Success and Failure Blog

The Tabernacle of meeting where people assemble to perform the services of God has two compartments.
1. THE OUTER COURT
This first compartment called the outer court or the holy place where the priests enter regularly to carry out their ministry. (Hebrews 9:2, 6)
What occupies this compartment verifies the activities that are being conducted therein, and they consist of:-
a. The lamp stand which is figurative to the church, and the angel of the church, as clearly revealed in scriptures stating; “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp-stands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp-stands which you saw are the seven churches” (Revelation1:13, 20).
b. The Table is figurative to the heart, and fellowship for it is written; “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3); And, “You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not of tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, the heart” (2Corinthians 3:3). With regards to fellowship, it coincides with Jesus’ statement Christ when he said; “And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:30).
c. The showbread is figurative to Christ and the church. In relation to Christ Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48).And concerning the church the scripture states, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1Corinthians 10:17).
The outer court demonstrates the faithfulness of Christ to his church. He never leaves them nor forsakes them. Even if we are faithless, he remains faithful; he cannot deny himself. He is ever present to empower, teach and guide them to perform their work of service.
The outer Court is where the church evangelizes, reaching out to others with the gospel, reaping the harvest of souls, with Christ in their midst upholding and supporting it.
2. The Inner Court
This second compartment is called the Holiest of All, and similarly to the first compartment whatever occupies this compartment verifies the activities that are being conducted therein. What is of primary importance however; is that one is not allowed to enter this compartment without blood.
This compartment is furnished with:-
a. The golden altar of incense which is figurative to approved services of worship. Jesus Christ has already given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma, which we are to take heed to offer to God at their appointed time.(Ephesians 5:2; Numbers 28:2)
The incense is figurative to worship, prayer and praise; For it is written, “Let my prayer be set before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalms 141:2). With regards to prayer it is stated, “Now when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
‘Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand” (Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4).
And with regards to praise it is written; “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the nations says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 1:11).
b. The ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold
This symbolizes God’s visible presence and power. As it is written; “Whenever the ark set out Moses said; “Rise up, O Lord! Let you enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.’ And when the ark rested he said; “Return. O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel (Numbers11:35-36).
With regards to the ark David prayed saying; “Now therefore, arise, O Lord God, to your resting place. You and the ark of your strength, let your priests O Lord God be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in goodness” (2Chronicles 6:41).
c. The golden pot that had the manna
This is figurative to Jesus Christ as the true bread from heaven. When asked by the crowd, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the dessert; as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat’ Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:30-32).
d. Aaron’s rod that budded
This is figurative to the Jesus Christ the High Priest whom God has chosen, as Aaron was chosen. For it is testified; “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Numbers 17:1-10; Hebrews 7:17, 21).
e. Tablets of the covenant
This is descriptive of the Ten Commandments, the principles established by God by which man should live. Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law this way, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” The law is not of faith, “But the man who does them shall live by them” (Leviticus 18:5; Ezekiel 20:11; Nehemiah 9:29; Romans 10:5; Gal.3:12).
f. Cherubim of glory:
This is figurative to the two witnesses witnessing the testimony which is placed in the ark when brought to the presence of God. As it is written, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.” For it is by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” And it is also written in the law that the testimony of two men is true” (1Timothy 5:19; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17).
g. The Mercy Seat
This is figurative to Jesus Christ our merciful and faithful High Priest whose duty is to plead and intercede on behalf of his saints. “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” For according to the scriptures, the accuser of the brethren Satan the devil, accuses them before our God day and night (1Peter 4:17; Revelation 12:10).)
There is a huge difference between what takes place in the outer court, and what takes place in the inner court.
In the inner court only the redeemed should be allowed to appear before the presence of God to worship and glorify him, by partaking of the bread from heaven in fellowship with the Father and his Son, to answer charges leveled against them by the accuser, and to receive forgiveness and requital for charges brought against them; and to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The inner Court is, “coming to Mount Zion and to city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven.’ When in the inner Court, “you have come to God, the Judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).
According to the laws of the temple which by the way was a shadow or copy of the true Tabernacle in heaven, because remember, when Moses was about to build the Tabernacle he was divinely instructed saying; “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Hebrews 8:5).
There are laws which govern those who are admitted in the temple. The law with regard to those who should enter the new Temple was disclosed to the prophet Ezekiel by the Lord saying; “Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you concerning all the regulations regarding the temple of the Lord. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary.’
“Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, ‘thus says the Lord God: “O house of Israel let us have no more of all your abominations. When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary to defile it – My house – and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke my covenant because of all your abominations.’
“And you have not kept charge of my holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of my sanctuary for you. Thus says the Lord God: “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter my sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel” (Ezekiel 44: 5-9).
Allowing the uncircumcised in heart, and spiritually unclean to enter the temple, not the one made with hands, but the true tabernacle in heaven, is a violation of the laws of the temple, and profanes the holy things of God. For thus says the Lord to Ezekiel concerning the leaders of Israel; “Her priests have violated my law and profaned my holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from my Sabbaths, so U am profaned among them” (Ezekiel 22:26).
Now the principal objective for observing the Sabbaths is to offer the Lord his food for his offerings. Like the shadow of the reality we are told that, “into the second part (the inner court) the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance” (Hebrews 9:7).
Today, we can daily come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, but not without the blood of the new covenant. As clearly stated by the apostle Paul in Hebrews chapter ten verses nineteen to twenty two saying’ “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is his flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
It is only when those things are in place should we “…consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Contrary to this we are told, “When you come to appear before me, who has required this from your hand to trample my courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies – I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting: Your New Moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they are a trouble to me, I am weary of bearing them.’
‘When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).
My prayer is that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory will give us the spirit of wisdom, and revelation in the knowledge of him, and that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened, so that we may know how to have access his throne of grace with confidence, in order to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, and not spending our time only in the outer court of the tabernacle, or profaning the inner court with abominable things.

1. Serve the Lord Christ

To serve the Lord Christ one is required to do whatever he/she does heartily as to the Lord and not to men. Whatever is done in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through him.

Our sojourn here in the physical flesh is to help us become faithful and trustworthy stewards, learning how to rule and manage whatever God has placed under our care. Therefore we have been admonished saying; “Make use of worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into everlasting dwellings.

Life is typical of the parable that Jesus Christ gave concerning the noble man who went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return, so he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas and asked them to do business until he comes.

When he returned having received the kingdom he commanded the servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. The first came saying, “Lord, your mina has made ten more.” And he said to him, ‘well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

The second came saying, “Lord your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, “you take charge of five cities.’ But the one who did not invest his mina was severely reprimanded, and his mina was taken away from him and given to the one whose mina had gained ten minas, because to every one who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

The irony is, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if one has not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth: who will trust them with true riches? And if one has not been trustworthy with someone else’s property who will give them property of their own?

One therefore has to occupy themselves in doing whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, and if anything is excellent or praise worthy, meditate on these things. All things are to be done to the glory of God, and whatever one’s hands find to do, do it with all their might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

We serve the Lord Christ by exercising love, because Christ laid down his life for us, we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. If any one has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? My brethren let us not love in word or in tongue but with actions and in truth.

Because when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory; all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats of his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in: or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

We put God first by loving the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, which is expressed by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, being thankful to God, and delight ourselves before him, which is the first and greatest commandment, and serve the Lord Christ, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, which is the fulfillment of the second great commandment.

1. Delight yourself in the Lord

God loves a cheerful giver, and as The Father, and Master He deserves our highest honor and reverence, and we ought to present to Him the best that we have. If we offer to Him the blind, the evil, the lame and the sick, we will not be favorably accepted. The only acceptable offering we can offer to God is what he has sanctified and set apart as holy.

To enable us in taking delight when appearing before him, the Lord has established a principle, which if obeyed, will ensure our joy continuously in his presence. This principle is designed to supply our needs, by which we will be able to present ourselves before him at his appointed time and to rejoice before him.

The Principle of Tithing

The tithe is holy to the Lord, and it is ordained by God, in order for his people to be able to present themselves before him at his appointed times to honor and glorify him. In the book of Leviticus chapter 27 verse 30 the Lord said to Moses; “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.”

The use of the tithe is for the individual to rejoice before the Lord, as clearly stated in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 14: verses 22 to 27, which reads, “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year, and you shall eat before the Lord you God, in the place where he chooses to make his name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the first-lings of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord you God always.”

If the journey was too long they were to exchange it for money, and take the money and go to the place where the Lord had chosen, and spend that money for whatever their heart desired, for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever their heart desired; they were to eat it before the Lord their God, and were to rejoice with their household. They were not to forsake the priest who was within their gates, for he had no part nor inheritance with them.

Tithing which is ten percent of an individual’s income or produce is for the individual to pave his/her way, and provide him/herself with food, drinks, and other basic necessities to afford him the possibility to come before the Lord and rejoice. What is given to the church is known as a heave offering, which is ten percent of the tithe, and the first fruit of one’s increase. We are to honor the Lord with our possessions, and with the first-fruits of all our increase.

Attendees of these festivals are required to present a freewill offering as an expression of gratitude for the blessings which they have received from the Lord, as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 16: verses 16-17 stating; “Three times a year all males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which he chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he has given you.”

There is however a year of tithing, which is every three years when a full ten percent is given to support the priest, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, for the same purpose of being able to rejoice before the Lord.

