₦airaland Forum

THE GREAT ROBE-TEARING COMPETITION!

This is deep and also a long read. But by the time you read through, you will be glad you did. This exposition is one of the reason why you cannot lose your salvation as a true Believer.

So if you are a Believer but you still find yourself battling with the dilemma of feeling "saved" at a time and "unsaved" until you confess your sins, and you now wonder if you could "make" heaven while caught in this vicious cycle of sin, this is for you.

Can I quickly invite you to a challenge between two High Priests in the Bible?

I tag this challenge: ‘the great ROBE-TEARING competition’!

I’m sure you will love to see how this challenge went and who finally won.

Ready?

Let’s go!

While describing how the garment of the High priest should be sown, the Bible sounded:

‘…There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE TORN…’ (Exodus 28:32)

This seems to indicate that the High Priest should never be caught ‘tearing’ his robe neither should anyone ‘tear’ his robe!

In fact, there is a direct warning concerning this:

‘…The priest who is the highest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head NOR TEAR HIS CLOTHES…’ (Lev 21:10)

This means the High Priest should be careful never to TEAR his cloth even when he is emotionally unstable!

‘…Then Moses said to Aaron … "Do not uncover your heads NOR TEAR YOUR CLOTHES, so that you will not die…’ (Leveticus 10:6)

This means this cloth tearing could have some serious consequences!

Now, one of the serious effect is that it could lead to the TRANSFERENCE of the ‘office’ or ‘ministry’ of whoever tore it to another person!

Are you following?

There was a time Saul out of his unstable emotion, mistakenly tore the garment of Samuel (who though was a prophet, had an assignment to carry out a High priestly work of burning incense to God).

See what happened:

‘…As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, AND IT TORE… Samuel said to him, “The Lord HAS TORN THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL FROM YOU today and has given it to one of your neighbors—TO ONE BETTER THAN YOU…’ (1 Samuel 15:27-28)

Wow!

Saul’s kingdom was torn from Him and given to another person…BETTER than him!

Hmm…

Now, I believe you have understood the rules of this competition: the High priest garment must NEVER be torn!

Gotten?

Now, follow briefly as I take you through a sweet story that happened when Jesus was to be crucified.

After Jesus was arrested at the garden of Gethsemane, He was brought bound to the temple in order to be examined by the High priest who was ready to find a fault in Him so as to condemn Him to death. But Jesus refused to answer the accusations against Him.

So the High Priest said to Jesus:

“Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? (Matt 26:62)

The next verse simply revealed:

‘…Jesus remained silent…’ (Matt 26:63)

The High Priest then used the NAME OF GOD to command Jesus to answer him!

‘…The high priest said to him, “I charge you UNDER OATH BY THE LIVING GOD: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God…’ (Matt 26:63)

So Jesus answered the High priest (mark the emphasis on His response):

‘…You have said so,… But I say to all of you: From now on you WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MIGHTY ONE and coming on the clouds of heaven…’ (Matt 26:64)

Wow!

As in, Jesus told the High Priest that he will see Him sitting at the RIGHT HAND OF GOD…!

See, the ‘sitting at the right hand of God’ simply means He is going to be the new High Priest as stated in Hebrews 8:1:

‘…We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty…’

Did you see that?

So what was Jesus saying invariably when He told the current High Priest that he would see Him sitting at the RIGHT HAND of God

Jesus was simply saying: I am taking your office of the High Priest from you VERY SOON!

So how is that going to happen??

Can you guess what the High priest did after Jesus answered Him…?

Read the next verse:

‘…Then the high priest TORE HIS (own) CLOTHES…’ (Matt 26:65)

Ah!

This High priest has just done the unthinkable!

‘…tore his clothes…’!!

Well, the judgment for such is very clear!

‘…“The Lord HAS TORN THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD OF ISRAEL FROM YOU today and has given it to one of your neighbors—TO ONE BETTER THAN YOU…’

Wouldn’t you agree that the upcoming High Priest (Jesus) who is standing before him IS BETTER THAN this high priest who just tore his robe?

Of course He is!

Keep following;

Let’s fast-forward this scenario and quickly see what later happened when Jesus was on the cross:

‘…When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom…’ (John 19:23)

Don’t miss this at all!

There were 2 clothes that Jesus had at the time of His crucifixion…

The outer garments consisting of the girdle, fastenings etc. This was shared by the soldiers.

But…

They now took his robe (INNER GARMENT) and wanted to TEAR IT!!!

Ah!

‘…They also took his robe, BUT IT WAS SEAMLESS, WOVEN IN ONE PIECE from top to bottom…’ (John 19:23)

Oh, I love the Bible!

It was seamless and woven in one piece!

That was the very way God commanded the High Priest’s robe to be sown!

‘…the robe that is worn with the ephod from A SINGLE PIECE of blue WOVEN CLOTH, with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar SO IT WOULD NOT TEAR…’ (Exodus 39:22-23)

‘…There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of WOVEN WORK, like the opening of a coat of mail, SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE TORN…’ (Exodus 28:32)

In Fact, I love how Albert Barnes commentary explains this ‘seamless’ robe of Jesus:

‘…Josephus (Antiq., b. 3 chapter 8, Section 4) says of the garment or coat of the high priest that “this vesture was not composed of two pieces, nor was it sewed together upon the shoulders and the sides; but it was one long vestment, so woven as to have an aperture for the neck. It was also parted where the hands were to come out.” IT SEEMS THAT THE LORD JESUS, THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST OF HIS PEOPLE, HAD ALSO A COAT MADE IN A SIMILAR MANNER…’

Can you see what is going on here?

Jesus had a similar High Priest robe!

‘…The soldiers also took his robe, BUT IT WAS SEAMLESS, WOVEN IN ONE PIECE from top to bottom…’ (John 19:23)

Wow!

Now, here comes the great challenge!

The current High priest had already torn his own robe!

What about this ‘better’ High Priest?

Will the Soldiers tear His robe?

The next verse states:

‘…So they said to one another, "LET US NOT TEAR IT, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"…so that is what the soldiers did…’ (John 19:24)

Wow!

Untearable!
What a priestly robe!

That was how the High priesthood of the LAW bowed out and gave way to the High Priesthood of Grace!

Thus the competition ended with the better High Priest taking over PERMANENTLY from the former high priest!

Hallelujah!

The High priesthood has changed!

Your new High priest’s garment was NEVER torn!

Therefore His High priesthood continues forever!

And because His High priesthood lasts forever, your ETERNAL SECURITY in Christ is forever guaranteed!

‘…‘…But because Jesus lives forever, HIS PRIESTHOOD LASTS FOREVER… Therefore he is able, ONCE AND FOREVER, TO SAVE THOSE WHO COME TO GOD THROUGH HIM. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf…’ (Heb 7:24-25 NLT)

Wow!

I hope this really blessed you.

Remain under Grace.

Amen.

Please is there a Whatsapp group already for this programme? It's not that easy for some of us coming from science background. Thank you.

Most Nigerians need to be security conscious when it comes to divulging their bank account details. It's true that stuffs can be purchased online without the use of PIN - mostly for Mastercards, and most of the sites are international websites. Verve cards being powered by Interswitch can not be used online without a OTP to authorise the transaction.

My advice:

Always keep your card at home when you don't need to withdraw cash. Or better still, learn how to use the Verve Paycode if only you have ATMs enabled for cardless withdrawal are near to you.

Even if you have to download a shopping app, link your card to your account and keep the card far away. In the case of phone theft, the card details cannot be revealed to the thief, and even if items are bought online with your card, just find a place to log on to your shopping app account, check your orders, and give the address of the goods awaiting receipt to the police.

Lastly, if you have families and relatives who do not have anything to with Internet purchase, ensure they obtain only Verve cards, it's safer!

Explorers:
9. Three guests check into a hotel room.

The clerk says the bill is $30, so each guest pays $10.

Later the clerk realizes the bill should only be $25.

To rectify this, he gives the bellhop $5 to return to the guests.

On the way to the room, the bellhop realizes that he cannot divide the money equally.

As the guests didn't know the total of the revised bill, the bellhop decides to just give each guest $1 and keep$2 for himself.

Each guest got $1 back: so now each guest only paid$9; bringing the total paid to $27.

The bellhop has $2.

And $27 + $2= $29 so, if the guests originally handed over $30,

what happened to the remaining $1?

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

As far as the guests are concerned, they paid $27 because each has $1 change. The make up of the $27 is $25 with the hotel clerk and $2 with the bellhop.
$25 (paid by guests) + $3 ("discount" by the bellhop) + $2 (with the bellhop) = $30

On money is missing abeg.

ofedegbe:
it was during the first week of june, i went to the ATM to make withdrawal.. As usual it was a very long queue. A middleaged man approached me to help him withdraw cash by transferring cash to my account. I agreed to help him due to his urgency. I never knew he used a stolen card! This has been given serious concern and its d reason why i brought d issue so as to know what to do...

I hope this helps.
Since you can attest to the fact that you are not related to the fraudster who used your account for cover up.. I would suggest you visit your account holding Branch. Seek to meet with their Operations Manager or the Branch manager and narrate your case. They will be in the best position to advise you on what to do.

Your candid explanation might even rescue other accounts which are likely to be under investigation. Getting a lawyer against the bank might be viewed as a defensive stunt so I will advise you not to do that yet.

jchioma:
Dear Brethren, in Exodus 4:22 God Himself said, "And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn". And in John 3:16, a mere man by the name of John said: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". Who are we to believe?. I love God and want to serve Him according to His way, and not by the concoctions of men. I want to believe God ONLY, but will I go to hell for not believing in Jesus as I doubt his story? Bible scholars should please me out. Thank you.

