FACING THE REALITY (PART 1 OF 2)
July 30, 2020
THE DYNAMICS OF TRANSFORMATION
August 1, 2020

FACING THE REALITY (PART 2 OF 2)

31st JULY 2020

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” –  Matthew 4:17

Do not say to yourself, “all my sins of yesterday, today and tomorrow have been forgiven; me because Jesus has died for all my sins and I have been liberated; I am heaven bound by His grace”. Yes, this is true if you cherish what Jesus has done for you, and you have really made a turning point. But if you remain in sin despite the work of grace, then you are not truly saved! A lot of heinous crimes are being committed under the cover of grace; this is not good at all for the church of God. On this issue, Paul asked; “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” – Romans 6:1-2. This, of course, means you must turn away from sin after you have decided to follow Jesus. The reality is that everyone is responsible for his actions whether you believe it or not. For instance, if you commit a crime in your country, you will be punished by the laws of your country, notwithstanding that Jesus died for you. Beloved, do not argue as always that punishment is given under the law, while grace comes through the shedding of blood by Jesus Christ. Jesus did not die so you may remain in sin. He died so you may truly depart from sin and repent from your old ways and then take up a new life that forbade sin. To heal your moral confusion relating to these things, read and understand the scriptures in the light of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. To be in Christ is to be united with Jesus in and through the Holy Spirit. Paul says; “I have been crucified with Christ,” “and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Elsewhere, Paul tells us that our lives are “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3) and that we have been “seated with [God] in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). But let me warn that passages like these should not be unnecessarily overstretched; they simply mean that, by virtue of our union with Jesus, we participate in the life of God. But this applies only to those who have been truly born of water and by the spirit – who no longer dwell in sin; because they abhor sin and live a life of holiness for God. If you are in Christ, then you cannot be an armed robber, a Kidnapper, a rapist, or a habitual murderer while still claiming to be saved and in Christ. That is a life of contradictions. Therefore, to be in Christ goes beyond faith; you must work out faith through good works. The scriptures say; by their fruits, you shall know them. What kind of fruits are you bearing? In Christ, God’s righteousness remains with you only if you forsake sin and live a life of true holiness for God. Today, the world is completely broken and shattered; why? Is it because grace abounds? NOT AT ALL! Rather, the world is broken simply because most of those who have been saved already, continue to wreak havoc on nature and humanity. This is the time to face reality. Make the world a better place by saying NO to sin! Jesus is telling you today – REPENT for the kingdom of God is at hand! Lastly, I ask you; do you want the world to be a peaceful and secure habitat for you? If so, then start today to become the change you want to see in the world! By so doing, your life will automatically become a living success while our world, in return, will be completely transformed into a place of harmony.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce sin today, and I ask for your forgiveness. I realize I must contribute my quota to the world to be a better place. Therefore, I ask for your grace to do what is always right. Father, teach me wisdom and let your word truly be a lamp upon my feet and a light upon my path. Lord, I declare I am strengthened today by your grace, and your mighty hand sets me free. Therefore, I am free indeed. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Luke 13:3

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi
Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi
Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.

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