TEST OF OBEDIENCE AND HUMILITY

MEMORY VERSE: "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no" (Deuteronomy 8:2).

TEXT: Deuteronomy 8:1-20.

The love of God for the children of Israel was expressed in His plan and purpose as we shall see in our lesson today. From our text, God stated reasons for giving them His commandments. He, therefore, expected that the benefits expressed in His word should motivate them to obey all the commandments given to them by Moses the man of God. These benefits include preservation, protection and provision (verses 4-13). He further stated that what happened to them during the forty years in the wilderness was to prove whether they would be obedient and humble themselves. 

Question 1: State the commandment we must first obey, in order to enable us obey God acceptably?

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). The commandment to obey which will enable us to obey other commandments acceptably is the command to repent. To repent means turning away from sins (as the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sins through the word of God) to Christ by faith. It involves a change of mind, direction and attitude towards sins. This is necessary to receive salvation in Christ by faith. This divine change brings grace into our heart. This helps us to obey God's commandments with humility.

SPIRITUAL FOOD OF THE REDEEMED (Deuteronomy 8:1-3,6; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:4-6,61,86,115,128,172; Ephesians 6:1-3; Luke 4:1-4; Psalm 19:7-11; John 6:51,57,63).

"All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers" (Deuteronomy 8:1). The word of God is a spiritual food that strengthens, satisfies, stabilises, sanctifies and supplies conviction, commitment and consecration which builds our spiritual lives (verse 3). We are to obey this word. The Lord called the children of Israel to obey all the commandments He gave them. For Christian youths today, it includes the command to repent (Acts 17:30), be sanctified (1 Peter 1:15,16), baptised with the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 5:18), pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), read and study the word of God (John 5:39), preach the gospel (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4: 1,2), work (study) (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12), free from worldliness (1 John 2;15-17), worship and serve God (Psalm 45:11; Revelation 22:8,9; Hebrews 12:28) and prepare for the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:42,44; Luke 12:40). Simply, the whole Bible contains the commandments of God. We should pray for grace to obey its contents because the "commandment is exceeding broad" (Psalm 119:96).

Question 2: From verses 1 and 6 of our text, what are the benefits of obeying the commandments of God?

"Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him" (verse 6). The benefits of obeying the word of God cover both spiritual and physical. They include preservation of life (verse 1), progress (verse 1), possession of the Promised Land (verse 1), ability to walk with God (verse 6) and maintaining the fear of God (verse 6). 

From verse two, the Lord wanted the children of Israel to remember that all that happened to them during the forty years wandering were to prove their obedience and humility. The test of obedience will always come to us. We should be like the sons of Jonadab who performed the commandment of their father (Jeremiah 35:12-19). 

"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live" (Deuteronomy 8:3). The goodness of the Lord was great towards the children of Israel. He fed them for forty years with manna (angels' food) (Psalm 78:24,25). However, He wanted them to know that as physical body requires physical food, the soul also requires spiritual food. This spiritual food is the word of God that nourishes the soul. We should desire and study it. "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). 

Question 3: What are the profits of taking the word of God as spiritual food?

The profits of taking the word of God as spiritual food are: (1) conversion (Psalm 19:11), growth (1 Peter 2:2), cleansing (John15:3), sanctification (John17:17), protection (Ephesians 6:17) and overcoming temptations (Luke 4:3,4). It is our responsibility to read, study, hear, accept, mediate on, believe and practise the word regularly. In summary, the instruction of God to every Christian youth is: "Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him" (verse 6).

SPECIAL FAVOUR FOR THE REDEEMED (Deuteronomy 8:4,5,7-17; Psalm 91:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:10-15; 28:4,7,48; 32:15-19; Psalm 78:15-37; Hosea 13:6-8; Luke 12:16-21; Revelation 3:14-21).   

"Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years" (Deuteronomy 8:4). The children of Israel were the redeemed of the Lord (Deuteronomy 7:8). Despite their short-comings in the wilderness, He still showed them special favour.

Question 4: From verses 4-9, enumerate special favour God showed to the children of Israel for forty years in the wilderness.

The Scripture says: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22). God's special favour for His people Israel include: (1) preservation of their clothes (verse 4); (2) preservation of their body (verse 4); (3) profitable correction when they did evil (verse 5); (4) promise of abundant provisions in the land of Canaan (verses 7,8); and (5) promised prosperity in the land of Canaan (verse 9). In God's plan, His children should "eat bread without scarceness", and lack nothing (verse 9). Today, Christian youths have unlimited special favour in Christ (Philippians 4:19). Our prayer should be: "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come" (Psalms 102:13). However, as the blessings of God increase, we should beware of not forgetting the Giver.

Question 5: State two possible outcomes when the blessings of God increase.

"When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:" (Deuteronomy 8:10,11). The two possible outcomes are: one, to praise God for His goodness. This is the positive outcome expected from the recipients of God's blessings (Psalm 103:1-5). Two, to forget the Lord, the Giver of blessings. God, who knows everything from the beginning to the end, had warned the children of Israel against forgetting Him as a result of prosperity. Later in their history, they forgot the Lord after being filled with His blessings. "According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me" (Hosea 13:6). As obedience and humility are partners, so prosperity may lead to pride. Hence, the Lord expressed His mind this way: "Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;" (Deuteronomy 8:14). The Lord warned them of saying: "My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:17). Therefore, all the blessings we receive are from God who gives us all things to enjoy and we are to use them for His glory. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

SAINTS' FAITHFULNESS TO THE REDEEMER (Deuteronomy 8:18-20; Nehemiah 7:1,2; 9:7,8; 1 Corinthians 4:1,2; 7:25).  

"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day" (Deuteronomy 8:18). The precaution for not forgetting the Lord is to remember Him always as the one behind all blessings. This is the only way the children of Israel could show their appreciation, loyalty and faithfulness to their Redeemer who brought them out of bondage. As children of God, we are to be faithful to the Lord in everything we do (1 Corinthians 4:1,2). One of the ways we can do that is to remember Him and His word faithfully. Examples abound in scriptures of those who were faithful to the Lord. Some of them were Timothy (1 Corinthians 4:17), Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21), Epaphras (Colossians 1:7; 4:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9), Silas (1 Peter 5:12), Paul (1 Timothy 1:12) and Antipas (Revelation 2:13). 

Question 6: What does it mean to "remember the LORD thy God"?

