Month: August 2021

God’s Grace in Romans

The Purpose Of The Law

We saw from our last discussion the theme of the gospel, which is the revelation of the work of God through the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ from one degree of faith to the other, that the sinner may believe, receive, and be saved thereby.

Like we said earlier, what the apostle Paul intends to reveal in this grand epistle to the Romans is to declare against the Gentiles that it is not to the light of nature, and the works done in obedience to the law of nature, — And against the Jews, that it is not by the law of Moses, and the obedience of the demands that a man is justified.

He begins to rebuke the Gentiles (non Jews) that atheism is a lie, that every man has a God existence intuition on their inside.

God has revealed himself in all men, even his eternal power and godhead, and no man is without excuse. No one can actually say I don’t believe there is God. There is actually no need to debate with anyone on the issue of believing God exists.

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:19-20

Atheism is a lie even the devil is afraid of committing. When men say they don’t believe God exists, they only lie against their consciences (Job 32:8).

Even the devil believes there’s only one God, and that he is not the one, and he trembles at the one true God;

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19

So the apostle explains to the Gentiles that through the light of nature they are without excuse to call out to the one true God for salvation.

Then he turns to the Jew who looked to circumcision and the keeping of the law in the second Chapter and said;

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:28-29

Observe carefully this statement “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly “ Boy! This is a radical statement. By this statement he renders all that made the Jew Jewish to be vain. Every carnal ordinance of the law and every outward performance to earn the spiritual blessing a useless thing.

For it was normal for the Jew to trust in his rituals as being holy and accepted before God (Luke 18:9-14). You are not even a Jew if you think it comes by natural birth or by the keeping of the law is what the apostle is saying.

Circumcising the flesh earns you nothing, however, there is something only God can do, and that is a spiritual circumcision, the planting of a new spirit in you which comes with a new heart of flesh.

Something your natural ancestry (Jewish), together with circumcision and the law does not have the power to do (Romans 8:3).

After making these declarations, he turns to both the Jew and Gentile and declares all to be under sin.

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:9-12

The Jew who has the privilege of the law and the Gentile who is without the law are altogether sinners in the eyes of God. All are under sin, for there is none righteous, no, not even one.

Outwardly it may look like the Jew is seeking after God with the law and its ordinances, however, the apostle summits that the Jew is not better than the Gentile. His religious works are not even seen as good works for “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Now you may ask, so what is the purpose of the law then? If the Jew with all the works of the law is deemed unprofitable before God’s throne. Why did God give the Law in the first place?

Here is the apostle’s submission;

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Romans 3:19-20

Observe carefully the reason God gave the law “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

Notice it does not say God gave the law to make the world righteous, but that every mouth may be stopped. Every attempt to trust in our goodness or efforts to be blessed by God should be ridiculed by the standard of the law. The entire world by the law should become guilty before God.

Today it is taught the other way round. Many are seeking to be justified before God by their works. Most times we think God grades on a curve. That if our seemingly good deeds outweighs our evil works God will somewhat accept us. However, that’s a lie from hell. Observe the next verse;

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

No kind of flesh whatsoever will ever be justified before God by the works of the law. And why?
“for by the law is the knowledge of sin”

The law was not given to reveal God, but to reveal sin in us. Before Christ came, we thought we were righteous by our own standards. The law was given to show us how sinful and wretched we are so we would quit trying and run to God for the grace he offers freely through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

May we Quit trying to be justified by our own goodness and receive salvation and every spiritual blessing as a free gift from our loving father.

Confession
Father I thank you for your love and wisdom in my salvation. I recognize your love in showing me my true state as being insufficient in myself. I trust in your love and grace and accept salvation as a free gift for the unqualified even as I am.

I declare that the life and blood of Jesus has justified my body, finances, ministry, marriage, business and life as a whole. By the righteousness of Christ, I stand today Just-as-if-I-had never sinned before the throne of Grace.

Prophetic Insight
In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “Whatever your heart conceives, You will receive“

When the Lord spoke this, the Spirit began to reveal to me about the sons of God sitting down with the prophecies and dreams, meditating on God’s word until it forms a mental picture in their hearts. The Lord told me this is actually the believer’s spiritual womb.

That whatsoever our hearts will conceive through imagination prompted by God’s word, the father is set to bring to pass at this hour. But if we do not conceive, there will be no birthing. Until our hearts can see it, it won’t come to pass.
May we take this to the Lord in prayer.

Blessings in Christ,
Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church

The Substance Of The Gospel of Grace

God’s Grace in Romans

Today we shall begin a series on God’s Grace in the Book of Romans. The chief design of this epistle to the Romans by Paul is to reveal God’s love and grace for the Jew and Gentile.

Here the doctrine of justification by free grace is set in clear light. It is Paul’s grand delivery on the subject of grace.

Herein declaring against the Gentiles that it is not to the light of nature, and the works done in obedience to the law of nature, And against the Jews, that it is not by the law of Moses, and the obedience of the demands that a man is justified.

