genepages issue 18 page 1 www.grenepages.com
18th word the joy of SEPARATION 3
22
your ROAD, your GOLD
GLORY
pa TH PRI
4
10
14
genepages issue 18 page 2
I am right here on earth, but I can feel heaven's
THE PRICE, look beyond THE ROAD, to lay hold
presence. I can be here, right here on earth but I
of MY GOLD, which is laid up for me, not just
live like a king, a son of the Most High.
when I get there, but here right now, as laid up
Yes, the world may be full of corruption, but I
by my father.
have been re-born to live a life of RIGHTEOUS-
In this edition of grenepages, we testify of THE
NESS; a life of GLORY. There are outbreaks of
JOY OF SEPARATION as we experience HEAVEN
diseases here and there, but I AM HEALED. I live
OF EARTH.
above diseases and sicknesses.
Come join us...
Nothing compares to this way of life. I will PAY
ay HE ICE
4
two kinds of RIGHTEOUSNESS
18
e r e k o o w o l Tobi O I Am HEALED
HEAVEN On earth
8
6
genepages issue 18 page 3
Isn’t it so https://joanministeringrhythms.wordpress.com
Not all that glitter is gold Focus on your road Stay true to your own
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking
Chase your purpose Work your seeds to growth Challenges will shoot their arrows With your shield, be ready and bold
forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and
Set high goals Bring not your values low
receive the heavenly prize
Distractions will throw their stones Be unbeatable and let it show
for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
genepages issue 18 page 4
Build the talents that unfold Be extraordinary like it’s never been told Build your character also Be strong yet soft as rose
Some things are never to be sold Your joy, passion and soul On the mountain or in valley low Never let your spirit go cold
Those who patiently go Ever trusting in the God on the throne Those who live their lives so Good success awaits, this I know
genepages issue 18 page 5
http://toyeenmakogungbe.blogspot.com/
We desire to save what we can of what is left in every place we go by giving hope, birthing smiles and hopefully changing one life at a time.
She was familiar with the pain of loss, as she had watched her siblings die in her arms when the terrorists, leaving only her, attacked her village. Her parents had died earlier in the year. Unsure of the next meal many times before the coming of the aid workers, afraid of reprisal attacks, and no longer certain how she looked, she walked out of her refugee home desiring to experience the sun a little and see familiar faces. Every morning since they came, she had watched the Caucasian woman and her team everyday do the same thing, brace the odds, probably leaving their comfortable lives to make them meals, offering smiles, hope and ensuring they are catered for. It did not make any sense to her why anyone will leave their great lives to subject themselves to such pitiful state of living. Today, she had made up her
genepages issue 18 page 6
mind to ask.
“Yes. I think I see it now; you bring heaven to
“Good morning Miss. Cara!” She said a little above a whisper.
our earth so we know that God is real. We see him in your smile, your strength, your sacrifice and your love.”
“Good morning pretty Godiya.” She loved the way she called her name; it always brought a smile to her face.
Overwhelmed with tears, Cara reached for the 15 year old whose life had been stolen from her, having gone through unimaginable pain
“Why do you do it?” Godiya asked eager to un-
and hugs her warmly as she allowed her tears
derstand all of it.
flow. Never had she thought she meant heaven to someone. It changed her forever!
“What? You mean offering help?” Godiya nodded in the affirmative as Cara took a deep
Some people may never hear the great mes-
breath as she hoped to give an answer suited
sages, own a Bible and hear the worship songs
for her young friend.
that feel us with God’s presence. However, one kind deed, one selfless act of love may just
“I am not sure of the right answer, or what you hope to hear, but we desire to save what we can of what is left in every place we go by giving hope, birthing smiles and hopefully chang-
be all the heaven someone may get to feel here on earth. Always realize that your reality is someone’s dream or goal. Deliberately make a difference today with the little you have!
ing one life at a time. Did I answer you?”
genepages issue 18 page 7
https://gracedpages.wordpress.com
But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
"Will you get out?" I shouted. The lady seated next to me asked if I was talking to her and I responded, "No." It was obvious I wasn't talking to her. What was not obvious, was who I was talking to. We were about the only two in the room.
It started 12 years ago. It would last for about 5 minutes every time it happened; five minutes of unexplainable stomach pain. Not being able to do anything else, I would lie helplessly on the ground. It strikes anytime, anywhere.
Last month, as we prayed again, the leader declared that God had ended that stomachache of a long time. I knew it was for me. I received it by faith and believed that was the end of my 12-year -old problem. For weeks, I didn't even remember it until this last Sunday. Gradually I felt it building up again; just the way it starts. "So God didn’t heal me again?" It was not the first time I would feel the pain again after being very sure I was healed. The pain kept coming back.
genepages issue 18 page 8
What was building up this time went beyond the
So all these years, God actually healed me, but I
pain in my stomach, but also the disappointment
kept opening the door for the devil when he
in my heart. I felt, "So God didn’t actually heal
comes back. He would make me feel God didn’t
me of this plague after all."
heal me and I will agree. As soon as I feel the pain, I would lie down and allow it to have its
My usual response would be to lie down, allow
course.
the pain to overwhelm me, torment me for 5 minutes as usual. It doesn't go beyond 5
As I shouted: "Will you get out!" The pain subsid-
minutes. "Even Paul had a thorn a thorn in his
ed in seconds. JESU! I AM HEALED!!
flesh. Three times, he prayed, but God didn’t heal him. It seems like this is mine." With those
Lesson One: Do you know that you are no longer
words, I would 'console' myself.
sick? Are you aware you have long been healed of this disease? God has done his part. Your space is
Something was different this time. It was sud-
now clean and tidy. When next the devil is at your
den, as quick as a flash. It felt like a great light
door, don't open. Don't just refuse to open, tell
beaming on my spirit. I understood it clearly.
him to leave and never return.
"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." Matthew 12:43-45 NIV
Lesson Two: Keep loading your spirit with the word. You don’t even have to understand it that day. Just keep feeding on it. On the day when you will need it, it will shine forth like a light.
genepages issue 17 18 page 9
http://operowland.blogspot.com
People become ‘born again’ for various reasons. Some took the step because they were tired of sins, fear of hell, the bandwagon effect, lure of
You were ‘born
heaven, and desire to experience the workings of
again’ to obtain this
sons men think they are born again. Nevertheless,
the Holy Spirit. These and many more are the rea-
glory but the full
you did not become ‘born again’ by yourself but it was God at work in you (1 Corinthians 12:3). The reason God ensured you are ‘born again’ is
assurance of
that you might partake in the glory of Christ.
obtaining it is Christ
But we ought always to thank God for you, broth-
living in you
God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying
(Colossians 1:27)
He called you to this through our gospel, that you
ers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning
work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NIV Men see those reasons but the Spirit of God was at work to fulfill God’s purpose. The body and mind could only attempt to interpret what the Holy Spirit was doing as those reasons. However, your spirit could understand the actual thing happening. The Holy Spirit dealt with your spirit. genepages issue 18 page 10
While your mind was trying to rationalize what
pose are just on your way to obtain this glory.
was happening to your spirit, it attached it to a
They are means and not the end. The reason you
knowledge possessed. Someone who has never
are crossing to another world after this is to go
known about hell before would not rationalize
and obtain Christ’s glory.
this experience to ‘escape from hell’. The mind
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we
rationalized the experience based on the infor-
are God's children. Now if we are children, then we
mation at his disposal, the feelings and
are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if
knowledge acquired all along and concludes that
indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we
must be what was happening to his spirit. Howev-
may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17 NIV
er, your spirit understands that God was at work so that you might share in Christ’s glory.
Whatever the Son inherits, you will also inherit. If God has given Jesus his glory to inherit, we will
The Holy Spirit was at work to help you obtain
inherit same, since we are co heirs with Jesus. We
your share in that glory and your spirit responded.
have been made co heirs with Jesus not junior
While your mind was giving you reasons, your
partners. In law and accounting firms, they do
spirit was actually responding to that clarion call
have junior partners and senior partners. This
to partake in this indescribable glory. You were
means that the seniors have more privileges than
called to share in this glory. Every other thing in
the juniors do. However, when we say we are co-
between are just by the way. They are bus stops
partners, it means we do not have any edge over
on your way to your glorification. All the other
one another.
things you focus on are signposts and bus stops so that you might arrive at your destination of Christ’s glory. Even, fulfilling your destiny is just a path to your glorification. You living to fulfill pur-
You need to understand what God has done for you when you are born again. You have been given the same privilege due to Jesus. What he goes through, you will go through the same because
genepages issue 18 page 11
you are co heirs. A difference in privileges sug-
And even we Christians, although we have
gest being on different cadre. God has made Je-
the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of fu-
sus the heir and called you the co heir. In other
ture glory, also groan to be released from
words, whatever is given to Christ has also been
pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously
given to you. One vital thing Christ inherited is
for that day when God will give us our full
the glory.
rights as his children, including the new bod-
You were ‘born again’ to obtain this glory but
ies he has promised us. Romans 8:23 NLT
the full assurance of obtaining it is Christ living in
The Holy Spirit is also called a foretaste. The
you (Colossians 1:27). Dictionary limits this glory
foretaste is the first taste, which you taste be-
to splendor and majesty. The glory we are called
fore the main meal. It is that little part you eat
to share in is more than splendor and majesty.
before the main meal, which makes you to antic-
This glory is the full nature of God (Colossians
ipate the main meal. The Holy Spirit is the fore-
2:9). God is a spirit, but what was bequeathed
taste of God’s glory coming upon us. As much as
on Jesus was that in a bodily form God was fully
you are enjoying the Holy Ghost, he is not the
inside him. John, Peter and James saw his glory
main meal but a taste before the main.
on the mount before Jesus’ death but all the
Having admission into an institution does not
apostles saw it after the resurrection.
guarantee graduation, though, the admission
This glory cannot be explained in details. Never-
was granted with graduation in view. The Admis-
theless, we have the first fruits of this glory. First
sion letter is not meant for display but to gradu-
fruit suggest the first set of harvest before the
ate in that course written on the admission let-
whole harvest is done. It is the first package you
ter. Despite being ‘born again’ to share in this
get. This means there will be others. First fruit
glory, it is not a guarantee that you will share.
suggest there will be second fruits, third fruits
The guarantee that you will share in this glory is
and so on. First fruit is simply the first out of
Christ in you. The full assurance is not because
many fruits. The Holy Spirit is called first fruit in
you are born again. The full assurance is Christ in
this glory we are talking about.
you. The assurance of being coheirs with Christ
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the
lies in Christ living in you.
firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait
Jesus laid claim that God has given him his glory
eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption
before the beginning though he had to suffer
of our bodies. Romans 8:23 NIV
many things to enter into it. Jesus suffered a lot genepages issue 18 page 12
to enter that glory (Luke 24:26). Jesus must
Except the old man is crucified, the new man
suffer a lot through everybody that will enter
cannot rise inside you. Christ cannot start living
that glory. People that will enter this glory must
in you except you crucify the former man. If the
suffer many things. To suffer a lot does not
old man is still in charge, Christ will not struggle.
translate to hunger or lack. It means to go
Only one man owns a land at a particular time.
through things that hitherto you would not have
The other man will only be trespassing. Jesus
gone through. It is passing through experiences
will not trespass. He will wait until you relinquish
you will not have passed through if you have
the right of that land to him before he takes
your way.
over. Have you actually crucified the old man?
If Jesus had his way, he will not die on the cross.
Have the old man of sin been nailed to the cross.
He begged God for it to be changed. After all, he
Paul said it was no longer he living because he
could have shed his blood in another way; he
had been crucified. A crucified person does not
could have donated his blood. However, God
live. A crucified man is on the cross, no more
made sure it was that way and Jesus went
available. The person around now is Christ inside
through it. He passed through things he would
the crucified person’s body. If Smith has actually
normally not have wanted to pass through. If
been crucified then the Smith you see is actually
you must enter the glory, Christ must suffer
Christ living inside Smith’s body. The task before
through you to enter that glory. He will only go
us is to make sure that we are no longer the one
through those experiences by him living in you.
living but Christ living through our bodies. If it is
Before Christ lives in anybody, that person
Christ who lives in us, then he decides what we
must have been crucified with him, buried
do.
with him and raised up with him into a new
A simple check to know who lives in our bodies
life (Galatians 2:19-20). If you are not dead,
is who is making the decisions. Christ must take
you cannot be born again. You must be cru-
every decision we make. That is why we call him
cified. This is different from having a church
Lord; he takes the decision, not us. This includes
background, baptism, activities in church,
the small matters and not just the supposed big
positions and titles. It is about having a gen-
ones. To be assured of this glory, you must do
uine encounter. People do many activities
away with the you in you and allow Christ to set-
for God without a personal encounter with
tle in fully.
God. Have you come to that stage in your life where you are crucified with Christ? genepages issue 18 page 13
Redemption is our admission letter into the everlasting life. It is free. We did nothing to earn it. It https://iyiolafemibabalola.wordpress.com
was bequeathed to us by grace. Jesus paid the full price when He died on the cross and rose again on the third day. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)
of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:89 NKJV All we need to do to be saved is believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. This is the simple way every child of God became adopted. It is the general means of admission into this unending life in Christ Jesus. Your salvation is not superior to mine. Even if you were saved through a lightning from heaven like Paul, it does not mean you are more saved than someone else who sincerely prayed the sinner’s prayer. Meanwhile, what makes the difference in our Christian experience is not necessarily how we got saved but what we do after our salvation experience. It is not the quality of your salvation but the quality of the sacrifice and investment
genepages issue 18 page 14
you are making into your Christian life. The prob-
This is the reason for the difference in our spiritu-
lem with most struggling Christians is not that
al experience.
they were not properly saved; they are simply
Friend, you won’t automatically know how to
not paying the price. After salvation, they simply
hear God if you don’t intentionally commit your-
rested on their oars thinking salvation is all there
self to spiritual exercises that will facilitate it. No
is to the Christian life.
one automatically becomes a spiritual giant. No
The Christian life is like getting admission into a
one is imparted with character; it is learnt, devel-
University. The admission is just the entry criteri-
oped and acquired over the long haul of a life
on, there are classes to attend, tests and exami-
committed to obeying God. No one will fast for
nations to pass, and many assignments to be
you. This is why it is useless for you to pay proph-
done. Your attendance to classes will often be
ets to do it for you. The more you pay them, the
taken. Your character will also be tested. Only
shallower you will become in the spirit. No one
then will you be awarded a degree. Moreover, if
will read the Bible and meditate for you. No one
you have been in the faith, you definitely know
will wake up in the morning and meet God for
that a lot of trials, tests and examinations will
you. You have to pay the price.
have to be passed. You will attend many classes.
I have also learnt that spiritual age is not meas-
You have to be taught by the Lord through the
ured in earthly years. You are not older than I am
Holy Spirit.
in the spirit simply because you came to the faith
There are a lot Christians who are truants in
five years before me. What determines your age
God’s school, yet they wonder why they are spir-
in the spirit is whether you are paying the price.
itual dwarfs. You cannot harvest from the Spirit
The more committed you are to paying the price,
what you are not sowing into it. Salvation is free
the faster you will grow.
but what we become after we are saved is not
Most of us are like Ananias and Saphirra. The
automatic. There is a price for spiritual growth.
scripture tells us that they withheld part of the
genepages issue 18 page 15
price. It is found in Acts 5:1-3. Look at it,
We are pampering the flesh. Comfort is now a
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira
priority at the expense of our spiritual sanity.
his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of
We feast instead of fasting. We have become
the price, his wife also being privy to it, and
addicted to our phones and internet. We don’t
brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles'
pray at night again. We no longer exercise faith
feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan
for our healing and provision. We quietly prac-
filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to
tice the things we once condemned under the
keep back part of the price of the land? (KJV)
guise of maturity. What sort of maturity? We are
It is true this is related to the sale of a land but
keeping back part of the price.
we can take a cue from the statement “kept
It is dangerous when one has a wife like Sapphi-
back part of the price” and apply it to our spir-
ra who will help you cover your sins. Sapphira is
itual life. Most of us are keeping back part of the
that kind of wife who won’t challenge her hus-
price. It is not that we aren’t doing something
band after several days of skipping morning de-
but we are not doing enough. We are not going
votion. She won’t worry even if her husband no
all the way. We are not fully committed. We are
longer fast and pray in the secret. She doesn’t
not doing it, as we ought. It is like a potential ‘A
care though she knew her husband watches
student’ ending up with ‘B’ because he is not
pornography. She would call it a means of turn-
doing what he ought to do to have an ‘A’. Our
ing him on so he can meet her.
manifestation is far less than God’s vision for
How many wives are privy to their husband’s
our lives.
secret sins and they failed to cry out? Are you a
We know within us the causes of the spiritual
Sapphira?
crises we are experiencing. We know that we
The end of partial or halfhearted commitment is
are not as big in the secret the way we appear in
obvious – death. Ananias and Sapphira died
the public. We are shallow yet people think we
prematurely. It doesn’t mean we would die
are deep. We are not praying again. We are not
physically. It simply means we won’t attain
making time out anymore to study the word.
God’s best for our lives. We will fall short of the
We are no longer fasting. We don’t practice
mark. We won’t accomplish the reason for our
what we preach. We are not paying the full
creation. We will be shortchanged. We will have
price.
less than God’s best. We will be that ‘A student’
genepages issue 18 page 16
who ended up with a ‘B’ or ‘C’. When we meet
and every moment of our lives to God. This re-
God on the last day, there would be a great dis-
minds me of a question asked in that popular
parity between who we ought to be and what
hymn by Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929),
we became because we failed to pay the price.
“Is Your All On The Altar Of Sacrifice Laid?” The
This is a call to pay fully the price. It is a call to
hymn reads,
give our all on the altar. We must do what Bar-
1. You have longed for sweet peace, and for
nabas did. He brought all to the altar (Acts 4:36-
faith to increase, And have earnestly, fervently
37). Giving our all is the secret to rapid spiritual
prayed; But you cannot have rest, or be perfect-
growth and spiritual rest. It is the key to ful-
ly blest, Until all on the altar is laid.
filling and completing the work that God has
2. Would you walk with the Lord in the light of
given us to do.
His Word, And have peace and contentment
I love the Message and the Amplified translation
alway; You must do His sweet will to be free
of Romans 12:1. It says,
from all ill; On the altar your all you must lay.
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you:
3. Oh, we never can know what the Lord will
Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleep-
bestow Of the blessings for which we have
ing, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around
prayed, Till our body and soul He doth fully con-
life — and place it before God as an offering. Em-
trol, And our all on the altar is laid.
bracing what God does for you is the best thing
Who can tell all the love He will send from
you can do for him. (THE MESSAGE)
above! Oh, how happy our heart will be made!
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of
Oh, what fellowship sweet we shall share at His
you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a
feet, When our all on the altar is laid!
decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all
The refrain asks,
your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. (AMPLIFIED) This is what God is calling us to do; to make a decisive dedication of our lives to God. It is a call to intentionally subject every part of our body
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, As you yield Him your body and soul. True spiritual rest comes when our all on the altar is laid. We must pay the price.
genepages issue 18 page 17
-THE 1,2,3 OF RIGHTEOUSNESS series Indeed, there are two kinds of ‘righteousness’ http://tosinbabalola.blogspot.com
revealed from the scriptures – the righteousness, which is of God and the righteousness, which is of man.
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11 (NKJV)
There was a character in the Bible whose account was recorded between Acts 7:54 and Acts 9:4. This man persecuted Christians and thought that he was doing God a favour. He was exceedingly zealous for the Temple, the work of God and keeping the commandments of Moses, in fact he was a Pharisee; For you have heard of my former
conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exgenepages issue 18 page 18
ceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. Galatians 1:13-14 NKJV though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:4-6 NKJV
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sad-
rection of the dead I am being judged!" Acts 23:6
ducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the
NKJV
council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resur-
"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but
genepages issue 18 page 19
brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,
lieve that obeying the Laws of Moses will never
taught according to the strictness of our fathers'
get a man to heaven. He did not believe
law, and was zealous toward God as you all are
that Jesus Christ is the saviour who has come
today. I persecuted this Way to the death, bind-
to take away the sins of the whole world - not
ing and delivering into prisons both men and
just of the Jews alone but also of the Gentiles.
women, as also the high priest bears me witness,
He did not believe in grace which is separate
and all the council of the elders, from whom I al-
from fulfilment of "dos” and “don'ts". Hear him
so received letters to the brethren, and went to
- And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has ena-
Damascus to bring in chains even those who
bled me, because He counted me faithful, putting
were there to Jerusalem to be punished…” Acts
me into the ministry, although I was formerly a
22:3-5 NKJV
blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man;
The man Saul was very learned and there was
but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in
almost no one like him in all of Israel at his time.
unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceed-
Doesn't this sound like some of the Clergy we
ingly abundant, with faith and love which are in
see in churches today? They have been serving
Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy
God before you were born and we have lived
of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the
our lives to watch them put all the Laws of Mo-
world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Tim-
ses to practise and you wonder if you can ever
othy 1:12-15 NKJV).
be like them. The amazing thing about Saul is
Saul rejected the Gospel, which Peter and Ste-
that he was never born again. Yes! He was not
phen preached and just did not agree with the
born again. Hear his words in his epistle to the
'word of life' (Acts 2:14-40; 3:12-26; 5:19-20; 7:2-
Romans: Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer
53)
to God for Israel* is that they may be saved. For I
This is a serious matter and it is the reason
bear them witness that they have a zeal for God,
many people think they are Christians: since
but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:1-2
they go to Church, bear Christian names, wear/
NKJV). He went on t0 attest that he once be-
do not wear, eat/do not eat certain things. All
longed to that category - the unsaved.
of these do not translate into righteousness, at
He was not born again because he kicked
best they are filthy rags before God.
against the gospel of Christ. He did not believe
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our
that faith in Christ alone saves. He did not be-
righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as
genepages issue 18 page 20
a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have tak-
supervision of the law. Galatians 3:19, 23-25 NIV
en us away. Isaiah 64:6 NKJV
The Law brought bondage. Through the law,
Though I were righteous, my own mouth would
mankind could actually see the inherent sin na-
condemn me; Though I were blameless, it would
ture in them and the law gave power to sin
prove me perverse. "I am blameless, yet I do not
(Romans 3:20; 4:15; 7:7-14; Acts 15:10-11 ; Gala-
know myself; I despise my life‌ If I wash myself
tians 5:1-4).
with snow water, And cleanse my hands with
Saul also realised that it is God's perfect inten-
soap, Yet You will plunge me into the pit, And my
tion to call everyone in the world into a new,
own clothes will abhor me. Job 9:20-21, 30-31
one big family. So that not only those who are
NKJV
offspring of Abraham will be the beloved of
After Saul's conversion, he discovered the true
God but those who have faith in Jesus Christ,
way to God. He realised that the Laws of Moses
even Gentiles (Acts 15:7-9; Colossians 1: 25-
were given to the Children of Israel alone to
27; Ephesians 1: 6; 2:11-22; 3:1-9, 14-15; Galatians
serve them for a specific period
3:26-29; Romans 2:28-29; 9:6-8 ; 1 Peter 2:9-10,
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as
25 ).
sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the
After he became Paul, he called the Laws of
receiving of the law, the temple worship and the
Moses 'vain traditions', 'shallow', 'elements of
promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from
the world', 'doctrines of men', 'rules that are
them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who
humiliating to the body and makes one become
is God over all, forever praised! Amen. Romans
proud' (Colossians 2:16-23; 1 Peter 1:18).
9:4-5 NIV
Thank God that we have been redeemed from
What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was
the Law -But when the fullness of the time had
added because of transgressions until the Seed
come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,
to whom the promise referred had come. The
born under the law, to redeem those who were
law was put into effect through angels by a medi-
under the law, that we might receive the adop-
ator‌ Before this faith came, we were held pris-
tion as sons (Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV).
oners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the genepages issue 18 page 21
Hi teens, how was the summer holiday? Hope you maximized it properly. http://pathofloveteens.blogspot.com/
Let me digress a little. Time is life; never think it’s too early to start praying and planning for your future. Anytime you have such a long vacation, please try to use
Come out from among them And be it to add value to
separate, says the
yourself. It’s not
all about family and friends visitation, neither
Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And
is it a time for movies. Rather, acquiring a skill, going to a Bible School, spending time to pray and meditate on your future, etc. are better ways to spend your holidays.
I will receive you." "I
I know this summer break is gone already, but I
will be a Father to
always see your holidays as a leisure time, rather
you, And you shall be
to prepare you for a glorious future. I hope you
just want to challenge and provoke you not to
see it as a time to add more value to yourself and
know that the future we are talking about here is
My sons and
closer than it was yesterday. Every day you step
daughters, Says the
into draws you closer to your future. No wonder many people enter their future unprepared, they thought there was still time.
Lord Almighty."
May I ask you, how would you love to spend your
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
next holiday, especially the long summer holiday?
(NKJV)
planning and preparing, it’s far better to start ear-
Bare it in mind that you are not too young to start
ly than to start late. My dear, great future is not genepages issue 18 page 22
by acci-
dent. It involves prayer, hard
unclean, And I
work, disci-
pline, sacrifice and determi-
will receive
nation. All of these I hope to discuss with you as
you." "I will be
time goes by.
a Father to you,
Back to the topic of the day, let's look at the ben-
And you shall
efits of separation. I trust you have been follow-
be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Al-
ing the teaching on separation. By now, you
mighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NKJV
should know that you need to be separated unto
What more can one asks for? Do you know what
God because you need God more than He needs
it means for God Almighty to refer to you as His
you. He made us and He owns the key to our fu-
son/ daughter? Will a father watch his child to be
ture, as the devil has no good plan or future for
molested, denied of his/her entitlements, etc.? Do
you. The more you waste your time pleasing the
not let anybody deceive you, there are much
devil, the more you are far from the plan and pur-
more to gain when you decide to be separated
pose of God for your life. Both God and the devil
unto God. Until you enter that realm, you will not
are interested in you but it is left to you to decide
know that there are more benefits than you can
who wins the race in your life. For God to win, you
imagine.
need to be separated unto Him. Let your lifestyle,
In all, determine to be separated unto God. Do
communication, and character distinguish you
not let the devil waste you as he does to disobedi-
from the people of the world.
ent children. Rather, stand for God, be sold out to
See what the Word of God says about separation:
Him and see how He will make you a living won-
Therefore "Come out from among them And be
der. It starts with you separating yourself unto
separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is
Him. Are you ready? genepages issue 18 page 23
Title:
grenepages issue 18
Published:
September 2018
Publisher:
grenepages.com
Writers:
Ibukun Abraham, Joan Abimbola, Olufemi Babalola, Ope Rowland, Tobi Olowookere, Tosin Babalola, Toyin Seth-Ogungbe’
Pages:
24
Language:
English
Formats:
genepages issue 18 page 24