The Lord said to Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 14: verses 28 and 29: “At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the priest, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do”

Heave Offering:

One hardly hears anything today about heave offerings. This terminology is seemingly lost and unheard of by many: what is mostly being taught is about giving ten percent (tithe) to an organization.

A heave offering is ten percent of the tithe which the Lord assigned to Aaron and his sons. In the book of Numbers chapter 18 the Lord explained to Aaron and Moses respectively, the use of the heave offering. To Aaron the Lord said; “Here, I myself have also given you charge of my heave offerings, all the holy gifts of the children of Israel; I have given them as a portion to you and your sons, as an ordinance for ever.” Also; “For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the Lord, I have given to the priests (levites) as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.”

To Moses the Lord said; “Speak thus to the priests, and say to them; “When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the Lord, a tenth of the tithe” (Num.18:26).

On Whosoever, or whatsoever holiness is ascribed, they received this status directly from God, and not from any man, organization or system. Therefore, worship service is a holy assembly ordained by God, for his holy people, to be observed on his holy days, to offer to him his holy offerings, and to take delight in him and rejoice before him, by the proper use of his holy things, in order to honor and glorify him, and by this expressing their appreciation, and gratitude to God.

3. Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness
The Holiness and Sanctification of Worshipers are of paramount importance. To some people this might sound blasphemous and sacrilegious, but this is the message which we have heard from the beginning and that has been declared to us, “If you walk in the light (in truth, free from sin) as he (Christ) is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”
Real fellowship is in progress only when all participants are walking in the light, otherwise our glorying is in vain, for one little leaven leavens the whole lump, one spoil apple spoils the whole bunch. God will in no way co-exist with sin/darkness. It is for this reason believers are admonished in first Corinthians chapter 5 verse 11 saying; “I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionist, not even to eat with such a person.”
Because of the believer’s call to holiness, and to worship God in the beauty of holiness; which signifies being consecrated to God and being free from sin, they are duly instructed in 2Corinthians chapter 6 verses 14 to 18 saying; “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord (agreement) has Christ with Belial?
Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said; “I will dwell in them and walk among them, I will be their God and they shall be my people.’ Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
When comes to the worship of God, there ought to be a clear distinction between the holy and the profane, there are those who should, and should not be admitted to the Temple. The Lord in a vision, spoke to the prophet Ezekiel, and said to him in the book of Ezekiel chapter 44: verses 5-9; “Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from my sanctuary.”
“Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: ‘O house of Israel let us have no more of your abominations. When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it – My house – and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke my covenant because of all your abominations. And you have not kept charge of my holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of my sanctuary for you.”
‘Thus says the Lord God: “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter my sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel.”
To ascertain that the church maintains its state of holiness, the Lord has given to the church the responsibility to judge its members; and so it is written; “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges; therefore put away from yourselves that wicked person” (1Cor.5:12-13).
Failing to distinguish the holy from the profane is a violation of the laws of the temple, and the holy things of God. For thus says the Lord in the book of Ezekiel chapter 22: and verse 26;
“Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”
In the book of Matthew the eighteenth chapter, verses 15-18, Jesus Christ gave instructions as to how we can maintain our state of holiness before presenting ourselves to the Father. He said; “Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church, but if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and tax collector.
Assuredly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11: verses 31 and 32 says, “If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged, and even when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” There is definitely a clear distinction between the holy and the profane when comes to the worship of God.
An individual or group of people like the church, is considered holy, not because of their own doings, but because of the seed of holiness, and righteousness which we all received from Jesus Christ, when we were all begotten by him at his resurrection, and by nurturing and growing the seed by practicing the way of holiness.
Our new man is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness; and the growth and development of this nature is attainable by practicing righteousness and holiness. As it is written; “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray, he who practices righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous” (1Jn.3:7).
We have been called with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to God’s own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” The purpose of this calling is to; “Serve the Lord without fear in love and righteousness before him all the days of our lives,” just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
This state of holiness is ascribed only to those who; “As obedient children, are not conforming themselves to their former lusts, as in the time of their ignorance, but as he who called them is holy, they also are to be holy in all their conduct.”
This way of holiness and righteousness is God’s way of life. It represents Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, the life, and our righteousness. Our conformity to this way of holy living makes us God’s chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
According to the apostle Paul in the book of Romans chapter 6 verses 19 and 22 respectively, holiness is the fruit of righteousness. As it is written; “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for just as you present your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” And, “Now having been set free from sin, and have become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
The church in the true sense of the word refers to “All who have been Redeemed,” Or groups of Christians assembled for worship. The basis on which most churches operate, it is quite apparent that they have not conceptualized the huge separation that exists between the church and the world, and between light and darkness.
Christian Worship should not be a haphazard, unplanned, unprepared religious social activity in the name of God. The main form of preparedness that is required is that of consecration, because worship is coming in God’s presence, and having fellowship with him and with his Son Jesus Christ.
It is no longer to a temple made with hands, but to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven, to God the Judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.

