Category: Gospel

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The age old mystery.

[The Glory Unveiled]

None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [ 1 Corinthians 2:8 NIV ]

There is something that ignorance and knowledge have in common: they both move people to action. One person acts in a certain manner because of ignorance, while another acts based on something they know. Before our anchor scripture, the apostle Paul argues that all his preachings were not with human wisdom and eloquence. He firmly affirms that a mystery that was hidden from ages has, in this time, been revealed to the chosen vessels of God. He explains that this mystery is the wisdom of God. Then he concludes that none of the rulers of this age understood the mystery [of God’s wisdom]. This wisdom compelled the apostle Paul to preach the gospel without the persuasive words of man’s wisdom, while the ignorance of the rulers of this age moved them to crucify Christ, the embodiment of this ancient mystery. If they had known Christ was this mystery hidden from them for many ages, they would not have crucified Him. Knowledge of this mystery moved the apostle to preach Christ by the Spirit’s power, while the ignorance of the princes of this age also moved them to kill Jesus. They did not know that what they had been searching for was within their grasp, and so they killed Him. May we come into the knowledge of this mystery, the wisdom of God. And may we be compelled by this wisdom to act in accordance with it, so that our faith may rest on God’s power. The crucifixion of Jesus was a move made by ignorant men, but to us, it has become the reason for which we have access to the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of God’s being—the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. So that through our lives, this mystery is made known to our world by us.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing the age old mystery of your wisdom through me. Let the world see it, in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The wisdom of God is the mystery of the age now revealed.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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What was His crime?

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” [ Mark 15:14 NIV ]

Usually, before a person is incarcerated or punished, they must have committed a crime first. It is abnormal, absurd, and unheard of to punish someone without a crime. In the scripture above, Pilate, the governor, asks what crime Jesus had committed to warrant His crucifixion. To find the true crime of Christ that led Him to the cross, we will have to visit the first book of the Bible, Genesis. The true crime that Jesus is accused of is a crime humanity had committed through Adam. The disobedience of Adam was the offense that was supposed to be punished by death, for God did say, “for when you eat from it—disobey—you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17). In the command God had given Adam was the punishment for disobedience proclaimed. But since Adam represented the whole human race, his punishment meant that all of humanity had to face that same punishment. But God, being rich in mercy and abounding in compassion, decided to take the place of man in the punishment for the crime of disobedience. So that, rather than the whole human race dying, one man [God] will die in place of the many. Caiaphas, the high priest, said, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50). And so, by the love of God and His wisdom, he put the crime of the human race on the shoulders of Jesus so that He would also carry our punishment of death. That death, though physical, was more than just the soul leaving the body. It was a total separation from God. And so, Jesus was separated from the Father for our sake so that for His sake we might become the righteousness of God. Now, we are charged guiltless forevermore!

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for the great price you paid for my redemption. I appreciate you for your love and grace. I am not condemned, I am redeemed.

Wisdom_Quote: His crime was our crime hanged on Him.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Favour-contained relationship

The Glory Unveiled]

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” [ Exodus 33:13 NIV ]

This prayer was the request of Moses when he discovered that God was pleased with him. Of all the things Moses could have asked for, he asked to know God and to continue to find favour with God. The verse of scripture reveals that, favour with God comes at a cost. Even though it would look like the person being favoured contributes nothing to receiving it; yes it is possible to stumble into favour with God, but to remain favoured, one must know God’s ways. Knowing the ways of God leads to a consistent experience of favour. While stumbling into God’s favour is possible, maintaining it necessitates understanding and following His ways consistently. While a one-time favour might occur by chance, sustaining a favour-filled relationship with God demands intentional efforts to align with His desires. It is easier for a person who knows the Lord to receive favour than one who does not know the Lord. Just as it is easier to support or help someone you are pleased with than the person you’re not pleased with. God favours those who learn His ways and endeavour to live a life pleasing to Him. The price of favour is a life pleasing to the one you seek favour from. All the men in the Old Testament who obtained favour from God or men did so by doing something their master liked. This is why Moses asked God to teach him His ways so that he may know God better and serve Him better. This is why there is no favour that is unmerited. Even the ones we call unmerited favour, we merit them through the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ. We can live in a favour-contained relationship with God where God favours us at all times and in all situations. So, even though favour is suggestive of something given or done for free, it comes at a cost. Pay the price and enjoy the package of divine favour.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for showing me your ways through your son Jesus Christ. Help me to live a life pleasing to you always. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Continous favour is engineered by knowledge.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The Jesus credit card

[The Glory Unveiled]

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [ Mark 11:24 NIV ]