To remember the Lord means to remember the following: the Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1); the Day of the Lord (Exodus 20:8); the day of your redemption (salvation) (Exodus 13:3; Deuteronomy 16:3); the commandments of the Lord (Numbers 15:39; Malachi 4:4; Matthew 26:75; Acts 20:35); the works of the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 105:5); the judgment of God (Deuteronomy 24:9); and the Death, Resurrection and Coming of Christ (2 Timothy 2:18; 1 Thessolians 5:1-6). The commandment of the Lord, to all saved youths, is: "Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind" (Jeremiah 51:50). Examples of those who remembered the Lord in the Bible are David (Psalm 63:5-7), Jonah (Jonah 2:7) and Peter (Luke 22:61). There are great blessings when we remember the Lord. Some of them are: victory over sin (Exodus 20:20); promotion and provision from God (Isaiah 58:13,14);  prosperity (Psalm 1:2,3); preservation from evil; wisdom, knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:7) and increase of faith (Joshua 2:8-11).

"And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish" (Deuteronomy 8:19). As remembering God attracts His blessings, so is forgetting Him brings His punishment (Isaiah 17:9-11).

Question 7: What are the consequences of forgetting God?

Individuals or a group of people who forget God have the consequences of being consumed by God (Deuteronomy 4:9,23,24), living without hope in God (Job 8:11-14), punishment in hell (Psalm 9:17), destruction from God (Psalm 50:22), lack of provision and satisfaction (Isaiah 65:11-14), being forgotten, forsaken and reproached (Jeremiah 23:39,40) and being rejected by God (Hosea 4:6). The Lord said as He punished those nations that lived in the land before them, so would He do to those who forgot Him and disobeyed His word. "As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God" (verse 20). The only solution is to repent, be humble and obey the word of God now. 

(Source: DCLM Youth Search the Scriptures - Vol 37, Lesson 471)

PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT FOR A VIBRANT LIFESTYLE

II Timothy 1:6; Isaiah 54:2

We have studied several aspects of soul-winning. To enable you fulfil your life as a vibrant believer and effective soul-winner, you need to take care of your inner life. Given the natural talents and divine resources Christians are endowed with, our potential for growth is infinite. There is however the need to ‘stir up’ ourselves and call forth the latent talents in us. It is our responsibility to claim the resources of grace and avail ourselves of the unsearchable riches in Christ. Our usefulness for God depends on the level of our spiritual development. It is helpful to be fed and motivated by others for growth but spiritual growth is often faster when there is personal consciousness and diligent commitment to it. It is a great day for a little child when he learns to feed himself; so it becomes a new era in a believer’s life when he forms the habit of going daily to the original source of spiritual truth for personal feeding.

HINDRANCES TO PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Want of talents or spiritual gifts is not always the cause of spiritual mediocrity but want of purpose for spiritual progress. Lack of vision makes a person to have no sense of mission. The main barrier to spiritual development is within the person. Lack of persuasion of the Christian faith leads to an unstable Christian life (Genesis 49:4; Revelation 3:15), while self-indulgence and loose habits are the bedrock of spiritual decay. Ungodly ambition (Exodus 32:6), complacency, want of determination (I Kings 18:21), worldly attachments (Hosea 7:8), laziness (Proverbs 6:611) and loose time control (Ephesians 5:16) are hindrances to personal spiritual development. Just as little leaks sink the ship, any of these hindrances will make a potential spiritual giant to become a slave. There is then the necessity for self-examination (II Corinthians 13:5) to remove any of these growth-deterrents.

HELPS FOR PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Divine resources are more than sufficient for our spiritual growth if we are ready to exploit them. Some of the helps we have for our personal spiritual development are:

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STUDY OF THE BIBLE (II Timothy 2:15; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:97; John 5:39)

No one can pretend to be a Christian without a competent acquaintance with the Scripture. Ignorance of scriptural injunctionsmakes a believer easily deceived. The Bible is a volume of inspiration of full fountain, ever flowing. A diligent study of the Bible fills the mind with the most splendid of heavenly truth, soothes the heart with an inexpressible sweetness, satisfies the sacred hunger and thirst for knowledge of God and imprints thedivine testimony firmly upon the mind, that believing souls rest upon it securely. Bible study aids, concordance, commentary, bible atlas and a complete Bible with references (KJV) are essentials for a systematic and profitable study of the Scripture.

GENERAL STUDY (I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 4:13; I Peter3:15; Acts 7:22)

Every Christian needs to study to develop, whatever be his disposition. The aim of study is not to gather mere knowledge but to be aware of our environment, to understand God’s creation, to be relevant to our fellowmen as we minister to them and to be current with important events. Our studies of other books – Christian literatures, science and art – should draw us to the Bible and our goal should also be to draw our studies to the Bible. In our reading or study of books, we have to be selective. The books we read are an outward expression of our inner hungers and expression. Our reading should be regulated largely by what we are and what we do or intend to be. For a profitable study, we must think or reflect on what we have read. Invest in Christian literature, which includes (auto)biographies of notable believers, evangelism, spiritual growth, consecration, etc.

PRAYER AND DEVOTION (Luke 6:12; 18:1; Mark 1:35; Psalm 146: 1,2; 149:1; I Thessalonians 5:17)

Prayer should be natural to Christians as water is to fish. It is the Christian trade. Prayer is the appropriate channel of heavenly communications. It is not only circumstances that are changed through prayer but also the person. Prayer paves the way for transfiguration. A spirit of continual prayer, mixed with reading, is fuel for spiritual exploits. We need prayer for additional supplies of heavenly influence. Much prayer and little study advance the work of God more than abundance of study without prayer. Devotion is largely praise worship – prayer of praise and singing. It takes us away from the world of cares to our Father’s throne. It is a sweet moment of blessed communion with God.

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PERSONAL RETREAT (Psalm 46:10; Mark 6:31)

For spiritual growth, we often need distraction-free environment where we can have still times with God. Solitude is essential for rest, reflection, evaluation and meditation. We need to ‘come apart’in order not to ‘fall apart’. Personal retreat is essential for a personal revival. We need personal retreat when spiritually dry, dead, weakor overwhelmed with spiritual responsibilities. In a personal retreat, you set time aside (a whole day, a whole week or weekend) to pray, meditate on God’s word and reflect on your life. Time for personal retreat can be partly or wholly devoted to fasting. It is a time to order or reorder your life and make necessary adjustments. It is at such times that God communicates to you the next step in His will for your life (Acts 13:1-3). It is important also to meditate deeply in the scriptures, spend time to sing spiritual songs and listen to anointed messages from our ministers. Invest on these resources!

If you can cultivate the inner life, you are bound to flourish spiritually. There is no excuse to remain a spiritual pauper when you ought to be a giant. Why not rise up and stir up the gifts that are in you?

