BREAKTHROUGH: A SPRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

In biblical terms, a breakthrough refers to a divine intervention that shifts circumstances, resolves long-standing challenges, and brings clarity, victory, or transformation. It is often a moment of liberation, fulfillment of a promise, or the realization of God's purpose in a situation. The process of achieving a breakthrough involves three intertwined elements: state, story, and strategy. Each plays a critical role in positioning oneself for divine intervention and walking in victory.

1. State: The Foundation of Breakthrough

Your "state" refers to your inner condition—your faith, mindset, and spiritual posture. It is the foundation upon which breakthrough begins.

Biblical Principle:

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

• Faith over Fear: Maintaining a posture of faith despite challenges is essential. The Israelites’ breakthrough at the Red Sea came because Moses trusted God’s promise (Exodus 14:13-14).

• Spiritual Alignment: Aligning your state with God’s Word enables you to hear His voice and recognize His hand at work.

• Emotional and Mental Focus: Discouragement or doubt can hinder progress. David strengthened himself in the Lord before pursuing his victory over the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:6).

Key Application:

• Cultivate gratitude and worship even in difficulty.

• Practice surrender, trusting God’s timing and plan.

2. Story: The Narrative of Breakthrough

Your "story" is the meaning and perspective you assign to your situation. It is shaped by your beliefs and interpretations of life’s events. Biblical Principle:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

• God’s Narrative: Recognize that God is the ultimate author of your story. Joseph’s perspective of his trials—being sold into slavery and imprisoned—allowed him to see God’s hand in positioning him for leadership (Genesis 50:20).

• Shifting the Story: Sometimes, breakthroughs require redefining your situation. Instead of seeing obstacles, view them as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power.

Key Application:

• Reflect on your story through the lens of Scripture.

• Speak life and truth over your situation (Proverbs 18:21).

3. Strategy: The Action Plan for Breakthrough

Your "strategy" refers to the steps, decisions, and obedience required to partner with God in achieving a breakthrough.

Biblical Principle:

"Faith without works is dead." (James 2:26)

• Divine Instruction: God often gives specific strategies for breakthrough. For example:

Joshua was instructed to march around Jericho for seven days before the walls fell (Joshua 6:1-20).

Gideon reduced his army per God’s direction to ensure the victory was credited to Him (Judges 7:2-7).

• Big Decisions: Breakthroughs often require bold decisions and acts of obedience, like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:29).

Key Application:

• Seek God’s guidance in prayer for clear direction.

• Take bold, faith-filled action even when it feels risky.

Keys to Breakthrough

1. Surrender to God: Acknowledge that breakthrough ultimately comes from Him (Psalm 62:1-2).

2. Seek His Word: Stand on His promises and let Scripture shape your faith.

3. Cultivate Prayer: Persistent prayer invites God’s power into your situation (Luke 18:1-8).

4. Guard Your Mind: Keep your thoughts focused on God’s ability rather than your limitations.

5. Act in Obedience: Be willing to take steps in faith, even when the outcome isn’t immediately visible.

Summary of the Process:

1. State: Keep your heart and mind aligned with God’s truth.

2. Story: Reframe your challenges as part of God’s redemptive plan.

3. Strategy: Seek divine guidance and act in obedience to His instructions.

Breakthrough is not just about the outcome; it is about the transformation God works in you through the process. As you embrace faith, reframe your narrative, and act boldly, you create the conditions for divine intervention.

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.

GRACE AND FAITH FOR SALVATION

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins…Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12). From these verses of the scriptures, it is clear and certain that salvation from sins come through the vicarious death of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who believe in Him. Salvation in essence, is an act of forgiveness from sin, deliverance from sin, and reconciliation with God through genuine repentance form sin and faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. Salvation is different from healing, joining a church, renouncing from idol worship, changing name. Salvation includes freedom from the power and guilt of sin, and all its consequence. It aimed to not to make us turn a new leaf but to make us live a new life. The grace of God teaches us to deny all ungodly acts or behavior and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11).

Salvation makes it possible to live a godly life in the face of temptation, corruption and evil. God’s offer of salvation is by grace. Grace means the favor of God which we receive without the any merit or work, while faith is the spiritual mechanism through which man receives salvation. Being healed, having dreams that are continually being fulfilled and reading the Bible and to memorize its verses without the experience of salvation, amount to self-delusion and destruction. Salvation is the object of grace; it is not obtained by keeping the law of Moses. Salvation is not like traits we inherit from our parents; it cannot be passed from husband to wife, from wife to husband, from parents to children or from children to their parents. To be saved; one, acknowledge and repent of your sin or sins; two, renounce Satan and all his activities; three, receive Christ as your Savior, and put your faith in the atoning work; not in your good morals or good works; four, rely on God to live a victorious life. Only Christ can make one a new creature in righteousness. Yes, Jesus have the power if you can come to Him today. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Any one that lacks the assurance of salvation cannot overcome sin, Satan, the world and temptations. Assurance of salvation means a firm and confident understanding that one’s sin is forgiven. Those who lack the assurance of salvation place their confidence on feeling rather than a faith. They think to be sure, must have a certain kind of feeling. Others feel they must be happy always. Salvation is not by feelings but by faith in the atoning work of Christ. This faith is dynamic, which produces not only assurance of salvation in our hearts but also fruits of righteousness in our lives.