Following Christ’s Examples In a Difficult World
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps ~ 1 Peter 2:21.
Introduction
It’s a well-worn fact that Satan is a comprehensive embodiment of evil. However, quite baffling is the reality that human beings also allow themselves to be used so wickedly against each other. No wonder the Bible says "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19). Unarguably, he’s a most pitiable man whose only home is in this world!
Jesus was so good to all (Acts 10:38). He fed the hungered, healed the sick, raised the dead, yet some people became desperate to kill Him, and Pilate allowed them. Afterwards, they still wanted to control the honour around His corpse, convincing Pilate to monitor the body and using a big stone to seal the sepulcher’s door.
However, while the haters were still celebrating that Jesus Christ had finally gone, the Holy Ghost intervened (Romans 8:11). The earth quaked, the stone was removed, and Jesus rose up triumphantly in a glorious body to the shame of all His enemies.
From regular accounts of the gospel, there were three formidable obstacles mounted against Jesus’ resurrection: the stone, the law seal and the guardian soldiers. And, all these find their spiritual equivalents in the world today.
Many people today are cringing under the burden of some grievous spiritual conflicts, with their lives threatened by huge “stones” that cannot be moved by any human strength. Yet, the red seal of God’s vengeance occasioned by sin is set upon their sepulchers’ doors, and the powers of hell are constantly monitoring them to prevent their escape.
“Stones” on the paths of destiny may show up in various forms, shapes and sizes. Albeit, they are impediments that must be moved, otherwise they could blur the sunshine of God’s glory, or stall our resurrection to abundant life and light.
The stone and the tomb of Jesus Christ portended shame and reproach to Him while He laid there (Hebrews 12:2). The Jews mocked Him sorely, calling Him names because they couldn’t understand why the Son of God would be so humiliated on the cross and, thereafter, trapped in the grave.
Now, the devil always tries to pin reproach and dishonour upon believers one way or the other, but God vehemently detests it. At Gilgal, He rolled away the shame and the reproach of His people, Israel, for her years of bondage in Egypt (Joshua 5:9).
Meanwhile, some other “stones” form against progress like the Red Sea did against Israel (Exodus 14). The Israelites were marching majestically and joyfully to the Promised Land, having secured freedom and wealth from the Egyptians. But Satan devised a plan to cut off their joy.
Alas, the Egyptian chariots were coming for them again while the Red Sea was stalling ahead of them. This was a “huge stone” that needed to move, otherwise Israel would be taken back into captivity. Happily, the Red Sea was parted, the stone was rolled away, and the Egyptian army went under the water. Alleluia!
Again, some “stones” may take the form of social leprosy and sins, which easily tend to premature death — anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and fear. But, recall that God at a time supernaturally rolled away the “stone” of premature death for some lepers and all the inhabitants of Samaria (2 Kings 7:1-20).
The lepers didn’t only survive, they also became wealthy. Our God can do even more today. Every “stone” of diseases, embargoes and death standing against your long life is receiving a blast from the Almighty God, right now, in Jesus name.
Perhaps you’re facing a strong intimidation from something or someone that is much stronger than you. That’s a “stone”, but you must never admit hopelessness in the circumstances. God can still spring forth in glory even in your moments of despair.
Goliath was stronger than any one in Israel, but he came down at last! No matter how powerful the enemy might be, you can still overcome. Our God that delivers the weak from the hands of the mighty shall deliver you, in Jesus name.
Yes, I see God rolling away from your life every “stone” of poverty and lack of any kind, right now. He has done it before (John 6:5-13). And, He can do it again and again, even for you. Alleluia!
Exploring The Womb of Our Perpetual Victory
We certainly have the actual fountain of lasting victories in Christ Jesus. God can intervene in our affairs and renew anything for us, because Jesus did all that was necessary to secure our victory.
Jesus Christ actually descended into the lower parts of the earth, where He engaged Satan and his minions in the greatest and the most brutal battle ever fought, to procure for us our incontrovertible epic victory (Revelation 13:3,14; Isaiah 9:5)! Thereafter, He arose and lives evermore to intercede for us!
In the commentary of the Holy Spirit in this regard, the Bible convincingly affirms that Jesus Christ blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, nailing it to His cross: “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14-15).
What These Portend For Us In the Spirit Realm Today
Now, as we take a deep reflection of faith on the stone rolled away at Jesus’ sepulcher, with the angel seated upon it, a prominent monument rises before us, and in the lobes of our minds, as of Christ's victory over death and hell.
Albeit, it behoves us to remember that Christ’s victory was achieved for us, and the fruits of it are all ours. Jesus Christ overcame for us, and His victory is the guarantee for ours (1 Peter 3:18-19). Everything He did, He did just to secure our victory in the spirit realm (Matthew 27:52-53).
Friends, what’s that “stone” in your own personal experience today? Refuse to be shut in any longer by it inside the “prison confines” or in the “graves”. As the stone at Jesus’ sepulcher was rolled away, every reproach, shame, hindrance, sin, intimidation, poverty, fear and despair in your life was simultaneously liquidated.
Notwithstanding, we still have to follow in His steps to victory (1Peter 2:21). We must endure the cross, despise the shame and fight all the way through from our position of victory in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
Beloved brethren in Christ, our enemies are truly vanquished! No matter what we face anytime, we must be courageous as true Christian soldiers, passionately resisting every form of impediment on our ways. Even death is no match for Jesus Christ, the Author of Life!
We must boldly and forcefully engage and fight the enemies of our resurrection with holy anger, even as Jesus Christ was deeply moved and angry at sin, doubt and death at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:38-44). Whatever is inconsistent with God's Word in our lives must be visited with holy anger, which is a God-given emotion to get anything accomplished.
There’s one more thing: we must consistently cultivate the presence of the Holy Spirit, His acts and His impartations. He wants to baptize us anew and fill us afresh with His new wine, but we must be ready with our new wineskins to be able to receive this.
Friends, if you can believe these and act on them, I see the glory that swallows shame bursting forth in your life, and your tomorrow shining brighter than your today. You won’t miss it, in Jesus name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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