There is a set of people that form heavenly Jerusalem here on the earth. There is a ground where destiny blossom, there is a river that never runs dry, there are places where Satan can’t enter here on earth. There are men and women who enjoy favour and divine presence every time. There are places where God visits. As you insert yourself into this edition of Voices from Zion, you will come to discover that, you’re absent from calamity and chaos and present with goodness and mercy. Heaven on earth kind of lifestyle is purely present in the
COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIANS
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. *And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, *Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Act 2:46-47
Community of Christians is highly needed these days. Most believers are having their most trusted friends among the unbelievers! Where some fellow Christians live and those they walk with had corrupted their salvation and make them not different from an unbeliever. In fact some Christian women prefer to get married to an unbeliever than a believer man, while so many Godly men desire an unbeliever as a wife just because of disappointment in the fellow believers. So many highly rated individuals in different churches (assemblies) will rather help outsiders and do their alms to beggars than to help their fellow brethren. Some rather alert someone they don’t really know and not part of the fold about a job opening than to inform a fellow Christian that needs the job. Some Christians join forces to humiliate fellow Christians, what a shame. So many will miss heaven, and wonder why. There is a need to learn; (1.) Who is a Christian (2.) What makes you a Christian and (3.) What are Christian duties.
- Who Is A Christian?: Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. The word Christian was not pronounced or announced by the voice of God, it wasn’t an innovation of the Holy Ghost but it came as a result of good observers. People in Antioch observed them, listen to them, saw their reactions and actions, having heard and some of them seen Christ before agreed these are Christians. Therefore Christian means a vessel in which Christ dwell in full; his word and actions are simply Christ-like, that is a Christian. Jesus Christ is the heavenly church. (for that he came in the form of flesh and is perfect in all things. Infact Jesus said John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. Nothing at all. What makes you a Christian is totally wearing Christ as a cloak. One major thing that will help you most is to ‘part with the world and camp with Christ’. Everywhere and anywhere, always remind yourself that you are a Christian.
- What Makes You A Christian?: the following scriptures answered it Romans 8:28-30 Receiving Jesus as your Lord and Saviour makes you a Christian. Living as Christ, and placing him before you as your role model whose record you want to beat will make you a Christian indeed. Christians should live a fearless life; we should not fear diabolic, governmental and environmental powers. God’s word is very clear on this issue in 1 John 4:16-19 if you are totally in Christ, you won’t even fear death and you will be too much for your adversaries. Many Christians run from mountains to valley in search of solution but will not for once sit down to learn at the feet of the Holy Ghost. Addiction to Jesus Christ makes them nicknamed the disciples as Christians. You shall not end your journey in hell fire in Jesus name. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
3.What Are Christian Duties?: Christians have so many duties but the most paramount and a must for all children of God is 1 Peter 2:9 we are called to show forth the praises of Jesus . Until your life reflects the glory of Christ; you are not fulfilling your duties. It’s a must for all believers to position themselves as moon to the sun to Jesus, so that we would reflect the glory that he carries. When Jesus Christ was here he was preaching saying repent; for the kingdom of God is at hand. Mathew 4:17; that’s also our duty. Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Our duty also is to see his kingdom expand on the earth until there would be no one who had not heard the Gospel preached to him or her. One of the God end-time agenda is to withdraw himself from any life that will not show forth his glory. In propagating of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in words and in deeds is your duty fulfilled. Therefore in the
COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIANS
Strife, malice, lust, covetousness, pride and other works of the flesh should not be seen in our midst. The lust of this world is an invitation to satanic oppression, why? Hardly will you find a fearless man or woman that suffers from tension neither will you ever find a Christian that believes God for all things suffering from a troubled heart. In fact Paul the apostle counsels the church he said If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;*He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, *Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. *But godliness with contentment is great gain. *For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:3-8 So at this point; what are the virtues or things expected among Christians;
DISTRIBUTION: The following scriptures support this: Act 6:1-3, 11:29, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. It’s funny in our days that even churches are sending relief materials to those outside neglecting the church. Have you read Galatians 6:9-10? Whatever you give to the general public should be less to what you distribute to the church of God. There are widows, job seekers, destitute, naked, the hurt, maimed and wounded in the churches, do your alms to them. One of those things that have shortened our sight is this “my church syndrome”, focus your giving on all Christians and then your blessings shall be limitless. If people can only affirm your Christianity by a particular congregation membership and not by indwelling of Jesus Characteristics; you may not make heaven, because all they could see about you is the church (assembly) you attend. However if they see you and call you a Christian based on your conversation, then you are a true child of God that way. So in the Christian community there must be distribution. The book of Act of the Apostles records some wonderful steps Christians took to relief the church; they sold lands and valuable possessions to relief the church: imagine it. Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Not these days that the major way people show case they are blessed by God is by acquiring and neglecting those in need. It isn’t good for any child of God to beg or live on others as parasite, it’s not proper to be lazy, but it’s worse to neglect the challenged among us.
FEARLESS RELATIONSHIP: It has been noted that the world had crept into the church and one of the evil brought into our midst is fear of one another. There are places where Christians can’t eat together freely, some are so careful to talk and share anything with their fellow Christians. We need a fearless relationship, we mustn’t be at variance. Fearless relationship is a product of love, until we fulfil the law of Christ this very aspect will be far from the body of Christ. Church is not a political party or governmental office. 1 Corinthians 16:20-22 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. *The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. *If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. no one among the fold should be abused, despised or rejected. John 17:15-16 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. * They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
REJOICING: One of the good thing distribution and fearless relationship lead to is rejoicing together. In a church where some are hungry and some are filled and even have left over may not have all rejoicing. When rejoicing greater favour will break out. This also means that in the community of Christians there is no lack, because they keep having favour even as they distribute, relate fearlessly and praise God loudly. At the end of it all, others on the other side wants to be a part of them. Any company wherestaffs are always smiling and having all their incentive paid, and promotion is rapid with good working condition, everyone will want to work there. Group of people that are always smiling will attract others. The Lord God Almighty will always add more to his people if they will follow the laid down rules. …Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Keep hearing from Voices From Zion
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