Do You Believe That Jesus Is The Son Of God?

"Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” ...Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” ...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. ...From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."(John 6:53-58,60,63-64,66-69, NKJV) [Emphasis, mine]

How the disciples must have felt when they heard Jesus say that unless they ate His flesh and drank His blood, they would have no life. What exactly was Jesus saying? Was He promoting cannibalism? And how were the disciples to get hold of His flesh and blood? Were they to kill Him and drain His blood? The fact is that Jesus was not advocating for cannibalism, neither was He encouraging them to kill Him although He knew He would be crucified for our sins. Who can fathom the ways of God? In verse 58 of John 6, Jesus said He was the Bread from Heaven. 

It is obvious that Jesus was not looking for popularity otherwise He would not have talked about flesh and blood. He knew those who pretended to believe in Him and what would constitute the straw that would break the camel's back. You see, God is not interested in the approval of men or cheap popularity. It cost Jesus His life to redeem mankind and He was simply stating that there is a cost to follow Him. The question is: Are you prepared to pay the price for following Jesus? Many disciples felt that what Jesus said was a hard saying and consequently left Him and went back to their previous occupations or engagements, never again to return to Him. They forsook Jesus because what He said was just too much for them to take in. They were not prepared to eat the flesh of Jesus and drink His blood. Are you prepared to eat the flesh of Jesus and drink His blood? When they departed, Jesus turned to the twelve disciples and asked them whether they wanted to go away too? The response of Peter is instructive and an eye opener - "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

As far as Peter was concerned, He had nowhere else to go. He had given up everything to follow Jesus because he knew Jesus had the words of eternal life. In other words, no one else could give him life except Jesus. Do you believe that? If you do, you would look up to Jesus only and not have a divided heart. Peter believed that Jesus was (and still is) the Son of God. It was not mental accent or a passive belief; it was a belief that demanded action - let go and let God. Have you let go?; have you surrendered completely to God? The authenticity of a proclamation of belief in Jesus is only as true or genuine as the degree of surrender one demonstrates. To say one believes that Jesus is the Son of God and to live a compromised, carnal, unbelieving, ungodly or unholy life is a stark contradiction in terms. It is, with all due respect, falsehood and deception personified.

Peter's belief in Jesus led him to say unequivocally, “See, we have left all and followed You.” (Luke 18:28)

Have you left all? God may not have asked you to leave your location and go elsewhere; He may not have asked you yet to give up your house, your car, your academic qualifications, your job, your money, and the list goes on and on. However, the question is: Have you left them, in your heart? You may ask, how is that possible? Hear what Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21)

A simple test will reveal the condition of one's heart. This simple test will examine one's claim of believing in Jesus and loving Him. This test will expose hypocrisy, lukewarmness, carnality, self-centredness, and spiritual death. You see, if one is not spiritually alive, he or she is spiritually dead. And make no mistake about it, it is possible to become spiritually dead after having received Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour. In Revelation 3, Jesus gave a scalding rebuke of the Church in Sardis, "...I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God." (Revelation 3:1-2). This church had been thriving spiritually but then became complacent and spiritually dead. The members were physically alive but spiritually dead. So, the question arises: Where is your heart? The condition of your heart and its location will reveal whether you have left all or not. Your heart is where your treasure is and if your treasure is on earth, that's where your heart is. The location of your heart (Heaven or hell) gives an indication of the condition of your heart. An earthly heart reveals worldliness whereas a heavenly heart reveals faith, obedience and perseverance.

When Jesus spoke of His flesh and blood, He was not referring to physical food. The people had been fed physical food and Jesus  was really making a contrast between physical food and spiritual food, metaphorically speaking. Incidentally during the Lord's Supper, the Bible says, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28). Partaking of the spiritual food meant identifying with the sufferings of Jesus and taking up one's cross daily to follow Him. No wonder Apostle Paul wrote, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, " (Philippians 3:10) 

Believing in Jesus is all-encompassing. There is nothing like a partial belief in Jesus as belief to be true must be 100% implying leaving all to follow Him. Have you left all? Believing in Jesus means having a desire to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. Following Jesus is not easy but it is very possible by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ponder on this and let God Almighty give you the grace you need to be the person He wants you to be in Jesus' Name.

The Reality Of Persecution

"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12). 

I am unashamedly a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ and I have followed Him for over three decades. I received Him as my personal Lord and Saviour and I believe with all my heart that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). So, I am a Christian and the Bible says that I will suffer persecution. Do I want persecution? No. My flesh cringes at the very thought of it because it is not pleasant; it is ugly, humiliating and sometimes dehumanising in more ways than one. That is just a fact. Any Christian who rejects the idea of persecution needs to  examine the Scriptures because as far as God is concerned, it is not optional. The only way to escape persecution is to live a compromised or carnal life. 

Persecution of believers started in the first century and has not stopped since then. "In the 20th century, Christian populations were persecuted, sometimes to the point of genocide, by various states, including the Ottoman Empire and its successor, which committed the Hamidian massacres, the Armenian genocide, the Assyrian genocide, and the Greek genocide, and officially atheist states such as the Soviet Union, Communist Albania, North Korea" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians#:~:text=In%20the%2020th,and%20North%20Korea.). In 2019, the BBC reported that Christian persecution was 'at near genocide levels' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48146305) There are numerous other reports and articles on Christian persecution. Open Doors has reported on extreme Christian persecution worldwide (https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/)

No one in his or her right mind would wake up each day praying for persecution. Of the twelve disciples of Jesus (this would include Matthias who replaced Judas Iscariot), eleven of them were martyred. Only John died a natural death due to old age. The point is that as believers we cannot ignore persecution. We do not know when it will come our way and it should be said that God allows it to happen. Right now, millions of Christians are persecuted, tortured, murdered worldwide.  Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Having established the fact of persecution, what should we do? We must ensure that we are not being persecuted for foolish or ungodly behaviour. Let it be that when we are persecuted, it will be because of our faith in Jesus. However, engaging in wishful thinking is not really an option; compromising is unacceptable and ignoring the truth of God's Word would amount to folly. "But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62). In the 21st century, it is not unusual to be labelled homophobic for speaking the truth of God's Word. Religious freedom is being trampled upon, intolerance is the order of the day; certain groups that cry out for tolerance refuse to exercise tolerance. Cancel culture is the order of the day, critical race theory is being propagated and Christians are punished for standing up for what they believe. Persecution of Christians is real and as long as Jesus tarries, it will continue. The Bible says, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (1 Peter 5:6-9). By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote the epistle to Christians who were facing severe trials and it would do us good to heed his advice. We must be sober, vigilant, walk by faith and not by sight. We must continue to press on, press in, fix our eyes on Jesus, obey Him, read and study the Word of God and tell people that Jesus saves. We must continue to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15) and make disciples (Mathew 28:18-20). We must resist the devil in the Name of Jesus and remember that our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12-13). We are admonished to, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)

Remember that God's grace is sufficient for you in your hour of trial and persecution. Jesus encouraged His disciples, "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12). 

The Holy Spirit will empower us in the day of trouble for God will never leave us nor forsake (Hebrews 13:5). In the midst of all this, we will love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us. "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either." (Luke 6:27-29). Jesus commanded us to do so. My brothers and sisters in the Lord, the English say, 'To be forewarned is to be forearmed'. Finally we must pray without ceasing (2 Thessalonians 5:17) for we always have to pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). We will march on in faith, in love, with perseverance and 100% commitment to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

We will not be shaken; we will not relent our efforts to tell people that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, the Truth and the Life. We will preach the Word of God in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and may you hear the Holy Spirit telling you where to go, either to the right or to the left or to remain still, in Jesus' Name. Have a blessed day. 