OVERCOMING THE SPIRIT OF THIS AGE

Matthew 24:10-13; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-5

The heavenly vision requires constant renewing. A lot happens here below that could block the pilgrim’s view to his aspired homeland. God is calling our attention to the perilous times in which we live. We in the western world need to be extra cautious because our society is so secular that true Christianity and heavenly living have become strange. We could begin to lower our heavenly focus to be acceptable to our society, or we could become completely secular and abandon the heavenly vision altogether. These are perilous times and we need to be very watchful.

CHARACTERISTICS AND CONFLICT OF THIS AGE

The age we live in is described in the Bible in many vivid ways. It is called ‘evil world’, ‘latter times’, ‘last times’, ‘evil days’, ‘perilous times’, etc (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 4:16; I Timothy 4:1; II Timothy 3:1; I John 2:18). And the inhabitants are described as ‘an evil generation’, ‘an untoward (lawless) generation’, ‘children of disobedience’, ‘a perverse nation’, etc (Matthew 12:34,39; Acts 2:40; Ephesians 2:2; Philippians 2:15). In order words, this age has a different interest, focus and agenda than that of God for His children. This implies conflict for the heavenly pilgrim in many ways. One, there is conflict of loyalty. Who will be lord over us? Whose will do we hold supreme? Two, there is conflict of faith. Shall we continue in the purity of the Bible or change its claims to accommodate the changing views of human minds? And three, there is conflict of lifestyle. Shall we keep on the old-fashioned way or yield to the demands of our modern-day world? Unfortunately, the spirit of this age has affected some believers such that they are no longer heaven-focus. Are you part of them? The true believer must watch to avoid being swept aside by the mentality and spirit of this age. It is a battle we cannot afford to lose.

CHALLENGES FOR CHRISTIANS IN THIS AGE

The last days pose several practical challenges to the believer. The Bible is very clear that the days are evil and it requires the violence of faith to overcome (Matthew 11:12). What are the challenges?

1.     The common temptations of the heavenly pilgrim (I Corinthians 10:12,13).

2.     Personal, peculiar trials that can make the pilgrimage tedious (Job 2:11-13).

3.     Distractions and enticement from a world that craves our attention constantly (Proverbs 1:10).

4.     Increasing iniquity that discourages the mind and makes righteousness seem extra difficult, with the result that the love of the pilgrim begins to wax cold (Matthew 24:12).

5.     The pressure of daily living: what to eat, drink, put on, how to make ends meet, etc (Matthew 6:31).

6.     The legitimate cares of a busy and challenging ministry (II Corinthians 11:27-29).

7.     Family trials or troubles that baffle the mind and undermine the faith (Genesis 25:20-22).

8.     Perilous struggle for survival and quest for personal advancement (James 4:13).

Care is necessary to manage these challenges. The believer needs to make a courageous choice to stand for the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly despite the prevailing pressures.

CHOICE AND COURAGE IN THIS AGE

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” – Matthew 24:13. You can be victorious in this age. Two things are required: choice and courage. Choose your destiny (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14). Where will you spend eternity? Choose your doctrine (I Timothy 4:15,16). Will you believe the totality of God’s word or only what seems convenient? Will you stick to the old-time truth or bend to the popular gospel that makes light of the way of holiness? Choose your companions (Psalm 119:63). You will be like your friends. Will you go with the godly few or the compromising or sinning multitude? Choose your lifestyle (I Peter 2:9). Will you live like a pilgrim or like a tourist? Lastly, choose your ministry (Hebrews 12:28,29). What kind of service will you render to God – a wholehearted, consecrated one or the one that seeks to please men at the expense of God?

Courage is also essential for total victory. Courage exhibits several elements. One, it is to keep on to the truth despite fierce opposition (Hebrews 10:39). Two, it is to keep standing for the truth in the presence of error and perversion (II John 8-11). Three, it is to keep on preaching the word when it seems very unpopular (II Timothy 4:1-5). Four, it is to keep on praising God when your trials multiply (Job 1:20-22). Five, it is to keep on praying till you get the victory (Luke 18:1). Six, it is to keep on resisting temptation till it is overcome (Hebrews 12:4). And seven, it is to keep on faithfully watching and waiting till the Bridegroom comes (Matthew 25:10; Luke 21:34-36). He that shall come will come; He will not tarry.

ENRICHMENT AND GROWTH THROUGH PERSONAL DEVOTION

Psalm 1:1-3; Mark 1:35

Personal devotion is crucial to spiritual. While it is important to attend Church and have fellowship with other brethren steadfastly (Hebrews 10:25), this cannot take the place of personal fellowship with God (Joshua 1:8). Growing in grace and knowledge (II Peter 3:18) demands that you make personal effort to read the Word, meditate on it and pray its contents into your life. This is what you do during your Quiet Time, which is a period set aside to meditate on God’s Word and pray at a time when your mind is fresh. This practice enables you to feed your soul and receive divine strength for the Christian journey (I Kings 19:5-8). Just as babes and adults alike need food for survival and strength, so do young converts and adult believers alike need daily quiet time for survival, growth and fruitfulness.

PURPOSE OF PERSONAL DEVOTION

Personal devotion is a major element in spiritual development. It is the provision God has made for your renewal, growth in grace and daily infilling with the Spirit. The purpose of devotion is threefold. One, it creates time and environment for God to impress His holy Word on your heart (Exodus 34:1; II Corinthians 3:3). The Word of God is the food for the soul (Deuteronomy 8:3). As you receive His Word daily, your ways are cleansed (Psalm 119:9,11), you gather strength for daily spiritual journey (I Kings 19:5-8; Isaiah 40:30,31), and obtain illumination and guidance from the Lord (Proverbs 6:23). Two, it provides opportunity for God to reveal Himself to you in a personal, intimate way (Exodus 33:18; 34:5). This revelation deepens your conviction in the Lord, binds you more firmly to Him, and transforms your spiritual life (I John 1:1-3; John 20:11-16; II Corinthians 3:18). And three, it creates avenue for personal supplication, intercession, and devotional worship (Exodus 34:8,9; Daniel 6:10). At the time of personal devotion, you can bare your heart before the Lord and pour out your soul before Him on important matters. Devotional worship transports your heart to heaven, honours the Lord and brings deliverance down to men.

PILLARS OF PERSONAL DEVOTION

For your personal devotion to be fruitful, three pillars are important. One, you should ponder on the word of God, which is the main raw material for your growth. Two, you should pen down instructions, lessons and prayer points to make your prayer focused and for future reference. And three, you should pray yourself into God’s presence and pray the word of God into your life for growth and stability.

Pondering on the WORD (Genesis 24:63; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:3; Luke 2:19; I Timothy 4:15)

He who ponders or meditates on God’s word will enrich his spiritual life greatly; he will live deeply and talk deeply – like an oracle of God. Meditation is interaction with a subject so that it can change your life positively. Your meditation should be on the word of God, which reveals God – His Person, will, works, creation, wonders, etc. – to us in a new way. Select a few verses of the Bible, read them a few times over and think upon them deeply. Your heart should be calm and you should avoid every distraction. Moreover, you should ask practical questions to benefit from the Word of God.

Penning-down from the WORD (Exodus 34:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:6,8,9; Isaiah 30:8; James 1:22-25)

Write down the lessons you learnt, the commandments, warnings, encouragement, comfort, etc you received. Write down key prayer points. Write down key decisions. This is important for your prayer and also for easy reference. Be not a forgetful hearer!

Praying-in the WORD (Exodus 34:5-9; Numbers 14:17-20; Luke 24:32)

True meditation leads to rich prayer. It makes your heart to burn and gives you matter for scriptural prayer. Through prayer, you draw God’s power to make what you have learnt practicable. It enables you to deal with God in the light of the new revelation you received. The Word of God mixes with faith in your heart. You receive strength to carry God’s instructions out and overcome the downward pull of the flesh. Prayer is the crown upon your Quiet Time.

Personal devotion is a practical, enriching venture. Those who neglect it live defeated lives (Hosea 8:3); but those who choose this good thing will be commended by the Lord and they will grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 10:41,42; II Peter 3:18).

STORY OF GEORGE FOX

George Fox was born at a time when there was a lot of religious confusion here and there.  He was born in 1624 at Fenny Drayton, Leicestershire.  His father was a puritan, a weaver who was nicknamed “Righteous Christer” because of his strong conviction for holiness. 

George, from his childhood, possessed a gravity and sturdy mind and spirit not usually found in children.  As a boy of eleven, he was said to have been sensitive to God and claimed to have experienced the pureness of God’s divine presence.

One day, he accompanied two puritans to a fair and joined in a drinking session.  He saw the great difference in the peoples’ religious profession and their moral behaviour.  That made him to quickly pay for his drink and leave the place.  That set him on a three year search for perfection.  He interacted with clergymen (ministers) and separatists but got no satisfactory response from any of them that could give him assurance of salvation and victory over sin.

He then turned to the Bible.  He spent long hours in lonely places reading the Bible and praying.  In 1647, at the age of 23, he became genuinely saved.  Hear what he said afterwards:  “When all my hope in them were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly left to help me, nor could tell what to do, then, I heard a voice which said,

“There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition’, and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy”. 

He soon became a minister, an itinerant preacher called ‘to go abroad into the world’.  In one of his messages, he said: ‘Christ has been too long locked up in the mass or in the Book, let him be your Prophet, Priest and King. Obey him’. His messages were very powerful bringing hundreds repentant sinners into God’s kingdom. 

In 1691, he went to be with Jesus his Lord after a well spent and fulfilled life.

Challenge: Are you really saved? Are you righteous or just religious? Are you born again or you are just a professor of salvation.  Give your life to Jesus and live a fulfilled life.

KNOW YOURSELF 

Before the discovery of commercial oil by Shell in 1956, Nigeria had remained a purely primary economy concerned predominantly with agricultural activities.  The finding of oil deposits in commercial quantities however brought about the development of the oil industry and other allied industries.  Moreover, both the immediate and remote environment associated with this development all came under the influence and impact of the socio-economic improvements that followed.  Today, Nigeria is a force to reckon with in Africa and beyond.  As with a nation, so is it with an individual.

Everyone is a bundle of talents / potentials awaiting discovery and development.  Every youth is a raw material that can be tapped, polished and transformed into a beautifully packaged product.  The gold in its raw state remains unattractive and economically unprofitable but after it has been worked upon, it becomes captivating and valuable to mankind.  Think about this: “For thou has possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb… For I am fearfully and wonderfully made…my substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:13,16).  This is the testimony of a great monarch and elder statesman who discovered early in life his potentials and fully utilized them.

You possess unique characteristics and qualities that stand you out in life.  You are different from every other person.  There are no two identical persons on earth, no matter how closely related, even identical twins!  Do not try to imitate others or be intimidated by then.  Try to be what you are created for.  If you live your life on the basis of other people’s impression about you, you aren’t going to be your best.  Be what you think you are not what others say you are.  For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.  (Proverbs 23:7a).  Avoid imitation and intimidation. How do you do this?

You need to find out what your talent, interests and inclinations are.  Find out what career or profession excites and appeals to you.  Match your interests with your talents and abilities.  Begin to do things that will help you retain this picture or dream.  For example, you can share your dream with others of like interests and persuasion.

Listen to people who share similar vision and have accomplished something in this respect.  Then prepare yourself towards realizing that vision.  For instance, select subjects which combination tends towards that particular career or profession.  Do not doubt your abilities or capabilities.  Avoid any form of distraction or detractor.  Keep your focus. 

“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved…. Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, and that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come, it will not tarry”  (Habakkuk 2:1-3).

The moment Jesus Christ emerged on the world stage, He did not pretend nor hide His mission. He immediately proclaimed it loud and clear.  No wonder it was difficult for him to change even in the midst of oppositions and detractors.  Be determined and committed to that particular vision; it may be that which will be a force to reckon with in our modern society.  Keep off anything and everything that can hinder you from realizing your goals. Do not be a mediocre.  What your mind can perceive, your brain can be developed to become.  Self-discovery leads to self-realization and self-realization produces self-actualization.

TOTAL DEPRAIVITY, SINFULNESS AND GUILT OF ALL MEN

The total depravity, sinfulness and guilt of all men since the fall of man render all sinners subject to God’s wrath and condemnation (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6, Romans 51:1-5).  Man was created in the image of God, and he was righteous and holy.  Man was the crown of God’s creation (Genesis 1:26,27; Psalm 8:5-8, Genesis 1:31).  Through voluntary disobedience and transgression, man fell into the depths of sin.  In consequence of this, everyone through our first parents (Adam and Eve) became sinners, shapen in iniquity and utterly void of the holiness of God.  Every man became totally inclined to evil (Psalm 51:1-5, Romans 3:10-18,23; 7:14-21; John 3:18, 36; Romans 5:12-17, Job 14:4; Isaiah 48:8).  As a result of the fall of man (Adam and Eve) all men born through man and woman became sinners through inheritance.  By inheriting the nature of sin, man became depraved.  There is nothing in the natural man that has not been affected by the power of sin.

The entire nature of man, mentally, physically, morally and spiritually has been affected by sin.  The testimony of the Scripture is that the image of God in man has been seriously marred by this great fall.  As a result of the fall, and the nature of sin inherited, man became separated from God, totally alienated from the perfect, holy and pure God.  This separation is the beginning of sorrow, shame, fear, heartaches and manifold problems spiritually and mentally.

The consequence of the fall of man is that man became totally depraved, and the immediate effect was his separation from the Holy God and a curse upon Adam and his descendants (Genesis 3:1-6, 14-19, 23,24; Romans 5:12; 8:22). God’s judgment also came upon all men.  “The soul that sinneth shall die”.  “For the wages of sin is death” (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23).  The human race has rebelled against God and broken His law, but the love of God constrained the holy God to plan for man’s redemption to fulfill the law that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).  Therefore, God undertook the redemption work for man by sending Jesus Christ to die for him.  Jesus Christ became the divine provision of a Perfect Substitute and sin – bearer (Genesis 22:7,8,14; 3:15; John 3:16, Hebrews 9:22).    He became the lamb of God (John 1:29; Matthew 1:21).  By the perfect sacrifice of His blood, (I Corinthians 5:7) man has complete protection from the fatal and eternal consequence of the fall, from the curse of the broken law, (Exodus 12:13; Galatians 3:13); complete removal of the guilt and condemnation of sin and full redemption by faith in Christ (Isaiah 53:4-8; Acts 8:32-35; I Peter 1:18-21, 2:24).   The atonement is the reconciliation of sinful, fallen man to God made possible through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

God demands repentance from all sinners to avail themselves of the provision of redemption through Jesus Christ  (Isaiah 53:5-7, Matthew 20:28; 26:28, John 3:14-15).  Repentance is the change, which takes place in the penitent’s attitude towards sin.  It is the turning away from sin to God.   Sincere and total repentance and godly sorrow for sin through the agency of the Holy Spirit are important pre-requisites for salvation.  Repentance is the deep inward experience, which makes the sinner turn from sin to God. On the basis of this process of genuine repentance, the sinner asks for forgiveness and pardon based on the promises of God in the scripture, (Romans 8:16, II Corinthians 5:17, I John 2:23).

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

This was the all-important question the Jailor asked Paul and Silas in Acts 16:30 and this is the question every sincere seeker of salvation need to ask.

There are many people who are confused about what they need to do to get saved. Unfortunately, many preachers further confuse the minds of people on the issue of salvation. They tend to turn people away from the simplicity of the gospel of Christ to some complex things that they require seekers of salvation to do before they can be saved. Some recommend that to be saved, one must first be baptized in water; while others feel that one must first of all; turn over a new leaf before one can receive God’s salvation. There are some that teach that sinners must show that they are truly sorry for their sins by punishing their flesh i.e. penance. Some others allege that salvation is not complete until one goes through a particular rite of deliverance where evil spirits are cast out of the person. All these are misleading.

To the question asked by the Philippian Jailor, Paul answered “…. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31). This is all it takes, no more, no less.   As you realize yourself as a sinner, you truly repent, confess and forsake them.   Then you receive Jesus into your life and believe in Him as your Saviour. When you do this with a very sincere mind and in faith, then you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10; I John 1:9-10).

This will be followed by very clear evidences one of which will be that you will become a new creature, (II Corinthians 5:17). All you need to do after is to continue to live the Christian life by grace through faith. Read the Bible daily for divine strength and nourishment. Pray always to receive more grace and help from the Lord. Fellowship regularly with a church that stands on the word of God for encouragement, help and other assistance. And then, try to tell other people of what God has done in your life.

The Lord blesses you.

THE BIG QUESTION 

Are you really saved?

This is a very important question that every boy and girl must answer. The issue of salvation is one that everyone must seriously consider because it is the only thing that can make one to be qualified for eternity in Heaven. 

“Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily I say unto thee, EXCEPT a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

This question becomes very necessary because many of the religious activities and programmes that are springing up today seem to be underplaying the issue of the importance of genuine personal salvation. More religious involvements and activities are being emphasized over the importance of personal salvation. 

Most religious leaders are satisfied as long as their members and youths turn up regularly in church and observe other religious ordinances. There are other people who however confuse other things with salvation. They take the fact that they are born into a serious Christian family to mean that they too are saved.   Some take their moral uprightness for salvation. They feel that since they do not fight, steal, tell lies, commit fornication etc, it means they are saved. There are some who have been mistakenly baptized in water, who partake in the Holy Communion, sing in the choir, etc, who think that for these, they are saved.

Salvation is a very definite personal experience that takes place in one’s life at a particular point in time. It is an experience that one receives as a result of a very conscious and deliberate decision one take to turn away from all sins and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and personal Saviour.

The truth is “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all were conceived and born in sin. (Psalm 51:5). None of us has the ability to do any good. (Romans 10:10-18). 

In fact, because we have sinned by nature (we all inherited sin from Adam -Romans 5:12) and by our actions, we all stand condemned before God and are to face the consequence of our sins, which is death – eternal separation from God in the Lake of fire. (Romans 6:23, Ezekiel 18:4, 20, Revelation 21:8).

No amount of our personal efforts or good works can save us. No religious activity or ordinance can pay the price for our sin and free us from the consequences of our sin. (Isaiah 65:6). Only Jesus can.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. Acts 4:12) 

Salvation is only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9). You can become genuinely saved as you acknowledge your sins, (Psalm 51:3-4), confess them before God (Proverbs 28:13), truly turn away from them in repentance (Job 34:32), receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Personal Saviour (Revelation 3:20) and believe in Him with the whole of your heart. (John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10).

If you will sincerely take these steps, you can be saved today. When you become saved, you will be totally set free from sin and condemnation, (Job 8:36, Romans 8:1); the peace and joy of the Lord will become yours. Sin will no longer be your master; the spirit of God will always be there to lead you, and you will become an entirely new person (Romans 5:1; 6:14; 8:14-16; II Corinthians 5:17). 

So, are you really saved? If not, Why not now?

Source: www.dclmhq.org

BIBLE DOCTRINE 7 - JUSTIFICATION

Justification - That Justification (or Regeneration) is the act of God’s grace whereby one receives forgiveness and remission of sins, and is counted righteous before God, through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus, standing before God as though he had never sinned. Psalm 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:29; John 3:3-8; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 3:24-30; 4:6-16; 5:1,2; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:23.

God's Word teaches:

Justification is the act of God’s grace through which one receives forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous before God, through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. Having thus been cleared of every guilt of sin, the regenerated stands before God as though he had never sinned. Now totally forgiven and the sins forgotten, God looks at the redeemed not on the basis of any personal merit but in the light of what Christ had accomplished for mankind by his substitutionary death on the cross of Calvary (Psalms 32:1-2: Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; Acts 13:38).

In order to fully appreciate the benefits of salvation in Christ Jesus, the utter helplessness and hopelessness of man should be noted. Man being incapable of personally providing a solution to his problem of sin or change his eternal destiny of damnation (Isaiah 59:8), the need for justification becomes obvious.

To meet the standard of divine justice, due price needed to be paid. Man lacked both the capacity and purity to afford this. It therefore required the sacrifice of the spotless Iamb of God, untainted and without blemish in himself to pay the necessary ransom with his blood for the expiation of man’s sins.

It is instructive here to note that the nature of sin is not such that man could handle on his own or by the merit if his good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Just as circumcision cannot justify the Jew nor water baptism the Gentiles, so by the standards of God’s righteousness and holiness, church membership or confirmation does not suffice to justify any one. Only the faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross can assure a penitent soul the full justification through faith by the grace of Jesus. As has been outlined above, three aspects of the doctrinal question need be examined closely.

Redemption by the blood of Christ, Necessity of faith and Evidence of Justification. Genesis 2:16-17 reads and the Lord God commanded the man, saying of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. God's indelible words cannot be changed as revealed in the Holy Scriptures (Isaiah 55:11). Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:25).

Adam and Eve though still physically in the Garden of Eden after eating the forbidden fruit, consequently spiritually dead and became alienated from God and from the commonwealth of His kingdom. This verdict they could not set aside, which emphasizes the insufficiency of man’s works and personal endeavor in gaining salvation, except he be born again (John 3:3). It needed a Messiah - one qualified, sure and of a high integrity to meet the divine standard and thus satisfy God’s imperative judgment.

Christ therefore became the sin bearer, based on the fact of God’s provision and what the scripture says (Romans 3:25). And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:2; Acts 4:12). And by Christ’s finished work of grace, solution was provided to the problem of sin to ensure man s reconciliation with God (Isaiah 44:22; Romans 5:9).

Although Christ's atonement on the cross guarantees universal provision of salvation for all mankind, but could only be appropriated on a personal basis there is yet a needful element for it to avail one; through faith in Christ Jesus. The sinner who seeks salvation must take the necessary step of faith in the blood of Jesus. St. Paul gives proof of it in his Epistle to the Romans 5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard. (Hebrews 4:2; 11:6).

Having been saved through faith in Lord Jesus, the redeemed has evidence in his new life to show for his justification (II Corinthians 5:17). In keeping with this expectation, Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesians converts. be ye therefore followers of God as dear children. And work in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. (Ephesians 5:1-2). Before he was justified, the sinner had works of the flesh as catalogue in Galatians 5:19-21 but as a new creature, the fruit of the spirit are manifest (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, in life style, speech. conduct and disposition, the redeemed is more like Christ, having been quickened by the spirit of God.

The misleading concept of justification by works, as an article of man’s religion, is opposed to justification by faith because it denies the grace of God and dishonors the blood of Christ.

The reference in the General Epistle of James 2:14-26 may be interpreted amiss by a cursory reader of the scriptures, where it asks: but wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

BIBLE DOCTRINE 6 - RESTITUTION

Restitution - That Restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologising to those slandered, so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man. Genesis 20:1-8,14-18; Exodus 22:1-7; Leviticus 6:1-17; Numbers 5:6-8; 11 Samuel 12:1-6; Proverbs 6:31; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Matthew 5:23,24; Luke 19:8,9; Acts 23:1-5; 24:16; James 4:17-5:6.

God's Word teaches:

Repentance

Restitution is an act of making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen, restoring stolen or misappropriated things, properties or persons to their rightful owners, paying back just debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men. This is done whether the person injured knew or not, for God knows (Hebrews 4:13).

We receive forgiveness when we confess and forsake our sins. We get cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9). When a sins against God, we often find that other people suffer as a result of that sin. It is also true that when a man sins against his neighbor, he sins against God in the same act, because one of God’s commandments has been broken. God willingly forgives the sins committed against Him when there is repentance and forsaking of sin. However, God requires that a man make amends to any person he has injured or wronged as a mark among other things, that repentance is genuine. We need to bear fruit that signify to all that we have become new creatures indeed (Luke 3:8-14; Romans 8:1-2; Acts 24:16; II Corinthians 5:17). Making restitutions ensures that we have right relationship with our fellowmen after we are reconciled with God.

The Bible doctrine on restitution in practice and precept spans virtually all the dispensations of God’s dealings with men till present day. The revelation of God’s will and word before the Mosaic laws demands that we make restitution (Romans 1 LI 9-20). Therefore, this teaching or doctrine of God's word, which had been, established many years before the law cannot be abolished with the law.

Restitution is part of the moral law. Most sins committed by men are against God as well as their neighbor. So repentance toward God for the children of Israel included restoration to man of all properties gained by fraud, lying or pretence of whatever kind (Exodus 21:18,19,22,26-36; 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:2-5; Numbers 5:6-8).

Rulers in Israel reflected and embraced this teaching on restitution. It is vital today that rulers, temporal and spiritual reflect this commitment to God’s moral requirement for all men (II Samuel 16:5-8 with 19:16-23; Proverbs 6:30,31; I Kings 20:34; II Kings 8:1-6). The prophets in Israel also preached, explained and emphasized the need to make restitution by every backslidden Israelite who is returning to God. Nehemiah 5: 6-13. The prophets proclaimed and prophesied much of the coming of Christ and the atoning sacrifice. They were quick to recognize the need for the blood of the Iamb to cleanse sins, yet they did not lessen God's requirement of the necessity of restitution. The ministry of preachers today is akin to that of the Old Testament prophets.

Restitution is a doctrine of Christ, confirming his word that till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Every believer must earnestly and whole-heartedly contend for and practice all that Christ taught (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-5; Luke 19:8-1 0).

