By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Wherever they are, and under whatever situation, Christ’s followers are expected to courageously defy all impediments and uphold a strong conviction and commitment to holiness. This was expressed clearly by Jesus Christ, Himself, to the Churches in Asia Minor. In the message to the church in Pergamos, for instance, the Lord Jesus says:“I know thy works.”

He commended their steadfastness, but had “a few things against (them).” He knows everything about us, as well.

Whenever Christ speaks to correct us, it is intended to ensure that we are ready at His coming.

Therefore, we should not be offended, when the Holy Spirit, acting through servants of God, point out our spiritual state in a direct manner. The appropriate response is to“repent” so that all the things that were wrong and brought controversy against the church, ministers and members, will be removed.

Otherwise, it would attract “the sword” from Christ. He is loving, merciful and compassionate when we believe in Him, follow His precepts and live by faith and grace in righteousness. However, for those who go astray or allow corruption and the works of the flesh to control their character and conduct, Christ says He would “fight against them.”

Whatever the condition of the church today, we can still make amends, renew our faith and commitment to Christ, and become overcomers. The Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, introduces Himself to the church as He who was dead and yet, alive again. He has conquered death, defeated Satan, and overcome all evil and the world. He alone possesses and wields the sharp sword that no adversary can withstand.When the renegade Prophet Balaam left his house to meet Balak, King of Moab, the Lord sent an angel with a sharp sword in his hand with which he would have killed the seer, but for the intervention of his ass. The sword is an instrument of judgment against the adversary. However, the “sword of my mouth” refers to the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ against corrupters and people who introduce erroneous and damnable doctrines of devils into the church.

As believers under the preeminent Christ, we have the same Word to teach all nations. As we speak the Word faithfully, the Spirit of God will use it to convict the people to take a stand for Christ, by turning away from their sins. It is that sword of the Spirit in the hand of God’s anointed servants that convicts sinners of their transgression.

When the Lord anoints us with the Holy Ghost, He empowers the word that we speak to enlighten sinners on their spiritual condition, and leads them to plead for redemption from the powerful influence of sin and evil. “For the word of Godis quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Through that sword of the Spirit, our Lord Jesus Christ brought conviction on the men of Israel who wanted Him to pronounce judgment on the woman caught in adultery. While they were convicted in their hearts on hearing the words of Jesus, they missed the chance to obtain salvation from Him. Instead, they walked away from His presence, unlike the adulterous woman who waited until Christ pardoned her sins.

Those who stay with Christ when they are convicted of their sins receive mercy and grace for salvation, peace of mind and a transformed life. When Christ returns at the end of the age, He will “destroy(the Antichrist) unto the end,” and with the sharp sword that proceeds out of His mouth, He will “smite the nations” that would be deceived to accept the mark of the Antichrist and follow him.

•Further reading (King James Version): Revelation 2:12-17. Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12,13; John 8:7-11. Isaiah27:1; Daniel 7:26; 8:25; 11:45; 2 Thessalonians 2:8,9; Revelation 19:15,16,19-21, Revelation 2:14-16. Hebrews 9:27; 10:27-31. Revelation2:13,17. Hebrews 11:27. Revelation 2:17; Mark 4:23,24. Revelation 2:17.