GRACE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the Law; you have fallen away from grace – Galatians 5:4.
What are you, O Great Mountain? Before Zerubabel You shall become a plain, and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of Grace, grace to it – Zachariah 4:7
From the scriptures above, two things are quite clear. One is that a Christian ought to walk all his life in grace and two, that one can fall or act out of grace that is, operating outside the confines of grace which is really not profitable.
Grace is indeed what makes the difference in the life of a Christian. It is what makes us beneficiary of what I call “Divine Rights” that is, the promises and privileges in Christ. It is what makes your joy full, boundless and unutterable because literally in the Greek word it is translated ‘Charis’ meaning pure joy.
Somebody said ‘grace is unmerited favour’, which is very true. Another said ‘favour plus mercy equal grace’, absolutely right. They are all correct. God’s word found in the Holy Scriptures says ‘Grace is a gift from God to man’ (Ephesians 2:8). The scripture also says ‘Jesus Christ is grace and the epitome of grace’ (John 1: 16-17).
Just, as we are told ‘God is love and the epitome of love (1John 4:8-10). Grace is the singular reason Christians or believing followers of Jesus are a forgiven, saved and sanctified bunch. Grace is God’s divine enablement, Gods divine lifting up, and God’s divine strength in everything you fathom or be engaged in, such as: worship, holiness, power over sin, anointing, righteousness, obedience, knowledge, wisdom, prayer, healing, teaching, preaching, patience, fasting, leadership, administering, hospitality, giving thanks, counseling, health, wealth, family, victory, progress, success, joy, giving e.t.c.
The scripture is correct and one cannot add to it. Let’s take two scriptures and put in perspective:

1.      Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and that in due time He will lift you up (1Peter 5:6).

2.      God resisted the proud but giveth grace to the humble (James 4:6).

One thing applies and is common to both scriptures, and it is the word HUMILITY. So we can deduce and conclude that grace is for the humble male or female. There is a truth about God and it is: God will never waste His gift – he gives to the deserving. He is the great appropriator.
Grace for life and Grace for race.
You will be working at cross purpose and against yourself to take grace lightly and unimportantly. You need grace for your eternal life and to run your race for earthly life.
Discarding your warped views and notions about God, what He is and what he is not, whether he exist or not, abandoning your egocentric, over confident and over bloated opinions or beliefs in yourself, theories, philosophies, and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord, saviour, helper, teacher, comforter, counselor, provider and protector is the greatest act and show of humility by man as far as God is concerned. (John 3:5-6, 8:43, 45).While further acts of humility, will endear you the more to God.
Nicodemous was a Rabbi (teacher of no small repute) in his own right. As a teacher of the law, he realized that his impressive resume and understanding paled into insignificance under the scrutiny of Jesus teachings.
To tap into such excellent teachings he needed to swallow his pride, pocket his titles and achievements and come to Jesus by night for the knowledge of life. Now to fellow Pharisees Nicodemous acts were a humiliating task but to Jesus, Nicodemous actions were acts of great humility.
From afar, God knows the humble and the proud and from afar he gives to each accordingly. For the humble, it is grace. For the prideful, it is resistance all the way. The opposite of the act of humility of accepting Jesus in one’s life is to reject Jesus and sadly and truly it is the greatest sin. To reject Jesus is outright sin without which there is no remedy but doom.
Therefore if you are looking for enablement and strength please humble yourself under God. If you want to be advocated for on your behalf and promoted in all facet by Jesus, the Christ, then fall in line and walk in grace. It is yours for the taking. Maranatha.

LORDS LORDING IT OVER…Servitude is not servanthood

In the corridors of political and economic power of the present age, even as it were in time past. 

The great ones and lords (according to human definitions) in our society (and unfortunately now in the Church) always lord it over others (Mathew 20:25-26). 

In very big social words: it is referred to as the dichotomy between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. My focus in this piece is on the Church, which is my key constituency. In the Church you find them, that is, the Church's' version of bourgeoisie seating in an especially elevated space or place. You, the ordinary one dare not wander there or else the ushers will bundle you out, that is, if you hesitate a little longer than necessary.

They go by the nomenclature: District, Senior, Area, Regional, Provincial Priest, Overseers or Pastors  or Bishops e.t.c.
They have even reserved special (non plastic or metal) chairs or benches for traditional rulers, thus making the church an extension of the palaces of the monarchs; whom most times by design or otherwise saunter in their flowing gowns, followed by their “Olori(s)”, children and assistants well after the commencement of service or programme thereby attracting attention and causing distractions. During programmes in these churches and ministries, when all spaces have been taken, and there are still unoccupied spaces at the so called “glorified” and “elevated” places the “ordinary” members are never allowed to sit there.
Unwittingly by their actions, and traditions in reverencing men, they have gone contrary to the word of God they claim to preach and teach. Let’s remember, Jesus taught and said “...you are all brethren’’ (Mathew 23:8) that is, of the same womb in Hebrew language.
We have given ourselves titles, elevated them to the high heavens, and used them as a basis to cause division and segregation in the house of God; forgetting the very words of our master Jesus, '' But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted '' Mathew 23: 8-12.

They lose sight of the truth that designations or ecclesiastical appellations are not synonymous with the anointing or graces God bestows upon one nor are they the prerequisites or criteria for spending eternity with God in His kingdom. But unfortunately many equate their titles for a grand position or standing with God. Some have gone so far as to see themselves as demi - gods playing the alpha and omega in the affairs of men who necessarily have to deal or relate with them because of the office they occupy.
This behavior is replete in the Church and is a paradox that leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many. Try paying them a visit in their offices for any reason their office or calling demands, by the time you are exhausted as a result of filling several forms or waiting endlessly, you will wonder if these men and women deserve being called ‘‘men /women of God’’.

You will wonder if the whole thing is after all not a giant hoax under the canopy of MINISTRY in the name of God.

The somber truth is that many of these church/ministry leaders are not greater than John the Baptist as enunciated in Luke 7 verse 28 (if you have understanding of that scripture).

In my study of the scriptures, I discovered that God’s basis for calling or seeing a man as great is as follows:

(1)   Humility and servant hood to God and fellow man (Mathew 20:26-28; 18:1-4; 19:13-15; 23:11-12)

(2)   Teaching or Preaching God’s word correctly and practicing them (Mathew 5:19).

Of course, there is a place for those whom God has anointed and made leaders who deserve “godly” and “simple” honor or appreciation. The people in the Church can still know their leaders without the overbearing attitude and misplaced zealousness of those concerned.
You are not a leader by position, title or office, and the paraphernalia or perks of office. You are a leader by simplicity, humility and love for God and humanity.

This is a snare (you need not be told that the devil is the author of snares), and those concerned and the Church better beware or else they may live to gnash their teeth in sorrow. You may be an “Oga” and recognized here, but not known in heaven. Come down from your high horse before God brings you down or even abandons you altogether (Luke 16:15). A word is enough for the wise. Listen to what the spirit is saying as you make your joy full.