Heu Chioma, one thing you should first of all note is that when reading the Bible and you see the word LORD, it is referring to Him who came in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as God is 3 in 1, and i in 3, you can't claim to believe in God and not believe in Jesus or His Spirit (Holy Spirit), they are all One and the same. It's a mystery. John wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so it was not a mortal man "like John" who inspired John 3:16.

For those who says Jesus is like any other man like us, well, Jesus is not a mortal man like us. He only has the name through which mankind has been saved from now till the end of the world.

Tiense:
I'm also going through this issue, I can't link my bvn to another account. when I opened my gtb account the agent said I could use any name I wish for the account, and instead of my native first name, I used it's English meaning since it was like a nick name to me, by then there was nothing like bvn. later bvn came in and I tried doing it because they freezed my money, they said it has to correspond with my account name nd they went ahead and did it with the said account name. now I tried opening a Zenith account with my real name but they couldn't link it with my bvn due to breach of name, so I went to my bank nd told them, they said I should provide a sworn affidavit, a valid I'd bearing my real name and a published newspaper on change of name. Now my problem is how do I do a change of name when I don't have any I'd or document supporting my said bank name? The high court will definitely ask for a document of my said bank name which doesn't exist in anywhere. What do I do? Please friends I need your advice?

Hello,

Have you been able to do the name change? If not, here is what you need to do:

I want to believe you have one of the valid means of identification recognised by the Central Bank, i.e permanent voter's card, international passport, driving licence, or national ID card. With the ID card along with sworn affidavit of you change of name, and newspaper publication reflecting your old name (at GTB) and your new name (as it is on your ID card), approach GTB for a change of name on their system and on the BVN platform.

It might take up to 48hours before the changes would be effected. Once that has been done, you can go ahead and open accounts with any other bank of your choice.

But in case you do not have a valid ID, you might need to get either a driving licence or international passport.

FUNAAB1988:
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA

August 18, 2016

Press Release

FUNAAB Declares Mid-Semester Break

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has declared a 7-day mid-semester break for the Second Semester, 2015/2016 Academic Session with effect from Thursday, August 18, 2016. This is to enable the university to put additional welfare and security arrangements in place, to further support the initiatives of the Federal and State Governments, towards the protection of lives and properties of its citizens, particularly, members of staff and students of the university.

As part of the efforts towards ensuring a safe haven for members of the University community, amidst the security challenges presently facing some parts of our country, Nigeria, FUNAAB has partnered with the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and the Director, State Security Service (SSS), to uphold safety of lives and property of staff and students living within the school environs, following Armed Robbery reports received by students residing in Isolu, a community situated close to the University, which is highly populated by staff and students of FUNAAB.

To this end, the University’s Security Team, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) from Odeda and Obantoko areas, both in Abeokuta, Ogun State, often take turns, on a daily basis, to patrol the University environs at night. The University Management has also encouraged the various communities to embrace community policing and vigilante services, to support the efforts of the Police and the SSS.

It is also important to note that students are properly scrutinized during the University’s screening exercise after the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, to pro-actively ensure that candidates with questionable characters are not admitted into the University. Students have also been cautioned to live a low profile life, avoid attracting unnecessary attention to themselves, be alert, be vigilant about happenings in their surroundings and be free to contact the University’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), in case they notice any strange movement or occurrence around their vicinities.

Towards ensuring that all students reside within the University campus, provision of accommodation is also on the the front-burner of the University. Aside the existing campus hostels which the University had been able to build within its limited resources. FUNAAB has also been able to get well-meaning Nigerians; the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), through its Special Intervention Fund; private organisations; and generous individuals to build additional hostels within the University, which are currently at various stages of completion.

Additionally, the University Management has directed that all lectures do not exceed 6pm daily, to allow students get to their homes before dark, while the University transportation services is always available to convey students, who reside outside the campus, close to their destinations.

Meanwhile, contrary to reports being circulated by certain media, it is pertinent to state that the University did not lose anyone during the recent unrest by students of the University. Rather, the only student, who was hurt when he engaged a Police Officer in a scuffle, is currently receiving attention at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Attention has also been drawn to reports on the invitation extended to some Principal Officers of the University by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). As public officers as well as responsible and law abiding citizens, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole and the Bursar, Mr. Moses Ilesanmi have since honored the invitation by the anti-graft agency, to make clarifications on issues bordering on the administration of the University.

The University Management assures that the situation is under control, as normal administrative activities continue unabatedly.

Directorate of Public Relations (DPR),

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.

I perceive the school missed it by admitting various kinds of students without carrying out thorough checks on them like it used to be in early/mid 2000s.

UNAAB students were known for being studious, almost Zero social life, and this made the school unattractive for admission for those fronting this senseless protests today.

We know that even if the school is 100% residential, some students still won't stay..so in addition to the safety tips stated up there, let the landlord's association, local vigilantes, examine their locality very well. Students should maintain low life, report strange faces, lock up and always stay indoor when it's late.