In the world, we only receive things by sight, then we are sure we have received them. But when it comes to receiving from God, we need to receive them first by faith before we receive them by sight. It will not enter your hands until it first enters your heart. Many times, believers want to have them in their hands first before they believe in their hearts that they actually have them. But the opposite is what makes our requests available. God said His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). God’s method is the opposite of the world’s method. While the world says you need to have them in your hands to believe, God says we need to have them (believe) in our hearts to have them in our hands. This is why many believers chase after their needs but never catch up to them. Whatever we desire as believers, when we go to the marketplace of prayer—the currency for purchasing is faith—we need to believe that we already have what we need. So, in the faith market, you take whatever you want on credit by believing—to be charged to Christ’s account, before it is actually credited to you physically. Faith is your credit card; you can buy whatever you want on account of Christ. And then, it is physically delivered to you. What you want or need will be yours after you have made it yours by faith. So, don’t pursue it with your eyes first; pursue it with your faith. Lay hold of it by faith, and your hands will handle it later.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for the revelation from your word. I receive whatever I ask for in prayer by faith. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The believer receives by faith before they receive by sight.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Do you believe?

[The Glory Unveiled]

And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [ John 11:26 NIV ]

God told Adam and Eve that they should not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when they do, they will surely die (Genesis 2:17). Later, they ate from that tree, but they lived for many years afterward; they didn’t die as we know it. So, did God’s word fail? No, it didn’t. Adam and Eve died immediately they disobeyed God—the death was a separation from God. They were alienated from God’s life. And they were supposed to physically die immediately because just as a fish cannot live outside water, the soul of man cannot live outside God. But the reason they lived on for many years afterward was that they had harnessed a substantial amount of God’s life into their soul which kept them going until it ran out. And when the energy of that life force depleted, their bodies had to break down, resulting in physical death. Eating the fruit in disobedience resulted in a separation from the life of God. But in the new covenant, believing in Jesus means eating in faith, the fruit of the life of God, which is Christ. Jesus said whoever lives by believing in Him will never die. This means, in essence, whoever believes in Jesus will never be separated from the life of God, which is the real death. They will remain connected to the life of God. The question is, do you believe it? Do you believe that believing in Jesus gets you perpetually connected to the life of God? If you do, death cannot cut in on you; your life becomes linked to the life of God. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn among many brethren. You can become one of His brethren if you’re not. Believe the gospel, believe the truth about Jesus, and accept His Lordship today.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. I believe you are the Son of God, the life of God given to men. I welcome You into my heart. May I live forever in your presence. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: Separation from the life of God is death.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Walking your Calling

[The Glory Unveiled]

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. [ Ephesians 4:1 NIV ]

A prisoner is someone who has forfeited their rights and freedom to certain vital necessities of life. For instance, a prisoner experiences limited and restricted movement, unable to go wherever they please but rather directed where they are led. Similarly, a believer in Christ surrenders their rights and freedom to serve the purpose and desire of their master, Jesus. This is non-negotiable for those who are indeed prisoners for the Lord. The calling we have received designates us as the Lord’s prisoners. Hence, the scripture refers to being “prisoner for the Lord” rather than “prisoner of the Lord”. A prisoner for the Lord willingly submits to the Lord’s will; they choose to make themselves prisoners, rather than being coerced. However, a prisoner of someone is typically forced into imprisonment for a reason. Prisoners for the Lord prioritize the service of the Lord over worldly pursuits. As the apostle Paul stated, he considers all things as worthless compared to the worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). This reflects the attitude of the Lord’s prisoners. One’s calling is their lifelong responsibility and assignment. Just as a prisoner has duties to fulfill under the watchful eyes of security, believers are expected to live in accordance with their calling. Your calling and consecration entail a specific kind of life—each calling comes with its own set of demands tailored for its full expression. Therefore, allow your life to mirror the calling you have received.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, I commit my life into your hands. I submit to your will and purpose. Let your name be glorified through my entire existence. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: The prisoner for the Lord has no life of their own.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Keep guard over yourself

[The Glory Unveiled]

”So, little children, guard yourselves from worshiping anything but him.“ [ 1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Our world today has erected many idols. The ordinary person is forced to bow to one of the many modern gods—anything that seeks to take the place of God in our lives. The scripture above suggests that “little children” are prone to the temptation to submit to anything but God. “Little children” are those whose walk with God is new and growing. They may be old in age but young in their relationship with God. Children are usually vulnerable and susceptible to deceit. The apostle, through the scriptures, teaches us to guard ourselves as children from the influence of those things that turn our attention away from God. The responsibility lies with us to guard ourselves. A guard stands at their post to defend and ensure that nothing intrudes. To guard ourselves as children of God, we need the word of God as a barricade and guide. Dwelling in the word of God helps break the influence of the world over us. The believer in God is the target of the distractions and gods of this world. The laws that were made and, by extension, the gods that were created in the day of Daniel were targeted at Daniel, a believer in God. They didn’t really care about those already on the side of their system. Therefore, as children of God, we must arm ourselves with the knowledge that the enemy is aiming at our souls. Keep away from anything that takes the place of God in your life, including the innocent ones. There are certain things that seem harmless, but they are the bait that drags us into the arms of the devil. We must be aware of them; creating a system and a culture for ourselves that inhibits us from indulging in the things of the world. But rather submit to God in all things.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Father, thank you for your jealous love over us. Help us to guard ourselves against the deceit of Satan through your word and Spirit. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The word of God is the believer’s guarding guide.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Add to the promises

