BATTLING ADDICTIONS

You see this topic, it involves every single person here (myself inclusive). No one is spared.

As we proceed, we will understand better.

Like I said, the class is interactive. So first, we will all define Addiction according to our own knowledge of it.

I'm sure this is not the first time you are hearing the word Addiction.

Without using the dictionary, what is addiction to you? What comes to mind when you say/hear someone is addicted?

Ally - When I hear of an addiction, I think of something someone is dependent on. N can't do without, to the point of sometimes feeling physical hurt without that thing

Addiction is basically an enthusiastical devotion/dependence on a particular thing.
A habit we've come to a place of total dependence on
A habit that is out of our control
A habit that has now become master over us

As I put down these thoughts, one thing my kept screaming was BONDAGE

Addiction is Bondage

What do you think people can be addicted to?

Seun - Material to abstract things. A smell, an habit, a place, a person, a behavior, a meal, an event etc

Motunrayo - Themselves, a social media app

We can be addicted to literally anything.

Here is a list of some of the things we can be addicted to:
Admiration/Compliments, Excessive eating, Anger, being noticed, talking to much, not listening, sex, coffee, smoking, alcohol, drugs (illicit use), envy, exercise, fantasies, gossip, social media, lying, cursing, pornography, masturbation, stealing, self pity, power, sleep, sleeping pills, status, sports, work, TV, Netflix, gambling, impulse shopping, correcting others, criticism, finding faults etc.
Some of us are even addicted to our partners, our own company.


The list is endless.

There are some people that no matter how good they dress, if someone else hasn't complimented them they don't see themselves as beautiful. This is addiction, to admiration and compliments and it leads to low self esteem

When many of us think of addiction, it's the worst things that come to mind first. If pastor decides to preach on addiction, we quickly start to think Sex, fornication, pornography, masturbation, stealing etc

But if we check this list, we will see some of the things we counted under addiction are actually good things, things that are recommended and profitable

Exercise is good. Netflix is a perfect relaxation platform, sleeping is good for the body etc

This is because some times the action is not the problem but our addiction to it or dependence.

The control that action/activity has over us based on the level of devotion we've given to it

This is where the problem is

On devotion...

One thing the bible asks that we completely devote ourselves to is prayer and the ministry of the word.

Now, does this mean it is bad to devote to work or exercise? No! The kind of devotion we talk about is the type that gains control over us. Most of the things that we find harmless are usually the best things until they become the worst things.

It starts slowly and creeps in. Once read that the word Addiction is from the Latin word Addictus which means to surrender to the gods

The Latin word Addictus is also used to describe a debt slave, one who is bound to another

“I am allowed to do anything,” you say. My answer to this is that not all things are good. Even if it is true that “I am allowed to do anything,” I will not let anything control me like a slave.
1 Corinthians 6:12 ERV

Nothing should gain control over us. Nothing. Nothing should gain control over us. Nothing

Now, I want us to go back to the list we shared (and contributions from others), do you find anything you are addicted to? Yes or No?

Or is there something you think you are addicted to that we missed

As we all find the things we are addicted to, I want us to know that as harmless as they sound, we are in bondage to those things

So change I'm addicted to fanta to I'm a slave to fanta or Fanta has me in bondage

When people say I'm addicted to fanta to anything, it sounds innocent and normal. But when you switch it to its real meaning, we see the dangers in addiction. Over the years, the world has tried to water down addictions.

You are struggling with impulsive buying but we've given it a fancy name: OCD

No! Stop calling it obsessive compulsive disorder. You have a spending problem. Indiscipline actually. And people addicted to such usually remain poor. The fancy names do not take away the implications.

And here is the thing with addictions, they begin with a choice, a behavior you are fine with at first

Then they get out of hand/excessive. They are suddenly out of your control. You can't seem to stop them. You gave that power to them

You didn't just become addicted to pornography or masturbation.

No!

From let me just peep and see what they are doing small. I will pray for forgiveness. Till your data finishes that day

You try o and wait till another 2 weeks before you go again. Before you know it, daily visitor to porn sites. Before you know it, if you've not taken alcohol you are not sharp. Before you know it, gossip has become a habit

Everything is allowed!

Another thing with addiction: - Addiction is idolatry

Anything we've come to admire, want, trust/rely on, depend on or devote ourselves to excessively is idolatry. It is not until we carry Figurine with stone to our backyard and start Pouring palm oil on it that we are practising idolatry

Addiction is a scheme of the devil.

We already defined it as bondage and we all know there is only one person with an agenda of bondage. He wants us trapped, at the mercy of something other than God. And we don't just get trapped. Addiction has a process like I explained earlier.

Starts with:

Oh! I like the taste of Fanta

To
I want Fanta today

Before you know it..

I've been trying to do xyz  all day but to no avail. I think I need to take a bottle of fanta

The final stage is that of craving, now without reason

I'm craving cigarettes
I'm craving attention
I'm craving sleep (though I just slept all through the day?

They become Lust of the flesh

Now, most addicted people know they are addicted (especially for those of us that are addicted to the things we see as bad). But even this knowledge doesn't save us

We've become helpless

We just continue in it, wanting to stop but not knowing how to

Feeling guilty when we do it but still do it. Till we get to a place where there is no guilt. Our conscience is turned off to it

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James 1:14‭-‬15 NKJV

Our addictions are products of our desires! Our desires are fueled by different things. From peer pressure, depression, youthful exuberance, pain/hurt, self deception, indulgence of the flesh etc

It is important that we know what we are addicted to and what is fueling it, in order to be able to overcome addiction. Find out the What and why. If it is depression that has led you to drinking, your problem is not really drinking but what is making you depressed.

If it is hurt/pain that made you start sleeping around till you got addicted to sex, it is important we go back to why you were hurt and you heal from that hurt before we come to you sleeping around

Now, how do we deal with addiction?

We should know this, God is aware of everything that you do. He knows everything you are struggling with. He sees all you do in secret even when you pretend to be something else outside. God sees and knows it all

And even in all of these, God loves you

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NKJV

Do not let any form of addiction stop you from coming to God

You don't have to "clean up". God doesn't see you as dirty regardless of the dirty things you do

It is important that we know this in order to overcome that addiction.

God is not refusing to answer your prayers because you smoke.

God loves you even in this state, and it is out of this love that He has extended help to remove you from this state. Now that you know God's position on this, let's move to solution

Note that some of the solutions do not apply to all types of addictions.

1. Be filled

Emptiness is a tool for the enemy.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:18‭-‬20 NKJV

How are we filled? We see it in the scripture above. The word of God, singing and making melody in our hearts to God always, a constant mood of thanksgiving and focus on the things of the spirit.

Our spirit is quickened in this manner. We should engage our mind positively with the things of the spirit.

I noticed some thing in 2018. Anytime I stop praying as I used to, I begin to feel lonely. I start thinking of how I'm single and need a man in my life. Spiritual idleness is a big gateway for so many things. It opens doors

We must occupy our minds with the things of the spirit. Since addictions are formed by unhealthy devotion to certain things, start by devoting to God. One cannot have 2 masters.

Before you know it the smaller master will bow and leave.

2. Be open and confront the problem

Sin thrives in secrecy. Do not lie about what you are going through. And when I say be open, don't go and tell someone that sees nothing wrong with your addiction. They will edge you on.

Speak with a believer. They will build you up in faith and pray for you.

You have a safe haven to talk about it and face that thing directly

Also for us believers, let's be support systems to others. If anyone is struggling, do not condemn rather help them out of it.

3. Renew your hope in God.

For so many people, they have tried and tried to stop. They have prayed too, nothing worked.
So hope is lost. Every preaching goes to waste

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Psalms 25:3 NIV

Don't be hopeless about the situation. You can stop. Believe it.

4 Pray to God and allow Him help you

This seems cliche but I tell you it works. God actually wants to help you. So speak with Him about it, tell Him about your problem and progress. If you love to write, you can get a journal and write to God about this addiction and how you are getting out of it.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

God has provided a way out for so many. He will do same for you too

You cannot be disciplined to stop on your own. Allow God help you

EQUALITY: GOD'S VIEW OF HUMANS

When we were arranging the sermon topics for this month, it didn't even occur to me that we were preaching this on international women's day up until this evening.