#God_bless_UNAAB

RedArrow:
Let me quickly analyze the aftermath of this protest.

The arrested students would be granted bail

A newspaper publication with about 100 names of students to face special panel on a set date would be made available in @ least 3 dailies

The almost 100 names would have a mixture of those they want to punish and the management boys and girls (smokescreen)

After the special panel, another list of those they really want to punish would be published... These time, they would be asked to come and face student disciplinary committee.

The verdict would follow, rustication and the likes.

What can you do?

This a struggle for freedom... An injury to one is an injury to all?
1. Stay together... The management would attempt to break your bond.
2.Strategize... Get in touch with the SUG lawyers...NBA, Labour Unions
3. Seek support from Student Union of neighbouring schools through NANS zone D
4. Call your alumni especially those who have once been through this road.. Wole Aluta, Fasasi,L&K,Tosino,Dare etc the heroes of September 30th 2004 struggle for freedom
5. You will need your connection...use them well, get the Ooni of Ife involve, Get the Awujale of Ijebu, The Alake of Egba land, the Governor of Ogun state and king of boys...OBJ involve.

Finally, hold a press conference probably in Lagos.

....Talking from experience

You made an astounding contribution. The students in our schools today failed to learn from history, else they wouldn't resort to vandalism to make their voices heard.

By the time names are published on the national dailies, which employer is going to employ such student after carrying out background checks on them? They forgot so soon that their future is what they are tainting.

To those who are praising Balogun for maintaining a peaceful Unaab, no he did not. The school was generally peaceful because the students have learnt about the consequences of protesting from those who are ahead of them. Abi, who in his right senses will by his own hand add more years to his stay on campus when ASUU is already doing the damages for him?

Yet a student who doesn't know how to turn 100 naira to 200 naira vandalising properties..they must pay thru their nose..unless the VC is actually soft the way he was described..but trust Prof Adu.

I'm still awaiting the buyer of this high-end machine. Lagos and environs only.

jayuuk:
Lol,am currently using Xperia Zr,will never get close to Sony phones,battery issues and lots more.

You might be right to a certain extent. Battery lifetime has been a major problem with all android phones: the lifetime of a battery charge has to do with the usage.

For instance, see the image below.

The phone was purchased as new in late 2015. Phone is dual SIM, glass-plated frame, water resistant,Camera is 13MP..please read full specifications here http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_m4_aqua-7068.php

Phone is in perfect condition and all functions working perfectly. Price is Non-negotiable at 49,900 naira.
Add-ons are original charger and free memory card of 128GB.
Interested buyers should please contact 07033261150 via Whatsapp and can also put a call through.

Lovelynature:
good idea dear, but bvn issue would definitely arise as I've registered my bvn with the surname supposed to change

Lots of suggestions so far.

1. Please disregard all those who advise you to close your account and open a new one as NO BANK will close an account for you if you don't have a BVN bearing the name on the account. Having said that, ignore the guy asking you to call him because he has "Bank contacts"..modification of Customer details are not carried out in the Bank but NIBSS.

2. Like lots of people have advised, to modify your BVN details, get a sworn affidavit as to change of name, a newspaper publication, an application letter addressed to the manager of your Bank branch, and a valid ID card to proof that you are the one bearing the new name.

3. The ID card aspect might be difficult as the 4 valid means of identification are not easily accessible. However, if you know how to drive you can get a new driver's licence with your new name in 24hours, or proceed to immigration office for an international passport..or register for the ongoing NIMC registration, though not all banks accept NIMC slip because it doesn't carry date of birth. You can do your pre-enrolment of the national ID card here www​.ninenrol.gov.ng/

BustScam:
That is our reality Sire! We have been bought with a price therefore we have moved from being under the law but under Grace

Happy new year.
@Bustscam

Toks2008:
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.(1 John 2:1)

I am positive you understand the role of an advocate. While we pay cash in the world for an advocate to stand in our place over a dispute or bargain,with christ,we go on our kneels and pray to GOD using his name as an advocate to achieve forgiveness of our sins..That was why he died.

To him be all the Glory,Honor,Power and Majesty forever and ever..AMEN!

@Toks2008, I quite understand that verse you quoted. What I need is where confession is necessary..or are you saying our kneeling down and asking for forgiveness is a form of "repayment" of the advocate job Jesus did on our behalf before the Father?

I want you to look at the 1John 2:1 again, it only instructs us not to worry over our mistake because we have an advocate..our elder Brother, God's firstborn...we are to accept Him to stand for us.

Please quote more verses to clarify your point. Thanks.

Toks2008:
AMEN sis

This is why you see some people answering alter call every sunday and when you ask some people if they are born again they just get so confused cos to them being born gain is juxtaposed with sinlessness lol!

Once you have answered the alter call once,you are born again once and for all..the next thing is to ask the spirit of GOD to perfect your salvation..shikenah

Nice post on the front page. Can you kindly clarify with biblical verses in support of going on one's knees to ask God/Holy Spirit for forgiveness of sin just as you stated in your Facts?

