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| The Pulpit Mandate |
CHRISTANITY is more than a religion and goes beyond belonging to a Christian denomination. It is a life of God unto maturity. When a believer gets to maturity, he becomes a son and takes responsibilities. These responsibilities are not just physical but being in command in the spiritual realm. This is the reason when a believer is born again, same way a new born baby is nurtured with breast-feeding and milks, the believer is nurtured with the word of God until he grows to maturity to be accorded with his rights and privileges as a son.
Do not forget that when a child is born, even though all the parents’ possessions could be bequeathed to him, he cannot be put in command until he gets to maturity because he lacks contractual capacities.
Our sonship to God gives us the capacity to be in command and operate effectively in the supernatural. Remarkably, this sonship is not measured by the number of years one goes to church but the quantum of the Word of God in us. The growth in the knowledge of the Word is what gives us access to walk in the realm of the supernatural.
No doubt, the bible says in John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”, however, this does not imply that a believer starts to operate in full capacity as son. There are stages same way it is in the physical realm or laws of nature.
The cardinal mark of sonship is power; power to exercise authority. Anyone who is born again has this power inherent but as he increases in knowledge and understanding of kingdom principles, he gradually gets synchronized to the exercise of the power.
A believer’s growth is the master key to freedom and a life of fulfillment. That is what puts you to be fearlessly in command and authority against the enemies. Recall that Jesus ministry changed dimension with mysterious deeds from the very point a loud voice from heaven endorsed and approved His capacity. In the same manner, the bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15
From that point of heavenly approval and endorsement, the devil took its rightful position and submitted to Him without contentions. It is interesting to note that just like anyone else, Jesus was not born as a son but as a child. He grew up as a person. He underwent the various stages of growth. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”. Luke 2:52
Interestingly, immediately after His heavenly endorsement, “…This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him”. (Matthew 17:5), His status changed. He ascended His throne, vested with all the authority and power of heaven. From that point, whatever He commanded complied accordingly, be it animate or inanimate. Winds obeyed, sicknesses disappeared, limbs became normal and several other amazing things. Even His presence alone became a terrifying force against evil spirits without speaking a word. That is our specimen as Christians. “As he is, so are we in this world”. 1 John 4:17
Christianity goes beyond identifying with a church, be it a bible-believing or not but a call for the manifestations of the sonship of God. Of course, a bible believing church is a sine qua non to understanding mysteries in the spiritual realm. This is because, you cannot give what you do not have. First and foremost, a believer must be conscious of the powers he has. No wonder, the bible says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6. Beloved, knowledge is the key to victory and exploit in the kingdom.
2 Timothy 3:15-16 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is Christ Jesus. All scriptures is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.
Suffice to say that all these are for our learning and instructions. Believers should fix their eyes on the Master, Jesus as a role model through the Word. Jesus is our perfect example, a typical specimen and as the Father has sent Him, He has graciously sent us.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he may give it you”. John 15:16
Brethren, we have been commissioned to bear fruits through the manifestation of our sonship of God. We are empowered to destroy the works of the devil because whatsoever we ask the Father in His name is guaranteed to be given. Above all, the world looks forward to our victory. The bible says “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” Roman 8:19.