An Overcomer's Class

 

Jesus said in a revelation to our favorite Apostle Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

Jesus was talking to the churches, which means he was talking to groups of people, who fellowshipped together, who had received his forgiveness, received his righteousness and were reconciled to God. And it is interesting that like pupils, Jesus was marking their life 'scripts', noting their faults and giving them 'corrections'. 

I was thinking, if the Christian during that early period had faults that Jesus identified, does that mean that the possibility of pleasing God in our thoughts, words and deeds, at every moment, is an impossible ask? Or should we even not bother about 'perfection', after-all, if we are the righteousness of God in Christ, and if we are blood washed, we should be perfect automatically.

Before I give the answer that was delivered to me, I just want to note that many of the arguments that have come up in the body of Christ has been due to misinterpretation of the Apostle Paul's letter. My only beef (a holy beef, which we would resolve in heaven) with Paul is that in the book of Galatians, when Paul was highlighting his spiritual journey, he mentioned that he went to see Apostle Peter and James the brother of Jesus, but he did not see any other Apostle... and there lies my beef, why won't you go see my favorite Apostle, John (I ask this pouting)?. Although 15 years later, He went up again to Jerusalem in response to a revelation, and this time he met with the acknowledged leaders, which must have included John. But I digress, the most important thing to note is that in Apostle Peter's second letter, Peter admitted something that we need to take account of about the Apostle Paul's letters and this thing is like a syntax, to decode his letters appropriately.

1Peter 3:14-18

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also, our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You, therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

No, I did not call anybody ignorant and unstable - even though some twist the message of grace to mean that one can be lawless, and then same people have regarded the patience of our Lord not as salvation but as consent to continue to be lawless - the Apostle Peter did. In the book of Galatians, Paul argued about how for instance, circumcision, a part of the law, was no longer required being in Christ as well as some other Jewish traditions. And some took it to mean that the commandment "you shall have no other gods before me' was also no longer required. But Jesus himself did not cancel the 10 commandments, he summarized them into two commandments: 1) Love God 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. And so, in the book of Galatians, after Paul had shared his revelation and discussed how he was sent to the gentiles, the elders extended to him the right hand of fellowship and told him this as an addendum:

Galatians 2: 10 They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.

Remembering the poor is a fulfillment of the commandments of Love.

And when some took on other gods, and the Lord did nothing, they assumed that the Lord's patience was consent, not knowing it is God's desire that the wicked repent.

Ezekiel 18: 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?

Verse 24 caught my eye as well: "But when the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity and do the same abominable things that the wicked do, shall they live? None of the righteous deeds that they have done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which they are guilty and the sin they have committed, they shall die.

We must always pray the Lord's prayer believing that our help will come from above to remain righteous.

Now, let us see and understand the patience of our Lord Jesus in helping when Paul was having some issues, which I agree with many scholars, who believed Paul had a 'pride issue'.

2 Corinthians 12: 5 -10

On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness" So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

When Paul was writing this he had overcome the torment, by boasting in his weakness he wasn't accepting any demonic activity in his space - Lesson 1

Lesson 2: see how when Jesus mentioned grace, it was followed by power. Grace is the release of God's power and wisdom to help in a time of need (any need)

Lesson 3: the doctrine in this message is that Paul sort Jesus, until he heard from Jesus, and then there was an impartation.

Lesson 4: Paul did not ignore his weaknesses (Paul, the righteousness of God in Christ, blood washed Paul, admitted he had WEAKNESSES) HE WENT BEFORE JESUS WHO TAUGHT HIM HOW TO DEAL WITH THE WEAKNESSES.

The analogy for this is simple. A good tree will produce good fruits, a bad tree will produce bad fruits. By the fruits, you will know those who have been transformed (perfected), are being transformed (in the process of perfection), and those that have not started the journey at all.

Mat 7:15  "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are savage wolves. 

Mat 7:16  You will know them by their fruit. Grapes aren't gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles, are they? 

Mat 7:17  In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit. 

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit. 

Mat 7:19  Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire. 

Mat 7:20  So by their fruit you will know them." 

Jesus said in a revelation to our favorite Apostle Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

Jesus spoke to 7 Churches including the Church in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The message to the church in Philadelphia includes no rebuke, while their are rebukes in the letter to the other churches.  This shows us that perfection in God is possible. Yet, Jesus said they still had to overcome! and we learn again that perfection doesn't mean we can now relax. Let's read Jesus' comments to the Church as Philadelphia:

Rev 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 

Rev 3:8  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 

Rev 3:9  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 

Rev 3:13  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

This Philadelphia Church is an example of the perfect Church. Remember, Little Strength - but kept the word of Jesus. Did not join those that try to be Jews when they are not! 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me keep your word of patient endurance. Also help me to hold fast to what I have, so that no one may seize my crown. Help me to overcome and become by Your grace, a pillar in the temple of our God, and help me to never go out of Your temple. Write on me the name of our God, Lord Jesus, and the name of the city of our God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from our God out of heaven. Write on me Your own new name as well. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Amen.

Bringing it home, is there anything that we practice in the Church today, that is bringing the parts of the Jewish law that being in Christ has not mandated? - that Paul would have written to us saying "O Lagosians, who art bewitched you? The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit (promise) by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?"

One case in my opinion is the way tithing had been taught. When tithing is taught as a law, it means God won't open the windows of heaven, if we do not obey the law. But when tithing becomes a tool in our relationship with God - an act of worship, like it was with Father Abraham, then we receive the promise by believing what we have heard. I like the Anglican Church - Diocese of Lagos West , the leaders have made all options to give available, if you want to tithe, tithe! if you want to worship God for a new job or contract by giving a portion or all as first fruit, feel free! if like the early church, you want to bring what you have (not under any traditional jewish umbrella) there is the 'Church Dues' option available for you. No matter how God instructs you to give, the door is open to receive, and the promises from God are given without repentance. The ground is fertile to sow. Let us not sow sparingly. But God's instruction on giving to one person, cannot become doctrine for all.

I will end with a song. It is popular, I tweaked the lyrics a bit. Good song.

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Even I to Him belong

I am weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus Loves me         X3

The Bible tells me so.