LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH

Never before has leadership in the Church become as attractive as it is in our generation or so it appears. Folks who were upwardly mobile before they got born again have their eyes set on it. Others who see it as a measure of social or other achievement/status want it too. There are also those with genuine desire and zeal to serve as God’s champions in promoting His will for the lives of His people.

To continue to improve in our getting it right and avoid disruptions/dysfunctions in the body, it is expedient that we keep looking at God’s word for guidance on the matter.

As we attempt to do this in this write up, our take away in summary will be centered on this fact: we must commit to Christ, learn Christ and live Christ with consistency first to be effective leaders in His Church.

Eph 4:11-16 explains that the work of the ministry is to equip the saints (believers) in preparation of them to do the work of edifying (building up spiritually) themselves in love. This building up is one of the goals of ministry work, so if someone who has understood this and signed up for it (exercising themselves in it consistently) desires to provide support to those called to do the work of equipping the saints, there is no problem with that, God encourages it. (1 Tim 3:1, 8).

The qualifications for leadership in the Church remain as unchanged as the word of God: the man or woman should be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed (not stubborn, not self-pleasing or arrogant, teachable), not soon angry (not hot tempered, prone to anger, can’t control emotions), not given to wine (not a drunkard, not a drinker, literally- not one who stays with alcohol), not a striker (not one who fights or strives, is quarrelsome, ready for a punch, contentious, vindictive) not greedy for filthy lucre (not covetous, not after money by all means and at all cost – first check is usually how faithful the believer is with giving in and outside the Church), a lover of hospitality (seeks after other’s wellbeing/welfare in deeds not in words only), lover of good men (fond of good, promoter of virtue, not vices or sin), sober (serious minded), holy, temperate (having self-control, disciplined, continent), holding fast to God’s word (demonstrates commitment to God’s word in learning, doing and teaching/preaching/'sharing'), not ashamed of the gospel. (Titus 1: 7-9).

1 Tim 3:3-9 repeats some of these with a few additions, that they must be monogamist, of good behavior, rule well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity (runs domestic affairs excellently, cares for the family), not a novice (a recent convert or a long time convert that has not grown spiritually), having a good report of them that are without (not known by unbelievers as one of them), holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience (sincere, not contending with the truth, not having an evil eye). In this text, it adds that such must first be tested and if found faithful, appointed into leadership positions in the Church.

In the example of the early Church (Acts 6:3), we find criteria similar to these but including being full of the Holy Spirit (different from being filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues, which is key, means living a ‘spirit filled life’ i.e life evidently controlled/influenced/directed by the Holy Spirit). As well as being filled with wisdom (obviously not the wisdom of the world but of God – produced by God’s word).

Something that is common to all these requirements is that they all (without exception) are character traits all believers are both admonished and instructed to develop as a result of the life of Christ in us and as evidence of our spiritual growth (Col 2:6-10).

They are not some special sets of 'rules' necessary for those aspiring to lead in the Church only but rather the character of Christ that all believers are expected to grow into. Attributes that unbelievers in Antioch saw in the believers and started calling them Christians i.e ‘Christ like’ (Acts 11:26).

It goes to mean that any believer who takes their walk with Christ seriously enough to grow spiritually would automatically qualify based on God’s specified leadership qualities for the Church. The focus therefore is on spiritual growth and it well defined.

Let us keep in mind that there is a difference between the Five-fold ministry and leadership in the Church (in the sense of which we are discussing). Five-fold ministry is an ordination of some by God even before they were born. Leadership is a responsibility taken on by matured believers to serve in support of the Five-fold ministry to deliver on the will of God for His Church.

If you ask me, a man/woman of God called to the Five-fold ministry will have to develop capacity for leadership after getting born again (as different from the anointing for the call) in order to be effective in ministry. Not doing this has fatal consequences that are better avoided at all cost.

Let us look at these attributes (qualities) and reference places in God’s word where all believers are told to develop them because it is God’s expectation for us in His kingdom:

Blameless as the steward of God (by being faithful): 1 Cor 1:8, Col 1:21-23 (the same word translated blameless in Titus 1:7) 1 Thes 5:23, Phil 2:14-15, Jude 1:23-24, Phil 1:10 (similar word but having essentially the same meaning),

Not self-willed (not stubborn, not self-pleasing/arrogant, teachable): 2 Pet 2:10 (describing the self-willed as a person that walks after the flesh, controlled by lusts, an example of who the believer should not be), Rom 2:8 (contentious=self-willed), James 3:17 (easy to be intreated = not self-willed)

Not soon angry (not hot tempered, not prone to anger, can’t control emotions): Eph 4:24-27, 31, James 1:19-20, Col 3:8

Not given to wine (not a drunkard, not a drinker, literally-not one who stays with alcohol) Eph 5:18-20, Prov 20:1

Not a striker (not one who fights or strifes, is quarrelsome, ready for a punch, contentious, vindictive): Gal 5:19-20, Rom 14:19, 2 Cor 12:20 (strife undesirable), Phil 2:14 (disputings=strife), 1 Tim 2:8, 1 Cor 1:10, Rom 12:10, 14, 18, James 3:14-16

Not greedy for filthy lucre (not after money by all means and at all cost – first check is usually how faithful the believer is with giving in and outside the Church) – 1 Tim 6:8-10, Jude 1:11, 2 Pet 2:15-16, James 5:1-4

A lover of hospitality (generous to guests) – 1 Pet 4:9, Heb 13:1-2, Rom 12:13, Heb 13:16, 2 Cor 9:7, 1 Tim 5:10

Lover of good men (fond of good, promoter of virtue not vices or sin): Rom 12:9, 21, Gal 6:10, Gal 5:22, Mat 5:15-16, 2 Cor 9:8, Eph 4:29, Tit 3:14

Sober (serious minded): 1 Pet 5:8, Eph 4:27, 1 Pet 1:13, 1 Pet 4:7, 1 Thes 5:6-8, Rom 13:11-14, Tit 2:2,6, Tit 2:11-12

Holy: 1 Pet 1:15-16, 2 Cor 7:1, Heb 12:14, 1 Thes 4:3-7, 1 Jn 3:3, 2 Pet 3:11-14

Temperate (having self-control, disciplined, continent): 1 Cor 9:25, 2 Tim 2:5, James 1:12, 2 Pet 1:6, Tit 2:6,

Holding fast to God’s word (demonstrates commitment to God’s word in learning, doing and teaching): 1 Cor 15:58, Gal 5:1, Phil 4:1, 2 Thes 2:15, 1 Pet 5:9, 2 Pet 3:17, Heb 12:1, Phil 3:13-14, 2 Tim 2:3-4

Must be monogamist: 1 Cor 7:2, Eph 5:31, Of good behavior: 1 Cor 13:5a, 1 Pet 3:16, 1 Pet 2:12

Rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity (giving attention to/taking care of his domestic affairs excellently): 1 Tim 5:8, Gen 18:19

Not a novice (a recent convert or a long time convert that has not grown spiritually): 2 Pet 3:18, James 1:21, Eph 4:15b, Col 1:10, 1 Pet 2:2, Heb 5:12-14

Have a good report of them that are without (not known by unbelievers as one of them): 2 Cor 6:14-18, Phil 4:5, Rom 14:16

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience (sincere, not having an evil eye, not contending with the truth): 1 Tim 1:5, 19-20, 1 Pet 3:16

Be full of the Holy Spirit (in addition to being filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues, living a ‘spirit filled life’ i.e life evidently controlled/influenced by the Holy Spirit): Eph 5:18, Gal 5:16

Be full of wisdom: Col 3:16, Eph 1:17

Additionally, we will notice that all these attributes draw either directly or indirectly from that of love (agape) as outlined in 1 Cor 13: 4-8. Similarly, they are embedded, directly or indirectly in the fruits of the spirit also as outlined in Gal 5:22-23.

We can conclude therefore that leadership in the Church is an exclusive preserve of believers that have taken their walk with God serious enough to learn and exercise themselves in God’s commandments in the New Covenant, consistently enough to prove they have matured and left spiritual babyhood and childhood (Heb 5:14).

Such are those who would be capable of leading God’s people right into the will of God otherwise, what will they lead God’s people to learn and do? If we follow these guidelines, we will be safe as God has made provision for our safety in His word.

Our leadership consideration and message should have their foundation in these and not the principles of leadership in the world (corporate or otherwise). These principles suffice for the world, handed down at best by the god of this world. They are meant for seducing, intimidating, controlling and herding people to do what their masters want and profiteering by all means necessary without fail.

These are not Christ centered and someway they have found their way into the Church! On the surface they seem innocent and yes, they produce results! The only problem is they never produce ‘Christ’ results. We should be mindful of this; if they are of the world, they are against God and contrary to His kingdom.

If it is in and for the Church, the bible way uncompromised is the only option. Grow up spiritually (into Christ) first, then you become a vessel unto honor fit for the master’s use (2 Tim 2:20-22).

Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).


Note: There are other things relating to leadership spread all over the Old and New Testaments, this write up however focuses on character (what defines the leader) hence the basics on which everything else is built, more so being what was handed directly to the Church regarding the matter.

Pastor Gboye Omolayo is the Resident Pastor of Church@Allen (House of Prayer Int'l), Allen TX, USA. He is a prolific writer and preacher who believes the efficacy of the word of God and the potency of the works of the Holy Spirit are still available to the Church today, as they were at the Church’s infancy. He is the publisher of this blog.

BECOMING MORE SUCCESSFUL AT RECEIVING FROM GOD

The greatest privilege of being born again, next to having our sins forgiven and therefore being able to come into God’s presence to fellowship and worship, is being able to ask and receive from God what we desire (John 16:23).

This intention/will of God is not diminished by experiences we may have had as believers. God cannot lie (Heb 6:18) and since we have been given this privilege, it is only wise that we busy ourselves for the rest of our lives discovering how to exploit it fully to our advantage.

Without doubt, it is the believer that is able to exploit this privilege the most that will do the most for God on this side of eternity. All achievements (both personal and for others on behalf of God) involve having God intervene in the affairs of this life. This intervention is predicated on being able to successfully ask and receive from Him.

We must have come across various other reasons why we do not receive from God when we ask: 1 when we ask outside His will (1 John 5:14-15; James 4:3) 2 when we live in unforgiveness (Mark 11:25-26) 3 when we are in willful disobedience (2 Cor 10:6) 4 when we are tight fisted (2 Cor 9:6) e.t.c. The focus of this write up however is on asking and receiving by FAITH, assuming all other issues are taken care of.

There is a correct dynamic that Jesus outlined in scripture. Mark 11:24: whatever you desire (specific) when you pray (ask) BELIEVE you receive (are given) them and you shall have them.

Whatever you ask God for, He gives you right there and then, no strings attached. But God is a Spirit, just as we are spirit beings (housed in physical bodies). Whatever God gives us therefore is given in the realm of the spirt to our spirit (it is not physical).

That is how come He gives us at the very moment that we ask (not when it shows up materially). Whether what we ask is tangible (can be seen or heard or touched or felt) or intangible (something spiritual or mental or beyond physical materiality).

Now we see why we have to BELIEVE that He gives us, we can’t see it, feel it, taste it or touch it yet. And our belief is anchored on what Jesus said in His word. Note though that we can only believe what we have heard or known (read up, studied). As believers, we have to get familiar with God’s word beyond what we hear preached/taught/said.

Now, if we believe we receive from God when we ask, it passes from God’s hand to ours spiritually (otherwise it doesn’t). But what we ask for needs to intervene in the realm of materiality, it is of no use to us if it does not. So, what do we do after we have asked and received and it has not yet ‘hit’ natural materiality?

We believe that we have it already, that is what. We believe that we have it already because God said so. He already has passed what we asked to us (spiritually), except we do not believe Him. But we believe God, that is why we are believers!

To us, we know we have what we asked for already because God gave it to us (1 John 5:14-15). To a third party, we BELIEVE we have it (if we need to talk to them about it). They cannot SEE it yet, neither can they SEE what we believe in our heart, so if we tell them we know we have it, they may say we are lying or think we are ‘nuts’. They may talk us out of God’s word.

Beyond this, if we believe we have received what we asked from God, it will not be ‘a matter of our heart’ only, it will show on the outside. Our attitude and speech will change. Our attitude will not be that of anxiety, depression, anger, covetousness, resentment, envy e.t.c over what we do not yet have in the realm of natural materiality. It will be that of joy, assurance, confidence and most importantly thanksgiving/praise because we know it exists (with us) in the realm of the spirit already. We know it because we walk by faith (what we believe, the word of God) and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).

