The Significance of the Tearing of the Veil in the Temple in Two From Top to Bottom Following the Death of Jesus on the Cross

"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS TORN IN TWO FROM TOP TO BOTTOM; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:50‭-‬51 NKJV).

Beloved, to better understand the significance of the tearing of the veil of the temple in two from top to bottom, we need to first understand the purpose the veil served in the temple, as well as how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross fulfilled the Law of Moses, and thus eliminated the need for the veil. Under the Old Covenant (of law), there is a physical tabernacle, which God asked Moses to erect according to the pattern of the true tabernacle in heaven that was shown to him on the mountain; Moses was to build the tabernacle as a shadow or copy of the true tabernacle in heaven which God Himself erected, and not man. (see Hebrews 8:1-5; Exodus 25:8-9, 40). So there is this physical tabernacle erected by Moses under the Old Covenant. Then there is the Priesthood that offered the sacrifices at the tabernacle. The children of Israel were also required to keep the Sabbath and to observe other rituals, new moon celebrations and feasts, including the Day of Atonement, and the Passover. Today, some so-called Christians, out of ignorance or sheer unbelief, still focus a lot on these rituals, Sabbaths and laws of the Old Covenant, but the Bible tells us that these laws and rituals are not an end in themselves, but are shadows that point to Jesus Christ the Substance. (see Colossians 2:16-17). In other words, all the laws and rituals of the Old Covenant find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, just as Jesus Himself affirmed after His resurrection. (see Luke 24:44-48). Today under the New Covenant (of grace), there is no value in physically observing all those Old Covenant laws, Sabbaths, feasts and rituals again, since they have taken on a spiritual meaning.

Thus, when Jesus started His earth ministry, He told the Jews that He had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill it. (see Matthew 5:17). And so the Bible tells us that, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16 NKJV). “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring  us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Galatians 3:24-25 NKJV).  Thus, the Law was fully fulfilled in Christ through His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, after Jesus’ resurrection, He opened the understanding of His disciples for them to comprehend the Scriptures and bear witness to the truth that He had indeed fulfilled the things which were written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning Him. (see Luke 24:44-48).

As mentioned earlier, the Jews served a copy or shadow of the true tabernacle which is in heaven, and this true tabernacle – the substance – is Christ Jesus who dwells (or tabernacles) with and in believers today. (see Colossians 1:27; Matthew 28:20). The Bible says that the Lord God almighty and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) are the Temple (and for that matter, the True Tabernacle) of the heavenly Jerusalem. (see Revelation 21:22). The Bible also says that Jesus is "a Minister of the sanctuary and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE WHICH THE LORD ERECTED, and NOT MAN." (Hebrews 8:2 NKJV). Thus, the Tabernacle Moses constructed in the wilderness contained many prophetic images that explain how the Old Covenant believer’s approach to God differs from the New Covenant believer’s approach. (see Hebrews 8:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-16). The tabernacle had three distinct sections: the Outer Court, the Inner Court (or Holy Place), and the Holy of Holies (or the Most Holy Place). The Temple in Jerusalem was also set up in a similar fashion as the Tabernacle, and served the same purpose, except the Temple was more magnificent and grand. There was only one way or gate into the Outer Court of the tabernacle or the Temple (see Exodus 27:16-17; Exodus 38:18-20), and only one door into the Holy Place (see Exodus 26:36-37; Exodus 36:37-38), just as Jesus Christ is the only Door, the only Way to the heavenly Father. (see  John 10:9, with John 14:6). There was also a veil separating the Holy of Holies from the other parts of the Temple. (see Exodus 26:31-35; Exodus 36:35-38). The high priest had to go through this veil to enter the Holy of Holies. This was also the veil that was torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross.

In the outer court of the Temple or the Tabernacle was the Brazen Altar. It is at this altar that animals were sacrificed as sin offering to make way into the presence of God. Therefore, the way into the presence of God began at the Brazen Altar. No sinner could come empty handed into the tabernacle; they had to come with a sacrificial animal, and the animal had to be without blemish. (see Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30). Similarly, the only way to the presence of the Father today is through the cross of Jesus Christ. To come to the Father, we must all believe the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; we must put our faith in Jesus the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, and confess Him as Lord. Under the Old Covenant, when an Israelite brought an animal without blemish as his sin offering, he laid his hand on it first, and then killed it (see Leviticus 4:1-4). By laying his hand on the sin offering first, his sins were transferred (or imputed) to the innocent animal. Then the animal would die with/for his sins, and he would go free. The anointed priest would then take some of the blood of the sacrificial animal and bring it to the tabernacle of meeting for the cleansing rituals. (see Leviticus 4:5-10). Thus, only by the shedding of innocent blood, in accordance with the instructions of God, could one’s sins be atoned for and forgiven. In this regard, God said, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11 NKJV).

In the same manner as the sinner had to lay hands on his sin offering and kill it as the atonement for his sins, even so did the high priest, chief priests and elders of the people (representing the Jewish nation), together with the Roman governors and soldiers (representing the Gentiles or non-Jews) lay hand on Jesus our Passover Lamb (see 1 Corinthians 5:7) and killed Him on the brazen altar of the cross, as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. (see 1 John 2:2). The Book of Hebrews also explains: “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22 NKJV). Thus, the Brazen (or Bronze) Altar in the outer court of the tabernacle is a picture of the cross of Jesus. Bronze speaks of judgment, and the sacrificial animal without blemish points to Jesus the Lamb of God without blemish and without spot (see 1 Peter 1:19). Jesus our sacrificial Lamb bore our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2:24) and tasted death for every man (see Hebrews 2:9), offering a better and once-for-all sacrifice that did not just cover sin, but removed it (or put it away) altogether (see Hebrews 9:8-14, 26) and perfected believers forever. (see Hebrews 10:14). On the cross, Jesus bore our sins and took our judgment. (see 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53). As our sin offering, His blood was shed for the remission of our sins (see Matthew 26:28), and as our burnt offering, He was burnt by the fire of God’s judgment for a sweet-smelling aroma onto God. (see Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 10:10-14; Ephesians 5:2).

Clearly, every furniture in the tabernacle or Temple points to the inner working of Jesus Christ within the believer today. We have already pointed out that the Brazen Altar points to Jesus the Lamb of God who took away our sins. The Brazen Laver (see Exodus 38:8), which is also located in the outer court of the tabernacle, points to Jesus our sanctification (see Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:30). The Golden Lampstand (see Exodus 25:31-40) located in the Holy place of the tabernacle points to Jesus our baptizer in the Holy Spirit and the Head of the Church. The Table of Showbread (see Exodus 25:23-30), which is located inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle also points to Jesus our Bread of Life. The Altar of Incense which is also located in the Holy Place (see Exodus 40:26) points to Jesus our High Priest. The Mercy Seat, located in the Holy of Holies on top of the Ark of the Covenant (see Exodus 25:17-22), points to Jesus our merciful Savior and the Lamb upon the Throne. Everything in the tabernacle points to the revelation of Jesus Christ. They point to the ministry of Jesus Christ in the believer who today is the temple of God and the temple of the Holy Spirit. (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Indeed it is amazing that the believer’s body is today God’s Holy of Holies on earth.

Under the Old Covenant the Holy of Holies was God’s special dwelling place or throne in the tabernacle and in the Temple (see Leviticus 16:2); it was a perfect cube or square measuring 30 feet on each side (see 2 Chronicles 3:8; 1 Kings 6:16; Ezekiel 41:4), and inside it was the Ark of the Covenant or the Ark of the Testimony (see Exodus 26:33; Exodus 40:3, 21; 1 Kings 8:6-9), which represented the presence of God. Indeed the Holy of Holies was a shadow or representation of Heaven – the true throne of God (see Isaiah 66:1) – as we are told in John’s vision of heaven that the new Jerusalem is also a perfect cube or square. (see Revelation 21:16). The Bible says that a thick curtain divided or separated the Holy of Holies (God's dwelling place) from the Holy Place (see Exodus 26:33) and the tabernacle of meeting which Aaron and his sons and all succeeding priests tended from evening until morning before the Lord. (see Exodus 27:21). This thick curtain, known as the “veil,” was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It was woven with an artistic design of cherubim. (see Exodus 26:31). The veil of the temple thus existed to always show the people the separation between God and sinful man and the difficulty for the Old Creation man to approach God. It showed the people that God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and He can tolerate no sin (see Habakkuk 1:13). Indeed, God considered the people as transgressors and sinners (see 1 Timothy 1:9; Galatians 3:19); God considered them as unholy people who needed to be holy (see Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 23:14). And so God restricted them from coming into His presence, by installing the veil (see Exodus 26:33), just as He restricted them from coming into His presence at Mount Sinai by setting bounds. (see Exodus 19:10-13).

Moreover, because whoever entered the Holy of Holies entered into the very presence of God, the Law permitted only the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies, and even he couldn’t go in whenever he pleased, but could enter only once a year (on the Day of Atonement), and not without blood sacrifices to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people that were committed in ignorance. (see Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:6-7). The high priest also had to make some meticulous preparations before entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement – he had to wash himself, put on special clothing, bring burning incense for the smoke to cover his eyes from a direct view of God (represented by the mercy seat), or else he would die; then also he had to bring blood with him to make atonement for his own sins and for the sins of the people. (see Leviticus 16). In fact, if anyone else apart from the high priest entered the Holy of Holies at any time, that person would die. There are many examples of terrible things that happened to the children of Israel whenever they, being sinful men, tried to force themselves into the presence of our Holy Father and God without being invited; they were immediately smitten with death. Some of these incidents are recorded in Leviticus 10:1-3, and 1 Samuel 6:19, both of which, I believe, occurred in order to cause Israel to know her spiritual condition before God. What astounds me the most is the fact that even Aaron the high priest was warned not to come into the Holy of Holies just any time he wanted, lest he die. (see Leviticus 16:1-2). This thus makes the tearing of the veil of the temple following Jesus’ death very significant. For the first time in Israel’s history, the Holy of Holies was exposed deliberately by God Himself, offering unlimited access to all men. God was no longer in that man-made Holy of Holies; His presence had vacated the Temple. The Bible says, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” (Acts 17:24 NKJV). Jesus had prophesied to the Samaritan woman that the hour was coming when they would neither worship the Father on Mount Gerizim in Samaria, nor (in the Temple) in Jerusalem. (see John 4:21). This hour had now come with the tearing of the veil. The Father could now only be worshipped in spirit and in truth, and He seeks true worshippers to do such. (see John 4:23-24). Remember that Jesus had also said in Matthew 23:38, “See! Your house is left to you desolate.” Here, Jesus had uttered a prediction of the most confounding event that would ever happen to the Israelites. The presence of God was to depart the Temple’s Holy of Holies. And it did happen when the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The “house” had indeed been left desolate. Again, in Matthew 26:61, we learn that two witnesses had testified against Jesus before the Sanhedrin that He had said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and build it in three days.” Little did they know that, even though the temple Jesus was referring to was His own body (see John 2:21) which was to be raised from the dead in three days, the physical temple in Jerusalem was also to be destroyed upon the death of Jesus, as God’s presence vacated the Holy of Holies and left the house desolate with the tearing of the veil of the temple. And in three days, a new temple was to be erected through the resurrection of Jesus; all men who believe in Jesus were to become that new temple in whom God would dwell. Consequently, Jesus breathed on His disciples on the same night of His resurrection (on that third day) and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,’ thereby making those men the new temple of God on earth. (see John 20:19-22, with 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19).

Indeed, the temple was destroyed as the place where God dwelt, and Jesus built it in three days through His resurrection. The temple was destroyed the moment Jesus said “It is finished” and gave up His spirit. The temple was finished – God no longer dwelt there; the Holy of Holies in the temple was finished; the Old Covenant that had given Israel its home, national life and culture was finished: it was fulfilled, and its law (the Law of Moses) was annulled and set aside. (see Hebrews 7:18). The Priesthood was finished; the Sacrifices were finished – the Law was finished! Thus, not only was the Old Covenant made obsolete, everything connected with the Covenant had also come to an end and become obsolete, including the Covenant Law – the Ten Commandments. (see Hebrews 8:13, with Colossians 2:13-14 and Galatians 3:24-25). A New Covenant was inaugurated – the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. (Luke 22:20; Matthew 26:28). And this New Covenant was to bring into being one new humanity and a special people of God, a holy nation and a royal priesthood made up of Jews and Gentiles; this new humanity was to be called the Body of Christ or the Church of God (see Ephesians 2:15-22; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18, with 1 Peter 2:5,9-10); it was to be called the New Creation – children of God created or born in Christ Jesus through His resurrection and by the Word of truth. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17, with 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:23, and James 1:18). Indeed, the New Covenant was to bring into existence a new temple (see 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:19-22), a new law (see John 13:34-35), a new High Priest (see Hebrews 4:14-16), and a new priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10; Revelation 1:6) offering new (spiritual) sacrifices. (see Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15-16; Philippians 4:18).

The children of Israel, however, were obviously not happy about the change. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” the whole of Heaven heard it and acknowledged it, but many people in Israel who had ears would not hear it nor accept it. Israel was shaken to its very core by this declaration. No wonder there was an earthquake. The children of Israel had worshipped the Law of Moses. They had revered the Ten Commandments and worshipped it more than they had revered and worshipped God. And yet, it was a law of death, a law of sin, and a law that begat fear in the hearts of men. The Bible calls it “the law of sin and death” (see Romans 8:2) and “the ministry of condemnation.” (see 2 Corinthians 3:9). And even though the law itself is spiritual (see Romans 7:14) and can only be kept through the Spirit or by walking in the Spirit, it is made for the natural man and not for the spiritual or righteous man (see 1 Timothy 1:9), and so the natural man loved it, and didn’t want to part with it and embrace the spiritual life that had come through Jesus Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 15:45-49). Ironically, the natural man did not want to part with the law, even though he didn’t and couldn’t keep the law. Even today, there are many people (including Gentiles) who still can't let go of the Law of the Old Covenant, who still cling to the law and other shadows from the Old Covenant, instead of embracing the substance which is of Christ. How sad, and how tragic!

Beloved, the tearing of the veil in the temple says it all: the Old Covenant is finished; a New Covenant is born. The Old Covenant has been fulfilled and set aside. (see Luke 8:44-48, with Hebrews 8:13 and Hebrews 7:18). The old way of approaching God has been annulled and is no longer valid. A new and better way to the Holy of Holies – to heaven, to God – is now open, and this new Way is Jesus Christ. (see John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus presents a better way and “a better hope through which we draw near to God.” (see Hebrews 7:19). The presence of God is no longer shielded from man behind a thick veil. Sin, the obstacle that stood between man and God for generations, has been put away forever through Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself on the cross. (see Hebrews 9:26). The Law of Moses which was a veil that blinded their minds and hearts and separated unrighteous men from a righteous God, has been removed and nailed to the cross of Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, with Colossians 2:14-15). When Jesus died, the veil of the Jerusalem temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom. Only God could have carried out such an incredible act because the veil was too high for human hands to have reached from the top, and too thick to have torn it. Only God could’ve torn it from top to bottom the way it happened. And so the Way to God is open to all mankind. And this is what the tearing of the veil of the temple was heralding. We can now boldly enter God’s Presence behind the veil “where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (see Hebrews 6:19-20 NKJV).  Praise God! "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

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Believe the Gospel and Be Saved

“And He (Jesus) said to them (the disciples), “Go into all the world and preach THE GOSPEL to every creature.  HE WHO BELIEVES and is baptized WILL BE SAVED; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15‭-‬16 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). “Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED in HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46‭-‬47 NKJV, emphasis mine).

As clear as this instruction from our Lord Jesus Christ is, it is unfortunate that there are many ministers behind the pulpit today who don't understand it, who don’t have the true revelation of the gospel. They themselves don't even believe (the good news) that they have received the remission of sins through the one-time sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and so they themselves are not saved, since salvation is for only those who believe the gospel. (see Mark 16:15-16). Jesus told the disciples “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (see Luke 24:47 NKJV). This is the core message of the gospel. And so Peter, in response, preached on the day of Pentecost saying, “REPENT, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION OF SINS; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV). “Repent” simply means change your mind. In another sermon, Peter proclaims: “For Christ also hath ONCE suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18, emphasis mine). And Paul adds, "In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE.” (Ephesians 1:7, brackets and emphasis mine). Peter and Paul could boldly preach this gospel because they believed it. They believed they had received the REMISSION OF THEIR SINS in the name of Jesus. Thus, Peter and Paul were no hypocrites. They believed the gospel and preached it. But today, there are many preachers behind the pulpit who don't believe the gospel. How can you preach repentance and remission of sins to unbelievers when you yourself don't believe you have received it, when you yourself believe you have to work for it? How can you preach salvation to all nations when you yourself don't believe you're saved? Such is the sad state of many preachers today in our churches, and they are sadly self-deceived. They have been ordained by men, but they are certainly not ordained by God. They themselves live in sin, so all they preach about is sin, condemnation and death. Paul said such people walk as enemies of the cross of Christ  (see Philippians 3:18). Jesus said, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13 NKJV). Indeed, such preachers are not saved; nor are they saving any souls.

The Bible clearly states: "For by GRACE you HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 NKJV). No one who believes that salvation is by the works of the Law or by a combination of faith and works (of the law) can claim definitively right now (backed by Bible evidence) that he/she is saved. And this is where I pity some Christian religious denominations who are working for their salvation and wrongly believing they are on the path to salvation. No one can know he is saved when he is trusting in his good works for salvation, and no one can be saved in such manner regardless. But sadly, many stubborn people will hold on to their false doctrine and die before they find out they are not and cannot be saved by their works. For it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. (see Hebrews 9:27). Only those who believe or trust solely in Jesus Christ for their salvation are saved and can say for certain that they are saved. (see 1 John 5:13). So put your trust solely in Jesus Christ for salvation. Don't let pride lead you to hell. Salvation is not something any man can ever boast of having worked for; it ìs the GIFT of God that is given freely to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, not to those who work for it. This is why all true ministers of God have been called to be ministers of the new Covenant. (see 2 Corinthians 3:6). We have been called to be ministers of the Spirit and of righteousness, and not ministers of death and condemnation. (see 2 Corinthians 3:7-9). We have been called to be ministers of reconciliation. And we are to preach the message of reconciliation, that God is no longer angry at us; that He is at peace with the world and has forgiven us all our sins because of the atonement of the blood of Jesus Christ; and that He is calling on us to accept His offer of reconciliation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ was and is the culmination of God's peace project. He is the Prince of Peace, and He has brought peace between God and man. Hence, the angels who announced the birth of Jesus were  joyous, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE, GOODWILL toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV, emphasis mine). Paul declares that, "having been justified by faith, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1 NKJV, emphasis mine). The Bible further states that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (II Corinthians 5:19 NKJV, emphasis mine). This is the message we are to preach. It is the message all the early apostles preached. John preached that Jesus Christ “Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (I John 2:2 NKJV). Paul, in preaching the message of reconciliation also said, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to  be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Corinthians 5:20‭-‬21 NKJV). Now, this sounds like good news to me. We are being implored to accept Christ's sacrifice for our sins and accept that we have become the righteousness of God in Christ. We are to accept that just as Christ became sin without committing any sin, we have also become righteous (through faith in Christ) without doing anything righteous. This is the good news. It is also summarized in Paul’s letter to the Romans as follows: “But now apart from the law THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS is GIVEN THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST TO ALL WHO BELIEVE. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and ALL ARE JUSTIFIED FREELY by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21‭-‬24 NIV, emphasis mine).

Thus, the good news is not the depressing and scary fact that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (see Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death. (see Romans 6:23). In fact, that is the bad news. But the good news, which immediately follows the bad news, is the liberating and joyful truth that all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (see Romans 3:24), and that the GIFT of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (see Romans 6:23). Hallelujah! I know, without a doubt, that many of you have been going to church for a long time, and yet, for some of you this is the first time you have actually heard the gospel (or the good news). The question then is, do you believe this good news? Unfortunately, many so-called Christians today don't believe it. But this is your chance to believe it, and be saved.

Christians today just need to believe the Word of God and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. There is a big problem of unbelief in the church today, which is quite unfortunate, because without faith, it is impossible to please God. (see Hebrews 11:6). Just as the message that was preached to the Israelites did not profit them or do them any good because it was not mixed with faith (see Hebrews 4:2), so is the gospel of Christ not profiting many people today because they are not mixing it with faith. In fact, I find it difficult to use the word "believers" to describe all Christians, because many so-called Christians don't truly believe the good news of Christ. Unless they can sense something that sounds like bad news in your preaching, they won't accept it. They just want to hear you preaching about sin, condemnation and death, about how they are all going to burn in hell if they don't stop sinning. But that is not the good news. That is not the gospel of Christ. The gospel of Christ doesn’t just name the problem of sin; it offers Jesus Christ as the solution. So the truth is that sin is not the problem in the church today; faith is. You know why? Because Jesus has taken care of the sin problem already; people just don't want to believe it. People crave for something they can also do to "earn" their salvation so that they can boast in themselves. The natural man is predisposed to pride, and is driven by a lust for achievement through self-effort. So, No, they don't want to accept salvation as a gift by faith. They prefer to work for it. And that's all the problem I see in the church today, and I believe God sees the faith problem also, as revealed in His letters to the 7 churches. (see Revelation 2 - 3). It is only by (faith in) the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of our testimony that we overcome. (Revelation 12:11, with 1 John 5:4). When we believe right, we will definitely live right. Knowledge of the truth of the gospel makes the believer truly free (see John 8:32) -- free from every form of bondage and oppression of the devil, including the dominion of sin.

I admonish you, therefore, to believe what Jesus has accomplished for you at the cross, and be saved. And yet, I know some of you wouldn’t believe or accept this message. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to SAVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (I Corinthians 1:18‭-‬25 NKJV).

Today, you have heard His voice, may you not harden your hearts. (see Hebrews 4:6-7). If you believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him as your Lord and Savior, He will come to live in your heart, and you too will have eternal life. “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (I John 5:11-12 NKJV). If you desire to receive Jesus and make HIM your Lord and Savior today, pray this prayer from your heart: “Almighty God, Your Word says that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me my sins and to cleanse me from ALL unrighteousness. Today I acknowledge and confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation, and I thank you for sending your beloved Son, Jesus Christ to die for me and to bear the judgment for my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ was crucified for my sins and was raised from the dead for my justification. I accept Jesus today as my Lord and Savior. And I thank You that I have received eternal life in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer sincerely from your heart, I’m happy for you. Welcome to God’s Family. I encourage you to join a local church that preaches the gospel of grace so that you can grow further in your knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. You’re now God’s beloved child. You're now a new creation in Christ. The devil had a hold over your old man because of sin, but he has no hold over you as a new creation – because of righteousness. I thank God that you have been born again as a new creation in Christ. Stop regarding yourself according to the flesh (see 2 Corinthians 5:16). You are no longer a sinner. There is a permanent change in your spirit. You have the life of God in you. You have the new nature of Christ in you. You have His ability in you. You are no longer held back by the past and you can live for the future in Christ, according to all His promises. You are an overcomer. (see 1 John 5:4-5). You can experience the overcoming life by renewing your mind with the Word of God (see Romans 12:2), walking by faith and not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7), and allowing Jesus to live through you. (see Galatians 2:20). The victory that overcomes is your faith. Here's one more thing: You know it when you're saved. And it feels very good. Remain blessed.

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The Word of God is a Mirror For the Believer

“But be doers of the WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a MIRROR; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who LOOKS INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY and continues in  it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22‭-‬25 NKJV,  emphasis mine).

Beloved, God’s Word is a mirror that reflects back to you the true image God has of you. If you want to know who you truly are and how God sees you in Christ, you have to look in the Mirror of God, which is the Word of God. In fact, if you're not already abiding in the Word or walking by meditation on the Word and confession of the Word, begin immediately. Get into the Word, find out what it says about who you are and what you have and can do in Christ, then believe it and confess it continually. As believers, the Word of God is our mirror indeed, and it is important that whenever we look in it and walk away, we don’t forget what we looked like. The Spirit, speaking through the apostle Paul, says that “we all, with unveiled face, BEHOLDING AS IN A MIRROR the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV). In other words, as we continually look in the Mirror (or Word) of God and meditate on the Word, we are being transformed by the Spirit of God into the image we see, and that image is the glory of the Lord; and so, we are being transformed from one level of glory to another. This also means that we believers are the glory of God; hence we see our own reflection as we look in the Mirror (or the Word) of God, and thus are being transformed into the substance of that image by the Spirit of God from glory to glory. In this regard, James also adds that we are not just to look in the Mirror (or the Word), but do the Word also. He says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face IN A MIRROR; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty (that is, the Word of God) AND CONTINUES IN IT, and IS NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER but A DOER of the work, this one WILL BE BLESSED IN WHAT HE DOES.” (James 1:22-25 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). Simply put, looking in the Word of God or hearing the Word without acting on the Word or believing it and doing (confessing and claiming) what it says about you, is a useless exercise that benefits no one. You need to act on the Word of God. You need to believe the Word of God enough to be moved to do what it says and claim what it says. When you READ the Word and you BELIEVE the Word, you will CONFESS or SPEAK the Word (see 2 Corinthians 4:13). Of course we all speak and do what we believe, and we believe what we do. And so those who believe right will act right, and those who believe wrong will act wrong. Right actions (or right living) will be born out of your right believing, and vice versa.

Beloved, it is important that you believe and speak the truth of God's Word and not the words of this world. It is important that you don't go about saying or confessing what you feel, see or hear in the natural realm (particularly if it's contrary to what the Word of God says). Don't confess the ugly picture your current circumstance may be presenting to you; instead, always say or confess what God's Word says about you. Agree with the opinion of God (see Amos 3:3) by speaking and doing God's Word. Be a doer of the Word. God’s Word expresses God’s opinions, plans and thoughts. God’s Word has integrity. The Bible is truly a revelation from God to us; it is God Himself speaking to us; “it is God-breathed” (see 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). And so, as a believer, the Word of God is your creative material. It will definitely give you what it promises, if you go for it. Therefore in your day-to-day conversations and confessions, don't use your own words or the words of this world but the Father’s words. Reject every thought that is contrary to the thoughts and plans or the mind and will of God for your life as a believer. God's thoughts or plans for your life are thoughts or plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11); so align yourself with God's thoughts and plans, and make them your daily confession.

It is indeed important to be consistent in your confession (or the things you speak in agreement with the Word of God). Don’t be a double-minded person. Don't make a positive confession now, and then confess the opposite later; the second will nullify the first. For instance, don’t say “I’m healed” now, and the next moment you see another symptom of the sickness, turn around to say, “I’m sick.” For your confession to be effective or for it to work for your good, you don’t have to stagger (or base your confession on the changing circumstances); you have to be fully persuaded about the Word of God, and base your confession on it, just like our father Abraham (see Romans 4:19-21). You have to believe the Word before you speak or confess it (see 2 Corinthians 4:13), so that you will continually make the same confession without doubting it or contradicting yourself. The Bible says you are to hold fast your confession. (see Hebrews 4:14). People who make contradictory confessions do so because they walk or judge by the sight of their eyes, and decide by the hearing of their ears; they harbor doubts in their heart; they waver between two opinions because they don't completely believe or trust God's Word (God's opinion). James says, “he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he  is  a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8 NKJV). Don't be a double-minded man, or else, you won't receive anything from God.

God's Word has integrity; God's Word has power. And so you can trust God’s Word. The Bible says, “No word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37 NIV). When you stand on God's Word, you are standing on a word that will never fail, you are standing on steady ground. When you build your hope on God’s Word, you are building on an immovable Rock. The Bible says that the words Jesus spoke during His earth walk were the words of the Father (see John 12:49), and so Jesus performed practically all His works or miracles with the words of the Father. (see John 14:10, 24). Just as God’s words in Jesus’ mouth never failed, they won’t fail in your mouth. They didn’t fail in Peter’s mouth when he commanded the lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to rise up and walk in the name of Jesus. (see Acts 3:1-9). We must all bring ourselves to believe and to speak the words of the Father, just as our Lord Jesus Christ did, and just as Peter and all the early apostles did. It is in our own interest to do so. God's Words are creative words; they're healing words; they're demon-dominating words; they are words filled with God and His faith. Indeed, God’s Word is powerful. The Bible says the worlds were framed by the Word of God. (see Hebrews 11:3). So go for the Word! Begin to frame your world with the Word of God: meditate on the Word, trust the Word, act on the Word, and God will make good of His promise. The Bible says that God watches over His Word to perform it (see Jeremiah 1:12). Therefore, be an imitator of God as a dear child (see Ephesians 5:1) and begin to speak or confess the Word of God; begin to claim all the exceedingly great and precious promises that have been given to us by God; begin to call those things which do not exist as though they did (see Romans 4:17), and they will become. This is the God kind of faith; this is how you partake of the divine (or God) nature. (see 2 Peter 1:4).

Today, if you will just look into the Mirror (or Word) of God, it will show you who you truly are. And once you look and see your true reflection from the Mirror of God, grasp that image, lay hold on it, never forget it, and never stop speaking or confessing it. As a start, here are a few truths about your image or identity, and your rights and privileges in Christ that you can begin to confess right now. Commit to continually saying or confessing these truths, and your life will never be the same: “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and I believe God has raised Him from the dead. (see Romans 10:9-10). I have the Son of God, and so I have the life of God in me; I have eternal life; I have zoe in me. (see 1 John 5:11-13). I have the Living God as my Father; I am the begotten child of God (see  James 1:18; John 1:12). I have God’s incorruptible seed in me. (see 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9). I am a partaker of the divine (or God) nature; I have the nature of God. (see 2 Peter 1:4). I am the brother of Jesus, and Jesus is not ashamed to call me His brother. (see Hebrews 2:11). As Jesus is, so am I in this world. (see 1 John 4:17). I have the mind of Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). I have the Spirit of the Son of God in me. (see Galatians 4:6). I have the resurrection life in me; I have the Spirit of life in me; I have the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead in me. (see Romans 8:11). I have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead in me. (see Ephesians 1:19-20). Oh yes! I am a success; I am an overcomer. (see 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4). I am complete in Christ. (see Colossians 2:9-10). I am the anointed of God. (see 1 John 2:20, 27; 2 Corinthians 1:21). I am the sanctified child of God. (see Hebrews 10:10). I have been perfected by Christ. (see Hebrews 10:14). I am holy. (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). I cannot fail; I cannot be defeated; I am a victor. (see 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:57). I live the abundant life. (see John 10:10). I live a life of victory. (see 2 Corinthians 2:14). I live a life of favor. (see Ephesians 1:6). I permanently stand in grace (unmerited favor), and I have access to grace by faith. (see Romans 5:2). I have peace with God. (see Romans 5:1). I permanently have fellowship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3-4). I permanently have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. (see 2 Corinthians 13:14). I am led by the Holy Spirit as a son of God (see Romans 8:14). I am born into God’s Family as a son (see James 1:18; Romans 8:16), and so the Father's home is my home. I come from above; I am a citizen of Heaven. (see Philippians 3:20). Whatever I ask the Father in the name of Jesus, He will give me. (see John 16:23). Whatever I ask (or demand) in the name of Jesus will be done. (see John 14:13-14). I will not and do not live in lack; I lack nothing. (see Psalm 23:1). I am more than a conqueror. (see Romans 8:37). I am God’s elect. (see Romans 8:33). I have found the light of life. (see John 8:12). I am no longer walking in the darkness of sense knowledge; I walk by faith and not by sight. (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). All things are possible to me. (see Mark 9:23). I am blessed (together) with Abraham the believer. (see Galatians 3:9). I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (see Ephesians 1:3). I have been freely given all things. (see Romans 8:32). I am an heir of the world. (see Romans 4:13, with Galatians 3:29). I am an heir of God and joint-heirs with Christ. (see Romans 8:17). All things are mine; the whole world is mine. (see 1 Corinthians 3:21-22). I am rich. (see 2 Corinthians 8:9). I eat the good of the land. (see Isaiah 1:19). I have the peace of God. (see Philippians 4:7; John 14:27). Christ Himself is my peace. (see Ephesians 2:14). I have the joy of God; the joy of the Lord is my strength. (see John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10, Galatians 5:22). Jesus Himself bore all my sins and diseases, and by His stripes I was and I am healed. (see Isaiah 53:5; 2 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17). I have divine health, because the Spirit of life is in me giving life to my mortal body. (see Romans 8:11). I am a new creation in Christ, a new species of being. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). There is now no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus. (see Romans 8:1). I have no more consciousness of sin. (see Hebrews 10:1-3). I am a kind of firstfruit of God's creation, God's absolute best. (see James 1:18). I'm God's workmanship. (see Ephesians 2:10). I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (see Psalm 139:14). I am created according to God in true holiness and righteousness. (see Ephesians 4:24). I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). I am created to do good. (see Ephesians 2:10). I know who I am. I am no ordinary being; I am not a mere man. (see 1 Corinthians 3:3). I am a god-man. (see Psalm 82:6). I am the beloved and special child of the Most High God. (see John 1:12; James 1:18; Psalm 82:6; 1 Peter 2:9). I am the Father's will; I am born of His will (see James 1:18), so I am able to do His will. The power (or ability) of God is at work in me. (see Philippians 2:13). My sufficiency (or ability to meet all needs) is from God. (see 2 Corinthians 3:5). I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (see Philippians 4:13). I fear nothing; I am bold as a lion. (see Proverbs 28:1). God's divine power has given to me all things that pertain to life and godliness. (see 2 Peter 1:3). I have authority in the Name of Jesus over demons, over the laws of nature, and over all circumstances. (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:17-18). I was bought at a price. (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). My Father loves me. (see John 16:27). I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath. (see Deuteronomy 28:13). I am born to win. I am seated in the heavenly realms with Christ and in Christ. (see Ephesians 2:4-6). My life is hidden with Christ in God. (see Colossians 3:3). I am in God (see Colossians 3:3), and God is in me. (see 1 John 4:4; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 4:6). I am one Spirit with the Lord; I and the Lord are one. (see 1 Corinthians 6:17). I am a branch of the true Vine. (see John 15:5). I am a member of the Body of Christ. (see Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12). I am seated above all principalities and powers of darkness, and all things are in subjection under my feet. (see Ephesians 2:4-6, with Ephesians 1:20-23). I am the light of the world. (see Matthew 5:14-16). I am the salt of the earth. (see Matthew 5:13-16). I am an ambassador for Christ. (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). I am a king and a priest to my God and Father. (see Revelation 1:6). I reign in life; I reign above every circumstance and situation. (see Romans 5:17). And I proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. (see 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 13:15).” “To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:25 NKJV).