1. Be Thankful to God

The third priority in putting God first in one’s life is to show appreciation and be thankful to God, because it is of his fullness of grace we have all received grace upon grace, and since we are receiving what we were destined to receive, which is a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

We express our appreciation and gratitude to God by worshiping him in the acceptable manner with reverence and godly fear, and this is expressed in four (4) ways:-

1. Ascribing to the Lord the glory due to his Name

The main reason why we come and appear before the Lord is to humble ourselves before him because of his Sovereignty, and to express our grateful thanks to him. According to 1 Chronicles 16: 8-30; we are to; “Give thanks to the Lord! Call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing psalms to him; talk of all his wondrous works! For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; he is also to be feared above all gods.” Give to the Lord, glory and strength: give to the Lord the glory due to his name.

In Psalms 95 and 96 respectively we are told to; “Come, Let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song, for the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depth of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him, the sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.’

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come into his courts, worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; and tremble before him.”

We are told in no uncertain terms in 1John chapter one verses 3-4 that, “Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” Therefore since Christian fellowship is with the Father and the Son, it is imperative that those who come before him are walking and practicing the truth, because, “God is light and in him is no darkness at all.’ And, “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” True worshipers are to worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him.

It is amazing and appalling to see how many people who profess to know and believe God, have very little respect for His word. They hold His commandments in gross contempt, and in the same breath, stand in awe at the doctrines, traditions, and commandments taught and practiced by men. Like Jesus Himself said to the Pharisees, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions.”

Only One God

Believe it or not there are many false gods which people inadvertently worship instead of the One and only true God. but even if there are so called gods, whether in heaven or on earth as indeed there are many gods and many lords, “There is but one God: the Father, from whom all things came, and for whom we live, and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).

Therefore, all credits, glory, honor and gratitude should be directed or channeled to the One and only true God, for to Him all glory and power belong, and it is He who gave to all life breath and everything else, and also in Him we all live , move and have our being. (Psalms 62:11 Acts 17:25, 28).

Unfortunately, however, we do not all channel our praises, glory, honor, and express our grateful thanks to the One and only true God. Whether wittingly or unwittingly, many serve and worship other gods rather than the One and only true God.

The Lord said to the nation of Israel, “To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other beside Him. Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire” (Deuteronomy 4:32-36).

The rationale for all this was for Israel to consider in their heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; and that there is no other besides him.

However, in order for God to distinguish Himself as the One and only true God, and distinguish His people from all others, He made a conditional covenant with them, so that if obeyed, they shall be a special treasure to Him above all people, for all the earth is His. They are to Him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Those who obey the covenant are described as, “A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that they may declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once they were not a people, but now they are the people of God; once they had not received mercy, but now they have received mercy” (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 19:30; 26:2; 1 Peter 2:9)

1. Bring an Offering and come before his Courts

Bringing an offering before the Lord on his appointed holy convocation is the main objective for presenting ourselves before him. As a matter of fact, it is stated quite categorically in the book of Leviticus chapter 23: verse 37; “ These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day.”

This offering which we are to offer to the Lord whenever we present our selves before him, regularly, on every festival, and holy convocation is known as the burnt offering; with its grain and drink offering. This offering is so special and of such intrinsic importance, that it is, “Besides (or in addition to) the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your free will offerings which you give to the Lord.”

This special offering is of intrinsic importance: it is the offering which Jesus Christ as our High Priest is appointed to offer on behalf of our sins. In the book of Hebrews chapter 5: verse 1, and Chapter 8: verse three respectively states that; “Every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.” And, “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One (Jesus Christ) also have something to offer.”

This offering is of such great importance and valuable to God on behalf of our sins, it is required from our hands not only at the appointed festival or holy days, but also on a regular basis. This offering is as equally important and useful, as it is sacred and sanctified. The Lord said to Moses; “Command the children, and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to me, you shall be careful to offer to me at their appointed time.”

The Lord continues; “This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs in their first year without blemish (the shadow of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God), day by day, as a regular burnt offering. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening.’ It is a regular burnt offering which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.”

A burnt offering as clearly indicated is, a combination of; an animal sacrifice without spot or blemish, with its accompanying grain offering, and it’s accompanying drink offering. In the Book of Numbers chapter fifteen, the Lord said to Moses; “All who are native born shall do these things in this manner, in presenting an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. And if a stranger sojourns with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord, just as you do, so shall they do. One ordinance shall be for you of the congregation and for the stranger who sojourns with you, an ordinance for ever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”

• A Thanksgiving Offering to God.

Before Christ was led to be crucified, he said to his disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. And he took a cup and when he had given thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes:’ And, “He took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk.22:15-19).

Bread and wine is the designated thanksgiving offering attributed to the Melchizedek Priesthood from inception, because after Abram returned from rescuing his nephew lot, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand” (Gen.14:17-20).

To Moses the Lord said, “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me.” Say to them; this is the offering made by fire that you are to present to the Lord: two lambs a year old without defects, as a regular offering each day” (Num.28:1-3).

This regular burnt offering consisted of:-

• The lamb which represented Jesus Christ who loved us and gave himself up for us as a sweet smelling aroma and sacrifice pleasing to God. (Eph.5:2).
• The grain offering which was made up of fine flour mixed with pressed olive oil represents the broken body of Jesus Christ in the form of unleavened bread
• The drink offering which was a quart of a hin of a fermented drink (wine) represents the blood of Jesus Christ.

The rationale behind the morning and evening thanksgiving offering is explained by David, in the psalms and in his last instructions to the Levites. In the psalms he wrote; “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten stringed lyre and the melody of the harp, for you make me glad by your deeds,

O Lord. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed” (Ps. 92:1-4).

And in his final instructions to the Levites, David instructed that; “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on Sabbaths, and at New Moon festivals, and at appointed feasts” (1Chro.23:30-31).

Previous Articles – Put God First – Part #1 - Put God First – Part #2

d. Seek first God’s righteousness

It is stated quite distinctly that; “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb.12:28).

Our worship and appearance before God is to express our gratitude and thanksgiving for his manifold graces, and it must be done in a way that is acceptable to him with reverence and godly fear, but only because of his righteousness are we able to appear before him and worship him acceptably with reverence.

God under no circumstances will coexist with sin, he is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. Sin alienates man from God, and if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Therefore before on can have fellowship with the Father he/she must first be reconciled with him, and what reconciles us with the Father and grants us the boldness and confidence to present ourselves before God and worship him acceptably with reverence is the crucified body of Christ. For it is written; “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior; but now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col.1:21-22).

The apostle Paul further endorsed this belief by saying; “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Heb.10:19-22).

Therefore it is imperative that we seek first the righteousness of God even before we can present ourselves before him, and furthermore, practicing his righteousness is what distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil; for thus it is written: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother” (1Jn.3:10).

Because of the importance and seriousness of this calling to seek first the righteousness of God, it is imperative that we establish and prove without a shadow of doubt, what is this act of righteousness we should seek first, and when practice differentiates the children of God from the children of the devil.

We can say with Certainty that, it can not be our own righteousness; because it is clearly stated that, “We are all like an unclean thing and all our righteousness are like filthy rags. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” We are all under the power of sin as it is written; “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands, no one seeks for God, all have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one” (Isa.64:6; Rom.3:10-12).

Neither can it be the righteousness from keeping the law, because it is again stated quite clearly that; “Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith, but as it were based on works. They stumble over the stumbling stone.” It is well understood that, “No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law; rather, through the law one becomes conscious of sin” (Rom.9:31-32; Rom.3:20).
What therefore is the act of righteousness we should seek first, and when practice differentiates God’s children from the children of the devil?

The righteousness which we are to seek first, and when practice differentiates the children of God from the children of the devil, is having faith in the act of righteousness by which man was imputed with righteousness. And since faith without works is dead, it means demonstrating this faith by whatever symbol that proclaims, represents, and demonstrates this act of righteousness.
It is stated that, “As the result of one man’s act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous” (Rom.5:18-19).

This act of righteousness which imputed righteousness and brought life to all men, is the offering of the body of Jesus Christ which he offered to the Father as a sweet smelling aroma, and which satisfies his will, it is the bread of life that is our righteousness, the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.
From the inception of humanity beginning with Abel, offering the Lord his offering, his sweet smelling aroma is the source of man’s righteousness.

Immediately following the scripture which teaches that practicing righteousness differentiates the children of God from the children of the devil, we read the following instructions; “For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning that we should love one another, and not be like Cain who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brothers righteous” (1Jn.3:11-12).

So why did God regard Abel’s offering, and disregard the offering made by Cain? And, not only did he highly regard Abel’s Offering, but he also commended Abel as being a righteous man.
So how did Abel attain righteousness? This is what we learn from the scriptures; “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the first fruit of the ground, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord has regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Gen.4: 3-5).

We are further told that, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, by faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings” (Heb.11:4).
The reason why Abel’s offering was accepted, and Cain’s not accepted is because, Abel offered to the Lord the sacrifice, the sweet aroma which satisfies his will, one which depicted the best he could offer for his redemption. For the word of the Lord says clearly, “The life of all flesh is in the blood; and I has given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for ones life.

The priests are instructed by the Lord saying, “You must not redeem the first born of an ox, a sheep or a goat; they are holy. Sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.” Again the Lord said to them; “The priests shall burn them (the fat) on the altar as food, and offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the Lord’s. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. You must not eat any fat or any blood” (Num.18:17; Lev.3:16-17).

The sprinkling of blood and the burning of the fat of clean animals which were offered by Abel, and also the priests the Levites were a type which foreshadowed the real sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the best, the sweet aroma, and only sacrifice that fulfills the Father’s will in presenting the worshiper holy and blameless before him.
It is this secret mystery that was hidden for ages in God who created all things; and that through the church, his manifold wisdom might now be made known to the principalities and powers (Satan and his demons) in the heavenly places.

This secret mystery was according to the eternal purpose which God has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. Therefore, the practical righteous which one should seek first and which distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil is faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which is proclaimed and demonstrated by partaking of the bread and wine. As it is written; “For as often as you eats this bread, and drinks this cup you proclaim (demonstrate) the Lord’s death until he comes.”

When God’s people (the church) assemble together, they come to Mount Zion (the Church) and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in joyful assembly, and to the assembly of the first born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a Judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new Covenant which he instituted on the night before his crucifixion when he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ And took the cup gave thanks and offered it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt.26:26-28).

This covenant became in force only after the death of Jesus Christ, and became the means by which we can become ceremonially clean. For so says the scriptures; “He (Christ) entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.’

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when someone has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living” (Heb.9: 12-18).

Therefore the New Covenant which Jesus Christ instituted on the night before his death, became effective after his death, and it is now the means by which one becomes ceremonially clean and can now draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with their hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and their bodies washed with pure water, and Jesus Christ as their mediator interceding on their behalf.

Therefore to put God first by seeking first his righteousness is to offer the Lord his offering at his appointed times. For thus says the Lord; “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘my offering, my food for my offerings by fire (zeal), my pleasing aroma, you shall take heed to offer to me at its season” (Num.28:2).

We were not left in ignorance as to when the due season, or the appointed times are, for they are clearly stated in the book of Numbers chapter 28 and 29, and Leviticus chapter 23. As a matter of fact a holy or sacred assembly is a time God has sanctified and set apart for his people to appear before him, and the specific purpose for this sacred assembly is to offer to him his offering, which is besides or in addition to anything else one offers to God.
For thus says the Lord in the book of Leviticus chapter twenty three, verses thirty seven and thirty eight which reads; “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord offerings by fire, burnt offerings (the Lamb – Jesus Christ), and grain offerings (flour mixed with oil – unleavened bread), sacrifices and drink offerings (wine), each on its proper day; besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, and besides your gifts, and besides whatever you have vowed, and besides all your freewill offerings, which you give to the Lord.”

It is this act of righteousness that the children of God have become enslaved to, for having been set free from sin you have become slaves of righteousness. God requires that this offering, the food for his offerings, his sweet smelling aroma be offered to him at its appointed time, and has set aside specific times for his children to come together before him, specifically to offer to him his offering, this is why the practice of this act of righteousness differentiates the children of God from the children of the devil.
This is the act of righteousness, that when practice produces holiness, and ultimately everlasting life.

It is this same act of righteousness that when practice, one becomes righteous even as Christ is righteous. Therefore we have been warned saying; “Dear children, do not let anyone deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as he is righteous” (1Jn.3:7).
The same way Abel was commended as being a righteous man because he offered the Lord the offering which was pleasing to him, in like manner, we attain righteousness by faith when we offer the Lord his offering, his food for his offerings, his pleasing aroma at their appointed time.

The children of God are distinguished as, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, in order that they may declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. They are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

So let us learn to put God first, and do not worry saying, “What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Put God first is a sentiment that has certainly been embraced by most, if not all professing Christians, but exactly how to apply it differs from one individual to another. It is therefore imperative that we first learn to put things in true and proper perspective.

The worse thing anyone can do is to spend his/her time (life), resources, even destroying very important relationships pursuing what is believed to be of such great importance to God, and ends up to be all in vain.

As a matter of fact, the worse indictment that has been labeled on those who profess to know God is that of vain worship, and this is duly supported by Jesus Christ who said to the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your own traditions” (Mk.7:6-9).

Jesus also cautions his followers saying; “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers” (Matt.21-23).

Therefore the things one needs to do in order to put God first in his/her life are:-

a. Put things in true and real perspective

It is not just a matter of putting God first at all cost whether it is his according to his will or not, but rather put things in true real perspective, and seek first his will.

God has a plan for man before the foundation of the world, for it is stated clearly in the scriptures, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them.”

We are both the material, and co-workers with Christ whom God is using to accomplish his plan for man. The apostle Paul tells us; “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, his work will be shown for what it is; for the Day will disclose it because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1Cor. 3:10-15).

It is therefore unwise and insensible on the part of anyone who will not try to put things in true perspective and just simply follow trend despite the serious warning given by Jesus Christ saying; “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
The apostle Peter echoed a similar sentiment when he says; “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2Pet.2:1-2).

Since it is the many and not the few that are being led astray, one should not become insensitive and naive to the babble of confusion that plague the Christian religion, and simply take for granted everything that is said and done in the name of God. For thus says the word of wisdom; “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

One cannot afford to be complacent; the stake is too high to have the wrong perspective of God’s order of things, which can cause one to build his/her thesis on the wrong premise. The prize at stake here is enormous. It is not simply granting one access into a kingdom as citizens, but rather being heirs, rulers of a kingdom, and having a glorified body, which varies in glory. For just as there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, and star differs from star in glory, so will it be with the resurrection of the dead.

b. Be renewed in the spirit of the mind

The apostle Paul said; “Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Eph.4:14-19).

Those who put God first in their lives however, did not come to know Christ that way. Assuming that they have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, they will put off their old nature which belongs to their former way of life, and which is corrupted through deceitful lusts, and they will be renewed in the spirit of their minds, and will put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

They will put God first by not conforming themselves to this world, but rather be transformed by the renewal of their minds, in order that they may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. They will set their minds on things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. They will put to death all what that is earthly in them, because the unrighteous, the immoral, idolaters, adulterers, sexual perverts, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and robbers will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Putting God first is to strive to enter by the narrow door; for many I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the house holder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from. Then you will begin to say. ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity! There you will weep and gnash your teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from East and west, and from North and South, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last” (Lk.13:24-31)

Anyone who breaks one of the least of God’s commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

c. Seek first his kingdom of God

In consoling his followers the Lord says to them; “Do not be anxious saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ Or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Matt.6:31-33

The Kingdom of God and his righteousness is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. It is for this purpose he sent his Beloved Son into the world to die for the sins of man, and resurrected him in glory, in order to fulfill the everlasting covenant and promise he made to Abraham and his descendants.

With regards to the covenant God made with Abraham the apostle Paul wrote, “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that they might receive the full rights as sons.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith they might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Because they are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into their hearts crying, “Abba! Father” So they are no longer slaves, but sons, and since they are sons, God has also made them heirs. Heirs to the promise God made to Abraham and his descendants (Gal.4:4-8; Gal.3:14).

In affirming the immutability of the covenant which God made to Abraham and his descendants, the apostle Paul wrote; “Brethren, let us take an example from every day life. Just as no one can set aside, or add to a human covenant that has been duly established so it is in this case: The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The scripture does not say “and to seeds”, meaning many people, but “and to your seed”, meaning one person, who is Christ” (Gal. 3:15-16).

The promise was extended to David from whom Jesus Christ descended and thus says the Lord; “The days are coming, when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety, this is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.’

“For this is what the Lord says: David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, nor will the priests, who are Levites, ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices” (Jer.33:14-17).

With regards to the everlasting covenant the Lord made with the house of Israel the prophet Isaiah wrote; “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord will perform it.”

Jesus Christ fulfills this covenant by having an everlasting kingdom, and an everlasting priesthood.

For it is written; “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come – one in the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

For the one of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: “You are a priest for ever in the order of Melchizedek”.

Those who formally became priests took their office without an oath, but Jesus Christ became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest for ever.” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. For it is fitting that we should have such a High Priest, one who is holy, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Unlike the other high priests, Jesus Christ does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priest men who are weak; but the oath which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect for ever” (Heb.7:11-17; 21-28).

The kingdom of God is the principal and ultimate objective of our calling for thus it is written; “Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him. You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture in says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, the stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,” and a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall”; they stumble because they disobey the message, as they were destined to do.
But you (the believer) are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may proclaim the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1Pet.2:5-9).

It is stated that, “Jesus Christ was slain, and by his blood he ransomed men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and has made them a kingdom of priests to God, and they shall reign on the earth” (Rev.5:9-10).

The stone which the builders rejected and has become the chief corner stone is Jesus Christ the King of God’s kingdom. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

The first message Jesus Christ preached when he began his ministry was; “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel.” (Mk.1:14-15). When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he replied, The kingdom of God is not coming with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is, or there it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Lk.17:20-22).

The establishment of God’s kingdom on earth was revealed to the first world ruling king in a dream, and was later interpreted by the prophet Daniel. In interpreting the dream to the King Daniel said, “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed: nor will it be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever; just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. The great God has made known to you what will take place in the future. The dream is certain and its interpretation is sure” (Dan. 2:44-45).

According to Daniel the kingdom of God will be established during the reign of the fourth kingdom on earth (the Roman Empire). He wrote; “As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it in pieces.” But the court, shall sit in judgment and his dominion shall be taken away, and to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High’ their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall verve and obey them: (Dan. 7:23, 26-27).

The kingdom of God and his righteousness is the principal and ultimate objective for to live in righteousness and holiness. We have been admonished saying; “Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb.12:28-29).

The kingdom of God is our anticipated reward when Christ returns. He will separate the sheep from the goats, and say to the sheep on his right hand, “Come you are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world” (Matt.25:34).

Man’s temporary sojourn here on earth, is to help him learn how to use his God-given talent, ability and resources, and whatever God has placed under his jurisdiction to the glory of God. This helps him qualify for ruler-ship in the kingdom of God. He is expected to be a faithful steward occupying his time and using his resources diligently until Jesus Christ returns, because it is stated that; “He who is faithful in a very little (everything earthly) is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteousness mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

Jesus Christ depicted the establishment of the kingdom of God as, a noble man who went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them Do business till I come. But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading.”

Those who gained interest were commended by the noble man saying, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities, and to another five cities. But to the one who did not invest his money, what was given to him was taken away from him and given to the one who invested the most. Then the Lord said, I tell you that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me” (Lk.19:12-27).

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Christianity is undoubtedly portrayed in scriptures as a construction work, were each individual has been given a solid foundation on which to build his/her eternal destiny.

The apostle Paul alluded to this perception by stating; “According to the grace of God given to me like a skilled master builder, I laid a foundation and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor.3:10-11).

In another instance Paul described believers as, “Members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and Christ himself being the corner stone in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom believers also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph.2:19-22).

The apostle Peter echoed similar sentiments by urging all believers to, “Come to Christ, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stones built yourselves into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Pet.2:4-5).

The job description of those who are called is clear with absolutely no ambiguity, and there is only one hope for this calling, and the reward is based on how we pursue that hope. It is only if the work which any man has built on this foundation survives, that he will receives a reward, because the quality of every man’s work will be revealed by fire, and will test every man’s work of what sort it is.

Every structure is supported and joined together by the cornerstone, and in constructing the spiritual house one must assure him/herself that as living stone he/she is properly integrated, amalgamated, and well supported by the four corner stones of the spiritual temple, if not the slightest turbulence can cause a rift between the stones and the cornerstone.

The four cornerstones of the spiritual temple on which we are integrated and amalgamated, in order to build our own spiritual structure are:-

1. Jesus Christ our Wisdom and Power

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our wisdom and power because according to the apostle Paul, “We do however speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing; No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.’

“None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written; “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1Cor.2:6-9).

What exactly is that secret wisdom and power of God which he destined for our glory?

The secret wisdom and power of God which he destined for our glory is, Jesus Christ who because the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death, so he yielded his life for atonement for sin, and open the life gate that all may go in.

According to the apostle Paul “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written; “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

He then posed the following questions; “Where is the wise man? Where is the Scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolishness the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not know God through wisdom: it pleased God through the foolishness of what we preach, to save those who believe.”

How exactly do we preach the message of the cross, which is to those who are perishing foolishness, and to those who are being saved the power of God?

To preach the message of the cross is not just a verbal exercise, it involves a demonstration of the message of the cross. The secret mystery which was revealed to the apostle Paul is this; “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the lord’s death until he comes” (1Cor.11:23-26).

The apostle Paul said; “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1Cor.1:18-25).

We are integrated into this corner stone in view of God’s mercy, by offering our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (as priests in order to offer to the Lord his food for his offering) this is our spiritual act of worship.

The church has been given the responsibility to make known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God, which for ages past was kept hidden in God. The apostle Paul clarified this by saying; “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;

This mystery the apostle Paul said, “Was according to the eternal purpose which God has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him” (Eph.3:8-12).

The apostle Paul endorsed the source of our boldness and confidence to the Father by saying; “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb.10:19-22).

2.  Jesus Christ Our Righteousness

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our righteousness because his death fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, by paying the penalty of sin in full, which is death, and conferred his righteousness to all those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness, and will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ . As the result of this one act of righteousness, justification which brings life, came for all men. As the scripture clearly states; “But now, the righteousness of God apart from law has been made known, to which the law and the prophet testify. This righteousness from God; comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom. 5: 17-19; 3: 21-22).

This righteousness has not only been imputed, but has to be practiced as well, because we have been admonished saying; “you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.’ And, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteousness just as he is righteous.” This act of righteousness is the only righteous act that can produce holiness, because, all of man’s righteousness is as filthy rags before God

This act of righteousness is to become slaves to God as priests, to offer to him his food for his offerings at its appointed time, and having become slaves to God, the benefit we reap leads to holiness, and the result is everlasting life.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph