MY DESIRE
My last blog created a lot of interest, it sure was not written to create controversy, but a call back to the Bible and holy living. I thank God for great men in past generations, like A.W.Tozer, Martin Lloyd Jones, John Calvin who I quoted in that blog. These men were giants in their day, I guess they had their critics then, but we seem to have got so far away from the Word of God that we make excuses and compromises. May the Church hear not just this mere mortal, but go back to the Word of God and see and hear what God says about how we can live holy and pure in the 21st century.
I have had the privilege of going to Kiev Ukraine quite a number of times to teach in Colleges there, and I want to quote a current day leader from there. Pastor Sunday Adelaja who was led by God to go to the Ukraine from Nigeria to pioneer a church there which currently has over 30000 members (latest stats I have) in his church in Kiev and I understand another 30000 members across the nation. he has this to say:
IF YOU WANT TO ABIDE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WE HAVE TO BECOME OBEDIENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM.
We have two challenges before us.
- We must know what the principles of the Kingdom of God are.
I guess, we can have people tell us what they are, but the best method is for us to read and meditate on the Scriptures, so we personally know (by revelation) how we are to live as Kingdom people. Thank God too that he wants to write His laws on our heart too. Why aren’t people reading and studying the Bible much these days ???????
2. We must make a decision not to compromise what the Bible says or let other people be the standard by which live.
I am sure not suggesting it is easy to live the Christian life in 2015, but God would not command us to be holy, unless He made available to us the ability to do it.
There are many means that God has given us, I will share one way here today. Let me quote Tim Keller: An American Pastor. theologian and Christian apologist, studied at Gordon Conwell and Westminster Theological seminaries, and founding pastor Redeemer Presbyterian Church in new York City U.S.A.
THERE IS NO WAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY APART FROM A DEEP INVOLVEMENT IN A COMMUNITY OF OTHER BELIEVERS.
I love the Body of Christ, and what a privilege it is to be a member, but the practical outworking to that is that we must be committed to a local body of believers (there cannot be lone rangers in the Body of Christ). We need each other and the mutual encouragement and support of other believers is simply totally important.
We cannot treat the local church like a restaurant, and go as it suits, we may not agree with everything that happens, but I have never found a perfect local church yet. I do not believe I ever will, and neither will you.
So simply, this blog is saying I personally want to live a holy, victorious, pure and powerful life that brings honour and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if I am accused of only having one message so be it. I am in very good company.
