How to Counsel Victims and Oppressors in Domestic Child or Sexual Abuse and Abortion 7 of 12 + Unraveling the mystery embedded in Matthew 25 – Is it possible for one to lose one’s salvation? Is it everyone that calls themselves Christians are really are? Can one’s name be removed from the book of life? When is Corona (COVID – 19) virus ending?
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Weekly Motivational and Inspirational Stories for The Marketplace – The School of the Holy Spirit – 41 of 52 – Part 29 – How to Counsel Victims and Oppressors in Domestic, Child or Sexual Abuse and Abortion 7 of 12 + Unraveling the mystery embedded in Matthew 25 – Is it possible for one to lose one’s salvation? Is it everyone that calls themselves Christians are really are? Can one’s name be removed from the book of life? When is Corona (COVID – 19) virus ending?
Date: Wednesday, June 17th, 2020
Today’s Podcast Would be Available by Sunday via link: anchor.fm/otakada.org
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Introduction.
Friends, I welcome you to today’s series of Otakada.org Weekly Motivational Stories Equipping Christians in The Marketplace. – We are Ambassadors of Christ in this earthly realm. Check this out in 2 Corinthians 5:20
At Otakada.org, we bring YOU over 2 million contents for All Round Success for your Spirit, Soul and your Body all in one place! Check this out in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:7 and Hebrews 4:12
Read – 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Amplified Bible (AMP) 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [ that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose ]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found ] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Together with you, we are building MASSIVE SPIRITUAL TEMPLES in people’s heart for the Spirit of God to dwell in and operate through with ease in these times and seasons, so stay with us and build with us! – Check this out in 1 Corinthians 3: 1- 17; Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 John 4:4
If you missed the last two series for Sunday and Wednesday find them hereunder as follows respectively:
The School of the Holy Spirit – 40 of 52 – Part 28 The Secret of inner healing in the secret place – 3 True Life Stories of the consequences of healed or unhealed inner wounds for James, Josephine and Busola + 5 Goals of Biblical Counseling – 6 of 12
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Weekly Motivational And Inspirational Stories For The Marketplace – The School Of The Holy Spirit – 39 Of 52 – Part 27 – The Importance Of Prayer And Basic Biblical Counseling Strategies To Consider + The Prophetic Significance Of George Floyd’s Death – Black Lives Matter Movement, What Specific Events To Expect Going Forward And The Need For Inner Healing As A Result Of 401 Years Of Slavery And Racism
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Good evening friends, this evening, we are going to be exploring the topic – The School of the Holy Spirit – 41 of 52 – Part 29 – How to Counsel Victims and Oppressors in Domestic, Child or Sexual Abuse and Abortion 7 of 12 + Unraveling the mystery imbedded in Matthew 25 – Is it possible for one to lose one’s salvation? Is it everyone that call themselves Christians are really are? Can one’s name be removed from the book of life? When is Corona (COVID-19) virus ending?
When is Corona (COVID – 19) virus ending?
I am sensing in my spirit, that COVID-19 will begin to diminish by September 2020. I didn’t say end, but I said, “diminish”. This is not time to throw caution to the wind yet because it is not over. Secondly, for us Christians, God wants us to dig deeper roots in Him – It is our time for serious preparation- This is not time to run around like Martha who was so busy with serving the Jesus but had no relationship with Jesus read Luke 10:40-42. Also, it is not time to think that until you get into a church environment that is where the real worship is taking place like the Samaritan in John 4 read and meditate on John 4:19-24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
19 The woman said to Him, Sir, I see and understand that You are a prophet.
20 Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain, but you [Jews ] say that Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary and proper to worship.
21 Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither [merely ] in this mountain nor [merely ] in Jerusalem.
22 You [Samaritans ] do not know what you are worshiping [ you worship what you do not comprehend]. We do know what we are worshiping [ we worship what we have knowledge of and understand], for [after all ] salvation comes from [ among] the Jews.
23 A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.
24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).