He evinces this by clearly revealing the wretched and sinful nature of both the Jews and Gentiles, and shows that both the light of nature and the law of Moses are meant to show the Jew and Gentile alike their wretchedness and their need for a saviour outside of themselves.

That the light of nature and the law of Moses are not so they can be made righteous by, but that it is by the righteousness of Christ imputed through the grace of God that men are eternally justified.

And that this grace is accessed through faith which yields the results of peace, joy in the soul, and holiness in life and conduct.

After his usual introduction and salutations, he opens up what the gospel committed unto the apostles is, right here in the sixteenth verse of the first chapter;

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

Observe carefully this statement “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:”

By making this statement he intimates here that the gospel is somewhat contemptible to the world and to his religious counterparts, however, he has made up his mind to preach it despite foreseen reproaches.

The statement is made in anticipation of opposition, for he knew what was ordained from the foundation of the world to occur wherever the true gospel of Christ is preached.

In his letter to the Galatians, he exposed that this was prophesied by symbolism through the life of Ishmael and Isaac.

That as the son of the bondwoman(Haggai) persecuted the son of the freewoman (Sarah), even so shall the sons of the law (bondage), those that trust in their works, persecute those that believe and receive salvation as a free gift of grace through Jesus.

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4:29

So he anticipated opposition in advance of what he was about to share in this epistle, but he emphatically stated that this is the gospel of Christ, this is the gospel Christ preached though his death, burial and resurrection which he had received by revelation.

Then he declares “for it is the power of God unto salvation “ it is not a power but ‘the power’ of God unto salvation.

God’s solution to humanity is the gospel of Christ. Essentially and instrumentally the gospel is what God has ordained should give the world full, total or complete deliverance.

The Greek word used above for salvation is the word sōtēria and it means rescue or safety, physically or morally. Strong’s Concordance G449).

This speaks of physical and Spiritual deliverance from sin and death.

The gospel of Christ is the power of God that sets free from poverty, sickness and disease, sin and death, procuring prosperity, health, wealth, blessings, righteousness, holiness and more for the believer.

This means in the gospel there is power to keep the believer from absolutely falling away from the faith for it is the power of God unto complete rescue and safety to all those that believe without respect of persons “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Now you may ask, what is the main doctrine of the gospel of Christ?

We are told what the gospel is all about in this following verse;

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

In the gospel is the “righteousness of God — revealed from faith to faith”.

The word translated in the above verse for righteousness is from the Greek word dikaiosunē and it means equity (of character or act); specifically Christian ‘justification.’

In simple words it is the character, act or work of God in justifying sinners. So in this gospel the work of God in justifying sinners is revealed.

What God did to save sinners is the righteousness of God which is revealed from faith to faith and it is this revelation of what God did for the sinner that saves him totally.

In his letter to Corinth, Paul explains this righteousness of God revealed from one level of faith to the other;

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

So when you believe in what Christ has done, when you believe in the goodness of God expressed through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, you are saved; delivered, created righteous and the rest of the Christian walk is to live by faith in what saved you in the first place.

This is why we hear “the just shall live by faith.” You were saved from sin by faith, your works didn’t save you from sin, trying to quit sin by your efforts didn’t change your sinful nature, however, it was by your simple trust in the righteousness of God; the work of God for the ungodly.

Therefore, continue to walk in this way, rooted and grounded in the faith of Christ.

Confession

Thank you father for your love and grace, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for the wretched, I believe that through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ I am forever delivered from the dominion of Satan, sin and death.

I am delivered from sickness and disease, poverty and afflictions. I walk in health, prosperity, joy and peace by the life and nature of Christ at work in me. Hallelujah.

Prophetic Insight

In an encounter with the Lord, I saw as the Lord surprised many sons in the kingdom with the fulfilment of vision.

It was a supernatural grace of God in manifestation as many trusting God went on to see that things the Lord has laid on their hearts to do were already accomplished by grace and they were only receiving them as gifts of grace.

Coming out I was led to;

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” — Eph 2:10

Then the Lord said, “Beloved, I have commanded my blessings upon you even before you were born. My plans for you are self sufficient. Every item prearranged and ready for you to walk in.

You are a work of my hands, I have created you in myself, I have fashioned you for good works, even a prosperous destiny which I created for you to walk in right from the foundation of the world.

Do not be anxious, I have made all things ready, you are walking into favour upon favour, grace upon grace as you stand in awe of my goodness.”

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua

Living Hill Christian Church

“You Have Stepped Into Your Eternal Inheritance”

In an encounter with the Lord, I saw the Lord pour out living water on many sons as they knelt before him pleading there cause at the throne of grace and mercy. The power of God was mightily released through this living water.

Coming out, The Lord spoke and said “Say to the desolate, to her that is forsaken, enlarge your tents, make room for more, for your moment of great delivery has come.

The time is accomplished for you to be delivered, now is your season of life. For a moment you felt forsaken, but I never left you, my word was growing and your season of new life has come. With Great mercies I am rebuilding Zion.

Keep this within your heart and keenly watch as things you thought you had lost begin to come back to you. Relationships and closed doors are now reopening by my life. This is what I have sown and you will now experience the manifestation.