The Sufficiency of God's Grace

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) 

Recently, I took a hard look at the above passage and I realised that God moves in ways that we, very often, do not understand. His ways sometimes are counter intuitive and we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of His law. From all indications, Apostle Paul was a man who loved God dearly, suffered for Him, was used by God to perform miracles, was well educated and wrote more than half of the New Testament. Yet, when he was confronted with an annoying and somewhat restrictive situation in his life, God told Him, 'My grace is sufficient for you...' in the situation, not out of it. One's perception or misconception of God's grace may enhance or impede one's fruitfulness. There is a tendency to think that fruitfulness is only achievable in perfect or utopian circumstances, where everything is nice, cosy and pleasant. That is a dangerous viewpoint and it is not biblical. Apostle Paul had to live the rest of his life with a thorn in his flesh. Interesting, isn't it?

Why did God allow Joseph to be imprisoned for more than a decade (Genesis 39 and 40)? Why did Job pass through such a demoralising, debilitating, degrading and painful experience? Why was John the Baptist beheaded when Jesus was walking the surface of the earth not too far from where his death occurred (Matthew 14)? Why are Christians persecuted, tortured and killed in many countries today? Why? Why?? Why??? Is God dead? No. Is He impotent? No. Is He limited? No. So, what is going on? In all these situations, God's grace has been sufficient and it will continue to be sufficient.

My brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances, it is impossible to fathom the wisdom of God and the full intricacies of His plans. "Seventeen-year-old Joni Eareckson Tada takes the dive that left her a quadriplegic, dramatically changing her life." (https://www.joniandfriends.org/about/our-history/). This happened in 1967 and Joni has been in a wheelchair for 54 years. In her situation, God has used her beyond her wildest dreams, using her to reach millions of people with the love of Jesus and demonstrating that His grace is sufficient for her in her situation. Hear what she had to say: 

"God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character." (https://www.inspiringquotes.us/quotes/PNfh_b268cLjh)

Have you ever spent sometime to think about some situations you have experienced? Why did God allow them to happen? In Paul's case, God told him after he had pleaded with Him three times,  'My grace is sufficient for you...' Today, you may not understand what is going on but I can assure you that God's grace is sufficient for you. I say again, God's grace is sufficient for you as it was for Joseph and Job. God's grace is sufficient for His people today as it was thousands of years ago because God never changes (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). 

God's grace was sufficient for Stephen as he was stoned to death. Why didn't God deliver Stephen from the hostility, pain, torture he was going through? Why? Is God a masochist? No. There are experiences or situations that we have to go through in order to glorify God. It may appear as if the situation is hopeless; people may even mock and ridicule you; they may say unkind things to you, discriminate against you, etc. Hear the Word of God for you today - God's grace is sufficient for you. His grace will give you strength, endow you with wisdom, empower you to preach the Gospel in your situation and enable you to give a powerful testimony in life or in death. Oh, the matchless wisdom and power of God!

Jeremiah has been called the weeping prophet. Jeremiah was imprisoned (thrown into a muddy dungeon) for proclaiming the uncompromising Word of God. He experienced despair, loneliness, abuse, rejection, etc. but in his situation God's grace was sufficient for him. God's grace enabled him to go through a horrendous experience and emerge victorious. God's grace does not provide an escape from pain and suffering. It gives joy, strength, focus, wisdom, patience and faith in spite of the situation. No wonder James wrote:

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:2-5). You see, this kind of patience cannot be obtained otherwise. Trials are necessary for us to learn patience. In the midst of the trials, God's grace is sufficient. When Christians were being torn apart and devoured by hungry lions in the Coliseum of Rome, God's grace was sufficient. 

I was reading Jeremiah 29 the other day when suddenly it dawned on me that God did not encourage the Jews outside of their captivity but right in the midst of their captivity and humiliation. "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. ...And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. ...For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord , thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:4-5,7,11-12). When God spoke this Word, priests, prophets and princes had been taken captive to Babylon. Yet God told them that His thoughts towards them were thoughts of peace and not evil to give them a future and a hope. God was not tripping - He knew exactly what He was doing. It is fair to say that the Jews would have been wondering what was happening and why God was telling them that it was okay when they had been captured and removed from their native land and taken as captives to a foreign land. In a foreign land, God told them to seek the peace of the cities where they were kept. They must have been asking, 'God, what on earth are you doing and saying?'

I declare today that in your trial, God is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). His grace is sufficient for you in every situation. He has made it possible for you to see today. He has a plan and purpose for your life although it may not look that way at the moment. GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU. Cheer up my brother, cheer up my sister for God has got your back. Don't lose hope for He cares for you and will lead you through the valley of hardship, suffering and pain so that you will be able to say, 'I know my Redeemer lives'. May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and His presence be with you in your going out and coming in in the Name of Jesus. Have a blessed day. 

The Impossible Made Possible

"Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first". (Mark 10:23-31)

In verse 21 of Mark 10, the Bible says,

"Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." (Mark 10:21). If the rich young ruler thought that Jesus would have respect for his riches, he was wrong. If he thought that Jesus, on hearing of how he kept the commandments, would not require more of him, he was mistaken. There was the ultimate test for the rich young man, one that he did not pass, one that he could not bring himself to consider. Was it an easy test? No, but Jesus never said following Him would be easy, contrary to what a lot of people think in the 21st century.

It was with this in mind, that the disciples were astonished at the words of Jesus. Their reasoning was simply this: If a young man who appeared to be blessed by God (his wealth as evidence) had not arrived spiritually, who then can be saved? The young man was very rich but his riches could not solve his spiritual problems nor save him. If riches could save, millions of unbelievers would be saved without even recognising Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Jesus went on to say, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Incidentally, this truth has not changed over the past 2000 years and guess what, it will never change. Riches can very easily become a snare. The flesh revels in the easy luxurious life with no thought of eternity. Gratification is uppermost in the carnal mind, the mind clogged with fleshly considerations that it becomes impossible to see the light and to follow Jesus. Jesus reiterated His statement by adding,  “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”. That is tough, isn't it? Of course, it is. Many people have spent time praying for an opportunity to get a good job, make some money and live comfortably. Yet, the very things they spent time calling on to God for are the very things that have drawn them away from God. Academic, professional and economic success has driven them away from God. What a pity! The disciples were disturbed, wondering how anyone could survive the stringent conditions of following Jesus. Jesus imposes strict conditions for following Him. No competition is tolerated and anything and everything that rears up its ugly head in competition with or opposition to Jesus must go. Short and simple. If Jesus is Lord as He truly is, then He and He alone must receive all the glory.

Interestingly, Peter and the rest of the disciples had left everything to follow Jesus by this time but they still felt the pressure of discipleship. They knew there was much more required of them. Yes, there is always much more required of us because nothing can be compared to Jesus. He is the Alpha and Omega and He demands total allegiance. In bewilderment, Peter made a statement of fact, “See, we have left all and followed You.”. Wow, Peter left his fishing profession, he left family to follow Jesus. It was as if he stepped into the fire from the frying pan. Humanly speaking, many would have considered him to be irresponsible and plain stupid given that he had a wife and of course family and domestic responsibilities. Do you get the point? From a historical perspective, Peter and the other disciples except Judas Iscariot fulfilled their ministries. All of them except Apostle John, were either crucified, burnt at stakes, stoned to death or killed by the sword and knives. Apostle Paul was beheaded. You see, the impossible was made possible by the power of God. The men who struggled with the demands of discipleship finally gave a good account of themselves. They followed and served Jesus to the end. 

Are you pondering over the demands of Jesus? Have you come to the realisation that there is hardship, suffering and sacrifice on the path of of holiness and righteousness? Are you wondering how you would cope with the persecution? Are you thinking that it is impossible for you to run the race to the end? Jesus said, "“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” My brethren, victory is sure as we keep our eyes on Jesus. With God for us, who can be against us? No demon from the pit of hell can thwart God's plans and purposes for our lives if we are obedient to God. 

Finally, God is no man's debtor. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life". There are rewards for those who serve God sacrificially. The peace of God and abundant joy will be their portion. Their needs will be supplied by God according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings and following Him and all that it demands is the best option for anyone. May the Lord God Almighty give you understanding and the grace to follow Jesus with all your heart, with all your strength, with all your mind and with all your strength. Have a blessed day.