THE COVENANT PATHWAY TO DIVINE BLESSING - PART 2
Praise God! Earlier this week we began a series on THE COVENANT PATHWAY TO DIVINE BLESSING. When we talk about pathways, there is always where a person is coming from and a final destination one is going. The destination referred to here is the Blessings of God that comes with doing everything His word instructs. To make journeying on this path worthwhile, one needs to take with him or herself those things that will help survival and also help us reach our intended destination; hence the need for this teaching.
We might have sometimes heard people say that a person is cursed or there is a curse afflicting him from his lineage. Yes, truly curses exist. But as real as the curses are, more real are the blessings of God to terminate such curses. Galatians 3:13-14 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith".
Since, we have been brought into a newer light, whatever happens to us in our family is not meant to be our portion by virtue of our new family. 1 Peter 2:9-10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy".
You and I have now been translated into a new kingdom and have become heirs of God as Christ Jesus is. It is however important that we know this; we operate now in a realm of abundance. Revelations 5:12 says paraphrased "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom...."
One of the things Redemption offers us is these blessings we are talking about. Revelations 5:10 "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on this earth". One of the platforms through which we reign on earth is the access we have to heavenly blessings (Ephesians 1:3). But one thing we must understand is that knowledge is important. Hosea 4:6 "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". You might be in a family but if you do not have an understanding of the things that you are entitled to in the family; you will only be denying yourself of the blessings therein. You can never access them.
Previously, we talked about the Covenant of Obedience. Today, we shall be looking at that and other Covenant practices.
Obedience is crucial if we must attain that great height which God has destined for us. Abraham believed God and obeyed His instructions, hence, he was greatly blessed. Till today, we still sing that Abraham's blessings are ours. Abraham's blessings are not for everyone but for those who will obey, and will take steps on every instruction. Job 36:11 "If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures". There is prosperity in obeying Divine instructions.
2. THE COVENANT OF SANCTIFICATION:
To be Sanctified means to live pure, holy and as the saints of God. You can call this the Covenant of Living A Sanctified life. New birth is a ticket to everything new. Verse 10 of 1Peter 2 says, "we were in time past not a people of God". This means there was a time we were never entitled to God's blessings; afterall Adam and Eve were sent out and since then the curse fell upon man to struggle and still not be satisfied. But Jesus Christ coming with the light of salvation came that he might restore us to that very initial plan of God. It is now up to us to take the salvation that He has offered unto us.
Therefore, one of the important paths to a world of unlimited blessings is through Redemption. God is in charge of the needs of those who are His and He is committed to also meetings these needs. Malachi 3:16-18 "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
God is telling us here that there is a criteria to benefit of his goodness: there is a criteria for Him to remember you. One is having the Fear of the Lord. And man cannot operate the spirit of the fear of the Lord except He first becomes saved and then sanctified. Looking into scriptures, all that enjoyed the blessings of God were righteous men; saints; men who followed God wholly and added nothing unto him. Abraham was a righteous man, Job was a just man, and we see how God blessed them greatly.
TO BE CONTINUED
THE IMPACT TEAM
Building men and women of Excellence...
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