THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 4, No. 35 – Monday, 9th September, 2019
(Jude.1:3)
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES
(Part 4)
Common sense agrees that passion drives success. What this implies scores very vital points. For one, success may be countenanced as an engineless vehicle. Unless and until it is powered, that vehicle remains static.
In the same connection, what is contained in the Bible is the passion of the Almighty for all humanity. If a long sketch of that which is divine passion only creates a state of boredom to man, then man has missed the divine path a long time ago, and would now need to retrace his steps.
It has been a number of weeks since this magazine has continued with the doctrines of the Bible. Should we have become bored already, then our passions are being tested by God to find out whether our attention and passion are geared in the direction of the things of heaven or not. In the previous edition of this magazine, two doctrines of the Bible: water baptism and restitution were addressed. It is now the turn of another doctrine.
1. The Cross and sanctification (Luke 23:34, John 17:17, 2 Tim.2:21, 1 John 3:3): An increased commanding voice in volume no doubt will sustain certain attention from man. But nothing else commands the attention of the Almighty except the cry from a genuinely, pure heart.
How so true is equally the spiritual reality that purity of heart determines the acceptance of man’s offerings. Why is it that the praising voice of man is so sonerous yet the praise in question does not arise beyond the ceiling of the building where such praises is being offered?
The answer is certainly not in any distant land; it is a matter of the heart and its purity state. Understand that sanctification is the forerunner of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent enduement with power.
As it was noted in the previous edition of this magazine, sanctification is the second work of grace after salvation. Without sanctification, there can be no arrival of the Holy Spirit in His full measure. Neither can genuine power of God dominate the life of the believer whose life is void of the genuine experience of sanctification.
Where there is any demonstration of power without purity which comes about through the process of sanctification, there is always the looming danger of spiritual fatality. It is sanctification which solidifies salvation. It is sanctification which sustains the indwelling Holy Spirit and His power in the life of man.
Sanctification of the heart is otherwise known as ‘circumcision of the heart’ (see Deut.30:6). Sanctification makes it easy for man to serve God and to submit to His will. The prayer of every sanctified heart is a sweet-smelling fragrance accepted to God at the first scent.
Hear the prayer of a most sanctified soul in Matt.26-39 noting: ‘O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt’.
Sanctification is obtained and attained by prayer of the heart which seeks a surgical operation in order to uproot inward sin. Whilst salvation deals with outward sin, it is sanctification which deals with the actual nature of sin which is deeply rooted inside man.
Understand that if salvation will be enjoyed by any Christian, sanctification must be obtained. It is the engine and lubricating oil which drives the vehicle of salvation with effortless ease. Just as it is the will of God that ‘all men should come to the saving knowledge of the truth and be saved’ (1 Tim.2:3-4), so also it is the perfect will of God for every soul of saved believers to be sanctified (1 Thess.4:3).
Intention determines action. So, common sense would not disapprove of the fact that all actions must be judged according to intention. Therefore, when the Almighty is ‘weighing’ human actions, He is indirectly judging the intentions of the heart (1 Sam.2:3d).
To walk with God and work perfectly for Him, the intentions of the heart must be that containing only one motive: the motive of pure love. When Christians come to the true appreciation of the cross, then sanctification becomes a passion-driver and success worth pursuing.
But the mystery of the cross of Christ remains a mystery until the understanding of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice is truly gained by man. It is only at this point that appreciating sanctification and the need for it begins.
Once this appreciation begins, pursuit for sanctification follows automatically.
But there is nevertheless a missing link. This is the link of love. Love for anything determines the thirst and hunger for such thing. Should the heart of man fail to be infested with love for the Cross, then the hidden mystery of the Cross and the unraveling of such mystery remains a mirage and attaining spiritual success is yet but such a success existing in a dream world.
When will such dream become a reality? Until love for the Cross and its power is obtained. Until Calvary’s pain is appreciated and the true meaning of the Cross is first innately realized and embraced.
O Cross of Christ at Calvary!
What great wonder You contain.
How many have understood your power;
There is a covenant unknown
To man that You bear.
O Worthless man!
Pursue nothing else but the worthwhile Cross.
For is it not in the Cross
That salvation and sanctification were paid
So then it is by You O Cross
That man in every way can obtain the fullness of God as perfect gain.
O Cross, Cross of Christ,
Enter into me today,
That I may never be the same ever again
O Cross, Cross of Christ;
My heart I give,
My hands raised in absolute surrender.
Reveal your power and marchless covenant in me
That Christ’s suffering and sacrifice may forever have me as its eternal gain.
Question and Answer Section:
Question: What is another name for Bethlehem?
Answer: Ephrathah.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com or 08098198155.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to the Administrator of this Ministry, the Assistive Technology Adviser or the Resident Pastor. The Superintendent Minister and Pastor of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com
ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: Faith Of Our Fathers
PRAY NOW:
1. O God, purge me off every inward sin.
2. O hand of God, make me truly pure within.
3. O God, fill my heart with love for you and for the things that concern you.
4. O God, please deal with the cares and worries that draw me away from loving you and working for you as I should.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS THIS MONTH.
