Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31-32; Titus 2
“Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” Titus 2: 13-14(KJV)
One of the solid foundation of the Christian faith is the hope of Christ return to redeem us from this continuous degenerate world of sin. This hope is predicated on the word of our Saviour and Master Jesus Christ in John 14:3 (NKJV), “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself: that where I am, there you may be also.” This promise was further reiterated by God’s angels at Bethany in Acts 1:11 (NKJV) ”who also said “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” The second coming of Christ is incontestable, but the time and day is exclusively in God’s hand. This is a very strong belief of the Christian faith. It is therefore expected that such belief and hope should guide our attitude in the pursuit for worldly possession.
The above statement ‘that he might redeem us from iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works’ should be a continuous reflection of our lifestyle and daily living. It is on this premise that our Lord Jesus Christ was teaching in Matthew 5:16(KJV), “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven”. Our Christian work entails being conscious of our actions and attitude, living consciously of who and what we confess. This was what Apostle Paul was commenting on in Philippians 2:12 (NKJV) when he wrote, “Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Our Christian journey requires us to be mindful of scriptural injunction and be very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must live with a conscience thoroughly purged by the Blood of Jesus Christ from every dead works (see Hebrews 9:14). A purged conscience is exemplified by Paul in Acts 24:16{KJV) “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Our conscience, which is the inner voice of our spirit, must, of a necessity, be pure to access divine instructions from the Holy Spirit. Howbeit, looking at the church today one begins to wonder whether the body of Christ is actually preparing for the soon coming of Christ as promised. Considering the unprecedented level of departure from holy living and a people characterized with deception, murder, pride, ego, witch hunting, backstabbing, worldliness, unnecessary and unholy rivalry, one begins to wonder the destination of the church. Great craving for earthly possession characterized by inordinate ambition and unholy pursuit for riches has diluted the zeal for a lifestyle of righteousness and truth. Strong wave of worldly ambition and rivalry is currently driving the church in the wrong direction. However, Christ spoke of this era in Matthew 24:12(KJV), “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold”.
My dear readers it is my plea to you to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, and fervently hold on to Him. He is coming soon; will He meet you holding on tenaciously to the faith that was delivered to us by our fathers in the faith?
Prayer: Father by your Spirit and the Blood of the Lamb cleanse me from all unrighteousness and purge my conscience from dead works to serve You acceptably.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo