The believers are called to live a positive impactful life as light of the world and salt of the earth; and to lead the way for others to follow as he follow Christ the way-be you imitators (followers) of me, as I am imitator of Christ.1 Corinthians 11:1. He is obliged to shine as light in the world by straightening his life to awake to righteousness and sin not, lest his salt lose its sweetness and is wasted; and the light in him turn to become a great darkness. Day by day, the world is disintegrating morally in worsening in corruption than the old world of Sodom and Gomorrah, sinking deeper into hell; but the regenerate believer is said to have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lusts through the transformation wrought by divine power to live and partake in God’s divine nature; and his major task in Christ Jesus is to walk, as the truth is in Christ Jesus, to put off the former conversation which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; if so be that he have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that he should put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of his mind; and to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 2 Peter 1:3-4.
But true holiness is from within, (woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:25-26) while any outward presentation of personality not conforming to the scriptures of truth is the proof that the yokes of self-willed, conceitedness, lusts of the world and fleshly fair show through the pride of life that ought to have be crucified with Christ and to the world are not completely broken. Our Lord attested that the teachings of the Pharisees from the law of Moses was true, but he urged their hearers not to look at their lifestyles if they are looking for any good example to follow; else, they will also become hypocrites like the blind Pharisees who compass sea and land to make one proselyte, (convert or disciple) and when he is made, they make him twofold more the child of hell than themselves. Matthew 23:15. Galatians 6:14. 1 John 2:15-17.
This is one of the reason behind Christ opened denunciations, constant disagreement and strife of words between him the Pharisees. ‘Then spoke Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, saying the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Examples teaches and are very contagious-good or bad; just like the two sons of Eli the priest at Shiloh who were also priests took advantages of female worshippers in the temple to sleep (have sex) with them and whereby make the Lord’s people to transgress (to do the same thing-like pastor, like church members. 1 Samuel 2:24). The Lord will sanctify his own name and be vindicated when we failed to live up to his expectation to hallow his name by honourable manners and conducts. The consequences of this heinous crime were devastated to Eli’s entire household and generation for the curse uttered against them by Jehovah. ‘Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. And this shall be a sign unto thee that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them. And I will raise me up a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed forever. And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. 1 Samuel 2:30-36.
False teachers and false professors of faith will argue that appearance does not matter, but the heart; but when you are spotted with the world in your appearances, conducts and any other conversations as a supposedly born again child of God, it then means that your religion is defiled and contagious because your entire body, soul and spirit are not sanctified; and you should know that nothing unclean or defile will inherit or enter into that glorious eternal kingdom of the thrice holy Jehovah God almighty. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. James 1:27. Revelation 21:27.
A pastor or church leader and elder should not only speak the sound doctrine and undiluted word, he should also be the first to live it as an example for other to follow. If he is truly called by God, (except he is a premature or novice pastor) he should not lord it as a boss, oppressor and an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished, but in singleness of heart, not turning the ministry or church to a means for an end to make his wealth through the congregants; but being a good example to the flock in anticipation for the great reward of an unfading crown of glory from the great Shepherd-Christ. ‘You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory’. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12. 1 Peter 5:1-4.
A very good and sound morality is the productivity of a true transformed spirit filled life through the walk in the spirit and the fruit of the spirit. There is hope for a moralist and atheistic person that probably by the kindness and mercy of God, might come to the knowledge of the truth in Christ Jesus, that there is only One God of salvation who saves, heals and deliver; and not by our own works. But spirituality without morality is to keep crucifying the Lord Jesus the second time and bringing him continually to an open shame, whose end is to be burnt- a child is known by hisdoings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 21:8. Matthew 23:1-4. Hebrews 6:6-8.
Itching ears believers (2 Timothy 4:3) which has chosen to them such teachers are destined to perish with greater destruction in hell than the blind guides they preferred, adored and embraced against the undiluted-unchanging word of God. Note: if the blind lead the blind; both shall fall into the ditch. Like the wise and diligent Berean brethren (these were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11), it is believers’ individual responsibility to know the scriptures for his own good and to submit to the authority of a local church pastor’s sound teachings and godly instructions as long as his teachings and lifestyles are in harmony with the word of God (take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shall both save thyself, and them that hear thee. ‘Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you’. 1Timothy 4:16. Hebrews 13:7) if otherwise, he will do himself a great favour in the sight of God to forsake such hypocrites’ lips service pastor and believers’ congregation or church for a bible preaching, practising and living church. It is expected that our conducts be conformed to the word of God and the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27); to speak and do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (James 2:12); that by this, men will see our good works and ways of life, not only to give glory to God; but that without the word, they may also obtained the grace for salvation and be won to the Lord. Luke 6:39.
Strong emphasised is revealed from the scriptures on the uniqueness and individuality of responsibility, accountability and reward of spiritual lifestyles (1 Peter 4:6) in relationship with God when it comes to the recompenses of reward either for the works of righteousness or the works of iniquity. A stumbling block lifestyle (Zephaniah 1:2-3) is a life which is not bringing forth good fruit to Jehovah, through whom his name is blasphemed among the people (also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? Nehemiah 5:9); such tree that is bearing thorns and briers which shall soon be cut off and cast into fire to be burnt forever.
Many eyes are on us if we say we are children of God as are the epistle of Christ meant to be read and known of all men. But what kind of gospel have you received and what type Jesus are you preaching and portraying to the world by our daily lifestyles? For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Corinthians 11:4.
