Every Spirit-filled Believer Needs to Speak in Tongues

A careful reading of the Acts of the Apostles will reveal that SPEAKING IN TONGUES was the common experience of every New Covenant believer who received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues was always the confirming sign that a believer had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The very first instance when the baptism in the Holy Spirit was received was on the day of Pentecost, and the Bible records that all 120 disciples (including Peter, James, John, and Mary, the mother of Jesus) spoke in tongues. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4 NKJV, emphasis mine). The second notable instance is in Acts chapter 10 where Peter ministered to Cornelius’ household – the first Gentile converts. The Bible records that while Peter was still preaching, “the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the gospel. And those of the circumcision who believed (i.e. the Jewish believers) were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT had been poured out on the Gentiles also. FOR THEY HEARD them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit JUST AS WE HAVE?” (Acts 10:44-47 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). Contextually, the Jewish brethren knew that Cornelius’ household had received the baptism in the Spirit, because “they heard them speak with tongues.” Speaking with tongues was the conclusive evidence for Peter and all the disciples present that these Gentiles had also been baptized in the Holy Spirit. In fact, this evidence was so important that it later helped settle the big question of whether salvation was for the Gentiles (see Acts 11:15-18). 

Again, in Acts 19:6, when Paul had laid hands on the believers in Ephesus to receive the baptism in the Spirit, “the Holy Spirit came upon them, and THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES and prophesied” – all 12 of them. All these examples from the Acts of the Apostles support Jesus’ promise in Mark 16:17 that “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name...they will SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES.” This is a promise to everyone who believes. Every believer can have this wonderful experience of speaking with new tongues. It was not for the early disciples only. Once you understand this, you will have the faith to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. And if you have already received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you will have the faith to start speaking with tongues, as the Spirit gives you utterance, because the baptism in the Holy Spirit ALWAYS comes with the ability to speak in tongues. 

The new prayer language of tongues is dormant in you until you pray out in faith. There are many believers today who have received the baptism in the Spirit but have not started praying in tongues. I was one such believer. I received it but did not use it because I was ignorant. I didn’t understand how it worked. I thought I had to just wait for the Holy Spirit to take control of my tongue and start speaking through me. I thought I had to just ready my lips and the Spirit would take over; but as long as I spoke nothing, nothing came out. The Bible says, we are to speak; it doesn’t say the Holy Spirit will speak. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman; He does not force us to speak. His role is to prompt us or give us the utterance (see Acts 2:4). And He is always prompting us to speak in tongues; He is always giving us the utterance. We have to speak out in faith so that the Spirit can keep the utterances flowing. It takes faith to speak in tongues. When we pray in tongues, we do so by faith because we do not know what we are saying. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (1 Corinthians 14:14). When you speak in tongues it makes no sense to your natural mind. It could even make you look stupid in the natural or sense realm, but in the spirit you speak mysteries. (see 1 Corinthians 14:2). It is the fact that speaking in tongues takes faith that makes it so powerful. When we speak in tongues, we allow the Holy Spirit to be in total control, as we trust Him to give us the words and we speak them out by faith. This helps us to exercise and activate our faith in Him. In doing so, we build ourselves up on our most holy faith. (see Jude 20). Today, you can take a step of faith and start praying in tongues. If you’re not sure of the first word to say, just pray with friends who can encourage you. And trust me, once you say the first word you're prompted to say, the Holy Spirit will prompt you to say more. It may initially sound like stammering, but you will eventually become fluent as you keep at it. Some people cannot speak in tongues because they have magnified their intellect to the point where they will not say anything that their intellect cannot grasp. It is hard to experience the reality of the Holy Spirit when we are engaged in the realm of the intellect. But when we pray in tongues, it brings us to a higher realm – beyond the mind – a realm where we experience God in a very real way through faith. It brings us into a realm where we exercise faith to speak things our mind doesn’t understand.

Some believers are hesitant to pray in tongues because of confusion over the passage in First Corinthians 12:30 where Paul asked, “Do all speak with tongues?” Some have misunderstood this passage and stopped short of receiving this powerful prayer language, so let us consider this verse in its proper context. “And God has appointed these IN THE CHURCH: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” (I Corinthians 12:28-30 NKJV). It is important to understand that there is a difference between the PUBLIC (or Ministry Gift of) TONGUES and PRIVATE DEVOTIONAL TONGUES. First Corinthians 12:28-30 was written in the context of spiritual gifts IN THE CHURCH or for ministry. These are public or ministry gifts given to individuals for the edification of the body of Christ or the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:16). Not everyone has the gift of “public ministry tongues,” which is used to convey a message from the believers to God or from God to the believers, just as not all are apostles, prophets and teachers, etc. When one speaks with the gift of “public ministry tongues,” the message has to be interpreted by the gift of interpretation in order to be useful (see 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:27-28). The question “do all interpret?” comes immediately after “do all speak with tongues?” confirming that Paul was referring to the gift of “public ministry tongues.” In his private devotions, Paul prayed in tongues all the time (see 1 Corinthians 14:18), yet in the church, he would rather speak five words with understanding, that he may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (see I Corinthians 14:19). Paul emphasized that praying in tongues is for personal edification (see 1 Corinthians 14:4), and thus should be done in our private devotions rather than in public worship, and that whenever it is done during public worship, it has to be interpreted in order for it to be useful (see 1 Corinthians 14:27-28). This clearly brings out the distinction between “private devotional tongues” and “public ministry tongues.”

Thus, in contrast to the gift of “public ministry tongues,” the new prayer language of “private devotional tongues” received during the baptism in the Spirit is for our personal use, and everyone who believes can have it. (see Mark 16:17). It is a private prayer language for self-edification and for you to communicate with God. “For he who speaks in a tongue does not SPEAK to men but to GOD, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (see 1 Corinthians 14:2). “He who speaks in a tongue EDIFIES HIMSELF.” (see 1 Corinthians 14:4). A person who first receives personal edification from God is able to operate more effectively in the gifts of the Spirit to edify others. Praying in “private devotional tongues” is, therefore, a powerful key to fan aflame or stir up the gifts of the Spirit (see 2 Timothy 1:6-7). Many anointed ministers who flow powerfully in the gifts of the Spirit attribute their success to the wonderful prayer language of tongues. No wonder the apostle Paul spoke in tongues more than all the believers in the Corinthian Church (see 1 Corinthians 14:18). He understood the benefits of speaking in tongues. You build yourself up when you speak in tongues. You edify yourself. As Paul prayed in tongues, God also gave him great revelations as can be seen from his epistles. He was able to minister with such great power. We can just imagine how charged up he was! Perhaps this is why the devil is so much against speaking in tongues and keeps creating controversy around this powerful gift. Some Christians even say speaking in tongues is of the devil. By saying this, they are basically saying all the early disciples (including Paul) who spoke in tongues were of the devil. How absurd! And is it surprising? Satan always wants to cast doubts on every good gift from God by portraying it as being of demonic origin. Even Jesus was accused of being of the devil when He cast out demons from those who were possessed. (see Matthew 12:22-32). So don't let the devil’s false accusations fool you or prevent you from speaking in tongues.