If we carry on this way, what God already passed to us in the realm of the spirit and we have kept with us (by keeping our belief) will find its way into natural (physical or mental) materiality, depending on what we asked for. Abraham did the same thing for Isaac to come (Rom 4:17).

This is how God creates things for us out of ‘nothing’. But it is not out of ‘nothing’ per se (for the spiritually minded), He creates them from/by His word which we believe and continue to act on. God’s word is alive and powerful!

We believe we receive (God gives) when we ask. After this, we believe we HAVE because God gave and we received. If we maintain this position, no force in the world (not Satan’s or a zillion ‘enemies’) may stop it from showing up in natural materiality. Can they stop God?

All that we do in line with what we believe till it shows up is an expression of our FAITH. And because there is always a time lapse between when we ask and receive and when it materializes, we ALWAYS accompany our faith with patience (Heb 6:12). Faith without patience does not endure, it fails along the way. Patience rejuvenates faith, keeps it vibrant.

Believing is of the heart, faith is of the ‘doing’. Believing is the precursor of faith. Faith is always expressed, so ‘doing’ here includes physical action of doing something, thinking or speaking and these all derive from God’s word we believe with our heart.

Meanwhile, there is real difference between following the word of God as discussed above and following eastern (demonic) religions of chanting stuff into existence or playing the mind game of the so called ‘laws of attraction’. This, as discussed, is following what Jesus said, let us explore and exploit it fully and get great things done for the kingdom!

Note: This form of prayer is sufficient for things that relate to us as individuals, where only our will is involved. Where another’s will is involved, it will not be sufficient (other forms of prayer cover this). Also, this is not the only form of prayer we pray for ourselves but the same principle applies to all.


Pastor Gboye Omolayo is the Resident Pastor of Church@Allen (House of Prayer Int'l), Allen TX, USA. He is a prolific writer and preacher who believes the efficacy of the word of God and the potency of the works of the Holy Spirit are still available to the Church today, as they were at the Church’s infancy. He is the publisher of this blog.



Photo Credit: Beautiful Thorns

YOU CAN PERMANENTLY OVERCOME ANXIETY

God gave an instruction to us believers in Philippians 4:6, “do not be anxious about anything”. We are not to allow anxiety take control of us because of the damage it causes.

Anxiety distracts us from being focused on God and His promises. Without focus, it is hard to follow God as dear children (Eph 5:1).

Because anxiety distracts from God, it makes the believer vulnerable to error, false teachings, deceptions and lies (offered in pretense as God’s truth), oppressions (by demonic forces) etc, tools which Satan uses to steal, kill and destroy (Jn 10:10).

Anxiety is a work of the flesh, a negative emotion just like fear, anger, jealousy, malice, depression and the likes. It is a weight that pulls down the soul and the spirit, if we allow it to rule us (Heb 12:1).

Anxiety opens the door to other negative emotions. 

Furthermore, anxiety limits faith because it makes God and all His promises ‘seem’ less real or true to us. Just imagine what happens to us if our faith is limited, how would we have victory over Satan, sin and the world? (1 Jn 5:4-5).

To live above anxiety in this life, we must heed and obey God’s instruction in Phil 4:6, but let us learn a bit more about the subject.

What causes anxiety? Notice again that Phil 4:6 says be anxious for nothing. This suggests that everything that exist in life could be sources of anxiety.

Truly, anxiety arises as a result of the unknown aspects of everything in our lives. But God says there is no justifiable reason why anxiety should rule our lives.

Note that the anxiety being referred to here is not ‘anxiety disorder’ diagnosed by medical science for which medication may prescribed (to suppress, not remove). This is a tiny part of the anxiety God refers to here.

The anxiety God references is one that causes us to worry, become perplexed, have low energy, lose control of our will, mind, emotion, sigh helplessly, fall ill... the one that opens the door to fear, despair, panic, depression etc.

Since there are always unknowns in situations we face everyday, there will be temptations from time to time to be anxious, but we must never allow it, this is what God commands.

Phil 4:6b tells us how to overcome anxiety irrespective of its source. We overcome anxiety through the prayer of supplication.

There are different kinds of prayer. The prayer of Supplication is a believer’s humble, sincere plea/request/entreaty to God for deliverance for oneself or another.

It is different from the prayer of petition which can be made on the go. The prayer of supplication is one that you settle in and pray to God, laying everything bare before Him. It is between you and God.

It requires you to know at least one promise God has made to you in His word that He will be there for you at such times (e.g Ps 91:15). This should not be difficult.

You come to God prepared to spend time, to reason together with God, to express your trust in Him that He will deliver you because of His promises. 

You express yourself in your own words, not prayer points from some book. The entreaty from you to God should be ‘original’, not someone else’s idea.

‘Original’ because it originates from you, not fabricated or thought up by someone for you. God wants to relate with you personally. Jesus has given you that access.

Also remember that when you come to God in prayer, you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is in you and will help you with what you will say and think. Never be in a hurry.

Even on matters that you do not know exactly what to request for, the Holy Spirit will take hold together with you against that short-coming and give you utterance in unknown tongues and sometimes groanings.

It is not a luxury or an option for you to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and speak with other tongues. It is a must, if you desire to live in the fullness of the benefits of the New Testament, otherwise you may keep struggling with your limitations.

The prayer of petition is prayed until Phil 4:7 becomes fulfilled in you regarding your plea/request, when the supernatural peace of God takes hold of your spirit and your mind. This peace terminates anxiety.

It may happen in one session of prayer. If it does not and you are constrained for time because of other legitimate things to do, thank God for His audience and tell Him you will be back to continue. Make time to continue with Him as soon as possible.

The supernatural peace God gives you on the matter is independent of whether there is a change or not in your circumstance or situation yet. That is why Phil 4:7 refers to it as ‘peace that passes all understanding’.

This peace sometimes rides on the back of a word from scripture that God will give you in the process of your supplication, indicating to you that the issue has been dealt with.

It may ride on the back of a word which God gives you on the matter, which may not be a text from the scripture but if you check, it always agrees with scriptures. It may be a song He puts in your heart.

It may just come on its own without any word but it sure will be so strong in your heart (not feelings of your senses) that the confidence and joy it brings will dwarf the force of any  feeling or whatever may be the cause of the anxiety, from that time forward.

Sometime, God may send others your way who will encourage you with God’s word that relates to your supplication even though you have not told them anything about it.

It may also be through a sermon in Church, fellowship or one you come across through other media around that time.

Bottom line, once this peace comes, hold on to it tenaciously and continue in thanksgiving. The anxiety remains conquered forever and circumstances/situations would also consequently comply, except you change your mind.

This is how to effectively cast your cares on God (1 Pet 5:7) and this requires that you maintain a close relationship with God which involves a healthy prayer life and decent acquaintance with His word.

Getting to enjoy the powers of the world to come in your personal life has no ‘quick fix’ route. As believers, we are expected to have forsaken all distractions for a life-long walk with God through Jesus. This is how God intends for us to access His supernatural power.

It does not please God that any believer be like sheep without shepherd, looking for solution from one place to another for the rest of their lives. The solution is already with you, engage God the right way.

Always end your petitions with thanksgiving, for the access you have to God through Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit which guarantees you victory at all times and knowing that as you have engaged God on the matter, He will never fail you.

God is a very present help in trouble (Ps 46:2), let Him help you, He always will.

Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

Pastor Gboye Omolayo is the Resident Pastor of Church@Allen (House of Prayer Int'l), Allen TX, USA. He is a prolific writer and preacher who believes the efficacy of the word of God and the potency of the works of the Holy Spirit are still available to the Church today, as they were at the Church’s infancy. He is the publisher of this blog.

THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD, WHAT IS IT?

In the Holy Spirit inspired writing of apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi (Phil 3:14), he wrote ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus’.

There is a high calling that God has made to all believers. This high calling is different from the call to salvation which is made to all human beings. 

The high calling is exclusive to those who have accepted the gift of eternal life which Jesus offers, those who have been saved or born again, re-born spiritually by the Holy Spirit.

The high calling is one, which when we heed and fulfill as believers, we are rewarded by God for. A reward which we will have in and enjoy through eternity.

This reward (prize) for fulfilling God’s high calling determines who or what we believers will be through eternity.

