by Pastor Afolabi Oladele
Continuing our reflections on faith particularly in these unstable and challenging times, let us see another side that neither works faith nor reflects the presence of it. Whereas mature faith sees with the mind of God expressed in His word; our minds, until we change its disposition, have been programmed to reach conclusions based on its assessment and interpretation of circumstances! This contrast is brought out in the Lord’s declaration in Matthew 16:1-4.
One day some of the Pharisees and those of the Jewish sect known as the Sadducees approached Jesus, insisting that he prove to them that he was the Messiah. “Show us a supernatural sign from heaven,” they demanded. Jesus answered, “You can read the signs of the weather, for you say, ‘Red sky at night, sailors delight.’ And, ‘Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.’ You’re so adept at forecasting the weather by looking at the sky, but you’re absolutely clueless in reading the obvious signs of the times. A wicked and wayward generation always asks for signs, but the only sign I provide for you will be the sign of Jonah the prophet.” Then he turned away and left them. Matthew 16:1-4 (TPT)
This is “anti“-faith in action! Note what happened to these people, Jesus turned away and left them! Wow! Paul expanded, as he is wont to do, in Ephesians 2:1-7 (TPT)
And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, dead in your sins and offenses. It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values of this world, obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God. The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self-life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else. But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ! Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ.
We are so schooled, saturated in the ways and authority of the dark ruler of the earthly realm, that its logic and conclusions fill our minds and dictate our response to life! The result is what society is experiencing in large-scale depression and subsequent turning to drugs, violence, rape, suicide, name it!
As believers, we have been delivered from “anti“-faith, being raised up with Christ the exalted one into the heavenly realm and being co-seated with Him, we can begin to appropriate seeing with His eyes and thinking His thoughts. When the scriptures declare in Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
and Isaiah 58:11
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
for example, I can stand strong in alignment with the words.
Beloved this is the time to be the visible display of the infinite riches of the grace and kindness that He has showered upon us! Do not settle for less! Start with the transformation of your mind, seeking His word for the situation and acting accordingly.
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