The Bible tells us in First Corinthians 14:39 that we shouldn’t forbid speaking in tongues. This is a slap in the face of believers who forbid speaking in tongues. Such believers have the erroneous belief that the gift of tongues has ceased. They use First Corinthians 13:8-10 as the basis for such belief: “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (I Corinthians 13:8-10 NKJV). The problem with their belief, however, is that prophecies have not failed and knowledge has increased rather than vanish. They say "that which is perfect" in verse 10 refers to the Bible and that since we have the complete Scriptures, tongues are unnecessary. However, tongues were never used as a teaching tool like the Bible is. I believe "that which is perfect" refers to Jesus and His second coming. This is why in verse 12, Paul says, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then (when that which is perfect has come) we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV, brackets mine). In other words, in this present time, we only see what the Bible says about the glory of Jesus and our own glory (as in a reflection or with our imagination), but then (when Jesus comes), we shall see Him face to face, and know Him and His glory (as well as our own glory) completely and fully, just as He knows us fully. Prophecy and tongues are valid gifts until then. Contextually, Paul was simply emphasizing to the Corinthian Church the point that all spiritual gifts must be used in love. May you always speak in tongues and edify yourself. 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).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

A Revelation of the Meaning of the Oneness (or Unity) of the Church that Jesus Prayed For in John 17

“I DO NOT pray for THESE ALONE, BUT ALSO for THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE in Me through their WORD; that THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, AS YOU, FATHER, ARE IN Me, AND I IN You; THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And THE GLORY WHICH YOU GAVE Me I HAVE GIVEN THEM, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE JUST AS We ARE ONE:  I IN THEM, and You IN Me; THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20‭-‬23 NKJV, emphasis mine).

Beloved, here is a very important revelation that the Body of Christ (or the Church) needs to grasp so earnestly. There is no Mother Church, as some people falsely claim and teach; and the prayer of Jesus in John 17 asking the Father that all believers may be ONE (or united) in Him or in the Godhead, HAS ALREADY BEEN ANSWERED. (Well, Jesus never had an unanswered prayer anyway). Now, let me explain. There has always been One Church, and in this One Church, there has always been (and still are) false brethren, whom Jesus also referred to as the tares among the wheat. (see Matthew 13:24-30; with Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 2:4;  2 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Corinthians 11:14‭-‬15; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). So it is utterly wrong for anyone to push for an artificial and superficial unity of the (physical) Church -- one which is not the work of the Holy Spirit but of the flesh (or human effort). The Bible says that Christ has made us ONE Body or Church. (see Ephesians 2:14‭-‬18; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27). And so, as far as God is concerned, there is only ONE Church or ONE Body, whose Head is the Lord Jesus Christ (see Colossians 1:18), and that church is NOT a physical Church; it is a SPIRITUAL CHURCH (see 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 12:23), which is ONE and complete in Christ. (see Colossians 2:9-10; with John 17:20-23).

Beloved, the Ecclesia (or Church) is not physical; it is SPIRITUAL. It is not the physical gathering of the brethren (both the true ones and the false ones) that you see every Sunday or every so often, even though those gatherings are important, and are encouraged. (see Hebrews 12:22-23; with Hebrews 10:25). The Church is the Body of Christ. Christ is spiritual, and so is His Body. (see 1 Corinthians 15:4-49; with 1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 3:1; 1 Peter 2:5). If you belong to the Body of Christ, you belong to a SPIRITUAL Body, and you are also spiritual (if only you knew it and would live as such). Therefore, you trace your source or origin directly to the Head of the Body, which is Jesus Christ Himself. You have been baptized by the Spirit into the Body (that spiritual Body) of Jesus Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 12:13). So the unity of the Church that Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23 is a unity that can only be achieved (and has, in fact, already been achieved) in the Spirit. Thus Jesus' prayer was answered. The (spiritual) Church is already united; it is already unified. Paul said that, in the Church or the Body of Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28 NKJV). Indeed the (spiritual) Church is ONE Body "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." (Colossians 3:11 NKJV; see also 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). After all, it is the Church of the living God. (see 1 Timothy 3:15). And God purchased the Church with His own blood. (see Acts 20:28). Indeed, it is “the general assembly and church of the Firstborn who are registered in Heaven.” (see Hebrews 12:23).

Beloved, God has unified His Church in Christ the Head. And so our responsibility today as individual members of the Church, is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to manifest (in the physical realm) the unity of the Church that is already a reality in the spirit realm. For as long as we (as individual members of the Church) all adhere to the true gospel of Christ, or as Jude puts it, “CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS” (see Jude 1:3 NKJV), “HOLDING FAST TO THE HEAD (who is Jesus Christ), from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the INCREASE THAT  IS FROM GOD" (see Colossians 2:19 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine), we will have one mind (in the flesh/body), which is THE MIND OF CHRIST -- the same mind that our spirit HAS (see 1 Corinthians 2:16); and our unity will manifest to the world to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, this will require that each believer submits his mind, his emotions, his will, and indeed his entire body to the leading of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:14; Romans 12:1-2) who dwells in our hearts (see 2 Corinthians 1:22) and is (permanently) joined as one with our spirit. (see 1 Corinthians 6:17).

Thus, no physical Church today can claim to be the Mother Church, because there is no Mother Church. The Church (in its spiritual state) has always been ONE (with no divisions). And the True Mother/Father (or Parent) of the Church (if you're willing to accept it) is (and has always been) God in whom our life is hidden with Christ. (see Colossians 3:3). This is important to know and understand, so that no so-called (physical) “Mother Church” can deceive you with doctrines of demons. (see 1 Timothy 4:1-3). Paul says, "BEWARE lest anyone CHEAT YOU through PHILOSOPHY and empty deceit, according to THE TRADITION OF MEN, according to the BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD, and NOT according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8 NKJV).

Truly, the Lord loves the Church. “For NO ONE EVER HATED HIS OWN FLESH (or Body), but NOURISHES AND CHERISHES IT, JUST AS THE LORD DOES THE CHURCH. For WE ARE MEMBERS OF His BODY, of His FLESH and of His BONES.” (Ephesians 5:29‭-‬30 NKJV,  brackets and emphasis mine). Hallelujah! May you hold fast to this revelation, by holding fast to the Head of the true (or spiritual) Church, which is our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “The secret things  belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29 NKJV). May you be a doer of God’s Word. Remain blessed.

