Entitlements and Obligations

Entitlements and Obligations

4 But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, 5 so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family]. 6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ]." (Galatians 4:4-7, AMP)

In Christendom today, many people are always thinking of their entitlements and as a result are trapped in the web of self-gain and self-aggrandisement. It is true that as children of God (true believers) we have privileges and gifts but it is important to understand that we also have obligations. God expects us to play our God-given role in His Kingdom by His grace and power of the Holy Spirit. 

Believers have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19, Revelation 12:11). If you are a born-again Christian, a believer in Jesus, you have been set free from the bondage of sin , the law, the devil and death. You are free and free indeed - "Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:34-36, NKJV).

Before the incarnation of Jesus, man was held captive by sin as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God, eating the forbidden fruit and were thrown out of the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-23). Consequently, they lost the intimate fellowship with God they had experienced. Let's ponder over this for a moment. Until they disobeyed God and sinned, Adam and Eve were perfect, sinless and holy. The Bible makes us understand that God would come down to the garden of Eden and have fellowship with them. The Bible says, "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8). Wow, they heard the sound of God walking, meaning that there is a sound of God's presence, a sound only true believers can hear. Have you heard the sound of the Holy Spirit today? Have you heard the voice of God telling you where to go? Have you received a revelation from the Lord with regards to His plans and purposes for your life on earth? God desires to have a thriving, intimate relationship with His children and all mankind. He desires that all men should be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Sin brought in bondage to it and to the devil. Glory be to God that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. The Bible says, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10 )

The death of Jesus ushered in the possibility of reconciliation to God as opposed to alienation from Him. 

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14 ). The born-again believer is forgiven and redeemed from darkness and sin. 

The believer is no longer a slave to sin and the devil but is now a child (son or daughter) of God. The Bible says in John 1:12, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" . The one who receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour gladly surrenders all to Him, abides in Him and says every moment of the day, 'Lord, let Your will be done in my life'. Is that your prayer? God cares for His children and has given them all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4). He has not left us destitute and we can rest assured He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). 

What should be our response? "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:" (2 Peter 1:1)

"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1)

It is important to state that the true believer obeys God, seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), offers his or her body as a living sacrifice to God, not conformed to the world but being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2). As those who have been redeemed, our ultimate desire should be that God's will be done in all situations. Apostles Paul and Peter knew that and pronounced that they were bondservants of Jesus. In other words, they voluntarily surrendered themselves and everything they possessed to Jesus. Furthermore, they declared their intention not to hold anything back from Jesus. They agreed that it was not their call to make as far as life was concerned; they were under the rule and reign of the Almighty God and their obligation was fear Him and obey His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). They never had a mindset that demanded this and that, rather they trusted God to direct their paths because they had absolute confidence in His judgement. Do you trust God enough to let go of everything and let Him handle your affairs? God can have a valuable input into your decision-making process if you permit Him to do so.

God will never impose Himself on anyone and He has given people the freewill to even choose to oppose and disobey Him. God has you covered and rather than demand for this or that, let God direct you. Ask for strength to fulfil your God-given obligations for which He has equipped you (2 Peter 1:3-4). Instead of having undue expectations, we should be focusing on our obligations towards God and man. Remember, you are not an accident; you have been created specifically by God for a purpose only you can fulfil.  "For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]." (Ephesians 2:10, AMP)

You are obligated to be a fully active participant in God's plan to enable you to fulfil the good works He prepared for you before the world began. Have you discovered those works yet? If not, why not? I charge you this day in the mighty Name of Jesus to arise and find your place - your lane and walk on it to the best of your ability, diligently seeking the Lord God Almighty every step of the way. One of my pastors and mentors, Bishop James Lawson who went to be with the Lord in 2019 used to say that we should walk in our lane not another person's lane. Do you know your lane or are you yo-yoing (going back and forth, up and down)? 

Jesus said in John 15, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for[otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." (v.5, AMP). Jesus will guide us every step of the way, by the power of the Holy Spirit if we remain (abide) in Him. The key is remaining in Jesus. Then you will meet all your obligations and overcome the temptation to focus on perceived entitlements. In plain terms, we really are not entitled to anything. All we are and have is given to us by the grace of God. One might say he has worked hard and that is good but it is God who gives life and one day the final curtain will be drawn. Be rooted in Jesus and you will not be taken unawares. Have a blessed day.

Thoughts On Tithing

 THOUGHTS ON TITHING

• Tithe means a tenth (10%) and God places no restrictions on what one decides to give. One may give 10%, 20%, 30% or even 5%. It is the individual's prerogative.
• Tithing is in the Bible just as polygamy or sacrificing of animals is in the Bible. However today we do not practice polygamy, neither do we sacrifice animals because those practices have been done away with and are not acceptable in the New Testament, that is under the New Covenant.
• Remember Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and the New Testament is about Jesus and the Church (which did not exist in the OT)
• In the OT, there were 3 types of tithe:
• The Levitical tithe - collected to support the Levites and priests
• The Festive tithe - given 'to be saved back and eaten by the giver of the tithe along with his household and the Levites' (letthebiblespeak.tv/is-tithing-for-today-the-text/)
• Three-year tithe - given every three years to support the poor
• The tithes paid by the children of Israel amounted to 23.3% of their agricultural produce and animals.
• Abraham gave a one-off tithe to Melchizedek voluntarily (Genesis 14:17-20). Melchizedek did not demand tithe of Abraham. Jacob promised to give a one-off tithe to God (Genesis 28:20-22). As with Abraham, Jacob offered the tithe voluntarily. There are no other instances of Abraham and Jacob giving tithe in the Bible.
• Jesus mentioned tithe once in the Bible (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42). Apostles Paul, Peter, and John never mentioned tithing or commanded the NT Christians to tithe. It should be noted that Apostle Paul had been a Pharisee and Apostles Peter and John are Jews who were very familiar with the OT requirements for tithing.
• The Moral Law (Ten Commandments) is the only part of the Mosaic law that is reiterated in the NT (Matthew, chapters 5 to 7, Romans 12 and several other portions of the NT). Every commandment is repeated in some form in the NT and in some cases, a higher standard set as in the case of adultery. Just looking at a man or woman lustfully is adultery (Matthew 5:28).
• In the NT, Paul admonishes Christians to give generously:

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."(2 Corinthians 9:6-9, ESV). 
• Jesus stated a very important principle about giving as follows: "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return." (Luke 6:38, AMP)
• Generous giving is therefore commanded in the NT and that is what Jesus commanded. .

In conclusion, tithing in the 21st century is about giving 10% (because tithe means 10%) but it is not imposed on anyone. Tithing in accordance with the OT Mosaic law (Malachi 3:10-12) is not applicable in the NT.  As stated earlier, 10% is not a NT standard; generous giving from the heart is what is commanded.  It is important that we realise that God owns everything and therefore we should surrender everything to Him. Jesus said: "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33, AMP). 

Let the Holy Spirit minister to you on these things. It must be stated the fact that OT tithing is no longer operational according to the Bible does not exonerate us from giving. If the children of Israel could give tithes and offerings under the Mosaic law and at a time when they had to observe numerous rules and rites, what prevents us who are born again, delivered from sin, washed in the blood of Jesus, new creations, a chosen generation, a peculiar people and ambassadors for Christ giving much more? We should be giving more than 10%.

Giving is a condition of the heart and God owns everything.

Conclusion:

Giving is commanded by God but what to give is the prerogative of the believer. One's rewards are commensurate with his or her giving. Furthermore, the tithe in modern times is a tenth or 10% and although it is a good place to start with regards to giving is not mentioned or enforced in the NT. The apostles, disciples and deacons did not mention tithe. Tithing as practised under the Mosaic Law has been done away with. Jesus mentioned tithe is the context of the Mosaic Law while He was debating with Pharisees and Sadducees who were hypocrites and who disregarded their responsibilities under the Law. Let your giving be done generously, cheerfully, respectfully and in a mode of worship.

The Christian Obligation

 The Christian Obligation

"The word Christian is used three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. The original usage in all three New Testament verses reflects a derisive element in the term Christian to refer to followers of Christ who did not acknowledge the emperor of Rome" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_synonyms)

"and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For an entire year they met [with others] in the church and instructed large numbers; and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians." (Acts 11:26, AMP)

Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, not as a commendation but as a derogation. However that description ended up as a commendation because the people of Antioch actually felt that the disciples were true followers of Christ Jesus. 

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28, AMP)

Even King Agrippa was touched and convicted by the words of Apostle Paul but the thought of being associated with believers who were called Christians was something he was not prepared to come to terms with. In other words, there was a price he was not prepared to pay.

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." (1 Peter 4:16, AMP)

In 1 Peter 4, Apostle Peter mentioned the need for the believer to follow the example of Jesus, to be open to the possibility of serving and suffering for God's glory as a Christian. Being a Christian implies discipleship - following Jesus in His footsteps because the servant is not above the Master. Anyone who is determined to live a godly live will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

"And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Luke 17:7-10, NKJV)

The true Christian is primarily a disciple of Jesus, His servant, called to do the good works that God had prepared before the world began (Ephesians 2:10). The good works are to be done with humility, appreciation of the believer's servanthood and an acknowledgement and acceptance of God's sovereignty. Unconditional service to God is the trademark of the true Christian and from this flows service to man.

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

True humility steers away from presumptuousness and/or pride. Pride seeks to claim knowledge of the unknown, engages in self-centred plans, and disregards God's Word partially or wholly. The true Christian walks in humility and not in pride.

The Christian obligation is therefore to be and remain a disciple of Jesus, fulfilling the Great Commission, loving God wholeheartedly and surrendering all to Him (Matthew 22:37, Luke 14:33). The true Christian realizes he or she is an ambassador for Christ, thus having the primary objective of making Jesus known and lifting Him up wherever he or she goes.

Have you lifted up Jesus today? How is your representation of Him going? Can people see Jesus in you? Are your words such as would endear Him to people? 

"The true Christian is not proud and does not engage in unbecoming behaviour. Such an individual is humble submitting to God-given authority. The true Christian is not self-seeking and is only interested in lifting Jesus higher. The true Christian walks in righteousness, holiness and integrity."('The True Christian', pages 40-41, ISBN 9781535354356

May the good Lord enable you to take the Christian obligation seriously. Have a blessed day.