Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Marching to victory – Part 2

By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi
30 July 2017   |   3:39 am
As transformed saints, our lives, attitude and disposition must conform to that of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, we must not indulge in fraud, immorality, stealing, fighting, abortion, etc.

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

As transformed saints, our lives, attitude and disposition must conform to that of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, we must not indulge in fraud, immorality, stealing, fighting, abortion, etc., even though such practices may be widespread in our society. Saved by grace, we should move on to sanctification and Holy Spirit baptism experiences and grow in faith, practical knowledge, scriptural-applicable understanding and victory over self. We should also grow in family love and maturity, prayerfulness, gratitude, thoughtfulness, sacrifice for God and others, spirituality and devotion, as well as reverence toward heaven.

Little things you ignore in life can mar your chance of growing. Little spots of malice, wickedness, oppression, hatred, anger and envy in your character, family and fellowship can hinder you from making progress, and stop you from entering heaven. The Scripture admonishes, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes” (Song of Solomon 2:15). The “foxes” may appear little and inconsequential, but they can cause a lot of havoc. As a small drop of ink from a fountain pen can render a glass of water undrinkable, “so doth a little folly”; it is not good for “him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”

Marriages have been destroyed because of little unfaithfulness. Little violence, worldliness, error, false doctrine, falsehood, disobedience, delay, compromise, deviation, excuse, deceit, idolatry or occultism has disconnected many from their eternal destiny. We need to be vigilant so that these little things do not stop us from making progress in life, and getting to heaven at last. In times of success, both in life and ministry, we should exercise caution and watch against pride.

Although we might face difficulty, persecution, danger and opposition in our Christian journey, we must resolve to endure till the end. Apostle Paul charges every believer thus: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3,4). People who easily give in to pressure in spiritual and secular endeavours cannot attain their goals in life. So, irrespective of your past experiences in life, be determined to forge ahead and fulfil the purpose of your existence. If Jesus did not “endure the cross, despising the shame,” no one would have been saved from the eternal consequences of sin.

Believers who desire to please the Lord and make heaven must resolve to break away from every entanglement of sin and worldliness. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The Lord calls us to a life of prayer, perseverance and progress. And as we keep moving onward and upward towards heaven, He will grant us
victory over sin, self, sickness, evil spirits and Satan.

Further Reading (King James Version): Exodus 14:15; Numbers13: 20; Hebrews 6:1; 10:38,39; Ephesians 4:14,15; 1 John 2:12-14; John 17:17,20-23; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 84:7; Job 17:9; Proverbs 4:18; Song of Solomon 2:15; Ecclesiastes 10:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1 Kings 13:1-19,24; 2 Timothy 2:3,4; Hebrews 10:32; 12:1-4; Galatians 5:1; 2 Peter 2:20; 1:3-8.

In this article

0 Comments