What am I saying? I am saying develop deeper root in God. Get into living and moving and having your being in God. See yourself as the Church of Jesus Christ so that when the physical building opens up again, you will have grown so fat in God that you will be adding to the body of Christ and not needing pumping up continually. Pump others up in God, as you do that, bring souls along.
You will need deeper roots as a pandemic deadlier than COVID – 19 is in the horizon and I don’t have a specific date for that – This is not to scare you but to alert you as one of the watchers in Gods kingdom so you can gird your loins for the long haul.
You need deeper root in God to withstand persecution, trials and temptation that is coming and has already begun.
You need deeper roots to be and do the specific assignments for your life in this limited time space we have with your spiritually antenna turned to the Spirit of the living God 24/7. Finally, you need deeper root to stand and not rely on other people’s faith but a faith that is rooted in God and deriving nourishment directly from Jesus Christ as written in John 15.
Now, before we begin exploring How to Counsel Victims and Oppressors in Domestic, Child or Sexual Abuse and Abortion 7 of 12, lets Unravel the mystery imbedded in Matthew 25 and answer the following questions: Is it possible for one to lose one’s salvation? Is it everyone that call themselves Christians are really are? Can one’s name be removed from the book of life?
On the 8th of June 2020, the Lord drew my attention to Matthew 25 for my study for that day. I read that text more than 7 times and on the second day, I was prompted again to go back to Matthew 25 and I have continued on that chapter and several other text the Holy Spirit has led me into till this very moments as I am writing this message to you.I am humbled by it.
As I bring the insights the Holy Spirit brought to me concerning this text, I will be answering some of the questions above and bring further insights from His word.
Let’s begin the journey into Matthew 25:1-46
Matthew 25 has 3 loaded parables that cannot be understood except we call for more evidences from other part of scripture. He sent me back to Matthew 24:31-51, Matthew 22, Luke 4:18, Luke 12; 13; Revelation 2; 3, Matthew 7:13-23; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:7 and others which I will include as we go along.
Matthew 25:1-13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
1. Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent).
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra ] oil with them;
4 But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also ] with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep.
6 But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!
7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
9 But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves.
10 But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.
11 Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [ the door] to us!
12 But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [ I am not acquainted with you].
13 Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active ], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.
COMMENT-1: Jesus is talking about the kingdom of heaven here. The ten virgins are all of us called into the kingdom. Remember, many are called and few are chosen. The lamb represents the word. The fire in the Lamb represent the Holy Spirit burning in us which empowers and strengthens the called so that the light of Jesus coming from us can touch humanity around us. .
Read this John 8:12 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.
Matthew 5:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
The oil – It signifies the anointing oil – invisible presence of the Holy Spirit which needs to be stirred to action by us to empower or strengthen. The anointing with oil symbolizes that the individual is filled with the Spirit of God
Remember, filling of the Holy Spirit is a continuous effort from us. It is not a one-off affair.
Read Acts 13:52 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
52 And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls ] with joy and the Holy Spirit.
To confirm that this parable was to those called, when Peter asked Jesus in Luke’s account in Luke 12 and 13 of this text of Matthew 25, Jesus goes on to talk about the servant or the steward and outlined the parable in Matthew 25. God does not call unbelievers servant or stewards. Read
Luke 12:41-42 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)41 Peter said, Lord, are You telling this parable for us, or for all alike?42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his master will set over those in his household service to supply them their allowance of food at the appointed time?
Matthew 22:8-14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
8 Then he said to his servants, The wedding [feast ] is prepared, but those invited were not worthy.
9 So go to the thoroughfares where they leave the city [where the main roads and those from the country end ] and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.
10 And those servants went out on the crossroads and got together as many as they found, both bad and good, so [the room in which ] the wedding feast [was held ] was filled with guests.
11 But when the king came in to view the guests, he looked intently at a man there who had on no wedding garment.
12 And he said, Friend, how did you come in here without putting on the [appropriate ] wedding garment? And he was speechless ([a]muzzled, gagged).
13 Then the king said to the attendants, Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
14 For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.
You could see from the above that many were called but not all were dressed appropriately for the occasion.
Let’s continue with second parable in Matthew 25:14-30
14 For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property.
15 To one he gave five talents [ probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one—to each in proportion to his own [a]personal ability. Then he departed and left the country.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.
17 And likewise he who had received the two talents—he also gained two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20 And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more.
21 His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, [b]admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the [c]blessedness) which your master enjoys.
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more.
23 His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, [d]admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the [e]blessedness) which your master enjoys.
24 He who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you had not winnowed [the grain].
25 So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own.
26 But his master answered him, You wicked and lazy and idle servant! Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed?
27 Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be [f]furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.
30 And throw the good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
COMMENT-2 This parable gives us the benefit and consequences of not stirring up the gift which God has graciously given unto us by His Holy Spirit to building the Church in Love. The consequence here is outer darkness for Gods servant who decide not to deploy their gifts for His glory as highlighted in the following scriptures:
Ephesians 4:11-16 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
11 And His gifts were [ varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us ] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.
12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do ] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),
13 [That it might develop ] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [[a]full and accurate ] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive ] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships ] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of ] the cunning and cleverness of [b]unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged ] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.
15 Rather, let our lives lovingly [c]express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly ]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even ] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need ] is working properly [in all its functions ], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious ] gift of God, [the inner fire ] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [[a]with those of the elders at your ordination ].
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit ] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
Let’s continue with third parable in Matthew 25:31-40
31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory (His majesty and splendor), and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;
33 And He will cause the sheep to stand at His right hand, but the goats at His left.
34 Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [you [g]favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation ], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you [h]brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and [i]lodged Me,
36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me [j]with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.
37 Then the just and upright will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink?
38 And when did we see You a stranger and welcomed and entertained You, or naked and clothed You?
39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You?
40 And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [[k]in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.
41 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me [l]with help and ministering care.
44 Then they also [in their turn ] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?
45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [[m]in the estimation of men ] of these, you failed to do it for Me.
46 Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.
COMMENTS -3 We see from here that the last part is consistent with using the gift or not using the gift as we read in Matthew 14-30. Jesus was not literally referring to food or water or physical prison or hospital in this parable. Although, all of that is good. He is referring to the spiritual hunger that cannot be satisfied with physical bread, the thirst that cannot be quenched with ordinary water. He is not referring to visit to the hospital although that is important. There are people who are in prison that satan has locked them in around us that need Jesus touch. People who are walking around emotional sick and wounded. When we don’t manifest the light that is upon us, when we don’t put our gift to us, humanity is lost including those who are in our churches who have confessed Christ but have not submitted their lives to Him. Even when we minister and we don’t minister in love, or if we don’t minister according to His leading, we have missed the point. Let us substantiate these facts with scripture.
John 4:10-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
10 Jesus answered her, If you had only known and had recognized God’s gift and Who this is that is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him [instead ] and He would have given you living water.
11 She said to Him, Sir, You have nothing to draw with [no drawing bucket] and the well is deep; how then can You provide living water? [Where do You get Your living water? ]
12 Are You greater than and superior to our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well and who used to drink from it himself, and his sons and his cattle also?
13 Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again.
14 But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually ] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.
15 The woman said to Him, Sir, give me this water, so that I may never get thirsty nor have to come [continually all the way ] here to draw.
John 6:31-35 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.
32 Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven [what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven ], but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread.
33 For the Bread of God is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.
34 Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always (all the time)!
35 Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).
John 21:15-17 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [ others do—with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [ that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.
16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [ with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [ that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.
17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend ]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend ]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.
Luke 4:18-19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is ] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [ the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [ who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day [a]when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound ].
Matthew 7:13-23 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
14 But the gate is narrow (contracted [a]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.
16 You will [b]fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [[c]worthy of admiration ], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.