But then, we serve an intentional God. He notes everything 😁

So before I begin to teach, I'd like everyone to comment, please.

What do you think God's view is on Equality?

What is your own view on Equality as a believer?

Olamide: Fairness and justice

Nkiru: Sons! Everybody is seen as a son! No sex definition

GraceMercy: Fairness

Samson: There's no male nor female in God's eyes. We are his children. Simple. I respect you because you are God's creation, not because you are male or female

The issue of gender equality has been a problem forever I believe. Recently, the talks on this topic has increased. As believers, it is important that our stance aligns with God's stance.

So first, we will have to know what God thinks about Gender equality. I've seen plenty of takes on God's view. I've seen/heard so many "Your God is Misogynist". If I were to get a dollar every time I heard this, I'd be a millionaire by now.

So tonight, what we will be doing is checking God's view on Equality.

The Bible pretty much provides answers on pretty much everything we need answers to.

So to know God's view? We check that He has already said

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26‭-‬28 AMPC

Matthew 20:1-16
[1]FOR THE kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning along with the dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.
[2]After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
[3]And going out about the third hour (nine o'clock), he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;
[4]And he said to them, You go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you. And they went.
[5]He went out again about the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (three o'clock) he did the same.
[6]And about the eleventh hour (five o'clock) he went out and found still others standing around, and said to them, Why do you stand here idle all day?
[7]They answered him, Because nobody has hired us. He told them, You go out into the vineyard also and you will get whatever is just and fair.
[8]When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first. [Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15.]
[9]And those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (five o'clock) came and received a denarius each.
[10]Now when the first came, they supposed they would get more, but each of them also received a denarius.
[11]And when they received it, they grumbled at the owner of the estate,
[12]Saying, These [men] who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them rank with us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.
[13]But he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
[14]Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you.
[15]Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? [Or do you begrudge my being generous?] Is your eye evil because I am good?
[16]So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. For many are called, but few chosen.

I will start with Galatians

Back then according to traditions, standing before God was measured by how religious men were, how much they kept the law. Also, women were seen as less. Those days were heavy Patriarchial times. I doubt any of us women could come out and preach the gospel as at then.

Paul corrected this school of thought in this chapter

According to him, every believer is seen as a son regardless of their observance of the law.

This brings me to women and marginalization in society. One thing I've noticed in our world is we require women to be more in order to access certain rights

Basic human rights are presented to women as rewards of good/morally upright behavior.

Our basic human rights should not be dependent on what we do or don't. We do not have to earn it.

This is the same as our rights in Christ. A woman attains a position of authority and messes it up then we all conclude and agree that the society is right for not giving women such opportunity

"oh! Diezani stole. It's her type that makes the society not take women seriously or refuse to include us"

This is falsehood. The society not giving us that which is our right is not because some people misused it. It's simply because women are seen as less.

Men steal every day
Men start wars every now and then
Men do things that are wrong but their rights are not cut off

For every one woman that's got an opportunity in the big field and steals, there are a thousand men that have been there and done that. Just as all believers are son in Christ without needing to access their basic rights in Him based on works, so is every human enough.

We do not need to be treated right because we are good or we did something. We should be treated right because we are humans (Nothing more/less)

Now, does this mean equality came into play after Christ?

The answer is No. The narrative when it comes to God as always been Equal

Genesis 1:26-28
[26]God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps. 104:30; Heb. 1:2; 11:3.]
[27]So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col. 3:9, 10; James 3:8, 9.]
[28]And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

Let us make mankind in our own image. And He went ahead to make mankind, male and female, both in His likeness.

We are all equally made in God's image. Male and female. Rich and poor. Believers and unbelievers

ALL equally made.

Now, one major issue we have had in our society is recognizing that though we are equal, we are different.

Our strengths and abilities are unique and do not in any way make any more than the other before God.

All of mankind has been created in the image and likeness of God and because of this one reason, everyone is valuable in the sight of God.

I think as Christians, we actually recognize and believe this

I mean everybody will surely agree to this

But I've seen that even while we agree to this when it is time to walk the talk, problem arises. Even in biblical history, women have been treated as less.

I believe this is due to cultural incorporations and traditions. The Bible does not support the opinion that women are inferior to men. God made them, both male and female, in His image. Not one person less.

QUESTION: Remi sometimes people argue that since God(Christ) is a man, it's obvious that women should be under men (Soumi)

Remi: I'm going to answer this since no one did, while we wait for comments on the last question.

Samson: God is not man. God is not a male. God is too big to be restricted by gender. God is Spirit.
Women should not be under men. There's an equal playing field for everyone. However, in the context of marriage, spiritually, the man is the head of his wife. His wife. Not any other wife. And he's not to lord it over her, but serve her in love, just as Christ loves the church. [END OF QUESTION]

First of all, God is not man. God is God. He doesn't conform to any gender. God is spirit. And this is why scripture says there is no male or female in Christ.

Women are not under men. I am not under Samson or Seun or any man. I am seen as equal with them before God. All sons


Now we go to Matthew.

This passage is a very interesting take from our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this passage, we see the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

We are going to break down this parable in the following order. First, we pick the proverb in it.

The Proverb:
The first shall be last and last shall be first

This is a very interesting one.

The first person to come will become last. This will mean that the role for first is now empty.
Those that came last will become first, this will mean that they are elevated to fill in the position of the first.

Remember we had those who were first before now in the last category.
Because the last will become first, it also means that this former first seaters will be updated to first back along with everyone in the last category.

So everybody is now First. Everybody is now the same. Everybody is now brought to the same playing field/level.

So the proverb in the parable is The first shall be last and the last first

I once explained to us that the meaning/translation of parables is usually not derived word for word.

So in explaining the parable, we need to pick out certain things to understand the context and what exactly is being said.

So first, we have brought out the proverb in that parable and broke it down

That everyone eventually becomes first. We see that all the workers were treated equally according to the proverb in Matthew 20. Everyone that came later was treated as though they were from the beginning. No maligning

Now, to the Parable

A certain rich man has a big land/estate. Every day, from 6am to 6pm, laborers are employed to work.
These are not permanent workers. In fact, they had to stand at the roadside every day to get a job for that day. They lived on daily wages. No work today means no money.

One thing to note is that these people were underprivileged kind of.

Now this man employed laborers daily and paid them well, more than they'd receive on a normal day most likely.

So the laborers start working at 6am.

He goes again at 9am and finds people who weren't working (probably underprivileged). He hires them.

He went again in the 6th hour and did the same.

Same as the 9th hour

Now, I want us to notice what the man says to the workers as he employs them:

He told them, ‘Come and work for me in my vineyard and I’ll pay you a fair wage.’
Matthew 20:4 TPT

I will pair you a Fair wage. I was so happy when everyone defined God's view of equality as fairness

“Hoping to finish his harvest that day, he went to the town square again at five o’clock and found more who were idle. So he said to them, ‘Why have you been here all day without work?’
Matthew 20:6 TPT

Now this man goes out again at 5pm (close of the day is 6pm) and He meets more people.

The agreement was the same : I will pay you a fair wage

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard went to his foreman and said, ‘Call in all the laborers, line them up, and pay them the same wages, starting with the most recent ones I hired and finishing with the ones who worked all day.’
Matthew 20:8 TPT

Now at the end of the day, everyone gets paid the same wage.

First, we see one thing in this parable:
Everyone got the opportunity to work on the field (regardless of timing and access to get to the field early)

Equal playing Ground! Our God is one of Equal opportunities!

So when we say that men and women are equal, the rich are created the same as the poor? We should also walk the talk and make sure we are making deliberate moves for all to have an equal right to the playing field.

Now, when it was time to pay, those who came late were paid first and those who were first saw the payment method and expected more than them

"We were here before them"
"We are stronger than women"
"We have more needs than women"
"They are poor so should do with anything given"

All of the above is same family

What did the master say?

He told them He gave as agreed. He gave everyone what is fair!

Now, the problem with the first comers wasn't that they weren't given a fair wage. That was a really fat wage for a day. The problem was they couldn't stand someone else getting the same without doing as hard as they did.

Now, in today's world people apply this logic too. "Though she's a woman and we work the same hours, I don't think she does/deserves as much all because I'm a man"

Everyone deserves equal playing ground and should be treated fairly

Is God against equality?

No! The idea of equality has taken by the Americans came from God Himself, the creation story.

Equal in Giftings

Every gift of the Holy Spirit is not peculiar to a gender. When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about receiving the gifts of the spirit, He did not indicate a difference. It wasn't stated that men first before women. No order was given because, in Christ, there is no gender.

Equal but different

Though created equally and given access to all things (Eve was also given dominion over all things made just as Adam), we are all different and unique in our beings.

We are distinct in capabilities and functions (as we deem fit/choose) and for the human race to function properly, we must recognize our uniqueness and work together as one.

So then, I have to insist that in the Lord, neither is woman inferior to man nor is man inferior to woman. For just as woman was taken from the side of man, in the same way, man is taken from the womb of woman. God, as the source of all things, designed it this way
1 Corinthians 11:11‭-‬12 TPT

Our uniqueness and differences are actually complementary, every part needing each other to survive.

I'd like to ask us this question: Does our difference in design have a direct implication in the role we play in society and life in general?

Toye: Yes it can

To answer this,

Yes (but it applies). The only place where there is specified gender roles that is not bound by time or culture is in the institution of marriage.

This means that it is only in marriage that we have each gender tied to a specific role. And this is because marriage is designed as an institution. In every organization, everybody has a role to play.
From manager to desk officer. In marriage (with respect to scripture), the man is the Head of the home as an institution

Outside marriage, this doesn't apply. So no man is my head. Nothing like I have your type at home, whatever type you have it stays in your house and your leadership ends there.

Outside the marriage institution, there are no fixed gender roles. All of us have equal access to the gifts of the spirit (both male and female). So if it is a female that has the wisdom of innovation, she innovates. If it is a female that is the gift of leadership, she leads?

A man will not have to automatically take the head or lead position because he is a man or as a reason of his genitals. Everyone is entitled to roles as equipped

Never based on gender.

I have not been called to submit to every Kunle and Tayo I see on the road. All the Emekas and Ebukas are not my head because of the genital.

The Proverbs 31 woman, we see that she ran a business. She was CEO. She wasn't ordered around at the pleasure of men or banned from speaking.

Now, even in the home where there is an order of  leadership, the woman is still equal in worth and is to be respected even in this head/helpmate template for marriage

Dear men,
Your wives are equal in worth with you. What differs is roles! To treat them as less is sin

Unfortunately for all of us, there have been points in the history of the church where it has been taught that women are less, should be quiet, fit for bearing children or relegated to the kitchen. This is not the design of God. I will just reiterate all the points as we bring the teaching to conclusion

God created everyone equally, in His image

We've all been offered equal access to the playing field

Though equal in worth before God, we all are created uniquely and differently

We all have equal access to the gifts of the spirit

We are all sons, not one less

We all have different roles to play in the society and this is based on choice and as led by the spirit not genitals

In the institution of marriage, the husband is the Head of the home

The man is not the Head of every woman

The man being head of a home is a role.

In the marriage institution, the husband and wife differ in the role but both are of equal worth in the sight of God as they were bought with the same price

As believers, we should stay with God's standard and demand that women be seen as much human as men are because God made us all in His image

Like Jesus, we should never segregate women in the church. While roles and relationships differed, He treated everyone as same, with love equally

I pray for everyone that we are able to fulfill our God-given roles (both in the society, marriage, and church), doing so in love and humility as we show the world God's wonderful design and His call for Salvation, open to all (man and woman).

Amen

THE WRATH OF GOD

In the past months, we've had a lot of questions concerning God's wrath. Matching God's nature as Good and how the Bible attributes anger to him also.

Tonight, we will be explaining what exactly God's wrath/anger means.

What is Wrath?

Wrath is often translated as extreme anger, fierce anger, indignation, punishment or vengeance.

Another definition of wrath is that it is a response to perceived wrong and injustice.

Anybody can express wrath. And since anger is an emotion, wrath is also an emotion.

As we all know, God is not an emotionless God, He feels just like us. In fact, it is because He feels that we can feel. Now, this doesn't mean that God's expression of emotions with regards to situations is the same as man's. In the fall, a lot of things changed. Most of the Godlike attributes man inherited at creation became tainted. This is why the expression of emotions by man is different from God's.

The wrath/anger of us humans is not to be compared with God's. When we think of anger in our own human sense, it is difficult to reconcile God to such.

This is because human wrath is most times misplaced, unholy and unjust. So our standard cannot be the standard for God's wrath.

I am not angry. I wish I could confront some thorns and briers! Then I would march against them for battle; I would set them all on fire,
Isaiah 27:4 NET

What we term as God being angry with us is not what is anger is (basically).

I'm not angry. I care. Even if it gives me thistles and thornbushes, I'll just pull them out and burn them up. The Message

This explains it better.

When we hurt God (which man has done so well from the fall), He doesn't stop caring.

"Oh! I sinned. God is angry with me"

God is not!

"But the Bible says God has wrath"

Yes. We are getting into what that means

God's wrath is not an uncontrolled passion/emotion as we see in a man.

Far from it

So what then is the Wrath of God?

It is His necessary, just and righteous retribution/judgment against sin.

It is God's Holiness (His nature) stirred into activity against sin (nature)

So we can say that God's wrath is His divine being's response to Sin (nature). Like a natural response. It is not activated based on sin in activity.

So God's wrath is not incurred upon me every minute. When I lie, He is angry When I fornicate, smokes remove from His nose. Nah. Far from it

God's wrath is the natural response of sin; the nature that was activated at the fall of man.

Natural response. Cause and Effect. It wasn't a decision made by God after the fall
It is a decision from His Holiness which is the foundation of everything.

So when we say things like God is sending people to hell at the judgement, this is wrong. SIN is what sends people to hell and this is where the gospel comes in.

Often times, we hate to preach topics like this or make statements like I'd rather preach on Grace than talk about sin (I say this too. I'm comfortably on this chair).

While our focus is on God's Grace, love and mercy revealed in Christ to man, we should not forget that the message of the Gospel begins with a statement about the wrath of God which is a natural response to Sin.

If man did not fall, no wrath. If the wrath of God wasn't activated at the fall, then there wouldn't be a need for this Gospel we preach.

Romans  1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

I've been thinking a lot if someone came and told me "God's wrath in revealed against your ungodliness"  while I was a sinner, how would I have felt? Of course, they would have been right but what would have been my response. For the far gone ones maybe a feeling of indifference

Whatever is said is the truth but it is a hard one. I don't know what my response to it will be. I also know it is not something I'm telling to an unbeliever (Except the Holy Spirit puts hand in my mouth).

While I'm not so sure yet on when this conversation should be had, I feel like it really should be had.

You see, most of the questions we've all had about God and His character, it stems from not knowing exactly what we've been saved from.

We do not know the depth of man's sin and the wrath incurred thereof, which we deserved.

How do we understand Grace completely, if we do not know the law (our rightful punishment inside of it)?

It is why certain things happen and we are asking God why He did them.

"God why?"

God, why what?

More like "Sin why?"

Or better put "Man why?"

As I grow in this faith, I'm coming to understand that a lot of us do not know the debt Christ paid.

We sing it o

"My Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay"

But we don't fully understand the terms and how bad that debt was. Don't know if anyone feels this way also.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NET

Adam's rebellion brought sin into the world. Every man born in the Adamic nature inherited the new addition to his genetics, sin.

Every one of us, we were guilty. Every single person. Not one left

The biblical order for the Gospel is always first the warning of danger:

Man had sinned and sin has been judged from that which all things were built upon (righteousness). The judgment also known as the wrath of God declares man not good enough for God's greatness. Man is condemned to eternal death

But this is not where it ends, it follows immediately with God's escape plan, the means of pardon.