BustScam:
That is our reality Sire! We have been bought with a price therefore we have moved from being under the law but under Grace

What if I tell you that the violent pressing into the Kingdom of heaven is a forceful shift from being under Law to being under Grace when Jesus had not yet died?

Didn't get to comment on this on time.

@BustScam, what is your perspective about the migration from Law to Grace as being learnt in some churches today?

The value of x is known to be 2, but can you solve for the value?

In the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew Chapter One, only four women were privileged to be mentioned! Oh! These four women must have been very 'holy' and QUALIFIED all their lives!

We could easily expect to see women of great virtues listed as those by whom Jesus came to the world! But would you spare me about a minute as we study the first chapter of the book of Matthew together and see who these four women are and how 'holy' and 'qualified' they were?!

The first woman mentioned is THAMAR! (vs 3). Thamar? Who is Tharmar? Hmmm... Thamar was the wife of Er who dressed up as a prostitute in order to sleep with with her father-in-law, Judah! (Genesis 38:13-18).

The second woman mentioned is RACHAB! (vs 5). Note: Rachab is another biblical way for spelling 'RAHAB'. Who is Rahab? Rahab is the Harlot who lived in Jericho and lied to the leaders of Jericho that she was not hiding the Israelites! (Joshua 2:1-6). What a 'holy' Rahab!

The third woman mentioned is RUTH! (vs 5). Who is Ruth? Now you might be thinking: Is Ruth also a 'prostitute'?...Naah! She wasn't! But she has NO RIGHT to be mentioned in the genealogy of ANY Israelite! Why? She was a MOABITE! (Ruth 2:2). Now listen carefully: under Law, it is stated clearly in Deut 23:3 and Neh 13:1....a MOABITE must not be found in the congregation of God even to their tenth generation and forever! Ruth was therefore not 'qualified' to be mentioned in this Genealogy of an Israelite!

The fourth to be mentioned is BATH-SHEBA! (vs 6). Oh! She was the one David forcefully committed adultery with and killed her husband and she remained David's wife!Wow!

Why weren't women of Great virtues mentioned! Why weren't Hannah, Sarah, Deborah and so on mentioned! God must have put these UNQUALFIED women in this genealogy of our Saviour to show to us that His ways are HIGHER than our ways and His thoughts HIGHER than our thoughts!

These women were not qualified but God was Gracious to them! They were not holy enough BUT they got the rewards of Holiness! Friend, when you embrace the Truth that you are already made Righteous before God APART from your works, irrespective of the sinful weaknesses in your life, God would be Gracious to you and use you beyond measures you never thought you could be used! This would make you fall in love with God and you will be empowered to serve Him joyfully and non-grudgingly!

Rahab was an harlot but never ended as an harlot! She got married to Salmon, gave birth to Boaz and was no longer mentioned as a prostitute! (Matt 1:5, Ruth 4:21). Hmmm... Jesus can stop that sinful habit in your life just by TRUSTING His finished work on the cross for you which MADE you righteous and eternally QUALIFIED before God! (2Cor 5:21).

So, do not let the devil deceive you that you are not qualified to be used of God! If you believe Jesus has taken away your sins, God will use you for His glory without taking into record how 'unholy' or 'unqualified' you are! The Righteousness of God is ALWAYS APART from the Law! (Rom 3:21) You are the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS! Rest in this Truth and see your life doing Great things for God! And by this you will love God more and appreciate the work of Jesus for you! God LOVES you unconditionally!

Receive His love today! Amen.

Can you remember how the New Testament described 'Abraham' in Romans chapter 4? I guess you must have come across this description one way or the other while learning on faith. Now let's read this description in the Bible (Romans 4). Follow carefully:

Vs 18: who against hope believed in hope...
Vs 19: and being NOT weak in faith...he considered NOT his own body now DEAD when he was about an hundred years old, NEITHER yet the deadness of Sarah's womb....
Vs 20: he STAGGERED NOT at the promise of God through UNBELIEF,...but was STRONG in Faith...giving glory to God;
Vs 21: and being FULLY PERSUADED that, what He (God) had promised, He was able also to perform. Hmm....


What came to your mind as you read those verses? Let me guess, you must have thought: Abraham really had an UNWAVERING Faith in God! Now you are about to learn something extraordinary about Grace. Those verses above simply portrayed Abraham to be a man who never DOUBTED God!

'...being NOT WEAK in faith...he CONSIDERED NOT his own body dead being an hundred years old....nor the DEADNESS of Sarah's womb.....he STAGGERED NOT at God's promises.....he was STRONG in faith...he was FULLY PERSUADED at God's word...'

These verses really show Abraham to be a man who had UNSHAKABLE faith in God! Wow! But..... Let us visit the records in the Old Testament in Genesis 17 to confirm how 'true' the record of Abraham in Romans 4 is!

Now follow carefully as we read Abraham's reactions to the wonderful promise of fruitfulness God just gave to him. Hmm....

'Then Abraham fell upon his face and LAUGHED and said in his heart, shall a child be born unto him that is an HUNDRED YEARS OLD? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?' (Genesis 17:17) Wow!

Are you seeing this? This is the same MAN who was recorded in Rom 4 (the New Testament) that he never STAGGERED at God's promises! He is the one referred to as a man who never considered his own body dead neither that of Sarah! But, that's not even what I'm seeing in the actual story recorded in Genesis 17!!! See the next verse!

'and Abraham said unto God, O that ISHMAEL might live before thee'! (Genesis 17:18)

Are you seeing this? He was actually telling God to recommend Ishmael...and was reported in Rom 4:17 to be a man who against hope believe in hope!!!

By now, I'm sure you will be wondering....what's going on? Why this contrast? The answer is very simple! GRACE DOES NOT RECORD THE FAULTS OF A BELIEVER!!!

Now listen carefully: you don't need to have a 'perfect' faith before God can qualify you for a miracle! What Abraham had was a DOUBTFUL FAITH!!! He actually BELIEVED God in Genesis 15:6 and the Bible recorded that this 'believing' was counted unto him for righteousness! But in Genesis 17 we see clearly that the faith he had was an IMPERFECT FAITH!!!

So, stop trying to 'gather' faith in order to show God that you believe in His word!!! Simply BELIEVE! And even though you still have doubts, GRACE will forgive the doubt and answer your little FAITH!!! That is what GRACE does! Hmm....

Many were told that the reason God did not intervene in their situation was that they did not have 'enough' faith to move God! No!!! Now listen carefully: as long as you are focused on that your 'LITTLE' faith, though you still have some elements of doubts, GRACE will FORGIVE the doubts and ANSWER your little faith!

Never you allow the devil deceive you that you have an 'imperfect' faith to get your miracles!!! NO! You don't! See, a man needed a miracle for his lunatic son and Jesus said to him:

'all things are possible to him that believeth'! (Mark 9:23)

Hmm...now, see the man's response in the next verse:

'LORD, I believe, help thou mine UNBELIEF'!!! (Mark 9:24).

Wow! He believes...but also had unbelief!!! What an IMPERFECT faith! But what a JOY to see my ever-Loving Saviour deliver that son from the lunatic spirit....without condemning his unbelief!!!

GRACE will always FORGIVE the doubt and ANSWER that little faith you have! Hmm.... When you understand this, you will cheaply win all the challenges confronting you! Don't disqualify yourself! Don't focus on your DOUBTS! Focus on the GOODNESS of God to FORGIVE your DOUBTS and ANSWER your faith! Hmm....

Concerning THAT issue which you have been expecting God to do BUT you feel you don't have enough faith to carry on, always remember: GRACE will FORGIVE the doubts and ANSWER the faith! Jesus is MORE INTERESTED in seeing you succeed even than you are!!! So don't get discouraged! Rejoice, for GRACE will FORGIVE the doubts and ANSWER the faith!!! That's how LOVING your Heavenly Father is! He is not blessing you based on your works! He is blessing you because you bear His name! (Isaiah 48:11). That is what GRACE does! Halleluyah!

Let me invite you to the GOSPEL OF GRACE CONFERENCE 2014 SEASON 3. It is promises to be a Gracious time of REFRESHING from heaven above!
Date: Saturday November 22, 2014.
Theme: ONCE AND FOR ALL
Venue: Sweet Sensation Hall, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos. Time: 11am.
Gate Fee: FREE!!!

This is not a conference you should miss at all....as Jesus is READY to 'super-saturate' your life with a FRESH OUTPOURING ON GRACE! Invite your friends and loved ones! Hallelujah!

Never forget that no matter the challenge you are going through... GRACE will FORGIVE the doubts.....and ANSWER the faith!!! Amen.

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta's library can be seen better from the side. I took this in October 2006.

paxonel: God bless you
i can see that we are gradually making progress to liberate our unborn generation generation (even though almost 70% of this generation of nigerian christians,mostly elderly people, are still blind, thinking they will go to hell fire if they sin)from the scorge of the fake unreasonable doctrine that was once delivered to Africa by the missionaries who brought christianity to Africa, who preached that once saved is not always saved meaning, if a Christian die commiting sin he will. go to Hellfire, thereby puttiing Africans in more boundage and religious slavery and poverty

It's not their fault. They preached up to the revelation they (the missionaries) had. God be blessed for the daily revelations in His word.

OnyeEgo1: Where sin abounds, grace abounds the more, grace would beat sin to any level i try to let believers come to dis realisation but many tyms dia minds are blind to the reality of grace of our lord Jesus..... Bro i greet u with abundance of grace sir!

Same here bro.

olayincar: God bless you for dis

We are blessed bro.

There was a time the Corinthian church was deep in sin! They committed ALL manner of sins: Envy, lust, strife, misuse of spiritual gifts, sexual immorality, etc. ALL manner of sins were present in the Corinthian church!

But how did Paul correct them?

KNOW YE NOT that your body IS the temple of the Holy Ghost?(1Cor 6:19)

Hmn, Paul did NOT say:

"You these sinners, your body was ONCE the temple of the Holy Ghost but ever since you committed fornication, it BECAME the temple of the devil"!

What Paul said was:

KNOW YE NOT....that your BODY IS (not 'was') the Temple of the Holy Ghost?

Now listen carefully: the reason why you are not yet EMPOWERED to live above that sin in your life is that you keep believing the LIE of the devil that tells you that you are DOOMED for eternal judgment because of your sins and God is out there to get you! Stop believing that LIE!

The devil will do ANYTHING to make you FORGET that you have been PERFECTLY forgiven by God! This is because the devil knows that you will STOP sinning when you REALISE that you are the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD in Christ Jesus!

Apostle Peter shared a strong revelation concerning a believer who lives in sin. He explained that when you see a believer who lives in sin, it is because he is "BLIND and cannot see afar off, and HAS FORGOTTEN that he was PURGED from his old sins"(2Peter 1:9) Wow!

But, unfortunately, instead of the church to remind such believers that they have been FORGIVEN and that they are the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF God in Christ Jesus, the church tells them that they have FALLEN from Grace, and that they should expect the Judgment of God!

Hmm...,a true teacher of the Gospel REMINDS believers of their IRREVERSIBLE position in Christ! That was why Paul corrected the Corinthian Church by saying:

"KNOW YE NOT...?"

Hmm.....what does 'KNOW YE NOT...' means? It simply means: "Have you forgotten..?"

Paul was a 'REMINDER', not a 'CONDEMNER'! In fact, Paul reminded them in the next verse that YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE!(1Cor 6:20). Paul did not say: "You WERE bought. but now God has SOLD you back"! The devil will do anything to make a believer not to rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross! (Heb 4:1)

In conclusion, let me show you how Paul related to the churches in the Bible. Although the Corinthian church was filled with believers who had weak moral characters, yet you will never hear Paul say to them.....O FOOLISH CORINTHIANS! Hmm, in fact, Paul told them that Jesus would CONFIRM them to the END, "BLAMELESS IN THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST"! (1Cor 1:8-9).

But there was another kind of believers who Paul got seriously ANNOYED with! Funnily, these believers had STRONG moral characters! They were the Galatian Church!!! 'O FOOLISH GALATIAN....'! (Gal 3:1) These group of believers believe that "although you were saved by Grace you must continue in the works of the Law in order to qualify for God's promises"! (Gal 3:2) Aba!

You see, the reason why people find it hard to understand the Gospel of Grace is that it always sounds too ILLOGICAL! Okay, look at this: how can you say that a believer is judged as RIGHTEOUS before God even though he has sins in his life? Simple answer: 'How was Jesus judged as a SINNER by God on the cross even though He NEVER committed any sin'? (2Cor 5:21)

Now listen carefully: stop trying to understand how Grace will empower you over sin, just BELIEVE! Peter walked on water when he was looking at Jesus, but the moment he tried to 'logically reason' about how possible it is for a man to walk on water, that was when he began to sink!!! (Matt 14:30).

The reason you are SINKING in SIN is that you are THINKING on how possible it is for you to have dominion over sin simply by BELIEVING!

For sin shall NOT have dominion over you; for you are not under Law but under GRACE (Romans 6:14)

If you can get to a point of BELIEVING that Jesus is your righteousness before God and that God is not looking at you to judge you but He is looking at Jesus to judge you, that is when you will be EMPOWERED to effortlessly TRIUMPH over that sinful habit that is confronting your glorious destiny in Christ!

GRACE is the ANSWER to a SINFUL lifestyle! (Romans 8:2)

See you at the Gospel of Grace conference 2014 holding in Lagos this November!

Remain in His abounding GRACE!
Amen.

Dux01: and know this truth no other kind of prayer worries the devil as much as violent prayers

@Dux01, for how long will you be religious with your Christian life when what you have been made to believe is true is not the truth? How did you come about the idea that some people need not to prayer for more than 5 minutes to get answers from God because "they are closer to Him"?

Liberate yourself from every doctrinal sentiments and seek the truth; read the Bible for yourself and let Holy spirit guide you, it is not enough to just believe what our Pastors say (even though they meant well), they should also support it with relevant scripture.

May God engrace you more and more.

Whenever you see the words 'flesh and spirit' used in the new testament, don't be too fast to conclude that it is referring to 'sin and righteousness'!

Let us start by exploring one of the most fascinating verses in the book of Romans (8:1) --

'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit'! (Roman 8:1)

First I will like you to know that according to the Original hebrew version for this verse, the phrase "for those who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit" was an interpolation; it was not found in the original text of Scripture!