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Jesus Christ is God’s Remedy for Sin-consciousness

Jesus Christ is not only God’s remedy for sin, He is also God's remedy for sin-consciousness. The Bible says, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the  death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:8-11 NKJV). Indeed God has gone to great lengths to keep the believer’s mind free from sin-consciousness. He has forgiven us ALL our sins (past, present, and future) through the ETERNAL redemption that came through the sacrifice of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. (see Colossians 2:13, with Hebrews 9:12, Romans 3:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 1:7). But He didn't stop there. He has also promised to remember our sins and lawless deeds NO MORE. (see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:17-18). That would’ve been more than enough, but He still didn’t stop there. He also says, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8 :1), and that nobody can bring a charge against God’s elect – the believer. (see Romans 8:33). Then He adds that nothing (including sin) can separate the believer from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (see Romans 8:38-39). God could’ve stopped here, and this would've been way more than enough, but He still didn’t stop here. He also gave us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a seal, a guarantee, or a down-payment of our redemption or forgiveness and salvation in Christ. (see Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). And yet, sin-consciousness makes many believers still doubt their salvation. I sincerely believe that people who continually harbor doubts about their eternal salvation are perhaps not saved; they are perhaps still walking in darkness. They perhaps don’t sincerely believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

But for those of us who sincerely believe in Him, Jesus Christ has indeed done all the work of salvation for us. This is why the Bible calls salvation a GIFT that is given by grace and must be received by faith. (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus lives in the believer (see Colossians 1:27) through the Holy Spirit; He lives in us and through us and continues His work in us. (see Galatians 2:20, with Philippians 2:13). He doesn’t live in us to help us sin; He lives in us to help us live a life of dominion over sin. He has saved us completely. The Bible says, Jesus is “able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV). And thankfully, He has done it for me. I am not waiting to be saved; I believe and I know I am saved because I sincerely believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him as my Lord and Savior. I am not the only believer who is confident of this very thing. The early disciples were all certain about their salvation in Christ. John, the disciple of Jesus, wrote to believers assuring them that they have eternal life (see 1 John 5:13); they were saved. Their salvation was secure, and not dependent on whether or not they would sin in the future. The apostle Paul also, speaking of the believer’s salvation in his letter to the Romans, spoke of it in the past tense. To him, salvation was already an accomplished reality. Thus, he writes, “For we WERE SAVED in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24 NKJV). Paul knew he was saved, together with all the believers he was writing to, including me, and perhaps you, if you believe. In fact Paul was so confident and certain of his salvation that in his letter to the Philippians, chapter 1 verses 21-25, he tells the Philippians that he was in a dilemma, as to whether to go to Christ early or to delay his departure in order to keep ministering to their needs. Every believer should have the same certainty that Paul had, that to be absent or away from the body is to be present or at home with the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven (see 2 Corinthians 5:8). In writing to Timothy for the second time, Paul again puts our salvation in the past tense, writing about how God “HAS SAVED us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (II Timothy 1:9 NKJV). Evidently, Paul knew, as every believer needs to know, that Jesus Christ has by Himself accomplished the task of purifying us from our sins. (see Hebrews 1:3). The forgiveness of our sins is an accomplished work of Jesus Christ, and He wants us to sleep easy, resting in Him and believing that His sacrifice for our sins is done, never to be repeated again. The Bible says Jesus’ blood has purified us of our sins so perfectly that we should have no more consciousness of sin. (see Hebrews 10:2). We should no longer be continually reminded of sin (see Hebrews 10:3), because all our sins have been taken away by Jesus’ precious blood. This is the whole point that is being made in Hebrews 10:1-3. The blood of Jesus is way more powerful than sin. Hallelujah! Yet, many believers unfortunately think more about sin than they think about Jesus. They ascribe more power to sin than they ascribe to the precious blood of Jesus, and then they claim to believe in Jesus. How self-deceived such people are! They confess their sins more than they confess Jesus, who is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (see Hebrews 3:1). The Book of Hebrews says, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” (Hebrews 4:14 NKJV). Let us continually confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Let us continually confess who the Bible says we truly are in Christ. Let us continually confess what the Bible says we have in Christ. And let us continually confess what the Bible says we can do in Christ (with and through the power (or ability) of the Holy Spirit that was given to us). This should be our confession continually, for we are urged to hold fast our confession. (see Hebrews 4:14). This was also Paul’s prayer for the Church in Ephesus. (see Ephesians 1:15-21). We should be more conscious of He (Jesus our righteousness) that is in us than he (Satan and sin) that is in the world, because He that is in us is GREATER than he that is in the world. (see 1 John 4:4). Yes, sin is in the world, together with Satan (the author of sin); but Jesus (the greater One) is in us, so we have overcome them, and we need to be conscious of Jesus, and not sin.

Beloved, the Bible says that when Christ died (to sin) once for all, we died with Him. (see Romans 6:8). When He was raised to life to live to God, we were raised with Him (see Colossians 3:1) to live to God in Christ Jesus our Lord, and to walk in the newness of life. (see Romans 6:4). So today, instead of thinking about sin all the time and always searching your heart for sins to confess, it would be better if you didn't think about sin at all, because, as a believer, you are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. (see Romans 6:11). The more you focus on Jesus and your righteousness in Him, the more you will have the power to live a life of victory and dominion over sin. The believer is indeed dead to sin. This does not, however, mean that sin is dead; sin is still very much alive in our world today. So, in the flesh (or body), the believer might unconsciously sin occasionally if he is not consistently walking in the Spirit. However, you should always renew your mind to the fact that you are dead to sin, so sin doesn't change who you are in Christ. Sin has no power over the believer. If you are truly born again, you have the nature of God (see Ephesians 4:24, with 2 Peter 1:4), and so you have power and dominion over sin. You are now a new creation. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Your spirit has been re-created. Renew your mind to this fact. You have been created according to God in true holiness and righteousness. (see Ephesians 4:24). And because you are dead to sin, you don't respond to sin.

To understand this more clearly, you need to know or catch a revelation of what death looks like. Have you seen a dead person before? A dead person is dead to life as we know it in the sense realm and does not respond to life. When you are dead to sin, you also don't respond to sin. You don't fellowship with sin. You don't occupy your mind with sin. You and sin have nothing in common. Sin shouldn't be in your consciousness. (see Hebrews 10:1-3). Rather, God should be in your consciousness, because you are alive to God in Christ. Your fellowship is with Christ and with God the Father, not with sin. Your mind should be occupied with Christ and with God the Father, not with sin. You should be thinking about Christ right now, and not about sin. You should present your body as an instrument of righteousness to God (see Romans 6:12-13), because you have been made righteous in Christ. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). You have been made alive to God in Christ. Don't wake up to sin, because you are dead to sin. Wake up to righteousness, because you are righteous in Christ. The Bible says, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not.” (see 1 Corinthians 15:34). It is only by waking up to your righteousness or being conscious of your righteous identity in Christ that you can live a life of victory over sin, and bear the fruits of righteousness. The Bible says the fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ. (see Philippians 1:11). You won’t bear any fruits of righteousness by living in sin-consciousness. It is only by abiding in Christ and allowing His words to abide in you (see John 15:4-7) that you can bear the fruits of righteousness. Believe what the Bible says about you and walk according to the revelation of the Word of God. When you walk according to the Word of God, you will be walking according to the will and purpose of God for your life. This is what the Bible teaches. Believe the Bible; it is God's Word. The Word of God is also called the Word of His Grace (see Acts 20:32). Indeed the Bible is about the GRACE of God. Grace is multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ – the Word. (see 2 Peter 1:2, with John 1:1, 14). And the Bible says that sin shall not have dominion over us because we are not under law but under GRACE. (see Romans 6:14). Amen.

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).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

The Curious Case of Ananias and Sapphira Demystified

The Bible says, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17 NKJV). We demonstrate our sincere love for the brethren by sharing the world’s goods or our possessions (such as land, houses, money, food, clothing) with those in need. We cannot be selfish. The moment we come into Christ, love must dethrone selfishness and greed, and love must reign in our lives. We cannot cling to the world’s goods and watch our brethren lack and suffer hunger. The world’s goods should only be of value to us inasmuch as we are able to share them with the needy. In the early years of the Church immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost the believers were very conscious of the love of Christ and demonstrated love for one another to a degree that still confounds many people today. The first mention of this demonstration of love is in the Second Chapter of the Book of Acts. “And with many other words he (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then THOSE WHO GLADLY RECEIVED his WORD WERE BAPTIZED; and that day ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and FELLOWSHIP, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now ALL WHO BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER, AND HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON, and SOLD THEIR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS, and DIVIDED THEM AMONG ALL, AS ANYONE HAD NEED. So continuing daily WITH ONE ACCORD in the temple, and BREAKING BREAD FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, THEY ATE THEIR FOOD WITH GLADNESS AND SIMPLICITY OF HEART, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:40-47 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). Praise God! Here, we have a picture of what the new birth did to the men of the early church after the love of God was poured out in their hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to them. They yielded to the love of God that was in them and lived it to such impressive degree. They were all together (this is speaking of unity or togetherness), and had all things in common – they shared all things, caring for one another. O, how beautiful it is when believers yield to the lordship of love!

In fact, there is a second love scene recorded in the Fourth Chapter of the Book of Acts, which is also similar to the first. The Bible says, “Now THE MULTITUDE of those who believed WERE OF ONE HEART and ONE SOUL; NEITHER DID ANYONE SAY THAT ANY OF THE THINGS HE POSSESSED WAS HIS OWN, but THEY HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And GREAT GRACE was upon them all. NOR WAS THERE ANYONE AMONG THEM WHO LACKED; for ALL who were POSSESSORS of lands or houses SOLD THEM, and BROUGHT THE PROCEEDS of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; AND THEY DISTRIBUTED TO EACH AS ANYONE HAD NEED.” (Acts 4:32-35 NKJV, emphasis mine).

It is simply an amazing miracle when a multitude of people – selfish men that had lived all their lives to make money and acquire wealth and possessions for themselves, like all natural men do – suddenly give up all their possessions, sharing with others, having ALL THINGS IN COMMON, and no man saying that what he possessed was his own. It is just awesome! And no man can love this way who does not have the love of God in his heart. This is a perfect picture of what happens when the children of God let loose the love of God that has been poured out in our hearts. This early body of believers lived in manifestation of the God kind of love. They must have recognized that God (Love) was indeed at work within them, willing and working His own good pleasure. (see Philippians 2:13). And so they yielded to Him. They must have known and believed that indeed they were overcomers, because greater is He (God, Love) who is in them, than he (Satan, Hatred and Selfishness) who is in the world. (see 1 John 4:4). Therefore they overcame selfishness. There was no selfishness whatsoever among them. It was an awesome work of God! Just beautiful! But then, Satan who hates all things beautiful, plotted to destroy the work of God, just like he tried to do when Jesus began His earth ministry. You would recall that immediately after Jesus’ baptism and after the Holy Spirit came upon Him, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (the devil), as Satan tried as hard as he could to derail Jesus from His mission here on earth and to destroy the mighty work God was to accomplish in Jesus; but Satan failed; Jesus would not bow or yield to Satan. (see Matthew 4). This was Satan’s first failed attempt to destroy the work of God in Christ.

Then, when Jesus first informed His disciples about the death He was about to suffer, be buried and rise again on the third day, Satan again creeped in through the apostle Peter in an attempt to dissuade Jesus from accomplishing the new work God was to accomplish in Him. But Jesus, immediately discerning the voice of Satan in Peter, rebuked him. (see Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33). Peter was (for lack of a better word) lucky that Jesus did not command the power of God to kill him, like he (Peter) did to Ananias and Sapphira.

Here again in the early church, God had begun a new work of establishing the love way of life on earth through the Church. And Satan again sought to destroy this new work of God, because you see, without love (agape), the Christian way of life will be an empty way of life like the world’s way of life. Thus Satan cunningly creeped into the midst of the believers by filling the heart of Ananias and Sapphira with selfishness and lies, in an attempt to destroy this awesome work of God, to destroy this precious gift of love that these believers had for one another. The Bible says, “But a certain man named ANANIAS, with SAPPHIRA his wife, SOLD A POSSESSION. And HE KEPT BACK PART OF THE PROCEEDS, HIS WIFE ALSO BEING AWARE OF  IT, and BROUGHT A CERTAIN PART AND LAID IT AT THE APOSTLES’ FEET. But Peter said, “Ananias, WHY HAS SATAN FILLED YOUR HEART TO LIE to the Holy Spirit AND KEEP BACK PART OF THE PRICE OF THE LAND FOR YOURSELF? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? WHY HAVE YOU CONCEIVED THIS THING IN YOUR HEART? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then ANANIAS, hearing these words, FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and BURIED HIM. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “HOW IS IT THAT YOU HAVE AGREED TOGETHER TO TEST the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then IMMEDIATELY SHE FELL DOWN AT HIS FEET AND BREATHED HER LAST. And the young men came in and FOUND HER DEAD, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So GREAT FEAR came upon ALL THE CHURCH and upon ALL WHO HEARD THESE THINGS.” (Acts 5:1-11 NKJV, emphasis mine).