They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24 ERV

Hallelujah

So here is the progression

Before we can truly understand what Grace is we must first understand the wrath of God

Before we can understand Christ's death, we must first understand that it was man's sin that necessitated it.

Before we can fully grasp God's mercy, love and Graciousness, we have to first see and admit man's rebellious, sinful and guilty ways.

In fact, Romans is ordered in this way. Paul's letter to the people In Rome was structured in this manner

If we do not see anything wrong with the Adamic nature and Adam's rebellion, then we cannot understand God's wrath. And ultimately, we would not think we need any saving

Because, Saved from what?

So far, we've established that the wrath of God is not God having an uncontrollable rage or losing His temper over everything we do
(God is actually very patient with man. His patience is why this world still exists as it is)

It is also not vindictive bitterness

From everything we've shared, we've seen that God's wrath was created/incurred/brought into activation by sin (as revealed in nature)

It is the same way with what God has done. He wanted to show his anger and to let people see his power. But he patiently endured those he was angry with—people who were ready to be destroyed.
Romans 9:22 ERV

Next:

The wrath of God is everlasting

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. But those who do not obey the Son will never have that life. They cannot get away from God’s anger.”
John 3:36 ERV

While God created an escape plan, righteousness demands a payment for the debt man incurred when he sinned.

For those of us that ask, why can't God just step in and we start over again
Or cancel the whole Adamic sin for a fresh start.

There is no bribery and corruption when it comes to righteousness. You can only find justness here

For anyone to be removed from this wrath (rightfully deserved), the dues had to be paid (in full)

There is no other way outside of this

Also this due, only one person was able to pay it to cancel the debt.
Only one and that's Christ.

This means that no matter how good you are, no matter how much you obey the law. If Christ had not come, none of these things count. Because the debt is not owed as a result of deeds but a nature man activated.

Now, we will ask, what of those who are not privileged to know God. Are they just condemned like that?

This makes God angry because they have been shown what he is like. Yes, God has made it clear to them.  There are things about God that people cannot see—his eternal power and all that makes him God. But since the beginning of the world, those things have been easy for people to understand. They are made clear in what God has made. So people have no excuse for the evil they do.
Romans 1:19‭-‬20 ERV

No excuse whatsoever

All men have evidence of God, From philistine to Gentile to Igbos to Yorubas to Egyptians

God has been revealed to all men. Our response to this revelation is largely in our hands

Off the sermon
In Romans 1, we see that Paul was also addressing Sin as in deeds. ( People have no excuse for the evil they do)

This is because the revelation of God shown to man is very much perfect. It doesn't just save man from His Adamic nature, it is so powerful that it stops production from that Adamic nature. Can that which has ceased to exist give birth?

No!

If we say the Adamic nature is dead, then we cannot bear its fruit. Only that which is alive can birth.

Again, there will be no excuse for evil

So God's wrath is reserved for the ungodly which is every man basically

Now, here is where it gets sweet for us

God's wrath is Justified in Christ and restrained from the godly (those who believe in Christ)

We just said every man deserved sin and became ungodly automatically, no thanks to Mr. Adam
So how did we move from ungodly to godly?

The word we will be examining today is Propitiation

I love this word so much.

I'm an Anglican so I practically grew up hearing this word every Holy Communion service. In fact, that part of the Liturgy, they are meant to pick one of 4 prayers (scripture) but I love the last one so much. So so much

" Hear what Saint John says:
If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 2:1

I also loved the sound of this in Yoruba

"Ohun si ni etutu fun ese wa.."

Means he is the Propitiation for our sins

But you see, I never understood the full effect and meaning of those words until a few years ago. Also, in that prayer, as quoted from 1 John 2:1, there is an emphasis on Christ being Righteous.

There is a reason

I will come to it and explain as I've come to understand.

Back to Propitiation

This word is used just 6 times in the bible but it is a great blessing for man.

To propitiate simply means to turn away wrath by offering a gift

He was given as an atonement for our sins.

Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.
1 John 2:2 ERV

Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. I love how simplified this is. Jesus is the offering/gift given to turn away God's wrath FOREVER

So when we talk about God's wrath, for the believer in Christ, it is just a reminder of how much we should cherish this Grace we have received. It is not something to be bothered about

It is a call for thanksgiving. That we deserved something and God Himself found a way to make sure we didn't get it.

Because Jesus died, Justice has been served. Because Jesus made Himself the Propitiation, God's wrath is turned away Forever (not on and off or for some days. Forever!). Because Jesus died, Grace and Mercy is now available. Man is no longer the one who is come short of God's Glory/Greatness

This offering brought about an elevation back to a standard.

As real as God's wrath is, we see even how more powerful God's love and mercy is

So now when we see people ask questions

"Why didn't God just do xyz?"
"Why can't God just do abc?"

Our answer should be:

God already did more than the abc and xyz. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins

He died in our stead

There is nothing more than can be done.


God did the highest that can be done for me already

And it is perfect!

So when we say Paid in Full? It means exactly Paid in Full

Now, what happens with those of us that believe but we are still burdened with guilt especially cos of our sin struggles

I think every believer has been here at some point in their lives.
This feeling that God is angry at me and foaming in the mouth because I did something

Hmmm... Of a truth, God hates sin. In fact, He doesn't like it when we sin

But God is not angry at you. Even while we were in the world, God's anger wasn't at us. God's wrath is revealed against Ungodliness and unrighteousness which is basically a sin

God's wrath is not revealed against man. No!

The only emotion God has revealed towards man is LOVE. And this love was revealed while we were yet in sin

See, if you will discard everything I have ever told you on this platform, you see this one? Tight it to your chest.

God loves you, dieeee (literally, cos He died for you)

I understand you have sin struggles
I understand sometimes it weighs you down
But you see, it is time to stop focusing on your sin struggles and allowing it to bring fear of condemnation (God's wrath)

On Propitiation...

Scripture says He is YOUR advocate in Heaven. In the court of law, they will say the accused is duly represented by Barrister abc

So in another lingo, Christ is your representation in Heaven. If I send somebody to represent me in a meeting, it means that if you see them, you have seen me. This is to say if Jesus is our representation, then if you've seen Him, you have seen us.

And what is the key representation note?

Jesus Christ, THE RIGHTEOUS

Gloraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

You and I, we are duly represented as RIGHTEOUS in Heaven. Even with our sin struggles

So don't ever see yourself as less or think that you deserve God's wrath

Well, you did but not anymore. Someone was offered on your behalf. By your belief that He truly did this for you, you accepted Him as your sacrifice and representation in Heaven.

The message of God's wrath is incomplete without the message of God's Grace

Does it now mean we should farabale and kukuma sin in the eye of the carton because we are duly represented in Heaven as Righteous? I can see Apostle Paul spitting out like a correct Igbo man as He says God forbid

Another translation for the Greek phrase Μη γενοιτo is :

By no means! Let not such a thing be mentioned or thought of

Igbo people will say Alueme!

The message of Grace is not licensed to sin. It is freedom from it and its hold in our lives

For whatever it is we are struggling with, God knows. He knew way before. This is why the Holy Spirit is here to help us.

That which we've received is a complete package. We are not just saved from that which we deserve, whatever grip sin had over us is also removed. We are made slaves to righteousness.

When we say Paid in Full, it is not because we want to speak English. Jesus really did this for us.

I remember this hymn:

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from I'm Manuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stain

Every stain of guilt was dealt with completely.

For those who are not saved, we must note that they are subject to the wrath of God as deserved.

Now, more than ever we must go all out and show them this which we have freely received. Preach the Gospel.

There is no other name under heaven given whereby men must be saved.
Tell men about this name.

IS GOD COMPLETELY PERFECT?

So we continue from where we stopped last week.

From you people's discussion 2 weeks ago on the character of God as regards Esau and Jacob

I'm going to pick out this statement then explain it (I think everyone should understand better from what we've been discussing since)

" I think most Christians are always trying hard to paint the perfect picture of God being a loving father"

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 NIV

My first response will be these words of Christ. Like I said before, to understand the character of God, the person we look at is Christ. And this is because Christ is God Himself revealed to mankind as man.

