where can you place your faith? Faith is found where the word of God is known, what does God say about it? Hold onto God’s word, put your faith in it, and let it guide your prayers. Let it be the reality you believe in!!

Bachir Samaha

Paul and James: On Justification

The book of James is one of the most important topics to cover when it comes to faith and works. James is believed by many people to contradict Paul, especially in the book of Romans, making the case that works are an essential component to be the evidence of our faith. While James writes that faith without works is dead, just as the body without the spirit is, Paul states that he who does work will not be made righteous; however, those who do not work but believe in him who justifies the ungodly, their faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:4-5).

Both Paul and James become clear that they do not contradict each other but how do they agree without excluding one of these two concepts? Since both of them believe that grace comes through faith alone, works would not add to that according to James, who writes:

“You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

He presents the point that even demons believe in the existence of God, so how can works apart from faith be useless? Depending on how you interpret the context of what James says and how Abraham was justified by works, we can settle to a point with Paul. Whereas faith without works is dead only in the eyes of men, not in the eyes of God. If that is the case, how is faith made evident according to what other parts of scripture says about the fruit of the spirit? Most people believe that the fruit of the spirit (or works) means to gradually abandon sin or, by having corresponding actions, to go along with our faith.

One of the most common reasons why people believe you must still abandon sin is told in John’s epistle: “No one who abides in him makes a practice of sinning; for whoever is born of God does not sin; you cannot keep on sinning by being in him.” Since he appeared in order to take away our transgressions, there is no sin in our new creation that’s within us, but as for our mortal body, sin still exists daily; it is part of our natural human instinct.

So works never involve deeds of the law as evidence of faith. Whether good works signify our faith is another matter to look at further. As for our sinful nature, which has broken the law of God, that is what the cross was for—to replace us from dying in the flesh—by his work alone, in order to live free according to the spirit.

If Christ’s righteousness is applied to us, then how can the law itself ever negate self-righteousness? For if you mix the law together, what grace could you receive, if Christ didn’t cover it fully? By his atoning sacrifice, his death, after living a perfect life, was sufficient enough to cover the full penalty. What works can add any value to that establishment for us on earth? We were called to be like him through only one way that can grow. Therefore, we should always look to spread his word through the willingness of the holy spirit.

In free grace theology, contrary to lordship salvation (where one must submit to God), opposes that we must gradually obey the law through the process of sanctification. Neither do good works or deeds of the law ever lay the foundation of our faith; all works are as filthy rags, as stated in the book of Isaiah:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment” (v. 64:6).

However, those without corresponding actions may have denied him by not living according to the heart of the gospel teachings. Only by the fruit of this spirit — love, peace, joy, kindness, patience and forbearance — can faith become evident (Galatians 5:22). Those are the corresponding points to what Paul and James taught on the doctrine of justification.

Overcoming Drug Addiction

Are you enslaved or troubled by habitual use of various narcotic, stimulant, or mind-influencing drugs (including alcohol)? Do you have symptoms of physical, emotional, or mental addiction? You may not have a sickness, but a sin problem that causes enslavement and sickness.

Jesus Christ has done something about your problem. He came to liberate you from such problems and enable you to gain self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).

What Scripture Says

Everything is permissible for me — but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me — but I will not be mastered by anything” (I Corinthians 6:12).

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power, He gives orders to evil spirits and they come out (Luke 4:18-21, 36).

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15).

He who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (I John 3:8).

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:1, 13).

What Can You Do?

Take seriously the bondage in which you are involved. God cares about you and has a solution.

Your real problem is not an incurable illness, but sin. And Jesus came to deal with sin (I Corinthians 5:11). You need to be spiritually reborn and baptized with the Holy Spirit. You need to change your life patterns. You also may need help for deliverance from drugs and healing.

Be bold. Take a fearless inventory of your life. Ask for help from your family, Christian friends, a local pastor, The 700 Club (call 800-759-0700), or another Christian ministry that cares. Or call Teen Challenge or a local drug hotline.

It is said that it takes thirty-one days to break a habit. Drug addiction is a “life dominating” problem, so radical changes must be made regarding associates, social atmosphere, places frequented, etc. Replacement, not abstention, is the key.

You need to keep busy and occupy your mind with new things (Philippians 4:8,9). Learn to yield yourself to Christ rather than to drugs, old friends, self-pity, guilt, fear, etc.

How to be Spiritually Reborn

God has a plan for your salvation. Call on the Lord to save you mind, body and soul (I John 1:9). Receive Him as your Savior and Lord (John 1:12). Believe Him. He said He would not turn anyone away. He loves you and gave His life for you (John 3:16,17).

How you can know you are forgiven:

The Bible, God’s Word says:

You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and you have done nothing on your own (Ephesians 2:8).

For those who put their faith in Jesus: He gave them the right to be the children of God… God Himself was the one who made them His children (John 1:12-13).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Once you become a Christian, you can have God’s power available through the Holy Spirit. You will be able to live as God intended (Ezekiel 36:27). The Holy Spirit empowers you to help others (Acts 1:8), He aids and teaches you (John 14:26; I Corinthians 2:13), and guides you into truth (John 16:13) and in life (Acts 10:19; 13:2; 16:6).

