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| Rev. Robinson Mba-Director Youth Ministries, CANADA |
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Why Do we Test God And Not Ourselves?
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, such as neither our forefathers nor we were able to endure? But we believe that we are saved through the grace (the undeserved favour and mercy) of the Lord Jesus, just as they are (Acts 15:10-11).
There are many days we wakeup with not a care in the world! Why should we worry when we believe that no matter what we do, God will save us? Not so fast my brothers and sisters, that is not scriptural-God requires us to be obedient to His Will and faithful!
For one moment, let’s think about this, wasn’t Lucifer the Ex-Cherub, the one who stood in God’s presence day and night once saved or perfect? YES! God declared of him ‘You were perfection in all your ways from the day that I created you, until iniquity was found in you (Ezekiel 28:11-19).’ What is iniquity? Iniquity is a noun because it is a thing and it means “great injustice or extreme immorality” i.e. a grossly immoral act or behaviour.
For these transgressions Lucifer, better known to us as Satan, was tossed out of heaven along with his supporters (Rev.12:3-4)!. This occurred after the Great War in Heaven between Lucifer and Michael, Michael and his angels won (Rev. 12:7-9). For more details see Understanding The Bible: Genesis by Dr. Dorothy King, PhD.
Examining the premise that even the greatest angel created “transgressed against God and lost their position in Heaven” what makes us think that we cannot fall into disgrace, iniquity, and sin against God?
Are we saved from our transgressions, sins and iniquity? I truly hope so! Are we pushing away believers by requiring of them things that God has not required? Those things that we ourselves will not lift a finger to do? Have we fallen into the same destructive activities and behaviour as our fore-parents? I truly hope that we have not fallen into such a rigid state of being.
There is one way to be sure that we are where our Heavenly Father wants us to be, that is to measure ourselves according to His Directives-Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love others as you want others to love you! Finally, ask God to fill you with the Fruit of His Spirit, guide you and keep you according to His Will, and please write our name in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:1-13). Remember, everyone will be judged according to their own works, good or bad.
If you are wondering what about the statement, you are saved by grace through faith? I will say that you are correct. Our faith in Jesus Christ opens the way for us to receive the Grace of God and the remission of our sins. It is our faith that causes us to obey and this obedience produces action of obedience-WORKS of faith or in other words, God’s will on earth for his people.
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