18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear [d]excellent fruit [worthy of admiration ].
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
20 Therefore, you will [e]fully know them by their fruits.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands ].
Matthew 24:41-51 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
41 Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
42 Watch therefore [[a]give strict attention, be cautious and active ], for you do not know in what kind of a day [[b]whether a near or remote one ] your Lord is coming.
43 But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a [c]night or a morning ] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be [d]undermined and broken into.
44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.
45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time?
46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [e]to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.
47 I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
48 But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, My master is delayed and is going to be gone a long time,
49 And begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken,
50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware,
51 And will punish him [[f]cut him up by scourging ] and put him with the pretenders (hypocrites); there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
We can see from the above, that it is not about food, drinks, hospital or prison per say but the spiritual food, drinks, release from captivity and woundedness that Jesus is talking about here.
Now, let’s answer these questions: Is it possible for one to lose one’s salvation? Is it everyone that call themselves Christians are really are? Can one’s name be removed from the book of life?
Let’s begin with – Is it everyone that call themselves Christians are really are?
To answer this question, we need to look at the text where the word Christians was first used
Acts 11:26 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they assembled together with and [a]were guests of the church and instructed a large number of people; and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
We can see from the above text that the DISCIPLES were first called Christians in Antioch.
It means a disciple of Jesus is a Christian. Put it another way, a Christian is a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ.
So, let us see what Jesus said qualifies His disciples in John 8:31 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
Jesus said to those who believed in Him that if they hold fast to His teaching and live accordance to them, then they are the true disciples.
Second verse in John 13:35 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
35 By this shall all [men ] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
Jesus said all people will know we are His disciples if we love one another or keep on showing love to one another.
Third verse highlights things to expect as a disciple of Jesus:
Luke 9:23-24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [[a]disown himself, [b]forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, [c]refuse and give up himself ] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [[d]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also ].
24 For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [[e]from the penalty of eternal death ].
Jesus said we must disown ourselves, and conform wholly to Him in example, living and dying.
Paul went on to give some further clarity on how to become a Christian in Romans 10:8-13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
8 But what does it say? The Word (God’s message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach,
9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [ his] salvation.
11 The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [ who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever ] be put to shame or be disappointed.
12 [No one ] for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is Lord over all [of us ] and He generously bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him [in faith ].
13 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord ] will be saved.
We can see from Paul’s definition of the process of becoming a Christian: First, we must confess, then believe in our heart – means that as we believe, we trust Jesus completely and adhere completely to the word preached, then we have become Christians.
So, if we look at the 3 sources here – the Antioch testimony, Jesus testimony and Pauls testimony, we have to Confess, Believe with Conviction in our heart and Obey Jesus teaching completely on what He says and tells us to do and we must be confirmed by unbelievers when they see the love we have for one another. Anything outside this, it means we are not Christians – period!
Anyone can confess but very few believe… it does not matter how long you have been a Christian, what position you occupy – Bishop, Papa, Pope, Pastor, Deacon e.t.c –If all of the above attribute is missing, they I am something else. So, it is not everyone that call themselves Christians that are Christians.
Next question: – Is it possible for one to lose one’s salvation?
Salvation in Christianity, or deliverance or redemption, is the “saving [of ] human beings from death and separation from God” by Christ’s death and resurrection.
The first mention was by Jesus himself in John 3:14-19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole ], so must [ so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross ],
15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him ] may [a]not perish, but have eternal life and [actually ] live forever!
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even ] gave up His only begotten ([b]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
18 He who believes in Him [ who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him ] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation ]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence ] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name. ]
19 The [ basis of the ] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.
You can see from the above that if you believe in Jesus, you are saved already. Believe means you trust and obey Jesus completely. As long as that holds, you are ok. But if it does not hold, then you can lose your salvation. On God’s side of the bargain, He is certain to have giving it to you but you can decide to drop the ball. Just like Judas Iscariot – a one-time disciple and one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ who betrayed Him after satan entered him in Luke 22:3; and Some of His disciples left Him when He told them they will eat His flesh and drink His blood read
John 6:63-69 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
63 It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver ]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it ]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.
64 But [still] some of you fail to believe and trust and have faith. For Jesus knew from the first who did not believe and had no faith and who would betray Him and be false to Him.
65 And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.
66 After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him.
67 Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me? ]
68 Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life.
69 And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more ] we have come to know [surely ] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God.
Read also, Jesus promise to his true followers: John 10:28-30 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed. ] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else ]; and no one is able to snatch [them ] out of the Father’s hand.30 I and the Father are One.
You can see from Gods perspective, He will not let us go, we cannot lose our salvation. No one can take us from the father’s hand. BUT we can take ourselves out of His hold by no longer believing in Jesus, then we can lose our salvation. We can reject the gift.
1 Timothy 4:1: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
This text shows that Christians can lose their salvation if they follow deceiving spirits.
2 Peter 2:20-22: “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.'”
The apostle Peter indicates clearly here that it is worst for someone who has accepted Jesus in his life to return to his old ways than “not to have known the way of righteousness”. Why? The book of Hebrews explains this for us.
Hebrews 6:4-6: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
This text describes Christians who not only accepted Jesus by faith into their life, but also personally tasted God’s Holy Spirit. What happens to them if they “fall away’? This text is clear. It is impossible for them to be brought back to repentance, and thus obtain eternal salvation, because they did sin against the Holy Spirit. They have lost it!
Hebrews 10:26-28: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
Here we see clearly that once we have accepted Jesus in our life, we just can’t go on living as if He did not exist, and “deliberately keep on sinning”. What would be the result if you did? Would you still obtain eternal salvation? The Bible says that these will have “a fearful expectation of judgment”. There again, they have lost their salvation.
The apostle Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2: “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”
In other words, if someone does not hold on firm to God’s word, he/she has “believed in vain”.
Now, let’s look at the next question: Can one’s name be removed from the book of life?
If we stop believing Jesus or stop acting in ways consistent with what is expected of us, then, our names can be wiped from the book of life.
It is not by works that we are saved but our salvation should be confirmed with works that honors and glorifies God.
Read and meditate on Ephesians 2:8-9 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [ salvation] is not of yourselves [ of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands ], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself. ]
now read and meditate on this : James 2:14-26 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
14 What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [ good] works [to show for it ]? Can [such] faith save [his soul ]?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,
16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself ] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).
18 But someone will say [to you then ], You [say you ] have faith, and I have [good ] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good ] works [ if you can], and I by [ good] works [of obedience ] will show you my faith.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [ in terror and horror such as [a]make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]!
20 Are you willing to be shown [proof ], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good ] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless?
21 Was not our forefather Abraham [shown to be ] justified (made acceptable to God) by [ his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own ] son Isaac?
22 You see that [his ] faith was cooperating with his works, and [ his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it ] by [good ] works.
23 And [so ] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God’s will in thought and deed), and he was called God’s friend.
24 You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes ].
25 So also with Rahab the harlot—was she not shown to be justified (pronounced righteous before God) by [good ] deeds when she took in the scouts (spies) and sent them away by a different route?
26 For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its ] works of obedience is also dead.
See also Revelation 3:1-5 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
3 And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Sardis write: These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [[a]the sevenfold Holy Spirit ] and the seven stars: I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but [in reality ] you are dead.
2 Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours ] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.
3 So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come.
4 Yet you still have a few [persons’ ] names in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes, and they shall walk with Me in white, because they are worthy and deserving.
5 Thus shall he who conquers (is victorious) be clad in white garments, and I will not erase or blot out his name from the Book of Life; I will acknowledge him [as Mine ] and I will confess his name openly before My Father and before His angels.
And finally read and meditate on Matthew 24:42-51 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
42 Watch therefore [[a]give strict attention, be cautious and active ], for you do not know in what kind of a day [[b]whether a near or remote one ] your Lord is coming.
43 But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a [c]night or a morning ] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be [d]undermined and broken into.
44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.
45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time?
46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [e]to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.
47 I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
48 But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, My master is delayed and is going to be gone a long time,
49 And begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken,
50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware,
51 And will punish him [[f]cut him up by scourging ] and put him with the pretenders (hypocrites); there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
So, you can see from the above that one’s name can be wiped out from the book of life if we are not reflecting Christ in our lives.
Now, let’s look at How to Counsel Victims and Oppressors in Domestic, Child or Sexual Abuse and Abortion 7 of 12
How to counsel ABUSE Victims and Oppressors in Domestic, Child, and Sexual
DEFINITION: Abuse is mistreatment of another person. It includes child abuse, spousal abuse, physical, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse. The term also applies to the misuse of legitimate authority, for example a government official or religious leader who abuses their power.
FACTS ABOUT ABUSE:
Abuse takes many forms. It may be domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, or physical, emotional, and mental abuse.
Abuse is not tolerated in God’s Kingdom. Certain types of abuse–such as domestic abuse–is permitted in some countries, but we are not citizens of the nation in which we live. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and we are governed by God’s laws that prohibit any kind of abuse.
Abuse is against the law in many nations around the world. See God’s mandates regarding believers abiding by the law in Romans 13:1-3; 1 Peter 2:13-14; and Luke 17:2.
Abuse is against God’s law. One of the two greatest commandments is to love others (Matthew 22:37-39). Abuse is not love.
Abuse can be learned behavior–for example, a person sees their Dad abuse their Mom and models similar abuse in their own relationships.
Causes of abuse. The root cause behind abuse is often uncontrolled anger. It also stems from a low self-image which makes a person abuse others to try to elevate their own status.
Abusers tend to justify their behavior. They blame others for making them so angry that they are forced to respond in this manner.
DEALING WITH ABUSE:
If you are being abused, remove yourself from the situation. Remaining in an abusive situation may cost your life or that of your child. In many nations, you are legally responsible for removing a child from an abusive environment. Move in with a relative or friend or seek help from a Christian shelter. If you are being abused by an employer, seek a new job. If you are experiencing abuse by a spiritual leader, find a new church.
If you are the abuser, admit your problem. As long as you are in denial, you cannot change.
Ask God for forgiveness if you have abused someone. Abuse in any form is a sin and violates God’s law of loving others (Matthew 22:37-39).
Ask forgiveness of those you have abused. God requires it. Your own gifts, prayers, and worship won’t be accepted until you do this: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).
If you tend to be abusive, ask God to develop the Fruit of the Spirit in your life. Love, patience, and self control will replace your abusive behavior.
If you have suffered abuse, the first step towards healing is to acknowledge that the abuse happened. Maybe your abuser warned you not to tell anyone, or maybe your family didn’t believe you when you told them what happened. Healing starts when you admit the truth about the abuse, whether or not others believe you. As you admit the abuse, you may experience feelings of confusion, hurt, blame, and shame. You might be tempted to drown those feelings with alcohol, drugs, food, anger or sexual addictions. Instead, replace these negative thoughts with the truth of God’s Word. God made you in His image (Genesis 1:27). He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you (John 3:16). He has a plan to give you a future and a hope. Admit that what was done to you was wrong, sinful acts committed by sinful people, Whether or not you are able to confront your abuser, you must forgive them. When anger or shameful thoughts over past abuse try to return to your mind, reject these immediately. You will never have a future as long as you are living in the past.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT ABUSE:
Abuse in general.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself .'” (Matthew 22:37-39)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a)
Sexual abuse.
No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. (Leviticus 18:6)
Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you. (Leviticus 18:10)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Child abuse.