You may want to ask someone already baptized with the Holy Spirit to pray with you. Just as you asked the Lord to forgive your sins, believing He would, ask Him now to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). He promised to do so, so take Him at His Word that He does what you ask. Thank and praise Him for being a God who does as He promises.

Tell someone else what you’ve done. Other Christians and the church will rejoice with you and help you. The angels rejoice with you. God rejoices with you.

As You Pray

Thank God for His love, concern, and power to save and deliver. Renounce the drugs, old friends, and hangouts connected with your drug problem. Yield yourself to Jesus. Thank Him for coming into your heart and filling you with the Holy Spirit. Take Him at His word and thank Him for delivering you from drugs.

There Is No Going Around, We Must Go Through!

I had an interesting conversation the other day with my niece and namesake Cheryl (who we call Tulla.)We were talking about life and the things that happen to get us “tied up”, by our own mistakes, sometimes by adverse results of other’s choices and sometimes just by events that happen that are out of our control but still they have the same affect of making us stuck in life.

Tulla and I both love to crochet, (although she is much better at it than I am), her mom (my sister) Diane taught me when I was round 13 years old.

So in our conversation I thought the analogy of yarn seemed to be fitting as I compared our lives to a long strand of yarn, stretching from one end to another. Along the way, there are the inevitable knots that occur, sometimes just one; usually from trying to go too fast or not paying close enough attention to our stitches, but those are easy to fix. Other times there can become a cluster of knots that seem to come from out of nowhere and these are not so easy to fix as they often seem to take on a life of their own, and can be more than frustrating.

We both laughed as we identified with the fact that we could spend hours, even days, trying to loosen, unravel and untie this mess and sometimes the harder we would work at unraveling it, the more the knotted mess would mysteriously grow. The point I was making was that the beginning and the end are distinct and no matter how many knots occur along the way we still end up where God had intended us to be, sometimes despite the knots and sometimes because of them. This reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures in the bible Genesis 50:20, “what was intended for evil, (or to harm me) God will use for good.”

Tulla then said something that really struck us both “yes, and there is only one way to fix the knot, you have to go back through the way you came” there is no other way!” Exactly! I replied!

I sat in silence for a second as I thought about the depth of what she had just said and then she followed up with something we had heard her mom say countless times “there is no way around; only through” referring to going through difficult situations and problems in life. This felt like a very profound moment, almost as if we had uncovered the answer to some mysterious riddle.

I’ve continued to contemplate this and realized that as we journey along the path of life, our disobedience and mistakes can cause knots along the way, tangling up the yarn and diverting us from God’s intended path…momentarily. But rest assured there is nothing that takes God by surprise!

When we find ourselves off course, entangled in the mess of our choices or mistakes, it is essential to recognize that we need to go back the way we came. This is what I refer to as “Full Circle Moments” in life where we are given grace and wisdom to untangle our mess.

Just as we patiently and carefully untangle a knot in a ball of yarn, we must retrace our steps, seeking forgiveness, making amends, and realigning ourselves with God’s will.

Sometimes, untangling the knots requires humility, as we acknowledge our mistakes and take responsibility for our actions. It may involve seeking forgiveness from others or making difficult decisions to rectify the consequences of our disobedience. Just as we gently pull and separate the strands of yarn to untangle a knot, we must be willing to address the issues that caused the entanglement in our lives.

As we untangle the knots, we gradually find ourselves back on the right path, where we were meant to be. It is a process that requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes. We may need to seek guidance from God’s Word, prayer, and wise counsel to navigate through the complexities of untangling our lives.

Ultimately, as we untangle the knots and realign ourselves with God’s will, we begin to experience the freedom, peace, and purpose that come from being in the right place once the course correction has taken place. We discover that God’s grace is sufficient to redeem our mistakes and turn them into opportunities for growth and transformation.

Just as the untangled yarn becomes a smooth, unbroken strand, our lives can be restored and aligned with God’s perfect plan. The journey of untangling the knots reminds us of God’s faithfulness, His willingness to guide us back on track, and His ability to use even our disobedience and mistakes for our ultimate good.

I am praying that we will all embrace the process of untangling the knots, trusting that God’s loving hands are at work, leading us back to the center of His will, where we can experience His abundant blessings and fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.

The Blessings from God

The true blessings come from God Almighty through our Lord Jesus Christ. The devil does not bless, he is just a kidnapper who gives you something into your hands today, but tomorrow he comes back to claim your hand! The devil’s blessings are counterfeit; they are different from those springing forth from God in His dwelling place. It is the blessing of the Lord that enriches and is peaceable, adding no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

The Word of God does not compel us to take another path to get rich, to become famous, and to amass money by consulting a marabout, a witch doctor, or an occultist. We are supposed to be satisfied with everything God gives us because the devil is a scammer and kidnapper of human lives‼ The devil is there to kill, steal, and destroy. The devil’s mission is to destroy every good gift which comes from God. He wants to add a little leaven so that the taste of the food or seed from heaven is corrupted for the glory of the devil. There is joy in the camp of the devil when Christians compete with the world for the things of the world.

Ezra Chipatiso