This phrase was most probably an addition by some Translators! You can confirm for yourself by checking Bible commentaries or visit Bible websites or other Bible versions. The only thing that was written in Romans 8:1 is this: 'THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS! Any other thing you see in this verse was an addition! You see, some Translators could not bear the Truth that ONCE SAVED equals FOREVER SAVED! It was therefore necessary to them to introduce an 'explanatory comment' from the fourth verse and interpolate it into the first verse of Romans 8:1.

Now let us go to the fourth verse where this phrase was lifted from. 'That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT'! (Romans 8:4) Now this was the verse where that last phrase was lifted from.

Now listen carefully; walking after the FLESH does not mean walking in SIN! Neither does walking after the SPIRIT directly mean walking in RIGHTEOUSNESS! Hmm...walking after the flesh simply means BEING UNDER LAW! while walking after the Spirit means BEING UNDER GRACE!

I know you will be wondering if this is what the whole bible is about - law and grace. Well, to really understand this, flip your Bible to Galatians chapter 3. Paul was annoyed with the church in Galatians and he opened this chapter by referring to them as FOOLISH GALATIANS! Hmm...then in the next verse, he asked a very important question:

"This only would I learn of you received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith?"

Do you understand that? He was asking them that; 'did you receive the Holy Spirit by BEING UNDER LAW or by BEING UNDER GRACE'! (Galatians 3:2) This was a rhetorical question! he was annoyed that they were still under the Law even though the Law couldn't give them the Holy Spirit!!! Now see how he expressed this annoyance in the next verse: 'Are ye so foolish? Having BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT are ye now made perfect BY THE FLESH? (Galatians 3:3) Did you see the words 'Spirit and Flesh' used in that verse? I'm sure you can see what it means already!

Paul was actually saying: Having begun by simply believing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, why do you now think it is the works of the Law that would make you justified before God! Why can't you rest on the finished work of Christ on the Cross for you and Believe you are now SONS of God and stop behaving as SERVANTS of God! Read verse 5 yourself if you are really following! (Read the Amplified version and Message version too) Now Paul explained in vs 6 and 7 that Abraham's Justification before God was NOT as a result of his self effort but simply by BELIEVING God! Paul went on to explain in vs 8 and 9 that God justified Abraham simply by BELIEVING so that we Christians will understand how God justifies us today!

Hmm...now tell me; did you see anything relating to SIN and RIGHTEOUSNESS in all that we just read? NO! It was all about LAW and GRACE! So when Paul said in Romans 8:4 that '....who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit', he was referring to those who don't stick to the Law but who appreciate the finished work of GRACE!

Now let me conclude this post by taking you to the very first place where the word 'BORN AGAIN' was first mentioned in the Bible. It was in the long conversation (recorded in John 3) which occurred between JESUS and NICODEMUS! In vs 3, Jesus said....except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. In vs 4, Nicodemus asked what Jesus meant by being born again. Now follow carefully as we see Jesus' response in the 6th verse! In vs 6, Jesus said....that which is born of the FLESH is FLESH......and that which is born of the SPIRIT IS SPIRIT I believe you now know what these words 'Flesh and Spirit' refer to! Nicodemus was a pharisee! (John 3:1). He was a FULL practitioner of the Law! So when Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again (John 3:7), He was simply telling him to move from being under Law to being under GRACE!

Hmm....it was in this same chapter of discussion that Jesus quoted the most popular verse in the world! 'For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM (not whosoever fulfils the Law) should NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE! (John 3:16) Please note that the ACTUAL definition to being BORN AGAIN is stated clearly in Galatians 4:5! (Lol, I guess you are flipping through your Bible eagerly). 'TO REDEEM THEM THAT ARE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS'! Being born again is all about moving from Law to Grace!!!

Need I say more? With this explanation, I join the Translators who added an explanatory comment to Romans 8:1 to say; INDEED there is therefore NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus....who walk not after the FLESH (the works of the Law)....but after the SPIRIT (the finished work of Grace on the cross of calvary)! Halleluyah! Remain in His Grace. Amen.

drstan: neither was He talking about grace there, bro,

Of course He was talking about the Grace dispensation. Okay, you will agree with me that after the law and the prophets, it was followed by the grace dispensation. Now, read up Luke's record of what Jesus was saying in Luke 16:16 for a clearer understanding.

drstan: hello! hope you know what transpired before jesus said that, in verse 7 to 9, that is the characteristic a christian has to exhibit, those that will be aggressive in exploiting this world for the advancement of the kingdom, violently without the fear of any one just as john the baptists did , violent in all ramification, james 5 .16 , the effectual and fervent prayer of the righteous availed much,

Brother, Jesus didn't speak about prayer in any of the verses nao. He was relating what happened under law, with the transition into the Grace dispensation in which we are today. Don't mix it up. James 5:16 could refer to a kind of prayer that avails much but this has nothing to do with how the violent were taking their right from the kingdom of heaven by force (people taking up their possessions from the kingdom of heaven as while they were law as if they are under Grace).