Zaccheus’ encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ is an object lesson. Zaccheus wanted nothing to stand between himself and his salvation - not even his wealth, especially that part that has been ill gotten. Though the people murmured that Jesus was going to be a sinner’s guest, Jesus pronounced that salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house since he as a son of Abraham not only by birth but now also by faith, is ready to make right his life and wholly follow the Lord. The salvation experience makes a person feel like returning all possessions that rightfully belong to another.

The apostles in the early church also preached and taught restitution. In fact the whole church of God lived by this teaching. Matthew 28:19,20; John 14:26; Acts 2:42; 16:4,5; Philemon 7:21. The rules of righteous living are just as high (or even higher) under the dispensation of Grace as those in the Old Testament. Restitution is as much a part of the Gospel as conversion or water baptism. It is not a self-righteous act to merit pardon. When a man is saved, he will not only make right matters of money such as theft, dishonest gains and unpaid bills; he will also confess his lies, slanderous reports, unjust criticisms, hatred, malice - those things in which one may have injured others in word or deed. One may say, ‘my brother or sister does not know that I talked evil of him’. but what about the person to whom you talked? Without doubt you have harmed him, and perhaps he repeated it to others. You should go to the one to whom you talked and confess it.

It is better that we make right all previous wrongs here and now than face it in eternity. The great counselor who never lost a case can go before us and soften the hearts of those whom we wronged (I Timothy 5:24).

Making restitution can be likened to a scriptural warfare in which we need God’s help and wisdom to undertake for us and quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:10-12,16). Some restitution are delicate. These are restitutions that may implicate or bring injuries or harm to others that may be unsaved; or the need to settle issues with individuals or organizations that may affect other people in an adverse way. It also includes cases in which we do not have clear leading from God’s word as to what steps to take. For delicate restitutions, we need fervent prayerfulness, wisdom and counseling from Spirit-filled preachers of God’s word who believe and teach the whole counsel of God (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6).

The civil laws in a country may not always govern in matters of restitution. For example, the law may provide a time limit for certain classes of debts and obligations, after which they become lapse; but no debts are outlawed with God. Time cannot cancel moral obligations.

Restitution is usually considered at the time of salvation because God will only forgive when a man is willing, so far as it lies within his power to make right every wrong that he has committed against others. There would be need however throughout life as a Christian to be ready to make restitution where need be when others are offended, for example, out of human error of judgment (Acts 23:1-5, Matthew 5:23,24).

God demands that restitutions be made. A far-reaching benefit in God’s plan as regards restitution is that an undeniable testimony is directed to people who otherwise might never seriously hear the story of the gospel. A religion that compels a man to pay his just debts, restore back the things he has stolen, and uncover his crimes demands confidence from men of the world.

When restitutions are made, and past wrongs are settled, the peace of God floods the believer’s heart. There is confidence towards God in prayer and the believer makes progress in the Christian life as sense of guilt is removed (Romans 8:1,2).

BIBLE DOCTRINE 5 - REPENTANCE

Repentance - That Repentance is a complete turning away from all sin and its deceitful pleasures, and that it is required of every sinner before he can truly and effectively believe in Jesus with saving faith. Proverb 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:21-23; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:46,47; Acts 2:38; 3:19,21; II Corinthians 7:10; Hebrew 6:1-3.

God's Word teaches:

Repentance is a conscious turning away from evil, disobedience, sin or idolatry. It is also turning from Satan unto the Living God(Jonah 3:8-10); Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 12:41). Repentance evokes a change of one’s mind and purpose in life and changes all past actions. It elicits a form of godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:10), which makes an erstwhile sinner regard sin with utter revulsion. Godly sorrow makes the sinner or backslider to turn away from sin. It also causes an abhorrence of hatred for sin. The need for repentance is the heartache of a deeply compassionate God (II Peter 3:9). Repentance is the genesis of the purpose of restoration for backsliders and sinners. It differs from tearful remorse, which is merely an expression of sorrow over an embarrassing outcome of sin (II Chronicles 7:14). It is a universal Command by God to all people (Ezekiel 14:6; 18:30).

Repentance is the central theme of the gospel. The doctrine and teaching of repentance is fundamental to the propagation of the gospel. It is a foundation stone in the cardinal doctrines of the New Testament Church. Its vital place in scripture, particularly in the New Testament, is underscored by the regularity of its usage. Repentance, repent or repenting occurs over sixty times in the New Testament alone.

It was the keynote of Christ's preaching as well as the sum and substance of evangelistic apostolic message. He repeatedly emphasized that His mission was providing repentance for the sinner (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32; Acts 3:18, 19,26; 11:18). Also, John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord anchored his fiery messages in the wilderness on repentance (Luke 3:3-8).

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached repentance (Matthew 4:17). His valedictory message to His disciples shortly before He was taken to heaven, was hinged upon repentance (Luke 24:45-47). This was principally because repentance is cardinal to the sinner’s reconciliation with God. From His Eminent position in Glory, the Lord yet admonished the backslidden church to repent (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:3).

Peter and the other Apostles took a cue from the Lord and made the doctrine of repentance, the fundamental theme of their gospel homilies (Acts 2:38; 17:30). Paul the Apostle, sent to preach to the Gentiles, did not differ with either the Lord or other Apostles, on the necessity of repentance for the sinner backslider to gain the mercy of God. Repentance must therefore be preached to all men in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:47). Sinners and backsliders must be made to know that no one is excluded from the challenge of the gospel to repent, for it is only through it that the manifold blessing, arising from the remission of sins, could be appropriated.

Repentance, however, does not exist in isolation of faith. Saving faith is taken as implying the change of mind, which is repentance (Hebrews 11:9; Zechariah 8:14; Acts 20:21). Both are a response to grace, creating a completely different orientation for the erstwhile sinner. Works do not elicit repentance (II Timothy 1:9; Romans 3:27-28; 4:1-8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). Paradoxically, repentance must necessarily produce works otherwise it is unreal (James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:9-10; Titus 2:5-8).

True repentance manifests a proper attitude towards sin (II Corinthians 7:10-11; Psalms 38:18; 51:17; II Samuel 12:13). The repentant heart henceforth treats sin with disdain. No sinner or backslider can be said to have genuinely repented if he still condones sin. This is because essentially sin is exceedingly abominable. Consequently, the need for repentance by the sinner must be the pivot around which redemption messages must be woven.

The practical side of repentance is restitution, which is the act of correcting all past wrongs and having a conscience void of offense towards God and man. God expects the repentant sinner or backslider to correct every wrong committed against others. Restitution is incontrovertibly an integral part of true repentance (Genesis 20:1-18; Number 5:6-8; II Kings 8:1-6; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Matthew 5:23-24; Acts 24:16). Through repentance, self-centeredness gives way to God or Christ centeredness. The forgiveness of sin is available only to those who repent, for they alone are worthy of God’s mercy.

Repentance opens the way and makes us receive the grace of God. It provides pardon and remission of sins (Isaiah 55:7; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19). Through it, sinners receive justification and acceptance (John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:8; 2:16; Romans 8:1; 5:12). Above all, there is joy in heaven, joy to God, Christ and heavenly hosts when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7,10,11-24). Repentance is a profitable doctrine that makes inward change and life a reality, while activating a life of faith.

BIBLE DOCTRINE 4 - TOTAL DEPRAVITY, SINFULNESS AND GUILT OF ALL MEN

The Fall of Man - The total depravity, sinfulness and guilt of all men since the Fall, rendering them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Romans 3:23; 5:12-17; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1.

God's Word teaches:

The total depravity, sinfulness and guilt of all men since the fall, renders all sinners subject to God’s wrath and condemnation (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 8:5-8; Genesis 1:31). Man was created in the image of God, and he was righteous and holy. Man was the crown of God’s creation (Genesis 2:1 5-17; 3:1 -6; Romans 5:17,19; Psalms 51:1-5). Through voluntary disobedience and transgression, fell into the depths of sin. In consequence of this, everyone born through our first parents, (Adam and Eve) became sinners, shapened in iniquity and utterly void of the holiness of God. Every man totally inclined to evil. (Psalms 51:1-5; Romans 3:10-18,23; Romans 7:14-21; John 3:18,36; Romans 5:12-17; Job 14:4; Isaiah 48:8). As a result of the fall of man, (Adam and Eve) all men born through man and woman became sinners through inheritance. By inheriting the nature of sin, man became depraved. There is nothing in the natural man that has not been affected by the power of sin.

The entire nature of man, mentally, physically, morally and spiritually has been affected by sin. The testimony of the scriptures is that the image of God in man has been seriously marred by this great fall. As a result of the fall, and the nature of sin inherited, man became separated from God, totally alienated from the perfect, holy and pure God. This separation is the cause of the beginning of sorrow, shame, fear, heartaches and manifold problems spiritually and mentally. Man became a transgressor and debtor to God (Romans 1:32; 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4; Hebrews 9 :27). All these have brought man under the wrath and condemnation of God, for the soul that sinneth it shall die. There is nothing we can do for ourselves to commend us to a righteous and holy God. There is nothing the natural man (fallen away from grace) can offer to appease God for man to escape the righteous judgment of God.

The Bible describes the fallen nature of man in various terms. Jesus Christ referred to sinners outside the kingdom of God as Swine and Dogs. Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you (Matthew 7:6; mark 7:25-28). He also referred to them as goats (Matthew 25:33) Paul in his epistle to the Philippians church warned them to beware of evil workers as dogs (Philippians 3:2).

Also in his epistle to the Romans, Paul referred to the fallen nature of man as There is none righteous no, not one, they are together become unprofitable, their throat is an open sepulcher, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness - for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10-18,23,). Jesus and John the Baptist described the nature of men as vipers, (Matthew 3:7; Matthew 12:34). Variously the unregenerated man is characterized with -reprobate mind, being filled with all unrighteousness - immorality, covetousness full of envy, murder, (defiled and polluted ) (Romans 1:28-37 (Mark 7:21-23) Treacherous, Transgressor workers of iniquity, their thought are thoughts of iniquity, wasters and destroyers (Isaiah 48:8; 59:5-8) cunning and crafty, full of wickedness, blind, foolish with darkened understanding, children of wrath, (Ephesians 2:3; 4:14). The Bible says that the whole head of man is sick. The heart devices wicked imaginations, and has come far short of the glory of God. All men have become enslaved to sin, and because sin dwells in the natural man, man is conceived in sin, born in sin, grew up in sin - by nature and habit, he is a sinner. The natural man cannot resist sin.

The consequence of the fall of man is that man became totally depraved, and the immediate effect was his separation from the Holy God, and a curse upon Adam and his descendants (Genesis 3:1-6,14-19,23-24; Romans 5:12; 8:22). God's s judgment also came upon all men the soul that sinneth it shall die, the wages of sin is death (Ezekiel 8:4; Romans 6:23). The Human race has rebelled against God and broken his law, but the love of God constrained the holy God to plan for man’s redemption to fulfill the law that without the shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Therefore God undertook the redemption work for man by sending Jesus Christ to die for him Jesus Christ became the Divine Provision of a Perfect Substitute and Sin -bearer (Genesis 22:7, 8:14; 3:15 John 3:16; Hebrews 9:22). He became the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Matthew 1:21). By the perfect sacrifice of his blood, (I Corinthians 5:7) and through his blood, man has complete protection from the consequence of the fall, from the curse of the broken law, (Exodus 12:13; Galatians 3:13) complete removal of the guilt and condemnation of sin, and full redemption (Isaiah 53:4-8; Acts 8:32-35; I Peter 1:18-21; 2:24).

The atonement is the reconciliation of sinful, fallen man of God made possible through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The vicarious death of Jesus Christ is the substitution of the sufferings of Christ for the punishment of all sinners in the world. The prime purpose of this is the full redemption of fallen mankind. Through this mercy-seat sinners are reconciled to God. The power of sin over the natural man can only be broken by the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 5:17-19)For as by one man's disobedience, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man shall many be made righteous.

God demands repentance from all sinners to avail themselves of the provision of redemption made in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:5-7; Matthew 20:28; 26:28; John 3:14,15; I Corinthians 5:7; John 1:12; 3:18,36). Repentance is the change, which takes place in the penitent’s attitude towards sin. It is turning away from sin to God. Sincere and total repentance and godly sorrow for sin through the agency of the Holy Spirit are important prerequisites for salvation. Repentance is the deep inward experience, which makes the sinner turn from sin to God. therefore God demands repentance from all men (Mark 1:15; Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3,5; Luke 24: 47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30). When a sinner hears the gospel of the Holy Spirit, the sinner will have deep, godly sorrow for his sins and acknowledge them by confessing all manner of sins. He goes before God on the merit of the atonement made by Jesus Christ through his vicarious death and accepts the sacrifice as a substitute for the punishment of his own personal sins. On the basis of this process of genuine repentance, the sinner asks for forgiveness and pardon based on the promises of God in the scriptures (Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:6,7; I John 1:9; Ezekiel 18:21-22. As the sinner, through the agency of the Holy Spirit repents genuinely, he will have forgiveness and pardon (Romans 8:16; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 2:2,3).