As for the primitive church, they were first called Christian at Antioch (Acts 11:26) not because they were carrying soft or hard copy of a bible all around for people to see. Actually in those days; there was nothing like a copy of bible, except the parchment; but the word of God is written in the table of their hearts and they lived it accordingly to the glory of the risen Lord. Neither were they wearing and carrying the metal cross hanging on their necks walking around for any show; but through their obedient walk in the love of God and in the fruit of the spirit; they were able to duplicate, exemplify, portrayed and manifested the very life of Christ crucified and risen; and were admired by many and multitudes were added daily to the church such as would be saved. By the way, the cross is the symbol of malediction from which we were redeemed from by the Lord Jesus (Galatians 3:13) and of which the ignorant, worldly, conscious or unconscious idolatrous believers are foolishly loving and indulging as a symbol of faith today. The symbol of our faith as new creatures is in the body and blood of Christ (not the metal or wooden cross, because the thieves were also crucified with the Lord on the tree; then should the company of thieves and robbers also be hanging the metal or wooden cross around their necks to celebrate their lost and unsaved champion hanged alongside Christ on the day of his crucifixion) given for our sins, which he asked and instructed us to celebrate of oft as we can. This is meant to challenge us to a constant life of uprightness and righteousness at all times, lest we found ourselves unworthy at any time to partake in the Lord’s Table as we read that the early church gathered weekly to break bread on the first day of the week. Such is the power of positive lifestyles from the early church which was a great blessing to the multitudes that were saved through them.
As a member in the body of Christ, we are to profit by the imputed Christ righteousness if we walk in the paths of it (Psalms 23:3. Job 27:6) or, we stand to lose and to reap corruption if we are sowing to the flesh. Though Christ has died, yet shall they that failed and refused to crucify the flesh with its lusts and affections shall reap whatever they have sown in Christ Jesus, for there is no respect of person with God. ‘The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: Son of man, when a land sins against me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness, says the Lord God. If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, even though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate. “Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, sword, go through the land, and I cut off man and beast from it, even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered. Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out my fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.’ Ezekiel 14:12-20.
We, upon whom the ends of world are come are to draw examples from the failures and successes of the patriarchs negative and positive lifestyles for wisdom and success (Joseph’s life) or for failure and eternal rejection (Samson’s life) if we fail to learn from the mistakes of those that failed in our walk with God by avoiding the steps and actions that led to their failures, whereby many were overthrown by God in the wilderness to the promised land; though once saved by him. We should not be tenacious as many are doing today to learn from the promiscuity and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of eternal fire prepared for them that are running after strange flesh for divers’ sexual pleasure (gay, lesbian, incest, adultery; prostitution, bestiality, bisexual, polygamy, poly-amorous, pornography, rape etc.). ‘But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 1 Corinthians 10: 1-11. Jude 1:5-7.
Jehovah identified and attached us to Abraham and Sarah (hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. Isaiah 51:1-2) as our spiritual parents: calling on us to walk after the same examples of their faith walk before him. Therefore (1), we are to be self and idols abandonment just as he forsook the idols of his father’s land and sold himself out to followed God in obedient, not knowing wither he was going. Genesis 12: 1-5. Hebrews 11:8. (2). We must not be seeking for our own interest, but for other men’s good; to be a peace maker and lover as he did with Lot; that though we are right and have reason, we should take the blame. Genesis 13:1-3. (3). We should honour God with our first-fruits or tithes, acknowledging that it is he that gives us power to make wealth as Abraham did gave his tithes to the priest of God-Melchisedeck. (4). We should be unreserved in obeying God even as Abraham demonstrated in the offering of Isaac: we are also blessed, if we walk in the footsteps of Abraham’s faith and devotional life. Genesis 23:1-18.
The scripture warned us against spiritual slothfulness, worldly and carnal thoughtfulness; but it also encourages us to follow after the examples of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God. Hebrews 6:11-12.
Patience is a key word in the scriptures. God is known as the God of hope and patience who will abundantly reward our patience of hope at Christ return if we patiently endure (1Thessalonians 1:2-4) in keeping the word of his patience to the end (Revelation 3:10) that we may possess or gain our souls in patience (Luke 21:10-19) of the patience and faith of the saints (Revelation 13:10) for we will not receive the fullness of our inheritance if we will not let patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why doth he yet hopes for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:24-25. James 1:1-4.
What lessons can we learn from Sarah our spiritual mother? (1). Her submission was second to none in marital relationship – worthy of all attention in her admirable respect for Abraham calling him lord (even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.1 Peter 3:6). Her co-operation and willingness to see Abraham succeed in life as seen in her obedient to lay down her life that Abraham might live in the matter of the kings Abimelech and Pharaoh attempt to spouse her. (3). Though she was a very attractive beautiful and desirous woman (Genesis 12:11-15. Genesis 20:1-2) recommended and presented before the kings for marriage: yet, she never added any ungodly material to advertise her beauty and herself like outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly (extravagant) array. 1Timothy 2:9. 1 Peter 3:3.
Sarah’s adornment and ornament was her natural beauty and modest, freed from vanity, worldliness and conceit. It was God’s made beauty in the spirit of meekness and quietness, coupled with godly fear without any tinkling ornaments about her feet, or cauls, and the round tires like the moon. It is not with the chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, the rings, and nose jewels, the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. Isaiah 3:16-24. Before the dawn of that great and fearful day of God, when the sheep shall be separated from the goats (Matthew 25:31-40) Jehovah is earnestly warning in love to the erring souls to come back (Jeremiah 6:16-19. James 5:19-20. Proverbs 19:27) the adamant sinners of his people to change from hardening their hearts (Psalms 68:21: Ezekiel 18:30-32: Amos 9:8-10) and pathetically, the worldly, sensual and carnal believers to walk worthy of their vocation in true holiness as he that has called us is holy, if they truly hope to see the King and to reign with him in his beauty. Titus 2:11-14.