Beloved, we believers are truly blessed, and we should never stop confessing our blessings. We have been given exceedingly great and precious promises in Christ. And the Bible says that all the promises of God in Christ are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). May you hold fast your confession as you claim these exceedingly great and precious promises and partake of the divine (or God) nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (see 2 Peter 1:4). Amen.

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How To Walk in the Truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 1:4 NKJV).

Beloved, in the previous post entitled “Choose to Be On The Side Of Truth,” we emphasized how important it is for every man to know the truth and to be on the side of truth. We noted that there are two kinds of knowledge or information in this world: Facts, and Truth. And we explained that Facts are primarily based on scientific research and investigation, whereas Truth is from God (and is revealed in the Word of God or the inspired Books of the Bible). We also mentioned that all truth are facts, but not all facts are truth. Then we explained (with examples) that Truth never changes, but Facts do change. Today we will continue that discussion by explaining how those who have come to know and to be on the side of truth ought to walk in the truth.

Just like the apostle John, I have no greater joy than to hear that believers walk in truth. To walk in truth is to walk in love or in the light of God’s Word; it simply means to walk just as Jesus walked. (see 1 John 2:3-10). Jesus walked according to the truth of God's Word. He said during His earth walk that He came to do the will of the Father (see John 6:38), and that the words that He spoke were not His own, but the Father's words. (see John 12:49-50). And so our emphasis in this post will be on speaking and doing the Father's words as opposed to speaking the world’s words. In other words, we will explain in this post how important it is for us to always confess or speak (and act in line with) the truth (which is God's Word) and not the facts (man's wisdom or knowledge).

Obviously, you cannot speak the Father's words unless you know and understand the Father's words. And so the first step to walking in the truth or walking as Jesus walked, is to know and understand the Father's words (or the Bible). The Spirit, speaking through Paul, said, “LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM, teaching and admonishing one another...” (see Colossians 3:16 NKJV). The Word of Christ is the Word of God the Father, because Christ spoke the Father's words. (see John 12:49). When you know and understand the Father's words, when the Word of Christ dwells in you richly in all wisdom, you will also know the Father’s will, because God's will is revealed in His Word. But how can God's Word dwell in you richly in all wisdom? Paul again gives us the answer in his second letter to a young pastor named Timothy. He said, “STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). This is right in line with what God told Joshua in the Old Testament. He said, “This Book of the Law SHALL NOT DEPART FROM YOUR MOUTH, but you shall MEDITATE IN IT DAY AND NIGHT, that you may OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN IN IT. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8 NKJV, emphasis mine). In other words, Joshua was being asked to study the Word of God and meditate on it until the Word becomes his consciousness, until everything he spoke and did was right in line with the Word of God. Joshua was to make his home in the Word of God. God is telling all of us the same thing. In fact, Jesus said to His disciples that we are to abide or make our home in Him (and of course, He is the Word, just as John 1:1, 14 says); we are also to allow His words to abide or make their home in us. (see John 15:7). We are all to STUDY the Word of truth or the Word of God to understand it so that we can rightly divide it in a way that is approved by God. We are never to speak anything that is not in agreement with the Word of God, but are to meditate on God’s Word day and night, that we may be doers of the Word. (see Joshua 1:8, with James 1:22). And we have the Holy Spirit to help us to accomplish this. The Bible says, “the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as THE SAME ANOINTING TEACHES YOU CONCERNING ALL THINGS, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (I John 2:27 NKJV). Thus, the first step to walking in truth is to STUDY the Word of God with the help of your Teacher -- the Anointing or the Holy Spirit -- who abides or remains in you. You have to let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

When the Word of Christ dwells in you richly in all wisdom, it will show in your speech and your actions: you will be a transformed man; you will not speak like the rest of the world do; your speech and actions will not conform to the speech and actions of unbelievers or those who are of the world. (see  Romans 12:1-2). You will be unique and distinct from the world, because you will be a man sanctified (or set apart) by the truth, which is the Word of God. (see John 17:17). You will have the mindset of the righteous. You will be as separated from the world as light is separated from darkness. (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-15). Your light will so shine before men, that they will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. (see Matthew 5:16). This is the reason Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14 NKJV). You will SHINE in this world and STAND OUT as a city on a hill, when you walk according to the truth of God's Word. When Jesus walked on this earth, He stood out as Light in this dark world, because not only was He the truth, He also walked in the truth. To the Jews who did not believe in Jesus and sought to kill Him, Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44 NKJV). Here, Jesus gave us a very important revelation about Satan (the devil), and the revelation is that the devil DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH. This means that when you stand in the truth (of God’s Word), Satan will not stand with you. When you walk in the truth (of God's Word), Satan will not walk with you. In other words, Satan is afraid of the truth. This is why every believer must stand and walk in the truth. The only safe ground in this world is the truth, and the Truth is Jesus Christ (see John 14:6); the Truth is the Word of God (see John 17:17). James says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NKJV).