When we read scripture, we have to look carefully.
Who said this?
Under what circumstances?. To whom was it said?
Why was it said?
Was it God speaking through the person?

It guides us better in know what is written to us and what is written for us.

What is the meaning of the word Perfect? It simply means to be without flaw.

God is completely, 100% flawless. And this is total truth.

No one is "painting" God as perfect. Even if God has to be painted perfect, it won't be an imperfect man that will be given the job to do

Even the old testament that we find difficult to understand when it comes to the character of God records this about Him:

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV

God does no wrong! Not one single wrong. If you read anywhere that God did something and it sounds wrong, read again. If that is what the writer truly intended then God be true and the writer be a liar

We will not hold the words of any man true over the true revelation of God of Himself by Himself to man

God is the standard of perfection, we should never doubt it.

If God who is the word perfect itself is declared imperfect, this would mean He has been judged by a higher standard that found Him not worthy.

Is there any standard higher than Jehovah?

Jehovah is the standard itself!

Now, is it that we are just taking the word that God is perfect? Are we examining it in any way?

Well, it's not just a thing of they said God is perfect so we just have to agree He is perfect even when we don't understand certain things. Nah. His perfection can be proved and seen.

Like I said earlier, we see it in His words. God is true to His words. Also His character, He is perfect in this. Constant also. So if I say that God lied yesterday but is true today then I will have to be the liar

God's character is perfect, never waivers. The Bible wasn't doing wordplay when it says God is the same yesterday, today and forever

His character also produces certain actions and I think this is where many people get it wrong. They can't reconcile the actions to God.

For most people I know, it is God being Just and the resulting actions from this character that causes confusion.

In February, by God's Grace, we will be discussing God being Just, the wrath of God and its complete satisfaction in Christ

Now, if we were to ever doubt that God is perfect or He changes (Old testament and new testament) then we will have to doubt our salvation to cos this means God is not true to His word and person

This whole eternal life we claim we are carrying up and down, it would be a charade too since we can't say where God is perfect, imperfect or saying the truth

Every time you come across something you don't understand, remember God is perfect. So read it again from the lens of who God is as revealed in Christ. There is this phrase in Yoruba, I actually had to stop saying it

O mu kan wo kan pa, o wo kan wo kan ye

It means God who kills one as He wishes and makes another to live just as He wishes. I used to say it a lot before while praying and one day the spirit stopped me.

Like how can you think such of me?

How can a just God be killing as He likes for pleasure?

Is that God?

I looked for the origin of this supposed praise of God and I found out it was from Job 🤦🏿‍♀

Jesus did not call Him this: the one who kills anyone as He likes (When it is not game we are playing)

Jesus did not also portray Him like this. Everywhere Christ went, He gave life. He healed, He brought the dead back.

It is also not true of what Christ said about Himself (Christ is God)

I have come to give LIFE and in abundance

So who are we going to listen to about God? Job or Jesus?

QUESTION: Ok pls in this context is Job truly wrong or he said it in a particular context

ANSWER: Job was wrong. Remember when we read Job, we went through it slowly for this reason. God did not kill Job's family. God did not take everything from Job. For Job to have said God kills as He wishes would mean He was accusing God of murder. Asides the fact that God cannot murder, His nature cannot. We read it clearly and saw where all of that came from. God's awareness of a particular situation doesn't mean He penetrated the deed Himself. God is actually aware of everything, both good and evil. God Did NOT murder Job's family [ANSWER ENDS]

QUESTION: Given that he is aware of both good and evil pls does it mean he permits the enemy to do us bad or the enemy just does it independently without God's concern

ANSWER: Now, God is good. He created all things and made man in His image. He also gave man dominion over everything created. Man fell and sin came into the world. This is where the problem begins. Every evil that happens to us, it's not because God permits, it is because man Chose

The moment man Chose to eat from that tree, man permitted sin into the world.
Sin is nature not deed now. And that nature is that of Satan

It is this sin that brings all manner of evil (Note that sin here doesn't mean lying or stealing but the nature itself. The state of being fallen). It is sin that Brought death and every calamity you can think of. God did not make man to live and die, or fall sick. The plan was way different but man Chose something contrary to God's plan. So the permission for sin and its allowance into our lives and certain situations was given by man himself

If I tell you don't eat an apple, if you eat the apple you will die. And you decide to eat the apple, then you get to see what this death truly entails, is it not the person that ate the apple that will take the blame? While I might be sovereign and know all the effects eating that apple might cost you, it is still you who ate the apple and brought the resulting effects. My knowledge of it doesn't make me culpable

So this is established, that man at the fall gave permission for sin to enter by eating that which was forbidden. Does this mean anything can just happen to us or the devil will do as he wishes with us?

This is where Christ comes in.

You see, we've been given dominion over EVERYTHING and sadly a lot of us believers do not walk in it. We do not even know it

We are not here trying to fight the devil or sin. No, someone already fought and this victory handed over to us to operate from

So to a large extent, we have control over the permission the first man handed to the devil by eating the forbidden

The first man also brought eternal death (this is the wage of the sinful nature). But God still found a way to slip in something for us, His original plan

That when we die and sleep, we will wake from this and be restored completely to the first order

He practically created a loophole to the grave and it's link to eternal death

He gave Himself as an antidote

How does God do all these things to save man and still be responsible for what He saves man from?

[ANSWER ENDS]

God is Good and He can only do Good

It's an aberration for God to do evil.

This is not consistent with who He is

ROMANS 9: IS GOD UNJUST AND UNFAIR

So we continue with the questions from Romans 9.  We stopped at verse 13 the last time so we continue from 14 today.

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
Romans 9:14 NIV

What inference do we make from the explanations in Chapter 1 to 13. Do we say that God gives unequal privileges to people? Is He unjust in His dealings with men? Not at all!: This is untrue of God. He is Just!

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Romans 9:15 NIV

When we hear this statement, most times we take it as God will be good to whoever He chooses to and do bad as He pleases. This is wrong interpretation.

Remember, this verse is also a quote.

So let's go to the original text of this quote.

"God said to Moses"

Why did God say this to Moses?
What happened before He did?
What were the circumstances surrounding this statement?

The text is in Exodus 33:19.

Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
Exodus 33:19 NKJV

Here we see God tell Moses the statement quoted by Paul in Romans 9.

God did not just stand in the sky and tell this to Moses, there was a conversation and situation leading to it.

To understand this verse, we take it in the context it was spoken in. In Exodus 32, the people tired of waiting for Moses who had gone up to the mountain to meet the Lord had made gods for themselves

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
Exodus 32:1 NIV

God had been really good to these people, bringing them out of Egypt, providing manna, etc. But despite all what God did for and in their midst, they committed idolatry

God was not supposed to show them any mercy. That was His cue to abandon them.

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
Exodus 33:3 NIV

Here we see the mercy of God at play. Though these people had sinned greatly, God was still willing to keep His promise to Isreal. As the conversation continued, Moses asked that God should still go with them. They couldn't go on their own

God actually agreed that He'd go with them even after all they did.

Then Moses says this:

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
Exodus 33:18 NIV

Note that this is what Moses said that brought the reply we are examining

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Exodus 33:19 NIV

Here is what God is saying,  you people have done the most terrible thing ever. You are not one bit deserving of my mercy but I the Lord will be making a display of my goodness before you._
_You will see it and know that this is true of my nature and name. Though you are unworthy, I'm about to let you know that my mercy (my benefits and blessings) are dispensed regardless of what you've done. It has never been based on human merit.

Let's note that Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Nah. Mercy is getting something we are undeserving of. Mercy is nobody's right, it is God's goodness displayed before us all.

Let's equate this in Romans 9.

Remember the Jews were angry and jealous of the Gentiles cos they also had received the gospel and they felt they were undeserving cos the promise was made to them alone.

Paul quoting this scripture is trying to respond to them that God will extend (and has already extended) His mercies towards anybody no matter how undeserving we feel they are. The Jews did not get the mercy of God because they were deserving. So the Gentiles will not be asked to deserve God's mercy to get it

He gives His mercies and compassion as He wills (regardless of what man has done)

Now, let's still go back to Moses' question.

Lord, show me Your Glory

Remember this statement: Christ in me, the Hope of Glory

God's response of Mercy and Grace, He satisfied in Christ. Though the world is undeserving, every single one of us, yet God still reveals His Glory to us, in Christ. His Mercy and Graciousness is Christ given to all men

So whenever we read or quote "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy upon and be gracious to whom I will be gracious too....", have it in mind that this is already satisfied in Christ. It is a case of some very special favor unmerited but it is not about one man as we love to think or unfairness by God, nah. This is God reaching out to man undeserving with Himself.

Again, let's stop quoting this verse to support God loving one person more.

God is not unjust or unfair. He loves everyone uniquely. Not one person more than the other

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9:16 NIV

After that quote, Paul concluded with this. We see we are on the same page with him now

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Romans 9:17‭-‬18 NIV

God raised Pharaoh just to harden his heart? No.

Pharaoh's heart was hard right from the beginning, we could see it in the way he treated the Israelites long before Moses was sent. All of this period, God watched. Pharaoh grew in hardness, wickedness, and power, God watched

God did not interfere in Pharaoh's rise to power. Looking at it sef, if God killed Pharaoh in His sleep another wicked Pharaoh will arise

Also, the Israelites would never have understood what was happening. They'd never have been reminded of the promise and would have preferred to stay in bondage if it happened another way

So God had to come in at such a time when Pharaoh had risen to power and save the way He did.
In so doing, the Israelites were reminded of their identity (who they meant to God) and His promise

He hardens who He wants to harden

Read as he allows the hardness of a man.

God didn't bring a kindhearted Pharaoh and changed his heart.

Pharaoh's heart was wicked, God did not interfere with it. He simply allowed his desires to come to play

One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ”  Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?  What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?
Romans 9:19‭-‬22 NIV

Here we see Paul quote what might be on the mind of the Jews. If God saves whomever He wants and can add the Gentiles as He pleases, why then have we been saddled with certain responsibilities as the chosen ones.

Paul's response is that the question is disrespectful. God is the Potter, He made us and has power over us.

Though He has chosen to extend mercy to not just the Jews but also the Gentiles, this doesn't mean anyone is exempted from right living. We should not say we can live as we want since God extends His mercy as He wishes

Now here is what I see, the Jews had thought so highly of themselves, like so highly.

So appaz, was a really great shock to see that God can give what He gave them to others.

They believed it was by what they did that they were special in the sight of God

And God burst their bubbles. He reduced all of their works to nothing by offering the gift of salvation which they saw as a reward to the Gentiles

This is seen in the response above

Sebi God didn't choose us based on anything we did or do. All of the laws we've been observing, everything is meaningless. We can as well live as we want

His will will always come to play since it's this way.

It is the same way with what God has done. He wanted to show his anger and to let people see his power. But he patiently endured those he was angry with—people who were ready to be destroyed. He waited with patience so that he could make known the riches of his glory to the people he has chosen to receive his mercy. God has already prepared them to share his glory. We are those people, the ones God chose not only from the Jews but also from those who are not Jews.
Romans 9:22‭-‬24 ERV

On the question of God choosing people or some predestined to be saved, so no matter what you do if God did not choose you it is all effortless. Well, this is a lie.

The wrath of God is just and every man deserved it, both the Jews that taught God was sleeping and waking up by their side alone and the Gentiles that were seen as rejected by God. But we see that God waited patiently (still waiting patiently), to make known His glory to the people He has chosen to receive His mercy

Who has He chosen to receive His mercy?

(We explained this with the story of Jacob and Esau in part 1.)

The answer is those who accept His promise. And what is this Promise? Christ

And this is what Paul was trying to explain, that God has chosen both Jews and non-Jews, all men actually, to make known His glory. This is actualized in their belief in Christ. So if the Gentiles believed, then they were as much chosen as the Jews.

So the explanation that people have of the verses are wrong.

God is not mean, unjust or unfair.

If He has already chosen who He wants in His heaven in this manner you stated, then it is probably a waste of time for all of us.

That's not what Paul was saying

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.
Romans 9:30‭-‬32 NIV

Isreal believed that they were special and chosen but it is their works that made them special

The Gentiles, on the other hand, understood that they were undeserving of whatever God is giving and rested in the promise by belief in Christ.

Also, note that God told Isreal they were special and chosen (The messiah was to come from amongst them).

But Isreal didn't understand what it truly meant to be chosen. NIV said they stumbled over the stumbling block

Isreal had to stop thinking that they were chosen and are saved regardless or by works.

Like the Gentiles, everyone is chosen/saved through the same route: Belief in Christ

And this is made available to all men by God's mercy and Grace (not one person deserving of it)

ROMANS 9: "JACOB I HAVE LOVED, ESAU HAVE I HATED"

So I will just take time to explain Romans 9 from the very beginning, as a start. We progress from there.

Now, here is the background to Romans 9

The Jewish Christians had an issue with the Gentiles being accepted into God's kingdom. They felt like it was all too easy for these Gentiles. They were jealous of the Gentiles and it was beginning to bring in resentment.

the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs is the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Romans 9:4‭-‬5 NIV

This is the legacy of Isreal, that the Messiah comes from amongst them.

But when the Messiah came, Isreal wasn't receptive of Him but the Gentiles were

This is where the mumbling begins

It is us God gave the Messiah (the one we refused to accept), why are the Gentiles now getting access freely?

Is it that God doesn't keep to His word? The promise was meant for Isreal so if this Messiah is truly the promise, the Gentiles shouldn't be getting it this way.

Here is Paul's response to this:

I don’t mean that God failed to keep his promise to the Jewish people. But only some of the people of Israel are really God’s people.
Romans 9:6 ERV

It looks like the Israelites have missed their Messiah by not accepting Him but does this now mean that God failed in His promises to them? Paul says NO! Last year while we studied this chapter, I read somewhere that Isreal also means those who are ruled by God.

It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
Romans 9:6 NIV

By that definition above, not all who are descendants of Isreal are ruled by God. ERV already broke it down. Not all of the people of Isreal are really God's people (that is ruled by God)

This means that not all of Abraham’s descendants are God’s true children. Abraham’s true children are those who become God’s children because of the promise he made to Abraham.
Romans 9:8 ERV

Anyone who walks in the footstep of Abraham (Faith) is a true child of Abraham and God, for it is by this Faith the promise is received.

Now, the promise made to Abraham was broken down in the next verses (from verse 9), we see how Sara gave birth to a son and how Rebecca also conceived. I believe this is where the questions start (please follow from the start carefully so we take nothing out of context)

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Romans 9:11‭-‬12 KJV

The elder shall serve the younger. Why? For the purpose of election, that it wouldn't be by works or by birthright

Remember Paul was trying to clear the entitlement of the Israelites in this chapter which is why he referenced Rebecca. Even Isreal (Jacob), your father wasn't chosen because He was the firstborn (Firstborn sons then had a right of inheritance).

He was also not chosen because he worked or did something to be chosen. He was chosen before he was born. And Paul was very careful to mention that both children had not done good nor bad, so this is to state that God's election wasn't based on what bad anyone of them has done or will do

He did this so His purpose according to election might stand. It is by that purpose according to Election the Israelites became and were to not speak against the Gentiles becoming God's people. It is also by that purpose according to the election (Grace, Mercy), that you and I are called children of God, because none of us are relatives of Abraham.

We've examined God's purpose of election and interpreted with context what Paul was trying to say to the Israelites (you can scroll up and read again).

QUESTION - I'm sorry but I don't know why election is sounding like picking some and excluding some to me

ANSWER - The purpose of election here is not to pick one and exclude another (we will see it that God actually blessed Esau). Rather this purpose of election is to make all worthy

This was like a foreshadowing of what is to come in the future, where men who do not belong to the line of Abraham, who had no right to the inheritance would have access to it. The purpose of election is not that of pick one and drop one, it is that of inclusion

Everyone not worthy by works or birthright brought in by the mercy of God. It is this purpose of election that has us standing as children.

The Jews would never have accepted you and I

By birthright, Jacob was not entitled to the inheritance, neither was he by works.

Paul stated clearly that God chose even while they were without sin and it wasn't based on the future (maybe God looked and saw their sin). The criteria were not works. Now, if Jacob was first born and Esau the younger brother, Esau would have been chosen for this purpose of inclusion in this place too. So it wasn't about persons now but God's plan to include all men in the promise [ANSWER ENDS]

Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Romans 9:13 NIV

I believe this is where the questions start flowing.

How is God who is so full of love, all good and no evil, how is He hating somebody? An unborn child for that matter? Now, this is where we pause and throw whatever we have deduced from this scripture away totally.

Let's branch to comprehension passages in the English language a bit. You know the question of
"Who said this? To whom was it said? When was it said? Why was it said according to the passage?" We apply it while studying scripture also

First, let's check this statement as written in context with the rest of the passage. We already went through what Paul was trying to say and where He is coming from. To judge this sentence which is a quote (we will address the quote too after) in the context it has been used, we see that what Paul was trying to say to them was this: God's purpose in loving Jacob is that of choosing Him to become the heir of the covenant.

Though Jacob never deserved. And since your father, Isreal never deserved also, why then do you stand against the Gentiles and say they are undeserving?

Do you not know it is God who chooses?

And in the same way He chose you, He has chosen the Gentiles. So this statement is that of acceptance (Jacob have I loved..) But what did Paul mean when he quoted Esau have I hated?

Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Romans 9:13 NIV

We will come back here.... "Just as it is written.." Where did they write it?

Mal.1.2 - I have loved you, says the Lord. Yet you say, How and in what way have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob 's brother? says the Lord, yet I loved Jacob (Israel),

Mal.1.3 - But [in comparison with the degree of love I have for Jacob] I have hated Esau [Edom] and have laid waste his mountains, and his heritage I have given to the jackals of the wilderness.
AMP

“The LORD says to his people, “I have always loved you.” But they reply, “How have you shown your love for us?” The LORD answers, “Esau and Jacob were brothers, but I have loved Jacob and his descendants, and have hated Esau and his descendants. I have devastated Esau's hill country and abandoned the land to jackals.””
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭GNBDC‬‬

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved, But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”
Malachi 1:2‭-‬3 NKJV

Before I explain the verses here in Malachi, let's note that This is the first mention of Love and hate towards Jacob and Esau. Both men were already dead here, they had lived and their works judged.

This particular statement was not made while they were in the womb.

Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock.
Genesis 36:7 NIV

Esau was greatly blessed by God. He had so much possession that the land could not contain

So this is the first time God is mentioning Esau and Jacob using such strong words

We already ruled out that this is how God felt about them before He chose Jacob

This was much later.

And this statement was made loooooooong after both were dead.

Also, note that Esau and Jacob became nations before they died (both greatly blessed by the Lord)

Esau: Edom
Jacob: Isreal

What is the context of Malachi? What made God say that He loved one person and hated the other?

If we study Malachi well, we see that the grumbling from the Jews about the Gentiles concerning the Messiah had somewhat played in earlier times (Malachi). Isreal in the Malachi context is complaining to God that He doesn't love them anymore. According to them, God was not blessing them the way He should. Sebi it is Isreal God chose, why was it looking like they were no longer accepted

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob,
Malachi 1:2 NIV

This is God's reply.

Esau was Jacob's brother, yet I have loved Jacob. What is God telling them here? The Jews have always been God's chosen people. He chose them even when they were not deserving.

The problem was not that God stopped loving them. Rather that they had not been faithful to Him

It becomes clearer as we read chapter 1 to 3

Now let's go to Esau (Edom)

Note that we established that Jacob referenced to the Israelites in God's statement was as a nation not individual. So that Same angle for Esau (Edom) Why did God hate Esau (Edom, the nation)?

Though Esau was greatly blessed by God, he and his descendants did not live in faithfulness to God. To see the sin of Esau (Edom), let's go to Obadiah. Sorry, we will be using scripture to explain scripture. This is so we understand everything In context

Obadiah is just 21 verses but please let's all read

It is the answer to what we are looking for. This is where we see what Esau (Edom) did wrong that made God say I have hated Esau

How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
Obadiah 1:6 KJV

All the hidden things about Esau searched out and laid bare in this chapter. We get to see exactly what he did wrong,  the true side to the story

God blessed Esau and made him into a nation, Edom. From having nothing to having all but this inflated Edom's ego

Esau, their father lived a life contrary to God's will and his descendants took it up from there

Like they did worse

God never said he hated or loved Jacob until long after both men had become nations and died.

Isreal, the nation, allowed themselves to be used by God mightily, of course with flaws/disobedience here and there but in all of these, they still had one or 2 men whose hearts were after the Lord. Moses, Joshua, David, Nehemiah, Samuel, Hezekiah, etc came from Isreal. Edom on the other hand, though made great by God, became a godless nation.

They counted God as nothing

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Obadiah 1:3 KJV

They lived in false security. It was a "We don't need God" brag. Obadiah has a long list of sins but the major one was this

For thy violence against thy brother, Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off forever.
Obadiah 1:10 KJV

The reasons God hated Esau was because this nation Edom was opposed to Isreal and God's promise. Now, remember we didn't translate Love in its literal English meaning but rather based on usage meaning. Hate here means to not give special privilege or protection to Edom/Esau. Remember love for Jacob implies special privilege and inclusion where we do not belong

Hate for Esau is cutting off special privileges (in other words, Mercy). Why? Because Esau stood against the Promise which was God's Mercy foreshadowed

Let's fix all of these in the passage.

Before I move on, let's not forget the captivity of the Israelites at Babylon. Edom was involved

Back to Romans 9 and Malachi 1
(we fix in the passage)

The Israelites accused God that He didn't love them I.e they were not favored.

He says He has loved (favored/Chosen) Jacob but hated Esau

He hated Esau because Esau stood against the Promise of the Lord. This is to say those who stand against the Promise of the Lord are not chosen by God.

This promise of God to Abraham is Christ. Jesus is the blessing of Abraham

Back to Paul and the Jews.

Again, the story is they complained about the Gentiles being accepted into Christ, that they had missed the Messiah. Perhaps the Lord did not love them anymore.

So Paul's response in quoting is that God's word didn't fail. Isreal is not just the nation but those who allow God's rule. For the believer in Christ, allowing God rule is accepting the promise of God, Christ!

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Romans 9:13 KJV

This statement from all the explanation is not that of literal hate

Far from it because God really loved Esau (the man) and blessed him greatly. Rather, it is that of God's chosen people. The ones inside of His promise.

Jacob I have loved:

The ones who have accepted my promise and are in my promise, I have loved them (they are my chosen people)

Esau I have hated:

The ones who stand against my promise are not my chosen people

So if the Jews felt they were chosen and the Gentiles had no place, then they should know it wasn't just about being from the nation Isreal but rather the promise in the nation, Isreal and being in it by Faith.

So this is the explanation for Romans 9: 1-13.

QUESTION - And also can we actually be punished by our father when we do something wrong

ANSWER - Only in the sense of loving discipline. Christ already took all of our punishments. No believer stands condemned [ANSWER ENDS]

QUESTION - Is it not understandable that Esau will hate Jacob & Edom hate Isreal? This guy stole his blessing with the help of their mum?

ANSWER - For this, what exactly did Jacob steal? Note that it is not the blessing(s) of God or the inheritance. God wasn't in support of this also. This was Rebecca and Jacob's doing. She was trying most likely to bring the prophecy to pass.

So Genesis 27

If we read through, we see that Esau was blessed also but Jacob received that of the firstborn. If we move further to life after Jacob ran away when he was coming to beg for forgiveness. Before he even got to Esau, Esau already forgave him. He was already greatly blessed also and he moved on from this hurt

It wasn't this stolen blessing by Jacob that Edom was angry about or fought against, it is that of the Lord; the promise. [ANSWER ENDS]

FOLLOW THE SPIRIT

Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.
Ezekiel 1:12 NIV

So there is our key text for the year again

I will like everyone to know it by heart. Let it be what you live by this year.

As the Lord revealed, we've come to know that this year is the year of the spirit. Not just for Word Alive but believers all over the world. There is a move of the spirit happening in our time, as never seen before and it begins this year.

I was speaking with someone and they mentioned a prophecy from the 1920s about 2020. According to the prophecy, a fire of revival will spread like never before and new generals will arise from all nations. Immediately, I connected with all we have been getting

Sadly, I couldn't get the prophet's name but I am surely finding it. The person shared a lot of things from that prophecy and they were so accurate

Exactly what I've heard

My interest piqued immediately I heard it was over 100 years ago. It shows one thing, that what is about to come upon us, this move we are about to experience, it's not a coincidence.

So many lives and destinies are attached to it. A lot of things will change for so many of us. It is very much strategic for such a time as this

I don't know if we've all taken note but it seems like the enemy got more strategic. He's moving so smoothly in the world

Everybody is selling Juju (kayamatanga or so) openly and it is normal

Things we'd never have done years ago have been normalized. And this will get worse as time goes

But guess what, God is also raising an army for such a time like this. He knew this time would come long before my grandmother was born. He spoke about it through the prophets of those times
And slowly, in all of our various life walks (smooth and unsmooth), He has been leading us right here

Becca sent me a video from Kenneth Copeland, He had pretty much the same to say about this year being the year of the spirit

Nonso sent one too from Prophet Tomi Arayomi

Got another from Nkiru by DDK and it was also the same prophecy

I've had discussions with friends not on Word Alive and when they share what God told them about the year, I'm asking if they are me

I'm reminded of this scripture :

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7 NIV

When the Lord GOD decides to do something, he will first tell his servants, the prophets.
Amos 3:7 ERV

When the Lord decides to do something

We can say for sure that the Lord is about to do something. If our spiritual antenna is active, you can sense it strongly and connect

This particular prophecy is dated earliest (to my knowledge) to the 1920s

We see that God did not just decide to do something. It's been decided long ago. And I just heard this in my spirit now to share with you all

That all the things that appeared to have gone "wrong", every decision and painful situation, they've all brought us to this place

The spirit says we might not know it but this is exactly where He has been leading us to
All of the lessons
All of the pain and shame
The Fallings and failings
Struggles
Standing back and standing strong

This is where it has been leading you all along

Preparations have been ongoing long before you even knew God. All of you from various places, nations, and continents whose physical paths might never cross but with paths aligning. Everyone heading in the same direction. Each step (though looking like a failure on your end), a closer one to this

God is doing something and if we are sensitive in the spirit we can testify to this. A shift is happening

Probably you've been hearing shift happening every time and it's beginning to sound cliche but really something is changing and it begins already

Back to our scripture.

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7 NIV

Now that we know that God always tell people before doing anything (not to take permission but rather out of love for man and so men will act in like with the season upon them) and He has revealed though so many

So what next.??????

What do we do? How do we act in this season? Or are we just supposed to stand still and wait

Are we supposed to find everyone we think God wants to call for this and speak to them? What exactly is our reaction?

I've had plenty of questions myself since the Lord revealed these things. Like I just want us to fast forward and get a download of everything, all the hows, and details

And this has been the response of the Lord:

Follow the spirit

For some of us, a lot of things might come up this year, it will look like this leading na inside carnal or gutter Laslas you go end. Ignore the physical reality and the pain that will come from the changes happening

Just follow

Let's visit our key text again

Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.
Ezekiel 1:12 NIV

There is a forward movement towards this prophecy and move of the spirit we are about to experience. Because this move belongs to the Spirit, only Him knows where everything will be happening. Only Him as all the details

Because only Him knows and God is so gracious, The spirit was sent to lead us to this place where everything will happen. The forward movement to this place started long ago, now more than ever we cannot afford to miss our way or get distracted

Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.
Ezekiel 1:12 NIV

If we read from verse 1, the description of the living creatures is amazing. It sounds like they probably will know all or navigate on their own with all of those features. But no, he direction is straight ahead, as the spirit led.

Something caught my eye in the next verse after 12

The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.
Ezekiel 1:13 NIV

As they followed the spirit, Ezekiel saw that they looked like burning coals of fire. Torches

Now, Ezekiel had described these creatures before. I doubt he'd have missed out on this description if he saw it in the verses before. Ezekiel only noticed this particular appearance as he watched them follow the Spirit, not looking left or right. See, there is a revival of fire about to Burn. The spirit just reminded me of what He said on Men becoming flammable this period

The fire of God will be spreading back and forth without stress, just by following the spirit

The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.
Ezekiel 1:14 NIV

Speedy movement as we follow the Spirit. Some of us whose fellowships with  God are zero and are wondering how they fit in in all of this.

Don't wander too much. Speed comes

As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
Ezekiel 1:15‭-‬16 NIV

I was trying to understand this verse for a while. Who owns the wheel? What are they doing with the creatures in Ezekiel's vision

What is their purpose? How is a 4 legged wheel intersecting another wheel?

We can Google Ezekiel's wheel

Not one picture perfected this wheel intersecting wheel cos it is impossible. Let me explain what this means to us

If we scroll down, we will see that the wheel was later used to bring in the throne of God, which is where God sits. God sitting on the throne and brought in by the wheel. Then the wheel moving with each creature as they followed the spirit.

The wheel is also intersecting

Here is what I got from this verse:

As many of us that are believers and carry the presence of God (the creature and the wheel), as we follow the Spirit, our paths will be intertwined. Probably are already

As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went.
Ezekiel 1:17 NIV

Though paths and purposes are intertwined, let's note that the living creatures were not led by this

Rather it was the path/purpose (wheel) that followed the direction of the creatures (the believers). And the creatures followed the lead of the spirit only.

In this season, we will not be led by ambitions, purposes, career paths, seemingly spiritual paths, etc. We will be led only by the spirit All of these things will fall under

Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:20 NIV

Look at the progression

Spirit first
Creature follows
Paths/ambitions/purposes

Now, how come the paths/purpose/ambitions aligned with the movement of the creatures as led by the spirit? Because the spirit inside of the creatures lived inside of them too

Wow 🔥

All our paths and ambitions this year, they must be subjected to the leading of the Spirit. Follow! God will not give you a purpose or lead you in a path outside of the leading of the Spirit

When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Ezekiel 1:24 NIV

When the creatures moved (followed the spirit without looking sideways), Ezekiel heard the voice of the Lord. Some of us want instructions all at once. We want God to say everything now at once

I understand the frustration. But see, the words will come as we go after the spirit, one after the other. The plan will keep unveiling

I don't know if this move is happening in Lagos or Ibadan. I don't know if we will all be asked to leave our work and go. I have plenty questions but the instruction is simple: Follow the Spirit

As we do, the plan will be unveiled fully

All God is about to do, the spirit knows the fastest route

Let me give a logical sample

If I go to Italy tomorrow and the mission is very important, I can't afford to be doing trial and error method or just walking around till I find my way. I use a tour guide. I meet people who know the city well and allow them to lead me. If I had time, probably I could afford to walk around, miss my steps then find my hotel hours back. But there is no time for all of that for this Italy trip so I make sure to stay with those who know the road. We do not have time to waste

Romans  8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The Greek word used here is ago and it means to gently lead. While He is very patient, The spirit will not force us. This season, we will need to willingly follow

I believe this is what the Lord was referencing for the revelation I shared, that many though walked to this place with us, might not continue further. Not because God doesn't want them to but because of their own choice.

I pray none of us willingly damn the leading of the Spirit

Again, I see the shedding of weight, unnecessary weight. Not fat now, people/things/attachments/distractions/career

For those that this applies to when that time comes, be ready. For some, it has started already. It might be costly and painful, but drop.

Also, don't postpone anything. Don't say I will start to do tomorrow. Now is the time!

Be very alert and sensitive as you follow the Spirit. Don't make the tiniest decision on your own.

Wait for God to speak and keep following the spirit.
Do not look left, do not turn right
Look straight ahead
Wherever the spirit leads, follow!

I pray we all receive Grace to stand firm and follow closely without losing sight of Him and regardless of all it might look like we are losing.

Amen