Eternity is beyond a ‘long, long time’, it is timeless, it is forever! All believers have the potential to meet the mark for the prize (reward) for this high calling of God. We can all fulfill God’s high calling.

Salvation in Christ is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end.

Our salvation is not meant to ONLY/JUST (barely) get us to heaven, otherwise God would have taken us to heaven the day we got born again. Our salvation is additionally meant to put us in the position where we can fulfill the high calling of God for our lives.

The high calling is God’s purpose for leaving the believer on earth till today. The purpose is exclusively God’s kingdom related.

It is all about God’s agenda to present every human being that is born into the world an opportunity of spending eternity with Him and not in hell.

It is God’s agenda to recruit all who receive the free gift of eternal life (salvation) in His workforce on earth to ensure everybody lives their time on earth doing His will and enjoying His blessings.

According to apostle Paul in Phil 3:10, you will only know your high calling as a believer as you get to know Jesus and the power that raised Him from the dead.

This knowledge of Jesus is not mental (head) knowledge, but experiential knowledge. The kind of knowledge you have of a friend by walking/dealing/relating with them daily.

Experiential knowledge of Jesus comes through revelation of the word of God (the bible) by the Holy Spirit (not by dreams and visions, as most erroneously think these days. To know Jesus by experience, seek the word, not dreams and visions).

Jesus is the LIVING WORD (John 1:1,14). The only way to access the LIVING WORD is through the WRITTEN WORD.

The LIVING WORD is the WRITTEN WORD revealed.

The experiential knowledge of Jesus that a believer has (and by extension, the knowledge of God) is limited by how much of God’s word he/she understands by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

The experiential knowledge of Jesus that you have determines the level of your spiritual maturity. It is in this experiential knowledge that the Lord makes clear to you God’s high calling or God’s purpose for this life that you have been given to live.

God’s high calling is always about spiritual things, not earthly or worldly things.

It is always of things pertaining to God’s kingdom which is not of this world (earthly) – Jn 18:36. The calling/purpose/work can only be accomplished by the help of the Holy Spirit (talents and human abilities cannot do it, they are limited).

Now, if it is not contributing to the maturing of the saints to enable them do the kingdom work which results in the quantitative and qualitative increase of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12), then it is not the high calling of God.

Make no mistake, the ministry gifts are given only to some (men/women of God) to mature (prepare) the saints (all believers) to do the work of the ‘ministry’ (serving/ministering/helping one another with the view of ensuring that everyone fulfils their high calling). It is an error to assume that ‘ministry’ work is given to only some, it is given to ALL.

When Jesus gave the command in Mk 16:16, he gave it to ALL believers, not just apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Otherwise He would have said ‘these signs shall follow the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers…’.

He however said ‘these signs shall follow them that believe’ (Mk 16:17). This includes you (except you are not a believer), and the signs follow you ONLY as you step up to fulfill the high calling of God for you.

Beware of anything/anyone that discourages/misinforms you as a believer that God does not have a high calling for you.

Find it out by MATURING spiritually, get accustomed with the written word through daily fellowship and prayers for God to reveal Jesus (through the bible) to you by His Spirit.

Seek out God’s high calling for you, work on fulfilling it so you may have an (good) account to give on that day (Rom 14:12; Mt 25:14-30).

To succeed at finding out God’s high calling for us and fulfilling it, adopting apostle Paul’s strategy gives us an advantage. First, we discount the world and what it offers (Phil 3:7-8) and then learn to forget the past (whatever in our past that can make us lose focus/get discouraged) and aggressively seek more and more knowledge of Jesus with the view of doing His bidding (Phil 3:12-14).

We must prioritize knowing the Lord Jesus above everything else, that is the purpose for which we are kept alive. We do this in order to possess the best reserved for us by Him in eternity.

It is a fact that this may only appeal to sincere believers, those who desire to mature spiritually to fulfill God’s high calling but my prayer (like apostle Paul’s in Phil 3:15b) is that you also will desire it and therefore pursue it. Why will you not?

If you have the hope of spending eternity with God, you will stand to give account to Him for this high calling, why not make it good now (while you can)?

The Lord give you understanding and the zeal to heed and fulfill His high calling for you in Jesus' name, amen.

Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

Pastor Gboye Omolayo is the Resident Pastor of Church@Allen (House of Prayer Int'l), Allen TX, USA. He is a prolific writer and preacher who believes the efficacy of the word of God and the potency of the works of the Holy Spirit are still available to the Church today, as they were at the Church’s infancy. He is the publisher of this blog.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD

The greatest challenge a believer can have is not understanding the word of God.

The word of God (the bible) is the only book that cannot be interpreted by man’s intelligence because of its origin. It derives from God Himself, in actual fact, God’s word cannot be separated from God (John 1:1).

It is who God is, how He does things and information on everything concerning all His creation carefully packaged in His wisdom as a means by which those who believe in His salvation can get to know and walk with Him.

God’s word is covered in secrecy, it is a mystery (Eph 3:3-4, Col 1:25-27) and only revealed to those who submit themselves to Him for the purpose of knowing Him and doing His will (Acts 8:26-40).

This is good news for the believer though, because the fact that you are one is proof that you have submitted yourself to God (to an extent at least) and now are among those to whom God can reveal His word.

God will not reveal His word to anyone who holds Him in contempt. To what end would He do that? Jesus said Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you (Mat 7:6).

These are harsh words but true. God wouldn’t do it. He will not entrust Himself to anyone who will disrespect or disregard Him. He is God!

We must realize that the test of our character after we are saved is what makes God entrust Himself to us more. Our salvation was given us when we demonstrated (showed in our character) that we believed God’s message concerning His Son Jesus.

We must earn more of God’s trust so He’d give more of Himself to us through the revelation of His word and the beginning of this is our sincere desire to know Him more and do His will (1 Pet 2:2).

Sincere (not unscrupulous) desire, because the purpose for which we want to understand God’s word must be God’s purpose, which is to know Him and do His will. 

We express this desire to God by requesting for Him to reveal His word to us for this purpose. Then we follow up by systematically and deliberately studying the bible.

The understanding of God’s word is what causes our faith in God to grow stronger. Faith comes from understanding God’s word (Rom 10:17). The stronger our faith in God, the better we relate to Him on this side of eternity and this is the safe position God wants all believers to be in.

In describing this process in 2 Cor 3:16-17, apostle Paul said whoever turns to Christ will be given an understanding of God’s word by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us at salvation.

The liberty described in this text is liberty to understand God’s word. It is the right and a privilege of the believer to understand God’s word. The world does not have this liberty, it does not have the Spirit of God.

What is available to the believer who does not understand or has little understanding of God’s word? Deception by Satan, with the intent of leading away from God, all aimed at eventual destruction. If you ask me, this is not an option, do not settle for it.

Not settling for it is contingent however on you exercising your right and privilege, leveraging on the liberty the Holy Spirit in you has to offer. Liberty to understand God’s word, which the world does not have.

1 John 2:27, John 14:26 and 16:13-14 all point to this purpose for which God gave you the Holy Spirt (there are others). As a believer you have Him, as  Rom 8:9 says 'Now if any man has not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His'.

The steps to follow are simple, desire to know God with the purpose of doing His will. If you find that the desire is not strong enough, simply ask God in prayer that He should increase the desire in you.

Then express this desire by asking God sincerely and humbly in prayer to give you an understanding of His word by His Spirit (1 John 2:27, John 14:26, 16:13-14 and Eph 1:17, Col 1:9).

Then back this up with a determined and deliberate study of God’s word daily (James 2:26), meditating on (keeping in your thoughts and consciousness) what you learn  through your days as you study (1 Tim 4:15). Keep a journal of these also for reference. It will amaze you what immediate impact it will have on your relationship with God.

Understanding God’s word is not an exclusive preserve of a few believers. Unto us (all) is given to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God (Lk 8:10).

The believer that lives off others’ understanding of God’s word (or little/no understanding at all) will be a baby Christian for life. And how much can babies do for themselves? How vulnerable are babies to danger in a hostile environment?

We must all decide to and actively follow God (personally) as dear children (Eph 5:1). You can understand the word of God and you will, more than you do right now.

Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

Pastor Gboye Omolayo is the Resident Pastor of Church@Allen (House of Prayer Int'l), Allen TX, USA. He is a prolific writer and preacher who believes the efficacy of the word of God and the potency of the works of the Holy Spirit are still available to the Church today, as they were at the Church’s infancy. He is the publisher of this blog.