Many people often quote the last part of James 4:7 and ignore the first part. But the truth is that you cannot resist the devil without first submitting to God. To resist anything, you must first be leaning on something stronger. For instance, in order for you to successfully resist a strong wind, you must be holding on to and allowing yourself to be held by a rock or an object which cannot be moved by the wind. Similarly, God and for that matter, our Lord Jesus Christ, is our Rock (see 1 Peter 2:6-8; Isaiah 26:4), and we have to submit to and lean on Him in order to successfully resist the devil. Submitting to God and to the Lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ is accomplished by submitting to the Word of God, which is the Truth. We have to submit to or agree with and walk according to what God’s Word says about who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and what we can do through Christ and with the power and authority that we have in Christ. When we believe God's Word and do (or act on) God's Word, then have we submitted to God, then are we leaning on the immovable Rock, then are we walking in the truth or standing in the truth; and Satan will not stand with us, because he does not stand in the truth. Satan flees when we resist him with the truth of God's Word. When we walk in the truth, we can successfully resist the devil; we can successfully resist every attack and every temptation of the devil. Indeed, we know we have truly submitted to God when we have full assurance in our heart that the Bible is in truth the Word of God, and thus renew our minds with what the Bible says. We have to make God’s thoughts our thoughts and His opinions our opinions. After all, the Bible says we (i.e in our spirit) have the mind of Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). We should make this truth manifest in our body. When Jesus walked here on earth, He was able to resist the devil by leaning on the truth of God's Word when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness. (see Luke 4:1-13). Because the devil does not stand in the truth, he fled when Jesus continually confessed and did what the Word of Truth says, as opposed to what Satan wanted Him to do. Confessing and doing the truth (which is God's Word) is how we resist the devil. Satan may also know the written Word of God and may even quote it sometimes, but the truth is that he does not have the revelation and an understanding of the Word, so he cannot rightly divide the Word of truth; nor does he stand in the truth or do the Word. This is why the ministers of Satan who have infiltrated Christian churches today are not able to preach the truth and do the Word. Yes, they can quote the Scriptures alright, but because they themselves don't understand it and cannot rightly divide it, they deceive their followers with their teachings. On a certain occasion, when the disciples of Jesus asked Him why He spoke the way He did (and in that particular context, why He spoke in parables) to the people, “He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, BUT TO THEM IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN.  Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND.” (Matthew 13:11‭, ‬13 NKJV). Indeed it has been given to every believer to know and understand the Word of God, and by submitting to it, resist the devil, and he will flee from us.

Beloved, it is important that you study the Word of God to acknowledge and become CONSCIOUS (or aware) of who you are in Christ, and what good things are in you. Paul said to Timothy, "MEDITATE on these things; GIVE YOURSELF ENTIRELY to them, THAT YOUR PROGRESS MAY BE EVIDENT TO ALL." (1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV, emphasis mine). MEDITATION brings CONSCIOUSNESS, and thus PROGRESS. Staying conscious of who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ, and what you can do in Christ (which was also Paul’s prayer for the Church of Ephesus -- see Ephesians 3:14-19), can be achieved through constant meditation on the Word of God. (see Joshua 1:8-9; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 4:20-22; Acts 20:32). Give yourself entirely to the Word of God. When you meditate on the Word of God and know the truth, you will not focus on the lies of this world that are told through the philosophies of men, and through your own adverse circumstances or afflictions. When you know and are constantly conscious of the truth of God’s Word, you will come to understand like Paul, that every affliction is light and momentary (see 2 Corinthians 4:17); that every affliction comes not to stay, but to pass, and to work for your good. And so you will not look at these temporary afflictions. You will not look at what is seen. You will not walk by sight, but by faith (or by the Word of God). And so we all as Christians should heed to James’ admonition when he says, “My brethren, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS, knowing that THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE.” (James 1:2‭-‬3 NKJV,  emphasis mine). Indeed, no trial can overcome the child of God. All trials work to perfect us or bring us to maturity in the faith, to the stature of the fullness of Christ. And so we have to look at all trials through the right lenses. Face all trials with the right attitude. The Bible says, “And WE KNOW that ALL THINGS work together FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). “And we (believers) KNOW... “ Beloved, what do you KNOW? We know that ALL THINGS work together for OUR GOOD. What you know can make or break you. Know the truth and walk in it.

As believers, the Bible says that even though our outward man (or body) is perishing, our inward man (or spirit) is renewed day by day. (see 2 Corinthians 4:16). Whenever you look at that pain or sickness in your body, you are looking at the wrong thing. Whenever you look at the negative balance in your bank account, you are looking at the wrong thing. Stop looking or focusing on your outward man and start focusing on your inward man. Be conscious of the inward man, and see (or focus on) how he is faring, because the inward man is the real you, and he is doing REALLY WELL; he is healthy and prosperous (see 3 John 1:2; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 8:9), and he is blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. (see Ephesians 1:3). When you are constantly conscious of who you are on the inside, you will live the life that your inward man lives -- a life of victory, a life of prosperity, a life of abundance, a life of joy, a life of peace, a life of good success. Indeed the life of your spirit (which is the life of God) will manifest in your body as you walk in the consciousness of who you are in the spirit.

Beloved, this is so important that I will repeat it: Don't look or focus on your body and your outer circumstances; don’t focus on the negative report (or those things which your adverse circumstances tell you), because those things are temporary. You need to focus instead on who you permanently are (in the spirit). Focus on the things which are not seen. Paul said, "While we LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, but AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN: for THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN are TEMPORAL; but the things which are NOT SEEN are ETERNAL." (2 Corinthians 4:18). Look at the things which are not seen. And that can only be done through faith. Through faith you can see who you are in your spirit. Your spirit is prosperous and always flourishing. It is renewed day by day. When you are conscious of this, of the good things God has blessed you with in the spirit, of how your spirit is being renewed day by day, (then in your body also) your youth will be renewed like the eagle's. (see Psalm 103:5). The Psalmist says, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance." (Psalm 16:6 NKJV). You need to have the same attitude, and say the same thing, because you have a good inheritance. The Bible says that in Christ, "WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE." (see Ephesians 1:11). It is a good inheritance. It includes every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. (see Ephesians 1:3). It includes all things that pertain to life and godliness. (see 2 Peter 1:3). Indeed it is a good inheritance that must be unpacked and possessed. As Paul puts it, this inheritance, this package of salvation must be worked out. (see Philippians 2:12). It must be unpacked and possessed. Just as God gave the children of Israel the (promised) land and told them to go in and possess it (see Deuteronomy 1:8), we are being asked to do the same thing -- to possess or lay hold on our inheritance in Christ. This is where we separate the real or practicing Christians from the lipservice ones (or those who just profess to be Christians, but are not Christians in deed or are not doers of the Word). Beloved, you have to be a doer of the Word. James said that only the doers of the Word will be blessed in what they do. (see James 1:25).

The Bible makes it clear that there are two main opinions in this world: God’s opinion and the world's opinion (or Satan's opinion). God's opinion can be found in His Word (the Bible). And the world's opinion (or Satan’s opinion) is every opinion that is contrary to the Word of God. And so every single moment, you have a choice between God’s opinion (the Truth) and Satan's opinion (the Lie). The Bible makes a clear distinction between these two opinions. On a certain occasion in Israel, the prophet “Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between TWO OPINIONS? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if BAAL, follow him....” (I Kings 18:21 NKJV). From this verse, it is clear that there is the opinion of God, and the opinion of Baal (or Satan). As believers we are always compelled to choose between these two opinions. God's opinion is in His written Word – the Bible. And the world's opinion or Satan's opinion often includes what is communicated to us by our own physical circumstances, doctor's reports, news media reports, and the opinions we get from the world through our five senses – hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling or touching, and tasting – and from friends, family and everybody. God wants us to always choose to believe His opinion and to conduct ourselves or walk according to His opinion. That is what it means to walk in truth. This is called faith. And it is the only way we can truly walk with God, because faith is the only language God understands. The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. (see Hebrews 11:6). God does not want us to falter or waver between two opinions. He wants us to be fully persuaded about His opinion, and to always walk in line with His opinion. Whenever you choose another opinion over God's opinion, you choose a lie over the truth (or the reality), you choose Satan's opinion over God's opinion, because, you see, lies are from Satan. The Bible says Satan is a liar from the beginning; he is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him. (see John 8:44; ). But God does not lie. (see Titus 1:2). The Bible says, “God  is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19 NKJV). God’s Word is truth. (see John 17:17). His opinion is truth. Hence, the Bible says we are to walk in the truth. (see 3 John 1:3-4). Walking in the Truth is walking in the Spirit.

Beloved, how long will you falter between two opinions? God's opinion is that if you believe in Jesus Christ, you will not perish but have eternal life. (see John 3:16). God’s opinion is that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (see Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21). God's opinion is that whoever has the Son has life. (see 1 John 5:12). God's opinion is that whoever believes in Jesus Christ has been forgiven of all their sins and declared righteous. (see colossians 1:14; Romans 3:22, 24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30). God's opinion is that Jesus Himself took our infirmities and bore all our diseases, and by Jesus' stripes we are healed. (see Matthew 8:17;  Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24, ). God's opinion is that Jesus became poor on the cross to make you and I rich. (see 2 Corinthians 8:9). Do you believe God's opinion or do you believe the opinion your present circumstance is giving you? Are you faltering between two opinions or is your mind fixed on God's opinion? Are you fully persuaded about God’s opinion? You need to be, because no one can truly walk with God, unless they are fully persuaded about His opinion. The Bible says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3 KJV). We have to agree with God’s opinion. We have to walk with God just like Abraham did. The Bible says Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (Romans 4:20‭-‬21 NKJV). Be fully convinced about God’s opinion. You have to agree with God's opinion, because it is the only truth. God’s opinion is His Word. And God is His Word (see John 1:1). Therefore, anyone who doesn’t believe in God’s Word (or opinion) doesn't believe in God. Period!

Beloved, whose opinion would you believe today? Every single moment, you have a choice between God’s opinion and Satan’s opinion. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had a choice between God's opinion and Satan's opinion, and they chose to believe Satan's opinion over God's opinion. Like the sinners of today, they “exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever...” (see Romans 1:25 NKJV). And we all know the consequence of that choice. The person whose opinion you choose to believe or obey becomes your master or your god. (see Romans 6:16). This is why the Bible calls Satan the god of this world. (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). Adam made Satan the god of this world by choosing to obey Satan over God. But as believers, Satan is not our god. We are no longer in his kingdom. (see Colossians 1:13). We are in the Kingdom of God’s dear Son (the Kingdom of Light), and in our Kingdom, we only believe in one opinion – the opinion of God. Today, regardless of how you feel and what the doctor is saying, choose to believe and confess God’s opinion that by the stripes of Jesus you were healed and are healed. (see 1 Peter 2:24, with Isaiah 53:5). Regardless of the balance in your bank account, choose to believe and confess God’s opinion that Jesus though He was rich became poor that through His poverty you might become rich (see 2 Corinthians 8:9), and so you are rich. Regardless of your failings today, choose to believe and confess God’s opinion that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), and that as Jesus is, so also are you in this world. (see 1 John 4:17).

Unfortunately, there are some “believers” who doubt the opinion of God; there are some who falter (or waver) between the opinion of God and the opinion of the world. And to such believers I ask, how long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Satan (the liar), follow him. The choice is ultimately yours. I choose to believe God’s opinion. I choose to obey God’s Word. And God’s opinion is that I am saved; I am righteous; I am blessed; I am highly favored; I am the beloved child of the Living God; I am healed; I am rich; I have all things that pertain to life and godliness; I am an heir of God and joint-heirs with Christ; the world is my inheritance; I lack no good thing; I eat the good of the land; I am a victor and a success; I am a world overcomer; all because I believe in Jesus Christ. He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world; and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Glory be to God! You have to make it a habit to speak/confess who you are in Christ and what you have in Christ. You confess because you believe it in your heart. (2 Corinthians 4:13). You don't confess in order for you to believe it or to have it; you confess because the Bible says you already have it, and you believe from deep within your heart that it is true. Thus when you confess, you say things like: eternal life is mine, prosperity is mine, good success is mine, righteousness is mine, victory is mine, divine health is mine, power is mine, all blessings are mine, the whole world is mine. Hallelujah! Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:34). He said,  “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART HIS MOUTH SPEAKS.” (Luke 6:45 NKJV,  emphasis mine). If you're a true believer (or Christian), you're a good man; you're the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). And so your words (which are spoken out of the abundance of your heart) will tell us if you are indeed a true believer or not. You have to choose to be sanctified (or set apart to God) by (speaking the truth, which is) the Word of God (see John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2), rather than defile yourself with the words of this world. (see  Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:15).

Beloved, you have to understand the power of your words and always speak or confess  faith-filled words or words that agree with the Word of God. The Bible says, "By faith we understand that THE WORLDS WERE FRAMED BY THE WORD of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:3 NKJV, emphasis mine). Indeed, words are the most powerful things in the universe. The whole universe was created with words; God called things that did not exist as though they did. (see Romans 4:17). And they came into existence. In fact, without words, the entire creation wouldn't exist. The Bible says that Jesus holds everything in place by the Word of His power. (see Hebrews 1:3). And so all of creation responds to words. Therefore, the words that proceed from your mouth are important in framing your world or charting the course of your life. Negative or fear-filled words will bring you defeat, and positive or faith-filled words will put you over the top. Many people have habitually spoken Satan’s opinion (or the words of this world which are contrary to the Word of God), and by so doing, they have put themselves in bondage. But God's Word (or promises) when habitually spoken out in faith from the heart will produce liberty, success and victory in your life. Indeed faith-filled words on your lips will give substance to all of God's promises for you; they will cause God's promises to manifest or materialize in your life. Begin speaking faith-filled words over your life from this moment onwards, and you will see yourself rising higher in life each day.

Moreover, the Bible says that we are to hold fast our confession (see Hebrews 4:14). In other words, we are to continually confess what the Bible says about us, and what we want to see happen in our lives (in the light of the Word of God). We are to confess with our mouth unto salvation (see Romans 10:10) -- salvation from diseases, poverty, and every power of darkness or negative circumstance. Begin to use your mouth today to chart the course of your life. The Bible says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV). Determine today never to walk or judge by what you see or hear. Don't speak what you see; speak what the Word of God says; speak what you want to see, because the Bible says that you will have whatever you say. (see Mark 11:23). Speak life. Speak God's blessings or promises. Imitate your Father God by calling those things which do not exist as though they did. (see Romans 4:17). Begin to call health where there is sickness or disease, call life where there is death, and call the abundance of provision where there is need. Let the words you speak be the words of the Father, and the works you do be the works of the Father. That is how you walk in the truth. Remain blessed.

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