Evidently, Satan’s plan failed. Peter, through the gift of discernment, saw the hypocrisy – the lies and selfishness – Satan was trying to bring into their midst through these beloved brethren – Ananias and Sapphira. And he stopped it instantly by the power of God. Peter thus judged (by the Spirit of God in Him) that it was better for Ananias and Sapphira to die than for them to corrupt the entire Church with this spirit of  hypocrisy. Ananias and Sapphira had become the leaven (the hypocrisy and corrupting influence) in the church, and thus needed to be purged out so that they would not leaven (or corrupt) the entire Church. In their walk with Jesus, the apostles (including Peter) were often warned by Jesus to beware of the leaven (which is hypocrisy – the doctrine) of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and Herod. (see Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1-3; Matthew 16:12). And so Peter, accordingly, had developed a quick discernment and strong distaste for any form of leaven, as evident from his response to Ananias and Sapphira. Paul also in writing to the Churches of Galatia warned them that “A little leaven leavens the whole lump,” (see Galatians 5:9), and he called for judgment upon whoever was leavening or corrupting the churches in Galatia, whoever was persuading them or hindering them from obeying the truth. (see Galatians 5:7,10). Again, when Paul received reports that there was sexual immorality among the Corinthian Church as is not even named among the Gentiles (or unbelievers) – that a man in their church was even sleeping with his father’s wife – he scolded the entire church for being puffed up rather than mourning that he who had done this deed MIGHT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM AMONG THEM. (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-3). And so Paul judged the man who had committed such abominable act, and commanded that, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, WITH THE POWER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, DELIVER SUCH A ONE TO SATAN FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH (body), that his spirit may be SAVED in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 5:4-5 NKJV, brackets and emphasis mine). What Paul was basically saying here was that they should do to this man exactly what Peter did to Ananias and Sapphira; they should deliver him to Satan by the power of God, so that his body will be killed, and his spirit will be saved. As believers, our spirits are already saved, and so, until we commit the unpardonable sin of rejecting or denouncing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and choosing instead to work for our own salvation, we remain saved, and any other sin we commit only affects our body and affects our ability to be effective witnesses for Christ. Hence, churches are commanded here to pray for the death or destruction of the body of believers who are committing sins that hinder the work God has entrusted to us. Indeed, believers who are evildoers are a bad influence on other believers and a bad witness of and for Christ. And so Peter (by the power of the Holy Spirit) gave Ananias and Sapphira over to Satan for the destruction of their body (see 1 Corinthians 5:5), but their spirits were saved, because they were believers.

The lesson in the story of Ananias and Sapphira is for believers to beware of leaven in our midst, just as Jesus repeatedly tells us in the four gospels. In that same Fifth Chapter of Paul’s First letter to the Corinthians that we cited above, Paul gave to the Corinthian Church the same warning he had given to the churches in Galatia. He said, “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that A LITTLE LEAVEN LEAVENS THE WHOLE LUMP? Therefore PURGE OUT THE OLD LEAVEN, THAT YOU MAY BE A NEW LUMP, since you truly are UNLEAVENED. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with THE LEAVEN OF MALICE and WICKEDNESS, but with the UNLEAVENED BREAD of SINCERITY and TRUTH.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8 NKJV). We all as believers are to walk in the truth and conduct ourselves with all sincerity and truth, not resorting to any acts of malice and wickedness.

Now, I know someone may say, “I thought we were under grace; how could people be killed for sin?” Yes, we are under grace, but as Paul tells us in the sixth chapter of his letter to the Romans, grace is not a license to sin. Jesus, in His letter to the lukewarm church in Revelation 3:19, says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” There are many believers (even preachers) who believe that preaching more grace will lead people to sin, or as they like to put it, "give people a license to sin." But the truth is that preaching the gospel of grace (which is the only gospel regardless) won’t give people permission to sin, if we rightly divide the Word of truth and let believers know the consequence of sinning under grace. Even in the apostle Paul's time, there were people who raised such concerns about grace giving people a license to sin, which Paul responded to by saying, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2). We Christians, as new creations (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness in Christ (see Romans 6:18). As people who are born of the Spirit (see John 3:5-6), live in the Spirit (see Romans 8:9), are to be led by the Spirit and are to walk in the Spirit (see Galatians 5:18, with Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:25, Romans 7:6), we bear and demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) and not the acts of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). Thus no believer who has truly experienced God’s amazing grace and understands the price Jesus paid for our salvation will continue to live in sin (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). Sinning under grace is a mark of hypocrisy; it is a sign that you are living according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit. And the Bible warns that, “if you live according to the flesh YOU WILL DIE; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13 NKJV). Ananias and Sapphira died when they lived according to the flesh, just as the Bible promises will happen to all who live as such.  

You may also recall that, under grace (that is, before the days of Moses through whom the Law was given), Judah’s firstborn son (Er), who was judged as wicked in the sight of God, was killed; THE LORD KILLED HIM. (see Genesis 38:7). Then afterwards, when Er’s wife and widow, Tamar, was given into marriage to Onan (Er’s brother) so that Onan will raise up an heir for his brother, the Bible says that Onan, knowing that the heir would not be his – that is, any children he will have with Tamar will not be considered his own children, but his brother Er’s children – when he went to sleep with his brother’s wife, he practiced the birth control method that is known today as Coitus interruptus; Onan, to avoid, having children for his brother, emitted his semen on the ground, instead of into her. (see Genesis 38:8-9). Now, mind you, all the children born along the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were to be God’s chosen people; so this malicious act committed by Onan was actually thwarting or hindering God’s new work on earth of raising a people for Himself. So the Bible says, “And the thing which he (Onan) did displeased the Lord; therefore He (the Lord) killed him also.” (Genesis 38:10 NKJV). Onan was killed by God because God had to stop or purge out the leaven (that hypocrisy) from leavening the whole lump (that whole family of men that the Lord had chosen). God would not allow that kind of bad precedence to go unnoticed or unpunished. And so, under grace, God purged out the leaven, just as He did with Ananias and Sapphira, and continues to do in the Church today.

Indeed, grace does not give us the license to sin. Grace elevates us and empowers us to walk in the Spirit and not according to the flesh, and when we do that, we effortlessly walk in good works which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (see Ephesians 2:10). Paul in his letter to Titus says, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men." (Titus 3:8 NKJV). In the New Testament, Ananias and Sapphira, and the man in the Corinthian Church whose name was not given, were not the only ones who were purged out from the church for not maintaining good works. Paul again tells us in his first letter to Timothy about how he (Paul) had delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan “that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (see 1 Timothy 1:19-20). Unlike Ananias and Sapphira and the man in the Corinthian Church, Hymenaeus and Alexander had even rejected the faith and blasphemed the Holy Spirit, and so their case was even worse. The Bible says, “If the righteous (that is, believers) receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner (that is, the unbelievers)!” (Proverbs 11:31 NIV, brackets mine). Whatever we do in our body here on earth, is rewarded or punished. And as believers (called to practice righteousness), we even suffer more in life for doing good, which makes it even more difficult to live a godly life; there's no way we could survive a day of the Christian walk, if not for the help of the Holy Spirit who is in us. The Bible forewarns us that "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." (see Acts 14:22). Indeed, we must all suffer as believers. Peter says, “But let NONE of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone SUFFERS AS A CHRISTIAN, let him NOT BE ASHAMED, but let him GLORIFY GOD IN THIS MATTER. For THE TIME HAS  COME  for JUDGMENT TO BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD; and if it  begins with US FIRST, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:15-19 NKJV, emphasis mine).

Again, Peter says, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And ABOVE ALL THINGS HAVE FERVENT LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, for “LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let  him  speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let  him  do  it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7-11 NKJV, emphasis mine). Love indeed covers (or prevents) a multitude of sins. This is a restatement of the truth that love is the fulfillment of the law.

Beloved, when we walk in love, we will not sin. It is written of our blessed Lord Jesus, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (see Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). We believers, since the Spirit of Christ dwells in us, should likewise love righteousness and hate iniquity.  The Bible says that we that love the Lord are to hate evil. (see Psalm 97:10). The Bible also says that, God knows every man that loves Him. (see 1 Corinthians 8:3). So we cannot deceive God; we cannot love God and love evil at the same time. No one can serve two masters. (see Matthew 6:24). Our duty as believers, then, is to encourage one another to walk in love, and rebuke those who stray from the Way of love. The Bible commands all of us who are overseers of the flock to rebuke those who are sinning, in the presence of all, so that the rest may fear. It says, “Those who are sinning, REBUKE in the PRESENCE of all, THAT THE REST also MAY FEAR.” (1 Timothy 5:20 NKJV, emphasis mine). This was what Peter did with Ananias and Sapphira. And indeed, fear came upon the Church. (see Acts 5:5,11). And I believe from that point onwards among those early believers, at least for a decent amount of time, the case of Ananias and Sapphira was a cautionary tale for all, against hypocrisy. And it is a caution to all of us also who are believers today. Let us walk in love, and we will not walk in fear. The Bible says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18 NIV). Beloved, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of LOVE and of a sound mind. (see 2 Timothy 1:7). We have a spirit of LOVE. Let everything we do be for the sake of love. (see Philemon 1:9). Let our work or labor in Christ be the labor of love. (see Hebrews 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3). Let brotherly love continue. (see Hebrews 13:1). Let us love as brethren. (see 1 Peter 3:8). “And let us consider one another in order to STIR UP LOVE and GOOD WORKS, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but EXHORTING ONE  ANOTHER, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV,  emphasis mine).

“Now, May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. (see 2 Thessalonians 3:5). “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians  3:12-13 NKJV). “Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.” (Jude 1:2). Amen.

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).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

Are Believers Saved? Did Jesus Succeed in Saving His People From Their Sins?

Long before Jesus was conceived, God declared through the prophet Jeremiah that a time was coming when He (God) would make a New Covenant with His people in which He will FORGIVE ALL THEIR SINS AND REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE (see Jeremiah 31:31-34). This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 8:10-13; Hebrews 9:25-28; Hebrews 10:10-18; and Matthew 26:28).

Even before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to His father, Joseph, to announce His name, saying: "...YOU ARE TO GIVE HIM THE NAME JESUS, because HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.” (Matthew 1:21 NIV, emphasis mine). Clearly, "saving His people from their sins" was Jesus' job description; it was His sole mission on Earth. Thus, when John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching him for baptism, he introduced Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (see John 1:29). The following day when John the Baptist saw Jesus again, he  reintroduced Him as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (see John 1:36). The Bible also states that on the night before Jesus was crucified, He pronounced His blood as the blood of the New Covenant, "which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (see Matthew 26:28). Also, before Jesus gave up His spirit on the cross, the Bible says He announced the successful completion of His mission on earth by crying out, "It is finished" (see John 19:30). Thus, Jesus’ redemptive work was completed (or finished) after the full punishment for all sins (past, present and future) was exacted on Him at the cross. Hebrews 9:27-28 affirms that Jesus died once  to bear the sins of many. Jesus will never die again. (see Romans 6:9). His one time sacrifice is good for all time. (see Hebrews 7:27). He offered one sacrifice for sins forever. (see Hebrews 10:10). And because of that sacrifice, God has promised to remember the believer's sins no more, let alone punish the believer again for sin (see Hebrews 10:17-18, and Hebrews 8:12; with Jeremiah 31:31-34). This does not in any way suggest that God has gone soft on sin; rather, it confirms that God is completely satisfied with Jesus' ONE TIME payment for sin.

Hence,  Jesus, after His resurrection, and before His ascension to Heaven, said to His disciples, “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). Then, He commanded the disciples to “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). Later, Jesus would give the same command to Paul while sending him to the Gentiles “to open their eyes, in order  to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’” (see Acts 26:18 NKJV, emphasis mine). Thus, Peter, in preaching the gospel as commanded by Jesus, 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). John also declares that Jesus Christ is “THE ATONING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2, emphasis mine). In other words, Jesus has paid the penalty for everyone's sins. That is called grace (unmerited, undeserved favor). But you have to believe (or put faith in) what Jesus has already accomplished in order to benefit from it, or be saved (see Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:8-9; Acts 16:31). What this means is that it is not a person’s many sins that will send them to hell; it is the singular sin of not believing in Jesus Christ that will send a person to hell (see John 3:36, John 16:8-9, 1 John 5:11-12). Jesus already bore the full extent of God's wrath against our sins, as He who knew no sin became sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), and also became a curse (see Galatians 3:13), and was thus forsaken by God (see Matthew 27:46), so that you and I will be reconciled to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:19), be redeemed from the curse of the Law (see Galatians 3:13), and become the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). This should make us all tremble with holy reverence and worship. It should make us all eternally grateful to Jesus.

As further proof that Jesus’ one time sacrifice for sins was accepted by God, the Bible tells us that when Christ's mission on earth was done, He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God (see Hebrews 9:12, with Hebrews 10:12-14; Ephesians 1:20-23; and Ephesians 2:4-6). So my question for you today is, "Did Jesus succeed in saving His people from their sins?" Did the Lamb of God succeed in taking away the sins of the world? "Yes" or "No?"

Beloved, Jesus either accomplished His mission of saving His people from their sins, or He failed. What is your assessment? What do you believe? The Bible's assessment is that Jesus accomplished His mission of purifying us from our sins. Hebrews 1:3 says when Jesus had by Himself accomplished purification from sins, He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high. In other words, FORGIVENESS OF SINS OR PURIFICATION FROM SINS IS AN ACCOMPLISHED WORK of Christ, and the effect of it is that a believer is not even to be conscious of sin (see Hebrews 10:1-3). Believing this fact is important because the complete forgiveness of sins is the main clause of the New Covenant. In the New Covenant, God says: “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (see Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus Christ has already purchased salvation with the atoning sacrifice of His own blood and offers it as a free gift to those who believe (see John 3:14-16, John 3:36, Acts 16:31, Romans 3:23-24, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 2:4-6, Romans 10:9, Titus 3:4-7). “By one sacrifice, He has made perfect forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14). Today, God is merciful to your unrighteousness and no longer remembers your sins because the punishment for your sins has already been exhausted on the body of Jesus at the cross. God remembers your sins NO MORE, not because you don't sin anymore, but because Jesus' blood has put away all your sins (see Hebrews 9:26) and continues to cleanse you (see 1 John 1:7). This is why the Bible assures us in 1 John 2:1 that if anyone sins, “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One.” What this means is that if anyone sins, Jesus Christ who paid for all our sins sits in Heaven as our Advocate (or our Lawyer). As our Lawyer, Jesus will stand and show the scars from the piercings in his hands, feet and side, as well as point to the blood He shed on the cross as the evidence or the divine receipt for our eternal redemption (or forgiveness), and defend us that there is now no condemnation for us because we are in Him. (see Romans 8:1). He will insist that no one can bring a charge against God’s elect. (see Romans 8:33). Jesus is indeed the atonement for all our sins, and He will never have to die again for sins (see Romans 6:9-10); nor will He allow the believer to suffer or make another sacrifice for his own sins. (see Hebrews 10:18). Such is the good news of Christ! This is why the apostles could confidently proclaim in Acts 13:38-39 that everyone who believes in Jesus is "forgiven and justified of ALL sins, a justification which was not possible under the law of Moses." It is also why John could confidently assure believers that we have eternal life. (see 1 John 5:13). As a believer, continually confessing and asking for the forgiveness of your sins is denouncing that you are already forgiven. It is simply a sign of unbelief. It is proof that you don't believe in Jesus’ one time sacrifice for your ETERNAL redemption. Instead of confessing your sins, you should rather be thanking God everyday for the forgiveness of your sins. 

Beloved, to know Jesus Christ is to know that you are forgiven of ALL sins – past, present and future. Jesus only died for our sins once and will never die again (see Romans 6:9-10). When He died 2000 years ago, you had not been born yet and had not committed any sins yet, so  all your sins were in the future. If Jesus' blood cannot forgive future sins, then you cannot expect to be saved. You are only saved because Jesus' blood can forgive sins even before you commit them. The Bible declares, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place ONCE FOR ALL BY HIS OWN BLOOD, thus obtaining ETERNAL REDEMPTION." (Hebrews 9:11-12 NIV, emphasis mine). The last verse clearly states that the forgiveness we have received through the blood of Jesus is ETERNAL. Our sins are forgiven for His name's sake (see 1 John 2:12) once and for all. This assurance gives believers security and peace knowing that God is not mad at us and will never be mad at us. The apostle Paul says in Romans 5:1 that “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul also adds that we will be saved from God’s wrath through Jesus. (see Romans 5:9). And since all of God's promises are Yes and Amen in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 1:20), we can confidently say that we have been saved from God's wrath through Jesus. Thus, Paul proclaims: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Romans 8:33-34 NIV).

Beloved, if you have accepted the sacrifice Jesus made for your sins (by faith in Christ), then you’re born again; your spirit is perfect (Hebrews 12:23); you are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6), and you're just like Jesus in this world (see 1 John 4:17). You are blessed and highly favored! And God has called you into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (see 1 Corinthians 1:9). John says our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.  (see 1 John 1:3).

Unfortunately, however, Religion has taught many believers that sin breaks our fellowship with God. Some even believe that they lose their salvation every time they sin, until it’s confessed. Others believe their prayers can’t get answered, or they can’t be used by God when they sin. That’s certainly not good news, since all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:8). Some churches have even developed a whole doctrine around the confession of sins and have burdened believers unnecessarily. Instead of receiving forgiveness by grace, they have made it into a law that no man can ever keep perfectly. I want to ask those of you who believe your forgiveness or salvation depends on how well you confess your sins: Have you honestly been able to confess every single sin you’ve committed today? Have you confessed your worries? The Bible says “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23); do you always walk in faith? Have you confessed every doubt and every wrong thought?  James 4:17 says if you know the good that needs to be done and you don’t do it, it’s a sin; have you done everything that you know is good. Have you loved everyone as well as you should? Have you helped every poor person today? Have you visited every prisoner or sick person today? No! It is just impossible! There’s just no way anyone can confess all their sins perfectly. And the Bible states clearly that "whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, is guilty of all" (see James 2:10). If you really believe that, as a believer, you have to confess your sins to be forgiven, then you can't miss any sin; you can't have any unconfessed sin; you need to confess every sin all the time. Otherwise, you're still "guilty of all," for "judgement is without mercy" (see James 2:13). I'm sure now you recognize how impossible this is. Even if it were possible to confess every single sin, that would put the burden of forgiveness and salvation on you and not on Jesus. And I can promise you that once you make the forgiveness of your sins your responsibility, you’ll put yourself under a law you can’t keep, and you’ll have to deal with the bondage and oppression that comes with it. The Bible clearly states that the forgiveness of your sins is ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE (see Ephesians 1:7), and not according to your confession.

I’m sure by now you’re probably asking, “What about 1 John 1:9? Doesn’t it say, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness?” Well, good question. Before I answer this question, I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the apostle Paul, who alone wrote over two-thirds of the New Covenant epistles, never mentioned the “confession of sins” as a doctrine among believers in any of his letters to the churches, even though he had numerous opportunities to address sinful behavior, especially in his letter to the Corinthians who were clearly guilty of fornication and other sins. Paul’s solution to the problem of sinful behavior in the Corinthian Church was to remind them that their “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…” (see 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 3:16). He reminded them of their righteous identity in Christ. There was not a single mention that these believers had to confess their sins. John didn't ask believers to confess their sins either. Many people have failed to pay attention to the words, the context, as well as the message in First John 1:9.

First John 1:9 is talking about when the natural (or unregenerate) man first comes to Christ. The natural man (or the man who has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior) is a sinner, regardless of how much good he does. In fact, he was born a sinner  (see Psalm 51:5), and is thus programmed to sin, because he has the devil working in him (see Ephesians 2:2-3). When Adam fell into sin (see Genesis 3), we were all still in Adam’s loins. So we all became sinners through one man’s (or Adam’s) disobedience. (see Romans 5:18-19). By virtue of us being “in Adam,” all die. (see 1 Corinthians 15:22, NKJV). So sin entered the world through Adam, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (see Romans 5:12-14). Hence, the natural man has Adam’s sin nature in him. The natural man has no fellowship with God, which is why John is inviting him into fellowship with God. (see 1 John 1:3). The Bible says the natural man is alienated or cut off from God. (see Colossians 1:21-23). The Bible calls the natural man a child of disobedience and a child of wrath. (see Ephesians 2:2-3; Colossians 3:6). And so when the natural man comes to Christ, he must first acknowledge that he is a sinner. He must confess his sins or confess that he is a sinner who needs forgiveness. And when that confession is made sincerely from the heart, God is faithful and just to forgive that man his sins and to cleanse him from ALL unrighteousness. Notice that God chooses His words very carefully. He says He will cleanse that man of ALL unrighteousness. ALL means ALL. This is a one-time thing. When ALL is cleansed, there’s none left to be cleansed. Even a child can understand this. And yet, Satan has blinded many people's understanding on this.

From that point forward after the natural man comes to Christ to confess that he is a sinner, and thus accepts and confesses Jesus as his Lord and Savior, that man is forgiven of ALL sins; he is eternally forgiven; he has eternal (not temporary) redemption (see Hebrews 9:12; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13). God, who is faithful and just, fulfills His promise and cleanses him from ALL unrighteousness. He is born again, or born from above (see John 3:3, 7) or re-created according to the righteous and holy nature of God. (see Ephesians 4:24; 2 Peter 1:4). God Himself gives birth to him out of His own will through the Word of truth. (see James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23), and He becomes the begotten son of God (see John 1:12, James 1:18, 1 John 5:) who is accepted in the Beloved (see Ephesians 1:6). He becomes a member of God’s Family -- an heir of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. (see Romans 8:16-17). He becomes Jesus’ brother, and Jesus is not ashamed to call him a brother. (see Hebrews 2:11). So from the moment a person comes to Christ, he is a new creation. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). He is a partaker of God's divine nature. (see 2 Peter 1:4). He has the life of God. (see 1 John 5:11-12). He has eternal life. (see 1 John 5:13, John 6:47). And He has fellowship with God and with Jesus Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3). He dies to Adam and his sin nature, and is made alive in Christ and receives His righteous nature, so that just as in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all are made alive. (see 1 Corinthians 15:22). Just as by one man's (or Adam's) disobedience you were made (or became) a sinner, even so through one Man’s (or Christ's) obedience, you are made (or become) righteous. (see Romans 5:19). Hence, even though there are sinners in the natural world (unbelievers), there are no sinners in Christ or in the Body of Christ. In Christ, all are saints. (see 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 2:19). All are righteous. (see Romans 5:19). And sin cannot change that. This is why First John 3:9 says, "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." This is a spiritual fact. It is a spiritual reality. You can't understand it with your natural mind. God sees the believer as so righteous that he cannot sin. In God’s eyes, as Jesus is, so are we in this world. (see 1 John 4:17). God sees the believer as righteous and sinless as Jesus. God sees the believer as His own righteousness. We are the righteousness of God in Christ. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Just ask yourself this question: how pure is the righteousness of God? Well, that is you, my dear believer.

A believer is the righteousness of God in Christ. It is God Himself who has established the believer in righteousness, just as He promised long ago that He would do. (see Isaiah 54:14). And when God justifies, who is he that condemns? (see Romans 8:33-34). Jesus Himself is the believer's righteousness (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). This is why every believer should have dominion over sin. Sin shouldn't have dominion over the believer, because the believer is not under law, but under grace. (see Romans 6:14). Satan is the author of sin. He has been sinning from the beginning. (see 1 John 3:8). Sin exists in Satan’s kingdom (of darkness); it doesn’t exist in God’s Kingdom (of Light). And the Bible says that the believer has been rescued or delivered by God from the power of darkness, and been translated or conveyed into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. (see Colossians 1:13). So Satan (and sin) has no power over the believer. Satan (and sin) used to be our master before we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. But now, since we are in Christ, we are in the Kingdom of Light and we are seated in the heavenly realms (on the right hand of God) with Christ and in Christ (see Ephesians 2:4-6) “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:21 NKJV). The believer is now a master over Satan and sin. We have transitioned from being slaves of Satan and sin to being Masters over Satan and sin, thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All believers need to catch a revelation of this truth.

When the believer catches a revelation of who he truly is, when the believer comes to know that he is truly righteous in Christ, that is when he is empowered to live a righteous life free of sin's dominion. The believer has to know his true identity. He has to become righteousness-conscious and not sin-conscious. He has to be "Christ-in-me"-conscious. Sin-consciousness is for the unbeliever. The body of Christ hasn't caught a full revelation of what Christ did and has done for us. Many are yet to catch the revelation of what we have become in Christ. This is why so many believers are so preoccupied with sin-consciousness and are living in sin. Every time they hear someone preach about the believer’s righteous identity, the only thing they think about is, "What about sin?" People are still in bondage to sin and sin-consciousness. But it shouldn't be that way. The blood of Jesus that washed us from our sins (see Revelation 1:5) is more powerful than sin, and the Bible says it (continually) cleanses us. (see 1 John 1:7). This is like standing under the waterfall of Jesus’ precious blood; it never stops cleansing you. Christ who is in you is greater than all the sin in the world (see 1 John 4:4), and He is in you to help you live a life of dominion over sin. Acknowledge Him always. Be conscious of Him. Christ is in you; that is the hope of glory. (see Colossians 1:27). It is the glory of the believer. It is the secret of Christianity. Without that revelation, you can call yourself a believer or a Christian all you want, but you are nothing. Satan will never be scared of you, and he will rob you and make a mockery of you. Satan is only scared of believers who truly know who they are. Satan cannot condemn a believer who knows that he is the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. He can never condemn a believer who knows and believes that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (see Romans 8:1). He cannot condemn a believer who knows that no one can bring a charge against God’s elect  (see Romans 8:33). You can be that believer. Renew your mind with the Word of God. (see Romans 12:2). And by the way, it is just stupid for a believer to live in sin. Sin is beneath the dignity of a true child of God. Sinning is submitting to Satan. (see Romans 6:16). No true child of God wants to submit to Satan by sinning, because we're masters over Satan. You just need to have this revelation!

Unfortunately there are many ministers behind the pulpit today 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,  emphasis mine). That 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, emphasis mine). “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? 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. They must as well just become shoe repairers. Perhaps then, they might at least save some soles.

Beloved, your sins are ETERNALLY forgiven because of your faith in Jesus Christ. That is why John assures you of ETERNAL life (read 1 John 5:13 again). God has promised to remember your sins no more (see Jeremiah 31:31-34). And if you check in your dictionary right now, you'll notice that "No More" still means NO MORE! You don’t need to keep reminding God of your sin, the one thing He has promised not to remember. You should rather be thanking Him. Instead of being sin-conscious, become righteousness-conscious and receive the power of God to have dominion over sin. The forgiveness of your sins is in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (see Ephesians 1:7), and not in accordance with your confession of sins. It is my prayer that you’ll eventually lose consciousness of sin (see Hebrews 10:1-2) and frequently remind yourself of your righteousness in Christ and your blessedness. "David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one TO WHOM GOD CREDITS RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NEVER COUNT AGAINST THEM.” (Romans 4:6-8 NIV, emphasis mine). That blessed man is you, my dear believer. Your blessing is that even when you sin, that sin will not be counted against you (because it has already been counted against Jesus, and Jesus' righteousness has been imputed to you – see 2 Corinthians 5:21).  This should make you love Jesus more! Jesus Himself has said that the one that is forgiven much loves much (see Luke 7:36-47). The truth, my dear friend, is that we have all been forgiven much! I pray that you will receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation to understand that Jesus succeeded in saving you from your sins.

If you're not yet a believer, here's an invitation to you. Today, you have heard Jesus’ 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 walking in faith and by allowing Jesus to live through you. (see Galatians 2:20). The victory that overcomes is your faith. 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).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"