[The Glory Unveiled]

”For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),“ [ 2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ]

Our anchor scripture begins, thus, “for this very reason…” hence we need to inquire into what the very reason is. In the verse 4, we see the reason being, so that we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruptiom in the world. Therefore, all the things verse 5 encourages us to add to the promise are to the end that we may escape the corruption in our world and participate experientially in the divine nature. A careful read of the verse 5, in the AMPC version opens our eyes to truth many people are ignorant about. The very ignorance that has denied them so many goodies. You see, many believers think that because of the divine promises that God made to them, they could just fold their arms and wait for everything to unfold at their own time. But a careful examination of this scripture teaches us otherwise. In fact, it teaches us to add diligence to the promises. This means that after hearing the promise, we must begin to work diligently for their manifestation. Paul told Timothy to work diligently because of the prophecies that had gone ahead of him (1 Timothy 1:18). Timothy was not encouraged to sleep because of prophecies were uttered over him. The apostle Peter goes on to say that in addition to adding diligence to the promises, we should develop virtue by employing every effort in exercising our faith. And then to virtue, we should add knowledge. One thing must be added to another, layer upon layer, precepts upon precepts, until we are built into the full stature of Christ. So, having a divine promise is not an excuse to abandon diligent work. Add to the promises.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for all the things you accomplished for me. Help me to appropriate them through diligent work.

Wisdom_Quote: Add diligence to every divine promise.

GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The power that brings salvation

[The Glory Unveiled]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. [ Romans 1:16 NIV ]

Salvation is always conveyed through the conduit of the gospel. Without the gospel, salvation cannot be made available; in other words, it will not exist. The reason is that salvation must be transmitted by power, and the gospel happens to be the power channel that transmits salvation to people who believe. Salvation does not just come to people; it is administered to people by power. This power is not the result of man’s oratory skills or communicative ability and craftiness. It is solely through the good news of Christ. This is why, regardless of the amount of good things a person does, their good deeds do not make them righteous. So, good deeds do not have the power to offer salvation; it is only through faith in Jesus by the gospel. The key element that ushers in salvation is the gospel, which is why the devil tries to change the message that makes up the gospel, just as he did with Eve. Today, we hear different kinds of messages in the name of the “gospel.” As a result, many people are being swayed and taken far away from the path of salvation, since no other message carries the power that brings salvation except the gospel. With this understanding, we must be bold to share the gospel with our world, confidently telling them about the love of God and His gift to humanity. You are a power distributor; let the world come into contact with the power that brings salvation because of you.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for your love and the power available to bring me and the world, salvation. Let Jesus be glorified.

Wisdom_Quote: The gospel is the power of God that gives salvation.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Multi-coloured grace

[The Glory Unveiled]

”Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace.“ [ 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Our anchor verse asserts that every believer has a grace gift; not some believers but every believer. All who have been brought into the fold of God have been divinely endowed with a spiritual talent. These talents manifest in different ways, reflecting the many-coloured tapestry of God’s grace. The multifaceted expressions of God’s grace are manifested through believers in Jesus, who embody this grace of God. How do people see this grace in expression? They see it by the way we bring glory to God in doing whatever we have grace for. The grace of God in you enables you for a particular task; do it to the best of your ability, giving praise to God. The apostle Peter shows us with examples in verse 11 how to express the gift of God’s grace in us and how to bring glory to God. “For example, if you have a speaking gift, speak as though God were speaking his words through you. If you have the gift of serving, do it passionately with the strength God gives you, so that in everything God alone will be glorified through Jesus Christ. For to him belong the power and the glory forever throughout all ages! Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 TPT). Whatever gifts we have, we must use them as if God were the one using them. We are supposed to allow ourselves to be conduits through which God does His things. When we allow God to live through us, we allow the multifaceted grace of God to be on full display. So, use your gift to serve others because that is what Jesus would do.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for expressing the nature of the Father through me. Let God be glorified in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: We are the body of Christ because God will do everything on earth through us.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.