Month: September 2021

God’s Grace in Romans | The Secret of Abraham |

We saw from our last discussion that we establish the law in our lives by fulfilling its purpose when we accept its sentence of condemnation and run to Christ for salvation, and we also use it to do the same in the lives of others. This is the duty of the law.

Then the apostle continues in this next chapter by opening up something beautiful;

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as about the flesh, hath found? Romans 4:1

There is something the father of the whole Jewish nation even the father of faith found that made him experience the blessings of faith.

Abraham was very rich on earth (Gen. 13:2), he was blessed in all things (Gen. 24:1). Abraham walked in the miraculous, he saw an entire household of numerous maidservants healed, wombs opened through just one prayer (Gen. 20:17-18).

And Abraham has a special place in heaven even as Jesus said Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22).

Now to discover the secret of the father of faith I believe is one of the greatest things that would happen to anyone at this side of life.

So what did Abraham discover?

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Romans 4:2

If Abraham were accepted before the Justice of God by his goodness then he would have had an opportunity to boast.

Many times we have had problems with Paul’s high level of revelation with what James meant. The reason is that we take the word out of context.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2:19-21

This is very simple to understand when you know how the old testament people exercised their faith.

The object of worship and acceptance under the old testament was blood. Without the shedding of blood, no one was accepted and the blood was the object they used to demonstrate their faith in Jesus.

His work of sacrifice was not to earn righteousness but to place his faith in the son of God who was to die for his sins. He wasn’t sacrificing Isaac to earn anything it was a prophetic picture of justification by faith in The death of Christ.

This is why in context we hear even the devil believes but he can never put faith in the sacrifice of Christ for the forgiveness of his sins.

All through scripture Abraham never did anything to earn righteousness or any blessing from God. When you observe the scripture…

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed in God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:3

God came to Abraham and made precious promises to Abraham, knowing that Abraham married his half-sister (Lev. 18:9), which is an abomination under God’s law (Lev. 18:26.).

He lied about his wife to save his neck twice, subjecting her to possible adultery Gen.12,20.

Yet God blessed him and came after him with a wonderful promise of redemption, through his seed. (Gen 15:1-6)

All Abraham did was to accept and believe in the power and goodness of God to do what he had promised and his faith pleased God and He counted it to him for righteousness,13 years before he even fulfilled the law’s demand of circumcision.

The word translated above for counted is from the Greek word logizomai which is an accounting term meaning to take inventory of, to estimate (G3049, Strong’s Concordance).

Abraham’s faith in the power and goodness of God made Him estimate or impute righteousness into his account without any merit on his side.

Then the apostle continues;

Now to him, that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but debt. Romans 4:4

The apostle here shows clearly that if we offer the works of the flesh to be justified, salvation will become a payment for our works and the grace of God completely nullified.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it is of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6

Now, this is what Abraham discovered:

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5

With everything in Abraham’s life that was wrong, he was persuaded that God is a justifier of him who believes in Jesus no matter his ungodliness, by this God counted his faith equal to righteousness.

God gave him the finished work of Christ for the sinner as his righteousness. As we all look to his goodness, we are blessed together with faithful Abraham.

Confession

Heavenly Father, thank you for being a good God. In my emptiness, I can still look to your love in hope and find satisfaction in who and what you have done for me.

By faith in Christ, my iniquities are not marked, rather you have estimated me righteous by the blood of Christ which has procured righteousness, health, wealth, joy, peace, and life in constant communion and fellowship with you.

Prophetic Insight

In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “Do not be deceived like Eve dear Child, there are boundaries you cannot reach. Even so, I have saved you the struggle and have placed your redemption in myself.

Rest from your efforts, look to me, and walk in the blessing. The heaviness, the bitterness, the dissatisfaction is coming from your struggles for perfection. Your flesh profits you nothing.

I Am God and there is none else, I have sworn and ordained that only in me is your righteousness and strength. I Am your glory and only in me are you justified. Beloved, rest and receive the blessings of righteousness.”

Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. Isaiah 45:22-25

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

God’s Grace in Romans | How We Establish The Law |

We saw from our last discussion Paul’s conclusion on justification, that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law.

Then he continues;

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:Romans 3:29

God is the God of both the Jews and Gentiles. He is the God of the whole earth. He is the Creator, preserver and governor of both the Jews and Gentiles.

And by covenant, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world and not just for a select few.

The middle wall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile has been broken down through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

All men have access only through faith in the cross of Jesus;

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.Romans 3:30

Then the apostle concludes this chapter, after showing that God’s way of justifying sinners has nothing to do with the works, by making a very profound statement concerning the law;

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31

Is the law then useless? He answers, God forbid!

So if the law is not made void, what do we do with the law since we don’t earn justification by it?

We hear “we establish the law”

Now the question we all have to ask on how we are to establish the law is this, what is the purpose of the law?

You can’t establish what you don’t know the purpose. You can only fulfil a purpose known to you.

Therefore, what is the purpose of the law?

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

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

The law was not given to give life nor righteousness, but it was intended to reveal sin in man, and his inability to live up to God’s standard of righteousness, so he would run to Christ for justification.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.Galatians 3:24

When we admit the sentence of the law, that by our works we are sinners in need of a saviour and run to Jesus for grace, we establish the law, just like the apostles did (Acts 15:11.)

After we are justified by faith in Christ, “we are no longer under a schoolmaster,” for we have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2Corinthians 5:21.)

Nevertheless, the law is not totally useless, we still use the law after we are saved, however, is not to be justified by, but it is to establish it’s purpose in the lives of the unrighteous, (those who are not yet made righteous in Christ.)

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man,…”1 Timothy 1:8-9

God’s method of showing people their need is through the law. But, the law is powerless in making provision for that need. It is the gospel that provides the power to produce salvation. (Romans 1:16)

So to establish the law is simple, admit its sentence of condemnation, run to Christ and be justified freely by grace, then use the law to help others see their need for Jesus.

Confession

Gracious father, thank you for Jesus who has come and has given me an understanding heart. Today I know your heart of love toward me. I rest in the loving arms of Jesus.

All you have ever desired for me in life is to rest and live in your love through faith in Jesus. I reject the spirit of condemnation, I receive joy in the Holy Ghost and Walk in divine strength.

Prophetic Insight

In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “ My Child, I am for you, who can be against you? I did not spare my son but gave him for you even when you did not know me, how shall I not with him freely give you all things?

Those tongues of condemnation and the charges against you are not from me dear child. I have justified you and have given you this salvation in Christ, knowing your weakness I gave him to be your intercessor.

All you need say to yourself my beloved is that, I love you, and have made you more than a conqueror. “

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.Romans 8:31-34,37

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

God’s Grace in Romans

Faith Conclusion on Justification

We saw from our last discussion that Christ is our eternal Mercy Seat whose death paid for all sins forever, even the sins of all the old testament saints. And that today because he lives in us, we are vessels of mercy, forever enjoying God’s love and pardon.

Then we hear;

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.Romans 3:27

The apostle after thoroughly casting down the folly of the Gentile who looked to the law of nature for righteousness, and the Jew who looked to the law of works for righteousness:

Now triumphs over all by righteousness of God which annihilates merit of any kind, removing every kind of boasting and leaving man completely at the mercy of God.

Where is boasting? We hear “It is excluded.” “By what law? Of works?” Nay! How many works of the law did you keep to receive Jesus?

None I guess. We only received the forgiveness of sins through faith in the death of Christ.

If there is a little work from us to earn salvation before and after we receive Jesus then man has good grounds to boast but not before God.

By Grace; the undeserved, unearned, unmerited, unconditional and all empowering grace of God are we saved through faith. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace so that no man should boast before God.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9

There is the law of works and the law of faith. These are antagonistic, where the law of works is at work, boasting is eminent and the law of faith is vitiated

And where the law of faith is at work, boasting is abjured, only Christ is glorified. Remember these are laws, and laws are constants!

Then we hear;

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28

Now observe carefully the statement “we conclude.” He does not say ‘I conclude.’ but “we conclude” making it a unanimous decision.

There was a time in the days of the apostles even as it is right now, when there was a huge dispute among Jewish believers toward freely justified Gentiles as it concerns being justified by the law of works or by the law of faith alone in the grace of God.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.Acts 15:5

So when this dispute about grace and law went on so strong among the early believers, the apostles and elders had to sit together to consider the matter through scripture and the Holy Spirit;

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.Acts 15:6

Peter, Paul James with all the apostle and elders who were pillars came together and considered this matter. After a long dispute, Peter rose up and concluded,

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.Acts 15:6

Observe carefully Peter’s statement about the law being a yoke “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”

Peter declared that no one, not even their fathers that received the law were able to keep it, that they themselves, Holy Ghost filled, miracle working apostles were not able to keep it, but believed that “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved,”

So the apostle Paul, after thorough scriptural examination by the revelation of the Spirit and the unanimous decision of the apostles, concludes that “a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Confession;

Heavenly Father I thank you for the gracious work of accepting the unqualified as I am.
Thank you for placing me under the law of faith where the law of the Spirit of life has silenced the law of sin and death in my life.

By faith I am justified, I have access through faith into the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace.

I enjoy the uninterrupted flow of God’s grace in my body, marriage, ministry, work, and every area of my life through Christ Jesus.

Prophetic Insight

In an encounter of the Lord, I heard “Do not let go dear child, hold unto to the seed, the promise is my vision for you.

Keep the word, guard it, stay in my will, and let patience have it’s way in your life. After you have done this, you will receive the promise, for the time of patience is actually the time of growth.

As you keep my word, I assure you dear child, without effort you are receiving the promise, you will not be unrewarded”

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.Hebrews 10:36

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

God’s Grace in Romans

| Christ The Eternal Mercy Seat |

We saw from our last discussion that God’s righteousness has nothing to with the law. It is not an extension of the law, but a whole new independent economy where God has justified us all by grace through the redemption that in Christ Jesus.

Then we hear;

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:25

God made Jesus to be a propitiation for our sins. The word translated above for propitiation is from the Greek word hilastērion, and it means mercyseat or an expiatory place or thing.

Under the old covenant, the ark of the covenant was covered by the mercyseat upon which blood was sprinkled for the atonement of sins.

This was all foreshadowing the reality we now have in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 10:1). The mercyseat is no longer in an outward temple but right on our inside, which is the reason we are called vessels of mercy (Romans 9:23).

Through “faith in his blood” we have access to the mercyseat and as long as Christ is in us, we are forever in the mercy of God — for Christ is our mercyseat.

The everlasting mercy of God is continually rejoicing over judgment and releasing pardon, peace, atonement, justification and adoption.

Observe carefully this last statement “to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

Before the death of Jesus, no one was ever truly forgiven, for the blood of bulls and of goats couldn’t take away their sins.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.Hebrews 10:4

Abraham, Moses, David all died in sin. The sacrifice of Jesus went back to the beginning of time and paid for all those that made animal sacrifices as a means of declaring their faith in Jesus.

Everyone before the law and under the law never got any of their sins remitted. This is why to trust in the law which never earned anyone forgiveness is utter foolishness (Galatians 3:23).

If Jesus did not pay for the sins of the giver of the law (Moses), he would have been rejected in heaven.

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.Hebrews 9:15

Observe the statement “for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament.”

Jesus had to redeem Moses and all those who put faith in Christ through animal sacrifices from their sins through his death, for it is not possible for the blood of animals to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).

This is why the righteousness of God has nothing to do with the law. If the old testament saints died in sin but got admitted into heaven by their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus which was not yet effectuated, then sinless perfection as a means to heaven is a demonic bewitchment.

There is not even one perfect man in heaven except the Lord Jesus. Seemingly perfect people go to hell because their faith is in their goodness, only forgiven people go to heaven.

God through his longsuffering forbore the sins of all the old testament saints pending when they would actually be paid for through the death of his son.

If the blood of Jesus has paid for the sins of the past, right from the beginning of the world, then his sacrifice is eternal, and therefore has paid for sins for all time, past, present and future.

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.Hebrews 9:12

Then the apostle continues;

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.Romans 3:26

The sacrifice of Jesus went back in time so that God may “declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just,”

Observe the statement “that he might be just”

It is not that God is not just but did all these to be just — for before the foundation of the world the lamb of God was already slain for all sins.

However, God did it to show forth his righteousness before principalities and powers that he is a truly just God.

If anyone was ever forgiven by any other means except the death of Christ, then God would have been unjust, and divine Justice would have been thwarted.

Others accepted by their goodness and others by Christ, God would have been unfair in his righteousness.

But praise God, our God is just God. By the righteousness of God manifested through the redeeming work of Christ, God is a “justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

Confession

Blessed Father, the greatest gift a man can receive is the forgiveness of sins which guarantees every blessing from you. Thank you for freely Justifying me eternally.

I am a vessel of God’s mercy. Christ my mercyseat resides in me continually releasing pardon, peace, health, security, love and divine prosperity. Glory to God!

Prophetic Insight

In encounter with the Lord, I heard the Lord say “Dear Child, do not be engrossed in what you have not seen come to pass yet in your life, but humble yourself and see how faithful my kingdom has been growing in and through you.

If you will humble yourself and set aside the cares, you will see that my goodness has not left you.

Remember your days in Egypt and the wonderful deliverances you have received thus far. In the mist of your struggles you have seen my faithfulness day after day.

This is my will for you dear child, wear the armour of thankfulness, praising your God in all things and in patience watch how my kingdom grows and prevails over it all.”

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? ]It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. Mark 4:30-32

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.1 Thessalonians 5:18

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

God’s Grace in Romans

Justified Freely

We saw from our last discussion that the Jew and Gentile alike are under sin, that the law was not given to make man holy, but to make all the world guilty before God.

That no man is justified by the law, for by the law is the knowledge of sin and not the knowledge of the righteousness of God.

Then we hear the apostle continue;

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Romans 3:21

The apostle, after showing the failure by the Jew and Gentile in attempting to be justified before God in their various ways, now goes on to show everyone God’s way of justifying mankind.

“now the righteousness of God —without the law is manifested,”

Observe the above verses carefully, God’s way of justifying men has nothing to do with obedience to the law. It has nothing to do with your performance.

God has made manifest his righteousness without the law. The law and the prophets are only witnesses to God’s righteous work in freely justifying sinners.

Then the apostle continues;

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:22

Observe the statement “even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ.” Right relationship with God comes by believing in what Jesus did for the sinner — before and after salvation.

When we put faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection for us, the gift of righteousness — comes to us and upon us all without respect of persons.

Notice this statement “unto all and upon all.” It does not say ‘from all and in all.’

This righteousness comes from God to us all and covers us all (Proverbs 3:10). Whether gross sinners or sensible sinners.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

You may never have murdered, cursed, committed any sexual or immoral sin, but we all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God.

We have sinned in Adam, are guilty by his sin, polluted with it, and condemned for it; we all are sinners in ourselves. This is the case of the entire world.

We saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus, and all humanity is short of that glory. Actual sin, and sins of both omission and commission are upon us all.

Many a time when we hear about sin, we are quick to think of only the sins we commit. However, failing to do that which is good when we know it is good is also sin and the wages of all sin is death.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

Passivity or negligence is sin. Making disciples of all nations is a command from Jesus. However, many of us that see ourselves as being holy and good know this is good and God’s command, but we do not do it physically or financially.

Many of us do not realize that unbelief is sin. Anxiety, worry and doubting are manifestations of unbelief, proving that we are not in faith. But whatsoever is not done in faith is sin.

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23

Many of us live in fear of sickness, men, and death which the word declares the fearful will burn in hell fire.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

There are no good sinners and bad sinners. We have all sinned and have come short of the Glory of God. But we hear;

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Romans 3:24

Glory to God. The cause of God justifying sinners is nothing but his love and free favour manifested through Christ Jesus.

The cause is the love of God, the method is the death of Christ, and the objects are sinners and ungodly men.

Through Christ we are redeemed from sin and it consequence which is death in all its forms (sickness, poverty, fear, depression, strife, failure).

Today Christ has redeemed us from sin and death having justified us freely by his blood.

We are accepted in the beloved, and all the blessings of grace are ours in Christ Jesus.

Confession

Father I thank you for your love and grace to me and upon me. Through your redeeming work I am rid of all imputations of sin, sickness and disease, lack, fear and every work of darkness.

I am a product of the love and grace of God. I am united to Christ and completely covered in his righteousness. A child of God with power! Hallelujah!

Prophetic Insight

In an encounter with the, I saw “deliverance.”

Then I heard “I am with you, I have not given you to the will of the enemy, so do not accept what you see as coming from me. This is not my good, acceptable and perfect will for you.

Don’t be weary, get up and resist the devil and he will flee from you. I have already delivered you, the gates are wide opened ahead of you.

Brace up, rise up and move steadily in faith, for your victory is right before you!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

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