See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. (Luke 17:1-2)
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
Spousal Abuse.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church–for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery–but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:25-32)
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:18-20)
Now Let’s look at How to Counsel Victims and Oppressors in Abortion – I am a survivor of a gruesome abortion attempt on my life.
DEFINITION: Abortion is the termination of the life of an unborn baby.
FACTS ABOUT ABORTION:
Abortion is sin. The Bible says “You shall not kill” (Deuteronomy 5:17). It is wrong to take the life of an unborn child because the child is a living soul from the moment of conception. The only exception would be in order to save the life of the mother. Despite this exclusion, many have opted to trust God for the lives of both mother and child instead of aborting.
The fetus is a living being. God knows a child in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). God creates every part of the unborn child (Psalm 139:13-16). What right do you have to terminate God’s workmanship? Who are you to say that even a deformed child cannot live and/or even be healed by God? A heart is detectible in a fetus at 18 days, brain waves at 43 days, and all systems are formed by eight weeks and functioning at eleven weeks. Except for size, by 20 weeks a child is fully developed.
A child in the womb is capable of emotional responses. John the Baptist leaped with joy in his mother’s womb when he heard Mary’s voice, the mother of the Messiah to come (Luke 1:41,44).
You do not have a right over your own body. Pro-abortionists claim a woman has a right over her own body. God’s Word says “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). If you want to control your body, exercise self-control over your passions so you do not get pregnant if you do not want a child.
There is an alternative to abortion. Adoption would bless a couple who are incapable of having a child. Choose a Christian adoption agency to assist with this option.
DEALING WITH ABORTION:
Seek forgiveness from God. When you abort a child, your are consenting to its death. The Apostle Paul (Saul) consented to the death of Stephen, yet God forgave him and called him to a tremendous ministry. If you have aborted a baby, confess your sin and ask forgiveness from God.
Know that abortion is no greater than any other sin. God views any transgression as sin whether it be gossip or murder! If you confess your sin, God forgives you (1 John 1:9) and forgets your iniquities (Jeremiah 31:34).
Forgive yourself. Your sin is forgiven. Jesus bore your sin on the cross, and He also bore the shame of your sin (Hebrews 12:2). Do not live under the shame and condemnation of abortion.
Consider adoption if you are pregnant with an unwanted child or one for whom you cannot provide. You will be greatly blessing a childless couple.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT ABORTION:
You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. (Psalm 22:10)
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. (Psalm 22:19)
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. (Psalm 71:6)
Your hands made me and formed me. (Psalm 119:73)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body (Psalm 139:13-16)
This is what the Lord says–he who made you, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:2)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5)
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)
Prayer
Father, thank You for helping us to build our intimate needs of significance, self-worth and security on you. Lord Jesus, You are the mighty counselor, the everlasting Father, the king of Kings and the lord of Lords, you have commanded us to be your ambassador and to represent you correctly. Lord, we pray that you will equip us through the subseries to be all that you have called us to be and to do in Jesus name. Give us a teachable heart that learns, apply to ourselves first and to others Lord, God. We pray that as a result of our effectiveness, more souls will be added to the kingdom, the backslidden will be restored to the glory of Your name.
We declare inner healing for victims and oppressors of abuse in domestic, child or sex setting in the name of Jesus Christ. We declare inner healing for victims and oppressors involved in abortion Lord God. We declare the hurting healed in the name of Jesus Christ. We thank you for giving us clarity concerning who is a Christian, Lord help us to repent and return back to you if our lives do not reflect you in the name of Jesus Christ. Lord, as many that in the path of destructions, call them to thyself in the name of Jesus Christ. As many that have turned their backs on You, give them a heart of repentance as the return back to you in Jesus name. Thank you for we know you will do exceedingly, abundantly and above all that we can even ask or think according to your sovereign will for these times and seasons in Jesus name, amen
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Experience all round-success this week and beyond as You are led by your closest friend – The Holy Spirit!
Shalom!
Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe
e-discipleship at Otakada.org
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Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe
Originally posted on June 17, 2020 @ 5:34 pm
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