The remaining part of this year 2021 and 2022 you are experiencing restoration, the lines will be falling unto you in pleasant places. You are set to experience what you have never experienced in your life before.

Steadily, one drop after another of my goodness, you will experience one level of growth to the other, ever increasing and never to taste the bitterness of the desolation you have experienced in the season that has just closed on you.

You will forever be glad you never turned back on following me. You have stepped into your eternal inheritance!”

Luke 2:6
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Isaiah 54:1-7
[1]Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
[2]Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
[3]For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
[4]Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
[5]For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
[6]For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
[7]For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church

Engaging The Weapon of Prayer

Discovering Christ in Ephesians

We saw from our last discussion that the armour of God is Christ from start to finish, and when we put him on, victory is ours.

Then the apostle continues;

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Here is a special weapon for attacking the works of the enemy. After admonishing the believers to put on the whole armour of God, he now enjoins them to fight by prayer.

This is a valid method of enforcing our victory over Satan. To call on God rightfully is a genuine proclamation of faith and hope in God.

Prayer crowns all lawful efforts with success, giving victory when nothing else would. No matter how complete we may be, no matter how skilled we may be in battle, without prayer we are doomed to fail.

This is why we hear “praying always.” It is not to be intermitted. We are to always be in prayer in every temptation and spiritual conflict. A prayerless Christian is an already defeated Christian.

“Praying always with all prayer.” There are different kinds of prayer and all are to be engaged. Praying in the Holy Spirit builds you up just like a body builder builds up muscles by lifting weights. (1Corinthians 14:4)

Without taking out quality ,and quantity time to pray in tongues ourselves we would be spiritually lame and never refreshed (Isaiah 28:11-12).

No matter how people pray for us, we will never be built up to stand the storms of life except we are built up ourselves.

You don’t develop muscles by visiting a gym house, sending letters to a gym house, or watching someone lift up weight in a gym house, you develop muscles by lifting up weights yourself.

There is a place for someone interceding for us, however, we will never be totally free by people interceding for us if we fail to rise up ourselves to pray always with all kinds of prayers.

Declarations, petitions, commands, supplications, intercessions and diverse kinds of prayers make the devil tremble. The devil is afraid of the meanest saint when he is on his knees.

We are to always be in prayers not just for ourselves but for all saints as he mentions above.

You may ask why?

First, it helps us overcome self. The idol of me, myself and I is overthrown when we, seeing our needs, look beyond to seek the favour of God for others.

Secondly, all saints are our brethren not withstanding their language, colour of skin or name. We all are one nature and blood in Christ Jesus.

Thirdly, all saints have hearts prone to diverse temptations just like we do, they all need the grace of God even as we do.

Fourthly, it is an expression of genuine love and sympathy for the brethren, a demonstration of Christian maturity.

Fifthly, many of our brethren are backslidden, many have become lukewarm, many are sick and weary, afflicted and distressed. The brotherhood needs our supplications.

Sixthly, many of our brethren have been blinded, they are living in error. Many are blind to the truth of the gospel of God’s grace. Many are taught to fight the gospel of their freedom and their spiritual eyes need to be enlightened.

Then we hear the apostle continue;

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:19-20

If there are people that need our prayers the most, gospel ministers need it the more. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will definitely be scattered the scripture tells us.

Paul requests prayer here that he might be able to stand in his affliction and to be able to manifest the Spirit more.

This is an example from one of the greatest apostles, if Paul would so need prayers, there is no height in spirituality, or no amount of spiritual graces can make void the collective prayers of the brethren upon a minister.

However, the heart of Paul is to be greatly admired, a genuine lover of the Lord and his work. Instead of requesting prayers to be set free from confinement or bonds, Paul rather prayers for boldness to preach the good news even in bonds and afflictions without fear.

That we may reflect on this, this is a heart poured out unto the Lord. One time he was in prison, and kept on praising the Lord, the jail doors got swung open by the power of God yet he would not escape but just kept on loving God.

Yet in many of our light afflictions we have become bitter toward God. We sing songs about when we get to heaven and when afflictions persist and it looks as though we are going there, we all of a sudden become bitter toward God.

Heaven and earth, which is better? May we learn to be grateful. May we, like the apostle, be true lovers of Jesus through thick and thin.

Conclusion

But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.) Ephesians 6:21-24

Prayer

May the peace of the Almighty rest upon you all. May his perfect well being be manifest in your spirits, souls, and bodies, your homes and the work of hands.

May you enjoy the love of God, may you walk in the love of God. From God the father of Jesus, may all grace abound upon you and your loved ones.

I declare over you that every where you go may the victory of Christ be made manifest in and through you. May all your steps be ordered by the Spirit of the Lord.

You are blessed in Jesus precious name Amen.

If you have enjoyed this series Discovering Christ in Ephesians, please write to us, relate to us how this teachings have blessed you so we would know how to serve you better, email: livinghillchristianchurch@gmail.com

Blessings in Christ,

Jahfas Victor Ahua

Living Hill Christian Church