WARNING AGAINST BACKSLIDING

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he falls. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Paul the Apostle, through the inspiration of God, pointed out the possibility of a believer becoming cast away after initial evidence of salvation and a lifetime of service to God. He compared the Christian life to a race and emphasized the fact that a participant could be disqualified from receiving the prize if he/she does not run according to the rules. Therefore, there’s a need to maintain self-discipline and avoid those things that can cause a person to be rejected by God. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible, therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (2 Corinthians 9:25-27).

In his epistle to the Corinthians church, Apostle Paul continues this train of thought, apparently to warn some people in the church who felt eternally secured in their salvation even though they lived in sin. He warned believers against the danger of backsliding and thereby debunked the damnable heresy of the doctrine of eternal security. He emphasized that the great privileges that the Israelites enjoyed in their relationship with God were typical or illustrative of what believers in the New Testament enjoy. However, it is sad to note that despite those privileges the Israelites enjoyed, many among them who went into sin were destroyed, And the account of their failure was written to warn subsequent believers of all ages against the danger of falling back to sin.

There is no truth in the doctrine of unconditional security of believers. Those who are secured in Christ are those who continue in the word of God in true righteousness to the end. Believers can avoid backsliding by laying aside the things that bring temptations and taking necessary steps to victory through vigilance (1 Peter 5:8), prayer (Matthew 26:41), conviction (2 Timothy 3:14), trust ( 2 Timothy 1:2), Obedience (Psalm 119:60), resistance (James 4:7), and absolute surrender to God (Romans 6:13). As heaven-bound pilgrims, we must depend on the Lord for His sustaining grace and power. Our salvation, boldness at the throne of grace, conviction, and uncompromising stand on the truth is by grace. Without grace, we are as ordinary as other people.

We are most likely to fall when we are most confident of our own strength. Distrust in our strength makes us be vigilant and put our trust and dependence on God. This gave us the best security against all sins. God is able and indeed has promised to keep us from falling but we must look to ourselves (2 John 8). God is faithful to keep us from a tempting world full of snares. Though we are to be watchful and vigilant, he will proportion our burden to our strength. Hence, we should not be terrified or amazed when temptation comes. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them, that believe to the saving of the soul”. May this be our portion as we continue in our pilgrim journey on earth till we see Jesus face to face in heaven.

POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY

In the book of Acts 1:8, the Lord Jesus Christ declared that; “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. This promise when it was fulfilled on the day Pentecost marked the beginning of wonders in the book of Acts. The advent of the Holy Ghost has always been amazing in all ages. From creation, God’s work has always been done and handled by the power of Holy Spirit. No one has ever been sent to represent God and proclaim His word except by the instrumentality of the Spirit of God. Who can handle the Scriptures effectively without the Spirit of truth who inspired it? Who can change the lives of sinful men, and edify the believers without the help of the Comforter? No wonder the Lord charged and instructed the disciples to wait until they were endued with power from on high. If we are going to live dynamic lives and do enduring pastoral work, we need to be endued with a power that comes from above. Before Christ went to heaven after having given the great commission to His disciples, He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem until they have been endued with power from heaven. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). From this charge, we discover the need and necessity of being baptized with the Holy Ghost before effective and enduring service can take place.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is like having Christ present with you as he was with the disciples in the days of His flesh. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). It makes a believer a consuming firebrand bringing revival to the lives of others (Matthew 3:11), and others a conserving tanker of the water of life refreshing the life of men (John 7:37-39). It is the anointing that breaks the yokes and brings signs and wonders to follow the ministration of the gospel ministers (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The arrival of the Holy Ghost upon the believer is like having the peaceful dove of heaven resting upon one’s life-giving confidence, boldness, and courage in troubles and trials. It is an experience no Christian leaders and members can do without. “And when the day of Pentecost has fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

The Holy Ghost came on the day of Pentecost as the Lord promised and baptized the hundred and twenty disciples in the upper room. It was a mighty outpouring of God’s power on human vessels. It was a wonderful experience in the lives of the early church and for all believers today, who desire to tarry in prayer to be baptized with God’s power from high. The Holy Ghost is already here, we are not waiting for Him. He is the one waiting for us to receive Him if we are ready now. To receive Him: Let the love of God be fully shed abroad in your heart exceedingly by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).

Be sure of a genuine experience of salvation and a sanctified heart. Lay your life down on the altar consecrated to the Lord’s service exclusively. Long for the river of living water exceedingly and look for the Comforter expectantly. Labor in prayer and endure like Elijah until you receive Him. Lift your voice in the hope to be immersed exactly as in the day of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit has come, the initial evidence is speaking in tongues. This will be followed by the manifestation of power in the believer’s life. He is given – powerful anointing to speak against sin like Micah the prophet. “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8). He also gives prevailing authority to do the miraculous with persuasive persistence, and energized faith to do the impossible (Acts 5:11-15; Acts 6:8). There is prayer ability beyond the ordinary “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

The Spirit of the living God gives perceptive insight into hidden things for the benefit of the Church. In addition, the Holy Ghost gives passion unquenchable for souls and zeal for the gospel work (Colossians 4:12-13).The arrival of the Holy Ghost gave birth to the New Testament Church in the Acts of the Apostles. The difference is very clear and the clearness is due to the anointing upon the Apostle who led the church. When church leaders are under the anointing of Holy Ghost, the following will be the event: Consistent conversion of souls into the kingdom (Acts 5:14); Constant conservation of converts and the newcomers (Acts 2:41); Correct Christian living in the church; Conforming church members (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7); Comforting counseling that strengthens members; Commissioned Christian witnessing by life and word (Acts 8:4). Above all, the church will be prepared and living in expectation of the Lord’s second coming.