HAVING covered considerable ground on God’s heart in prayer, we want to close this series temporarily with nuggets for prayer for the nation.
As sincere Bible students, it is prudent to go through all the eight instalments to avoid quoting me out of context.
While the church is the body of Christ made up of different denominations and ministries, we share different persuasions, but the truth should be same.
We cannot all belong to one denomination or ministry, but the Gospel should be the same.
I wish I could say we understand the Truth the same, but unfortunately, in some settings falsehoods and heresy are deemed truth.
I, therefore, go the Apostle Paul’s way to address this matter as I always do in every article.
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Apostle Paul taught what Jesus taught and Jesus taught what Moses, the prophets and the Psalms taught.
Elsewhere, we have studied rightly dividing the Word of Truth and biblical progressive revelation.
After resurrection, Jesus said to the disciples in Luke 24:44, “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
The Jews had their eyes fixated on elements or physical things while Jesus was leading them to Him.
Even this day some see bread and wine and never see the True Bread that came from Heaven.
Apostle Paul addressed churches that he did not found because of his desire to have the truth reach everyone.
He did not seek to have his name on those churches but that the risen Christ may be known.
Let us look at 2 Corinthians 10:15-17, “[15] Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, [16] To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line [province of accomplishment] of things made ready to our hand. [17] But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
If you read carefully, you will notice Apostle Paul’s desire for the faith to be known by all and increase even in churches he had not founded.
You know that this column has never solicited fellow Christians to congregate where the writer fellowships since June 2010 when this publication was launched.
As Apostle Paul wrote letters almost to all churches, I use his model to preach the common faith.
When the church gathers to pray for the nation, there is so much confusion.
Sometimes I am left with the option of respecting those in the trenches who we may never know in this age crying out to God for their nation.
Some say; let us start with confession of sins, others would suggest to smear ashes and put on sack cloth as it was under the Old Testament and many other confusions.
I am startled by “Christians” who say; Father we are not worthy to come before you...”
Surely if you are not worthy why waste your time? Let me answer this one quickly.
We are worthy in Christ where we are found. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
Some misapply the Word and quote 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
While we can learn something from this verse, it has no place in toto under the New Covenant.
Without even quoting the New Testament, the Old Testament itself had already told us that we are already heard in Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Please read, study, meditate upon the Word of God and think. So from time immemorial, the church has been thinking it is unworthy to call on God and has been confessing sins instead of walking in victory in the finished work of Christ.
Oftentimes government is called to attend the service to endorse it.
Attendees go back home jubilant that God has forgiven the nation.
God Himself mourns that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
- All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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