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We are saved to live a holy and sanctified life

By
Ogba Victor
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0
be-holy

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

1 Peter 1:15-17

Brethren what can we say about this? How shall I speak about this evil in the house of my God? Should I lament like my God did to me in the year 2018 or should I be silent as the grave? For the people of my God has been deceived and cheated from the truth.

I Ogba Victor, a bond servant of Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit unto the Churches.

Brethren, do not listen to those who tell you that there is peace. For there is no peace.

Don’t listen to alter men who teach you soft lies or watered truths in order to make their message acceptable and make themselves look good to you. For they dilute the word of God and grope for honor from men and not from God; they are not men of God, they are men of themselves.

Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

Jeremiah 26:2

Brethren, do not listen to false teachers who preach grace as licence to sin and be forgiven. For grace is not a licence to sin.

Read: Understanding the true meaning of the word – ‘Grace’

Don’t listen to those who teach faith without works. For the Bible has recorded that without work, faith is dead. James and Peter spoke about this false teaching.

Not long ago I had a brief chat with a theologian whom I also believe is a Pentecostal Pastor (I do not know for sure). He had commented on a post I made about producing the works of salvation and he replied that men who don’t produce those works will be saved by faith. To make his point clearer he quoted this passage:

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11

Note: I agree to justification by faith; but then I presented him this passage from James:

You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

James 2:24

Brethren, the same person who had no problem with interpreting the book of Galatians literally replied: “This is passage is confusing and hard to interpret…”; and then I asked him why. Why would a clear statement in James be hard to interpret but the one in Galatians is not. After some scriptural insight and exposition on this issue, he agreed that one most follow the other and I agreed. Faith must follow works but without works faith is dead.

Christians must know that the bible does not teach faith without works; but rather, faith in Jesus must come before our sacrifice will be acceptable. False teachers influenced by the spirits of hell teach that falsehood which has caused many not to live a holy life.

The bible does not teach that one will go to heaven by only placing his/her faith in Jesus. He or she must be born again, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and should produce fruits/works of the Spirit and live a holy life. Take a look at this scriptures:

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your [a]stay here in fear;

1 Peter 1:17

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Therefore brethren, beware of those false teachers of faith without works and do not listen to them.

Brethren, don’t listen to those who tell you that once you are saved, you are free to continue living in sin and that God’s grace will cover you. There was grace but yet Ananias was killed by God for lying in Church.

Don’t listen to them. For they teach unfounded, unbiblical and dubious message sponsored by the powers of hell.

Download ‘Victory in the Storm’ Mp3

God is not happy

We must be born again said the Lord. We must live a holy and a sanctified life full of the Holy Spirit says the Holy Book. We must produce the works of the saved and we must live above sin and darkness. There is power to do these things, it was for it that grace was given. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us this power.

During the years of monopolized Christianity by the Roman Catholic, it was said that the Holy Spirit’s baptism and power manifestations was just for 3 generations from the disciples.

In truth, it was not that the Holy Spirit was gone from the church, it was because the church lacked holy and refined men who could be filled; for the Holy Spirit is always looking for men to fill with power.

Because their hearts were wicked against God, no one was baptized by the Holy Spirit. For they killed many who stood out and burnt souls like William Tyndale who asked questions and did godly works. How could they have received the Holy Spirit?

As the reformation years started, from Luther down to Calvin and the minor reformations, faith as principle for salvation was preached and believed. Grace was also know by the churches; but the Holy Ghost baptism did not comeback all through those reformation years.

It wasn’t until John Wesley’s reformation which paved way for the holiness movement did the Holy Spirit manifestations and power come back.

Holiness people believed in grace; yes! They believed in justification by faith; yes!; but they also believed in sanctification and holiness. This doctrine is what the Bible teaches and it rebirth what Christendom believed was for only 3 generations. Power!!

As the 20th century began, the true power of the Holy Spirit was already manifesting among the Evangelicals who were an offshoot of the Holiness movement. But the baptism of fire they knew not, having not known the truth about it. But in those days, there were people who received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and power as history tells.

After the Azusa Street revival, Pentecostalism was fully reborn just as it was in the book of Acts. For the Holy Ghost who lives in holy men came back to grace us. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit after the Holiness movement shows that God is interested in holiness, God is interested in holy men, and God is interested in a holy Church.

Holiness was what the Spirit was waiting for. The Holy Spirit was waiting for the Church to go back to truth without compromise. He waited for obedience without selection of which to do before he will begin manifestations of power and glory.

Brethren, God is still looking for washed men. God is still looking for Christians who don’t dine with sin in the pretense of being saved by grace or have known the falsehoods of free grace. Grace is free, but it is to help us live holy lives, not to keep us under sin.

We must make haste and repent from our mistakes that times of refreshing may come from God.

God is still recruiting his Elects. God is still accepting men who will say “take me, wash me and make me holy”. For we were saved to live a holy life. Amen!

Spirit of Grace – the dire need of the hour

By
Ogba Victor
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0
grace

‘Grace’, is the most powerful word in the world after ‘Jesus’. Grace is simply God’s power that teaches us how to win. Salvation grace and empowerment grace is only given through the manifestations of the Spirit of God and this is why He is called the Spirit of grace.

Read: True meaning of the word ‘grace‘

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Zechariah 12:10

It wasn’t until early 2018 that God started to teach me about grace. All my life I have believed in hard work and in making things happen. Although I have had measures of success, things have never really measured up to my input. I have seen people who did less, excel better than I did; but God had made it that way to teach me about grace for the work he would later call me into. In the year 2020 God opened my eyes to the true definition of grace and He has caused me to understand that all we need is His grace. I also got to understand that this grace is available through the Spirit of grace – The Holy Spirit of God.

In the Passage quoted above- ‘Zechariah 12:10’, Zechariah wrote about God’s plans to pour the Spirit of grace upon the Jews in the last days. A spirit to teach them their God and bring them back to his fold and then Israel will be saved as a nation.

Israel has struggled with God over the years. God has in turn punished them over and over again for their fornication. Howbeit God is saying, that it will take the Spirit of grace them bring them back. This Spirit of grace will teach them their God and they will cry out to Him. The Spirit of grace will teach them how to overcome their wickedness, stony hearts and rebellious spirit (Jeremiah 31:33). Grace will save them and teach them never to offend God forever.

Now brethren, for we know that in those years of the Old Testament and the Law, that the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of grace and supplications was not given to all yet; it was only given to the prophets. The prophets found God and lived for God even in the midst of a wicked generation.

Many years after, and as promised by God in Joel 2:28, we now have the same spirits as the prophets and have become sons of God with prophetic utterances and power.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Joel 2:28

This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as the Lord had promised. The out pouring of the Holy Spirit was also the out pouring of the grace to know God. Remember that Jesus said: “When the Holy Spirit comes, you will know that I am in the father and the father in Me”. He also said “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things”.
Brethren, this teaching includes: the knowledge of God, how to live for God, how to serve God, how to work for God and how to run the Christian race. Grace teaches says Apostle Paul (Titus 2:12).

Brethren, this grace that will turn the hearts of Israel to God and save them forever; what if God pours it upon us the gentiles? What if God pours out the Spirit of grace upon his dying church?

Although we have had this grace, but we have abused it. We have been deceived and manipulated by the enemy and the world we live in. This has caused the presence of God to diminish among us, which in turn has caused a drastic reduction in this grace. And now there is no denying that we need another out pouring of the Spirit of grace and supplication to lead us back to our Lord in tears and grief for our failures. For there is no revival without tears.

Another question is this: What if God pours this grace upon the unbelieving gentiles who are also like the now Jews, would they still remain in unbelief? No! Of course not; for grace teaches to know God. Therefore the Spirit of grace is what the unbelievers need to be converted.

I know of a woman, she doesn’t have all that great education but whenever she is given a class in the Sunday School, it does not take time before her class tops in attendance; this grace has followed her all her life.

What if that Pastor struggling to grow his church has the grace this woman of God has, will he continue to struggle? No! Not at all. Therefore the Spirit of grace is what is needed to plant, run and grow a church.

Reinhard Bonnke pulled millions and another only could pull thousands. The message of Bonnke may not be as strong and powerful as that of the other evangelist. Nevertheless Bonnke is converting or has converted much more souls and is having a better ministry. What Bonnke has is simply ‘more soul wining grace’.

And if God would raise us servants and give them the grace he has given Bonnke, would many not be pulled to Christ? Many will be pulled to Christ.

Brethren, we can now conclude that grace is the dire need of the church of our time. It has become evident that we cannot do without the Spirit of grace. Therefore all believers have a task to do and a prayer to make. We should pray for the Spirit of grace to be poured upon the dying church; for this is a prayer that births revival.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6

Finally brethren, when you pray, never faint in asking God for grace. Grace to know Him, grace to live for Him, grace to find Him, grace to run the race and grace to finish strong. Our strength will always never be enough but sufficient is the amazing grace of God.

Favoured is that man, upon whom God shall pour the Spirit of grace. Great is he whom God shall give grace to know and serve Him. For when others will sleep and fail, this grace will teach him how to win; Amen!

The need for Holy Ghost revival (Part one)

By
Ogba Victor
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0
need for revival

Holy Ghost revival or Pentecostal revival is a Pentecostal affair, not in denomination but in experience. And yes!, it is the will of God is that every believer will have the Pentecostal experience. Holy Ghost revival should not be denominationalized and its power should not be limited in human imagination even if we have known the revivals of the past. When revival comes, one of the things it does is to give many the Pentecostal experience and baptize them by fire and power of the Holy Spirit. Whenever it starts, a Pentecostal minister will be used as guide to the revived and baptized on what the Spirit is saying (as has been seen from historic revivals).

That work of the Holy Spirit will cut through many individuals, churches and denomination of God, leading them into full blown experience of Pentecostalism and the power of God. Many towns, many countries, many society, the government of the world, businesses, law firms, security agencies, family members, pagans, Satanists and all kinds of people, they will know that some something powerful has hit the world. They will naturally know that something is happening and many will be drawn by the spirit of grace. Those who sit in darkness shall see great light and anyone who reaches out will be saved. Such is the power of my great Master and God whom should be feared and worshiped; Amen!

Revival is a Holy Ghost church affair but its proceeds are for the entire nations of world. It is just like Jesus who lived, died and arose in Israel but the work He did in Israel has had massive impact in the nations of the word. It is not a crusade for the lost. It is not a powerful church program where men invite the Holy Ghost to take charge and showcase his power through the ministration of the preacher. It is the pure work of the Holy Spirit. And it comes whenever the church is in need of revival or times of refreshing. It comes when the church is sick and has failed God. It comes when many cannot recognize their God just like in the days of Elijah. In this article we will focus on the need for revival as it concerns missions and evangelism.

The Lamentation

Someone on a Facebook page I belong cried out. She talked about how the tears for souls to be pulled out unto God is no more. We must note one thing, evangelism has not died completely in the church. There are still people who are doing the work of God. In my church district, the district evangelism team headed and led-out by the district leader is still active and I trust it is so in some other churches. However, the reason behind the evangelism we do in our time should be questioned. Most people do these things just to please God and fulfill the great commission. Some do it for people to see their Christian work. Another may do it to please the pastor or leader. But an effective evangelism is driven by burden for the lost or the passion of Christ. Any man consumed with this burden doesn’t sleep without many thoughts. These thoughts wake him up at night. This thoughts leave him tearful in the secret. This passion and burden keeps him on his knees crying for souls. Such a man does not plan his evangelism outreach as he is always hunted and moved to save someone; and the impact of messages prepared from such burdened heart is terrible to sin and the flesh.

Read: Shall we pray or shall we sing songs?

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

The truth is that the burden for the lost has died among many Christians. When I say many, I mean very many! That hunger to save a sinner from perishing is no more with us. Why? It is because the Spirit that creates such hunger, such desire and such passion has left many believers.

Souls are trooping Hades every minute as we continue to lose our main task. What can we do to revive this hunger and passion? Preaching and teaching it may be useful, bible reading may be useful, mission seminars is great; but this passion for the lost is only born through the power of the Spirit of God. Therefore what we need is Holy Ghost revival to rebirth the tears and passion for souls.

Brethren, people actually died for us to receive what we now have. People have bid their families ‘farewell till we meet to part no more’ for us to have a bible to read and be saved. Those great sacrificial lambs of Jesus Christ who sacrificed their lives for me and you where not driven by the need to become a popular evangelists with mega followers on social media. Their dream was not to ride a big car nor was it a big mansion. They were not looking for donations and seeds to increase their worth and live expensive lives. They had just one dream which followed them wherever they went. That dream slept and woke with them. They dreamt, even when fully awake. And the many tears made their eyes red. Their vision outweighed the worth of their lives and they couldn’t care less if they could fry it all for many not to see condemnation into eternal darkness and sorrow. Oh!, how many of us can do what they have done? Not even I the preacher of this message can fill those great shoes. Only the Holy Ghost can birth such people. Only the Holy Ghost can make such hearts. Only Holy Ghost revival can give us back the tears and passion for the lost.

Our hearts are now hardened and dry. It can no more produce passion for the work of God. If the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart, then the eyes are wet from the wetness of the heart. We need Holy Ghost revival to break our hardened hearts and wet it. When the heart is wet, the eyes is always full of tears. And a gospel ministration produced from a wet heart wets the soul of sinners and turns many to God.

Another area for which we need the Holy Ghost revival for soul wining and evangelism is His Grace. Grace is the most powerful word in the world. The most powerful name and king is Jesus. The most powerful being is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The most powerful Spirit and force is the Holy Ghost. The most powerful word is grace.

Israel will be lost until the Spirit of grace is poured upon them according to Zechariah 12:10. God has just recently helped me understand that all we need is His grace. Be it grace to pray, grace to work for God, grace to preach, grace to live Holy lives or grace for evangelism and soul fishing.

The spirit of grace is none other but the Holy Ghost. Only He gives grace to win souls for Christ. Only He gives grace to cause a perishing soul to turn to God. This implies that if grace is not shown to a sinner, no matter how hard we try, we cannot give them enough reason to follow Christ. Also it implies that if we don’t have the Holy Spirit present in our lives to give us grace for God’s work, we will struggle to convert souls.

We have caused the reduction of His presence among us by our failure to obey Him and live in holiness and purity, this has also reduced his grace for missions. Example, If 100 Christians are on fire for God, they can convert 1000 souls in a year. But if just 5 out of 100 is on fire, they can convert only but a fraction of the 1000 souls.

He is still there, but not as much as we use to have Him in the days Christianity caused the world to bleed with our evangelism and missions. Not as much as we use to when we were converting millions and bringing many souls to the foot of the cross. We need Holy Ghost revival because it means that grace is coming back in great fold. Even the aura of His glorious presence can convict and convert many sinners to God without human effort. For there has been testimonies of men who were never preached to, but the Spirit of grace fell upon them and they became convicted and converted. This kind of power is only displayed if the Spirit of God hovers in and out on His church. We need revival!. We need Holy Ghost revival.

Our lamentation

Sinners are perishing and we can do little to help. Our loved family members who don’t know Jesus will probably end up in a fire that never quenches. Oh! Children are wasting away and we can no more covert our youths. What has happened to us? It seems our message is powerless now. Oh! Who will help us? Who will teach us? Who will wet our hearts again? Who will burden us for the perishing world? Who will give us grace to win souls? Oh! Who will teach us tears and passion for the lost? Oh! Who will revive us?

Answer: It is the Holy Ghost! He can do it if we pray.

 

Christian Men and Women were saved to pray; it is our divine apportionment

By
Ogba Victor
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3

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Luke 18:1

Prayer is as vast as God. Prayer is as powerful as nuclear weapon. Prayer is the number one weapon of a believer. A praying Christian stops sinning and a sinning Christian stops praying. The church started to decay and became weak when we stopped praying. When sin and darkness came upon us, prayer left us. When prayer left us, sin and darkness came on us. For us to be saved we pray; for us to remain saved we pray. No man is greater than his prayer life; no church is greater than her prayer life.

Growing up, there were songs we always did sing. I still remember two songs we sang with playfulness, which now makes so much sense to me. One of them is:

Prayer is the key
Prayer is the key
Prayer is the master key
Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer
Prayer is the master key

And the second one is:

Read your bible, pray every day
Pray everyday; pray every day
Read your bible, pray every day if you want to grow.

These were songs the old generations of God taught us. When they sang it to us as kids, we chanted back in joy and playfulness. Never did I imagine that we were being playfully given the secrete to why the church was on fire for God. True! Prayer was the secrete for which they were alight for God. Prayer was the back bone for the old time Holy Pentecostal churches that was frequently torn apart in gatherings by the Holy Ghost. My dad and mom always talk about the many tears in the church they were converted to. They talk of the power they met when they became Christians. My mom still talks about the revival that came upon the church when she was still a teenager. During those years as a growing child, I never knew that prayer was the not just the key to those great encounters of power and God, but also the Master key that sustained the church in power, holiness and grace.

Saved to pray

Brethren, before we obtained salvation we prayed. Now, after salvation what next? The answer is blank for many Christians of our time. It is blank for many churches and ministers of our time. That is why many has stayed as Church goers for years without ever growing to full knowledge of God and experiencing what sanctification and Holy Ghost baptism is. I could still remember struggling with a particular sin that led me into praying fasting for over 30 days. How I gained power over it, I still cannot tell. But this I know: I received help through prayer. For a man who prays gains power to overcome sin.

Therefore, the answer to the question – “after salvation what next?” is – Read your bible and pray every day if you want to grow. Pray if you want to be sanctified. Pray if you want to be baptized by fire. Pray if you want to be an overcomer of the world and the forces of darkness. Pray if you want to inherit life. For we were saved to pray.

In Luke 18:1, Jesus told the disciples a parable to show them that men always ought to pray. Jesus himself lived a life of fire through prayers. Often, the God in man form retreated to pray. He spent many nights on the mountain making prayers. Even on the eve of His crucifixion, our lord was praying until he was arrested. It was also recorded that he spent 40 days and 40 nights in prayer in fasting. And I would always ask- “what was the Lord praying for that would take him 40 days?” If there was ever a man holy enough, righteous enough, worthy enough, and with enough faith to pray and it will be answered, it was the Lord. In just 5 minutes, He could have prayed through humanity. However this prayer warrior understood that prayer was the master key. But what is the master key of His church today? Songs and zero Prayer. Songs are great, but it is not the master key!

Read: Shall we pray or shall we sing songs?

What about the disciples? After Jesus went back to His father, the church engaged in many praying and fasting. It was in one of those prayers that they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. Brethren do you not know that the Holy Spirit my Master is the God of prayer? Very many times we do not know what to pray. But if a man has the spirit of God living in him, that man will always find what to pray. One day the Holy Spirit woke me up to pray. I was blank because I had been in prayers. I asked Him what He would like me to pray for, and my God replied- “Pray for the church”.

Do we now see why men cannot pray? Because we have lost the presence of the Spirit of God who is supposed to help us and teach us how to pray. Because we became sinners saved in sin and no more holy people saved from sin. If the Holy Ghost births holy prayer people, then sin births sinful and prayer-less men.

True examples

Apostle James was captured by Herod and the church was silent and prayer-less. James was later killed and they grieved and buried their brother. I do believe they would have sung hymns and blessed God for considering a brother to suffer and die for Christ. It was not long Peter was also captured and then they woke up and thundered intercessions. Then the God of prayer sent help to Peter in prison. They would have continued to count losses if they had refused to pray. God purposefully thought them a big lesson.

Many Christians would like to be like Apostle Paul. But becoming like Apostle Paul is a sacrifice many of us will not want to make. For Paul was a warrior of faith and prayer. He prayed until the demons knew his name. For the demons spoke to the sons of Sceva and said, “Jesus I know, Paul I know, who are you”?

I have known a little about the prophets in the bible and I can tell you that no one comes close to Daniel in prayers. Let it be of no surprise when you read in the book of Daniel 10:11 “…O Daniel, man greatly loved…“. Daniel never stopped pouring out prayers to God for his people. When he was envied for the grace of God upon him, his adversaries plotted to bring him down but could not find a way to bring him down. Then they decided to set him up with prayer because they knew he was a man of prayer. And guess what? He fell for it. For to him prayer was larger than life, and he would rather die praying than live without prayer.

Brethren, the call to be a Christian is a call to pray. The call to be a Christian is a call for dedication to prayer. It is a call to intersessions and it is a call to supplications. It is a call to fasting and prayers; It is a call to fight the good fight. For we were saved to pray.

Pentecostal Christianity: the absolute will of God for all Christians

By
Ogba Victor
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0
The-Baptism-of-the-Holy-Spirit

I Ogba Victor: a bond servant of Jesus Christ in the ministry of the Holy Spirit unto the Churches.

Pentecostal Christianity in experience, is the absolute will of God for all Christian churches.

A Facebook friend posted and criticized the Pentecostals because his neighbor had refused to celebrate Christmas. He wrote in disgust and spoke against the entire Pentecostal movement for not remaining with the original Church(Catholic).

When I saw the level of ignorance in his post, I argued that there was no Catholic Church or Orthodox worship in the bible. I pointed out that the first Christian Church was born at the Upper room and it was a Pentecostal Church, not in denomination, but in experience.

I also argued that the New Testament Churches where Pentecostal Churches having been founded by Men on fire. Later, the discussion was joined by other Catholics but none of them could contain the argument nor could they give proof of any Catholicism in the bible.

Apostle Peter whom they claim to be the first Pope was also, a Man on fire and how could they refuse the baptism of fire? I asked.

Pentecostalism in experience, is the move of the God. It is the plan of God for all believers in Christ and it will be the final state of the Jews at the last days when they look up to Christ for their eternal salvation.

BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDAEA, AND IN SAMARIA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.

Acts 1:8

Jesus said “…and you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you”. In other words, “You shall receive strength or you shall receive might or you shall receive enablement after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”.

By implication of the statement, this power was to come and is not yet available.

This power was not given on the cross nor was it given after resurrection because Jesus had already died and resurrected before this statement.

It was not given on repentance and acceptance of Jesus because the disciples were all repented and loved Jesus.

Someone argued with me on Facebook that being born-again was enough. Another Roman Catholic worshiper said “the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes together with baptism of water”.

I’d bet he was taught that lie after asking questions from men who did not know or live in the truth. Probably by men put on white robes and people think that they have found God. Men who learn theology but have no knowledge of God or His Son. Or maybe he taught himself that lie having not being able to produce the gifts of the Spirit.

In the past and dark years of Christianity; Christians believed that the baptism of the Holy Ghost was over. The preachers preached that it was just for 3 generations from the disciples. These were nothing but self-taught lies that had no scriptural proof, taught by men whose life was ugly and unholy.

In those days, they killed and martyred men who asked questions like William Tydale who was killed by the Pope and the then Papacy for translating and distributing the Bible. How could they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in that state of heart and lifestyle?

I thank God that this falsehood was finally laid to rest after the Holiness movement was born. The Baptism returned and men could experience the power of the Holy Ghost. A reality which implied that God was searching for holy and born-again men to fill.

Therefore, to that man who said being born-again is enough, the truth they don’t tell you is that any true and faithful born-again Christian is a natural candidate for this Power as long as he is living a prayerful and Spirit led life. The power can come anytime the spirit of man is in position to receive it.

My Father said that while he was praying alone, not even asking for the baptism but other things, the Holy Ghost came upon him and tongues burst out of him. My Sunday school teacher as a kid said that hers came as she sang to God, not even in the Church but at home, the Holy Ghost came upon her.

I repeat: Any born-again Christian living a prayerful and holy life is a natural candidate for this Power. Don’t tell me you don’t need it’ God says you need it.

‘And you shall receive power after…’ implies that they were at that stage powerless.

The disciples saw Jesus; they were there at the transfiguration mount; they saw His glory, they heard the voice “this is my beloved Son, hear Him”. They heard His raw messages as it was giving from the Father; they believed in Him; they witnessed His miracles and even was able to use the name of Jesus to work their own miracles in casting out unclean spirits, and they also witnessed his resurrection plus ascension.

What else was left? Why did they still need the outpouring?

Most Christians, millions of us rather, have not witnessed Jesus like the disciples did and still needed to be filled with Power from on high. We have not heard what they heard and they still needed to wait in Jerusalem for that Pentecostal experience.

Why do some Christian Churches think we can do without this power? Why do majority of us get satisfied with only going to Church? Who gave birth to the modern Christians who lack power and revival of fire and are satisfied? Why are we not praying and waiting until we get our own revival that comes with Pentecostal experience?

The works of the Holy Spirit is explained in the book of John and written all over the Holy Bible. This work includes, giving Christians a true experience of God. For the Son came to unveil the Father, and the Holy Spirit to reveal the wholeness of the Son.

And Yes! Being born-again is the start of the work of the Holy Spirit in a man but there is no complete Christian experience without baptism of fire and power; and there is no complete Christian Church or worship center without the presence of the Spirit of Pentecost for Pentecostalism is the move of God.

Without Power they were fearful, weak, powerless, uninspired, did not care about the unsaved, and did not care about the visions they had received.

Thomas once said “let us go and die with Jesus…” but after Jesus was arrested he went into hiding and remained hidden until Power came upon him. Peter who was mouthy and said “I will follow you even if others don’t” denied that He ever knew Jesus and went into hiding until Power came upon Him.

Only Pentecostal experience could helped them, only Pentecostal experience can help any Christian or Christian Church be what God desires them to be.

Therefore if your Church does not believe in Pentecostalism, change your Church. If you don’t want to Change your Church, pray for Reformation and Revival; for revival comes with Pentecostal experience and power!

It is great knowledge to know that Jesus Christ who founded Christianity had this Pentecostal experience in Jordan.

In Luke 3:22 it is written: “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him…”. This mean that the Lord was a Man on fire.

Jesus getting baptized by the Holy Spirit in body form as a dove in river Jordan as recorded in Luke 3:22 and Matthew 3:13-17

For it is written in John 14:10: “The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work”. –

It is also written in Isaiah 42:1: “Behold My Servant, whom I uphold, Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth: I have put My Spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”

Therefore Jesus Christ could not do all that work without the Holy Ghost baptism. The disciples themselves could not do without the Holy Ghost baptism and the early Church could not do without the Pentecostal power.

Who then deceives you oh Churches that you can do without the Holy Ghost and His baptism? Roman Catholic brethren, who has lied to you that Pentecostalism is not where you ought to be and that Catholicism is the original? Orthodox Christians, who has told you that you are complete without Power from on high?

Being born-again is great I know. And yes! It is what is needed to make heaven. But any Christian man or Christian Church without Pentecostal power is weak and powerless. A weak and powerless Christian is closer to a falling away than a Christian living a life of fire. A weak Church is closer to coldness than a Church on fire for God.

There is dire need for all Children of God to become Pentecostals in experience, there is great necessity for all Churches of God to embrace the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We are simply ineffective without His Power. For in the Spirit of Pentecost we can get the power we need to shake the world one last time for Jesus Christ.

Whether it be power evangelism, power for signs and wonders, power to manifest gifts of the Spirit, power for prayer, power for spiritual battles, or whatever power the Lord wants us to have, the baptism of fire and power is the source and Pentecostal Christianity in the move wherein this power lies. Amen!

Testimony- How prayer saved me from failure and a possible carry-over back in school

By
Ogba Victor
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pray-sing

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

This is the season of making prayers. This is season of pouring our whole hearts out in all forms of true prayers. I’d bet someone wants his/her faith in God to be increased. I know someone desires to know if God still answers prayers. If you are that person, read my short testimony that your faith may be increased.

It was back in 2011 during my early days as a high school student of Electrical Electronics Engineering in Federal Polytechnics Nekede Owerri, Nigeria.

By God’s divine grace I have always been above average in academics. We were all still fresh in school and the engineering stuff was a bit high for a young star like me. I loved Physics and Math (my best subject), but electronics and electrical engineering involved more than being proficient in mathematics and physics.

In school, I was a Christian in heart and deeds. My Identity at home was my Identity in the school. The trend of boys and girls who were churchy at home but worldly outside the home was not my lot by His grace. Therefore I had the God and I had the brains but…

We had just come back from a compulsory strike and we were in a hurry to write our exams and move on to the next level. It was a struggle for everyone no matter your level of brilliancy. With about nine courses to do (I do not recall actual number), I just couldn’t wrap my head around a particular course related to electronics. Or maybe I needed some more time having just returned from the strike. However, the semester schedules don’t wait for any student and so was it for me. I eventually went into the exam to write that subject.

As an intelligent student, I find it shameful to copy from other students because they would probably not know what they were writing. But on that day I was ready to copy because I understood absolutely nothing from the textbook. Unfortunately the exam invigilators decided to spread us out and the monitoring was very much strict that I could copy nothing. Out of the entire questions, I only managed one of the options. In the option I chose to answer, I only knew a single sub-option. Mehn!, it was that bad for me. Up to that point I have never sat for an exam and failed it. To get a carry-over was just too shameful for me, but I was helpless. My dad had told us of the day the Holy Ghost helped him to write an examination he new nothing about. On my own day, I only stared at my empty papers. After the exam, I quietly went back to the dorm, and I was never going to be the same thinking about re-seating for an exam.

Read: Saved to pray

By the time I traveled back home after the semester was finally over, I decided to seek the God of my father and fathers in prayers. Every afternoon, I was full of tears because I couldn’t bear the shame. I cried to God, I cried and cried, I told God I do not want to fail that exam despite writing nothing. Not once did I pray, not twice, but until my victory came. Then one night as I slept, I had a dream where I entered the office of my lecturer. And as I entered, I narrated to him my woes in his exam. In that dream he told me that he will not fail me. When I woke up, I knew it was over. Amen!

Brethren if I had not prayed, I would have failed and shame would have been my portion. I have seen Christians fail for one reason or the other. I have seen Christians die as if they are nothing. I have seen church members held ransom by the devil as if they are nothing. I have seen the church of my God hurt by the devil and his agents as if we are nothing. The Agents of darkness now come to our churches, sing with us and go back as if we are nothing. Yes!, any christian with a dead prayer life and dry eyes is nothing. No man is greater than his prayer life. No church is greater than her prayer life.

Brothers and sisters, I do not write unto the unbeliever who have rejected God. I write to the Churches of my heavenly father and my master- the Holy Spirit. I do not write to pastors, evangelists, apostles and bishops, I write to every member of the body of Christ. No man is grater than his prayer life. We must go back to prayer supplications and intercessions.

Download ‘Victory in the Storm’ Mp3

Finally, may I remind us that holiness, faith and righteousness are the wheels of prayer. If a man is unholy, his prayer is an abomination unto God. Therefore we must put away sinful deeds that our prayers may be answered.

He who lacks grace for these things must ask from Jesus Christ, He is zealous to help his church. Amen!!

‘The coming revival’ by Leonard Ravenhil

By
Ogba Victor
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coming-revival

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

Habakuk 2:14
Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill
Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill

The coming revival by Evangelist Leonard Revenhill of Blessed memory – a man who lived and breathed revival. He has stated in a sermon about the coming revival. I also agree to this.

  • He’s going to anoint your sons and your daughters, not your bishops sir… No, I’m sorry bishops.
  • He’s going to show us the Church anointed again in the Spirit of the Living God!
  • When the Church is healthy… hell trembles.
  • They must be young people…. working class people. Not the elite.
  • (They will be people like): Fishermen of Galilee, A Tax Collector
  • We’re going to see men in our generation that have never been on the earth.
  • God’s going to raise some super holy men… people aren’t ready.
  • Folk don’t want my message anyhow.
  • There’s going to come another “Upper Room”. You young men are my hope.
  • God wants some people crazier than I am.
  • There’s not a flood of revival in America today. God is bypassing us, provoking us…
  • The Church has become so carnal… the glory of the Lord doesn’t fill the Temple!
  • God’s going to bypass organized religion and systems before very long… I believe that many denominations are breathing their last right now.
  • I am convinced that God’s going to do a new work… The Holy Ghost may not come back to you… [Matt. 13:12].
  • Some of you preachers are preaching a theology and your shouting behind a denomination, and you’re scared stiff to preach the revelations God has given you.

And I will add

  • Darkness and all its works will be exposed.
  • Many False Prophets and preachers will be exposed and their churches made desolate by the Spirit of the Living God.
  • Truth will reign again in Gods house.
  • Our pulpits will be full of men of fire.
  • Many gifts will be poured out unto men, women, boys, girls, even our children will prophesy.
  • More persecution and trials will come. It will be to test the strength of many who will join the move of God. By this, many will be refined by fire and the true sons of God will be known.

Our song

Oh! How glorious is our Great Father and His son Jesus Christ.
How merciful and kind are his ways.
For He has remembered the people He purchased.
He has remembered the weak gentiles.
From now henceforth all men will call us ‘people of the Most High God’, because he has reformed and revived his own.
And has prepared us for home coming. Amen!!!

Hebrides Revival of 1949 and what we can learn from the move of God

By
Ogba Victor
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0

In the Christendom we hastily use the word “revival”; the word “evangelistic mission” is preferable. Why? Because true revival is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. If Duncan Campbell (the Hebrides revival evangelist) was alive with us today, he would emphasize the importance of having a clear definition of revival. He would distinguish it from all of our best evangelistic efforts, from our missionary campaigns, and from all of our special services and programs. He would not necessarily criticize these engagements, but he would vehemently insist that they are not to be confused with revival.

Very many Churches fix “revival” programs sporadically for their members in order to turn hearts back to the faith. But many at times we just end up in deliverance sessions and gospel ministration. In such programs the events are organized by men and we work with time. But when true revival comes like the Hebrides revival, the events are organized by God, the sessions are told by the Holy Spirit and no one else.

The Lewis revival, otherwise know as the Hebrides revival of the Island of Lewis (1949-1952) commenced on the Scottish island of Lewis in the village of Barvas and spread to other islands in the region.

Many has told stories and written books about this great revival, however there are lessons we must take from this revival.

 

  1. Revival is a Pentecostal Affair.
    The tragedy of the Roman Catholic and other denominations who have rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that they cannot be revived as a Church; they can only be reformed. But Christian reformation has come and has given us back the Pentecostal experience of the bible. Unless the entire system of non Pentecostal churches becomes reformed in fire, they will continue to miss out on the Holy Ghost revivals. Unless individuals move to Holy Ghost powered Churches, they too will continue to miss out.
  2. No prayer; no revival.
    Beginning in November of 1949, two sisters, Peggy and Christine Smith, 84 and 82 years old–Peggy completely blind, and Christine bent over with arthritis—were burdened due to the depressed spiritual state in their Barvas village church. They sensed the Lord speaking to them: “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground.” (Isaiah 44:3).
    This led them to pray in their small cottage two to three nights per week, from 10 p.m. till 3 a.m. After several weeks of praying like this, Peggy had a vision of her church being crowded with young people, and an unknown minister preaching from the pulpit.
    Peggy then sent for their minister, Rev. James Murray MacKay. She told him they sensed the Lord was going to send a revival and that he must get his church leaders and spend every Tuesday and Friday night in prayer, and that they would pray simultaneously in their cottage.

    No pain, no gain is a human slogan that is true even in spirituality. Revival comes by prayers. Revival comes when children of God set themselves apart to pray and seek change. Revival tarries because prayer sleeps -Leonard Ravenhill

    Read: Shall we pray of shall we sing songs

  3. Revival is the pure work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit can use men in church reforms. The Holy Spirit can use men in evangelistic ministries. The Spirit of God can use men in powerful missions outreach. But when it comes to revival, He takes the stage.
  4. God doesn’t force us. Throughout the scriptures, God has never failed to remind us that we can choose to obey him or not obey him. Some resisted the Hebrides revival. Some churches that would have be torn apart by the mercies of the Holy Ghost derided the Work of God through the revivalist- Duncan. Deuteronomy 30:19 says: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live“
  5. God uses man. God has never worked alone. The Great spirit of God uses humans as instrument, both in prayers and word ministration during revivals. Apostle Paul had a vision of a little girl saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us”. Paul was never going to help them, It was the Holy Ghost that was going to do the work through him. But the directives, messages and sessions was for the Spirit to tell.
  6. Revival is a time of rebirth. For Christian life to be born there must be death to flesh. For rebirth to come, there was time of death or time of dormancy. For revival to come, it means we have fallen from what we used to be. This was the state of the Lewis Christianity before the revival as an eye witness stated.
    The report
    1. According to testimonies of people present prior to the revival, they confessed that the churches were dead and that they were in a spiritual winter.
    2. Legalism was extreme and the young people wanted nothing to do with the Church. Some of the churches had no young people attending.
    3. The people on the island had a “form of godliness” in that prayer and Bible reading in homes was conducted every morning, but it was carried out as a duty; it was a tradition of those who were converted as well as those who were not.In the schools the children learned Bible stories from their unconverted teachers. Students were also taught the short version of the Westminster Catechism, as well as how to sing many of the Psalms. They were also required to memorize the Ten Commandments and many other selected passages of scripture—but there was no life in it. It was all formality and tradition.
  7. Revival is a thing of the church. Although the Spirit of revival could attract a sinners to repentance and consequent baptism of fire, it is never to be mistaken for a Christian crusade. It is purely the Holy Spirit putting his Church back in order. It is purely about awakening the sleeping Christians and revitalizing the dead church men.
  8. We need revival 
    Anyone who reads the stories of the Hebrides revival will attest to the fact that we need dire awakening in the Church. The Church is sick, many Church has forgotten our stand. Very many of us are now children of the night. It is now about Relativism, Legalism, Liberalism and other ‘isms’ that disdains the Spirit of God. We need revival; yes! we do. And if it be that revival does not come without prayers, then we shall pray and pray more until it comes like a mighty wave. Amen!

 

 

 

Watch the as the revivalist- Duncan Campbell states what happened during those days of power.

 

 
Duncan Campbell (Revivalist) during the Lewis revival 1949

 

Mountain-top experience

By
Ogba Victor
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0

And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Exodus 19:9-11

Mountain

A mountain is a landmass projecting higher than hill in a particular area. Mountains are of great value because they influence the climate and rainfall. Mountains help channel water down to the rivers and can also store a small body of water.

The mountain-top is the best part of the mountain experience. At the mountain-top or as one climbs up to the mountain the weather conditions changes. The humidity increases, the temperature falls, there is more calmness and the foggy clouds smells good to breath. The view is wide. On the mountain-top one sees what others at the valley cannot see. Climbing to the top of a high mountain is an experience only few people can boast of because not everyone will like to go through the process or have the guts to climb. The journey is not always an enjoyable experience, it involves lots of determination and strenuous efforts but the end result is always worth it.

In the matters of the spirit, mountains are similar to what they represent in the physical sense. The top is where we all want to be. The top is where the beauty and view is. The top is where the calmness and peace is found and it is where we can see farther than others. And as humans may likely not climb a mountain physically due to the stress, that is how in the spirit matters, only few people can or do climb to reach the mountain-top.

In the early years when God called the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. God desired to reveal himself to them that they may know that He is a God that is not far from his people. God spoke to Prophet Moses in Exodus 19:3-6; He reminded him about His exploits against the Egyptians for the children of Israel. God admonished him (Moses), that if indeed Israel will obey his commands and keep his covenant that He(God) will make them His own special nation among the people of the earth.

Moses the servant of God called the people together and told them what the Lord had said to him. He told them about the “if you will obey”; and to this the people responded positively and promised to do as God will command.

The Bible says that after this, Moses went back ‘up’ to God where he was when God spoke to him and gave God the feedback. God replied in Exodus 19:9-11 as quoted in our text above. God said He was coming to the camp meeting. God said He was coming to town. God said He was going to make his power and glory felt by his people. God announced to Moses that glory days are coming; for God was coming to confirm His people for life by speaking to them directly. But He gave Moses a task. He said “Consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash and be ready. And then on the third day, I will come to the Mount of Sinai”. Moses obeyed God and after they washed and prepared, on the third day, the Lord came upon the Mount Sinai and called unto Moses to come up.

My dearest reader, I pray that God opens your heart and pour His grace on you and I to enable us understand the secret things that concerns him. Amen!

Firstly, Moses got the message on the mountain-top away from his fellows and brothers. Secondly after they had done all that God commanded them to do, God came down on the appointed day and stayed at the mountain-top. He (God) then beckoned on his prophet to come up to the mountain to experience Him.
This is not the only place Moses met and experienced God on the mountain-top. We must remember that the 10 commandment tablet were first given to Moses on top of Mount Sinai. It was also on Mount Horeb that the Second 10 Commandment was given after the first was broken by Moses. We must also remember that Moses was on a mountain when he had encountered God through a burning bush. On one particular occasion, Moses came down from the mountain and his face was gloriously shining. Moses was taken away from Israel and went back to God on the mountain-top. During Moses’ mountain-top experience with God, God showed him many visions and his view about life was broadened just like he who climbs a physical mountain sees what others do not see. God told him many things he never and may never tell those at the valley. In one of that mountain-top experience, he stayed 40-days eating nothing and did not see death. Also, after one of his mountain-top experience with God, glory shown upon his face and the men of Israel baffled after gazing on him. In fact, it was the mountain-top experience with God that saved him from sharing in Israel’s idolatry. For when he came down, Aron the Priest had been compelled to make the people an idol to worship.

From the New Testament we see that Jesus was a man of the mountain-top. Often he retreated from men. Often he retreated form the disciples. Often he climbed up and prayed. Even his glorious transfiguration was done on top of a mountain. Indeed our lord understood what it means to have a mountain-top experience.

Brethren, the days of Moses are far gone and Jesus is no more in the world in human form. We believers through the spirit of grace has been called to holiness, son-ship and priest hood unto the great God. For what Moses was, we are now; because the same Spirit that worked in him works in us who a true worshipers and Jesus having divided the veil, allowed us access to God; amen!. Now God desires that all Christians will have the mountain-top experience with him. God desires that every believers will have that one on one experience with him. The experience that Changes men. The experience that broadens our vision of things and of gives us other untold truths. The experience that can cause our spiritual face to radiate great glory and the children of darkness and the night marvels. That experience, that mountain-top experience is what God is seeking in our time.

Unfortunately, only few will have this experience. The reason is: just as it is hard, lonely, strenuous and difficult to climb a physical mountain, that is how it is hard, lonely, strenuous it is to have a mountain-top experience with God. We as men need to work for it. Moses climbed, strained his muscles, went without companion; he worked for his mountain-top experience and so we must work for ours. One thing is sure; God is on the mountain giving men ‘the mountain-top experience’.

Some may climb physical mountains seeking God, some go to prayer camps to seek God, some go through many days of fasting, and some wake up many nights in earnest seeking for God. The location matters not. What matters is the effort. It could be in your room, but you are doing what other Christians cannot do. You are praying, studying the word of God, seeking him, straining yourself, staying away from some gatherings, walking that lonely path in search for God. I tell you child of God, the zeal in my God as he has revealed to me burns deep. His zeal cuts through brick walls and any instrument that stands out will receive wonderful mountain-top experience.

Mountain-top experience doesn’t come easy but the reward is not light. But before we aim for it, we must remember the commandment; For He (God) said “consecrate today and tomorrow, wash your clothes, and be ready; on the third day I will come”. Sons of God; men and women greatly loved by God; Church of Jesus Christ! The first process to have this mountain-top experience is to consecrate ourselves back to God in holiness and truth. We must put away the works of sin and darkness and acknowledged that we are heirs of the Father. We must then wash in white. We must cling to the blood of Jesus and allow the Holy Ghost to use the word of God to wash us white. And then we must climb in many waiting. We must climb in true fervent prayers. And on that day, we will have our Holy Ghost powered mountain-top experience with God; on the third day; our revival will come. Amen!!

Understanding the true meaning of the word – ‘Grace’

By
Ogba Victor
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grace

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.

Titus 2:11

Unto the Church of Jesus Christ and unto the elect of God from all the Churches where the Holy Spirit of God reigns and to those who will push for the Holy Ghost baptism in due time.

The concept grace

To understand the concept of grace without modernity involved, the old testament reference will be useful to us.

“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it! Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.”

Zechariah 4:7-9

From the scripture above we can understand that grace gives us smoothness of movement or ease of efforts. In other words, grace makes our little effort yield the desired or greater result. Or it means that grace minimizes our personal efforts. It is just like a push. It also means that grace empowers to attain desired result. Indeed whatever we achieve by grace is unmerited because we were helped to reach that height. One thing I would point out here is that- grace doesn’t take a way human effort. God’s grace for Zerubbabel’s temple did not send Zerubbabel home to sleep while He (God) did the magic alone. This I will explain in my next article about grace.

From the understanding of the primary concept of grace, we will explore divine grace or grace from God to the Church.

Divine grace

Wikipedia defines divine grace as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation; and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.
A complete definition which implies that;

  1. Divine Grace is from God.
  2. Grace helps us to become regenerated (born again).
  3. Grace leads us to sanctification.
  4. Grace inspires or compels us to act or do things beyond our naturally instincts and ability.
  5. Grace gives us ability and strength to overcome sin, temptation and trials.

In a more spiritual sense, divine grace is defined as the unmerited favour of God through Jesus Christ which brings us forgiveness, salvation, eternal life and empowerment. This worldwide accepted definition to grace doesn’t break away from the root meaning of Grace.

This definition leads us to the three types of grace.

Types of Grace

1. Forgiveness Grace : This is the grace God gives us to obtain forgiveness and mercy. This grace is given because of Christ’s death on the cross. We needed an atonement for our iniquities and Christ became our atonement. Therefore when we ask for forgiveness from God, the death of Christ gives of that grace, that ‘push’, that ‘smoothness’ to access and obtain mercy and forgiveness.

2. Salvation grace : This is the grace needed to be saved. It was this grace that found Paul and every other Christian. When God gives a man this grace, that man cannot help but come to his sheepfold. It might be during the sermon or on personal bible study, or even a divine revelation. This grace will clear the doubts and teach the mind to accept Jesus as Lord.

This grace gives strength and teaches to overcome sin and immorality. This is the grace that leads to sanctification. This is the grace to become born again, and it is given by Jesus though the Holy Spirit. No one can be saved or born again without the Holy Spirit.

3. Empowerment grace : This grace is only given to the saved and purely given through the Spirit of God. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;- Acts 1:8. This grace is the complete package. It gives a man ability to overcome all human limitations. This grace can open up a dull mind to be creative. This grace, can catapult a fearful man to a fearless man. When this grace comes upon a student, he becomes more brilliant than his study mates. Not that he studies more than them, but grace has unlocked his proficiency in understanding. This grace can teach you how to pray for hours without becoming weary. This is the grace behind ministerial calling.

Furthermore

One of the apostle that talked about grace so much was Apostle Paul. He talks about Salvation grace in Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. “
Put in another way; God’s grace has been given to us men. This grace teaches us to deny and say no to sin and worldly lust. It teaches us to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age.

One would agree that education is empowerment. With education, whether formal or informal, an individual has been given the knowledge to achieve feats. And we know that knowledge is power. Apostle Paul asserts that salvation grace teaches, empowers, strengthens and gives ability to achieve sanctification and righteousness. And one would ask; where is the concept of grace in this? The answer is very simple. Take for instance a man who struggles with a particular sin which has denied him attainment to a holy status before God. When the Spirit of grace comes upon him, he will receive strength. That strength is an empowerment and it works by teaching his mind and spirit to say no to that sin that controls him. And so he has a smooth path or an ease of personal effort to attain holiness. Even if temptation to fall back to the sin arises, he wouldn’t struggle with saying “No!” because something (grace) compels or pushes him to say No!; therefore grace helps him achieve holiness.

We must understand that where there is no feat to achieve, where there is no work to be done, where man is not trying to attain a height, or when God is not on a project through man, grace is not needed and it is not made available. Therefore grace complements the effort to achieve a task at hand.
When God wanted to save the gentiles he gave us grace. When he wanted to use Paul, grace found him. When God wants to do a Holy Ghost revival, grace for prayer is poured out on men. When God wants to bless a man, grace for making wealth is given him. When Zerubbabel was struggling with opposition in order to complete the second Temple, grace was given him. If God desires to call a man to be an Evangelist, grace for evangelistic ministry will be given him. Therefore grace is for achieving a result or goal.
The grace for salvation should make men saved. The grace of holiness should make a men Holy. The grace for forgiveness, brings man forgiveness. The grace for making heaven, gives man strength and teaches him to run the race.

How grace is given

1. Effortless Grace

Take a look at Paul’s experience of salvation, he was given grace without even trying to find Jesus. Some have claimed to come to Christ after seeing Jesus appear to them. Others had near death or even afterlife experiences. For these men, for reason unknown to us and them, grace and mercy found them.

Also as concerning empowerment grace, there are Christians who can pray for hours nonstop. Many never asked God for it, grace brought it to them. There are Christians who can preach fire even without being passing through theology school; we must remember Peter in this stead. Also, the grace for ministry given to the called pastors, evangelists, apostles, teachers and prophets are effortless.
Although this grace is gotten based on God’s free will, it is not to be taken for granted. It must be used to achieve the purpose for which it was given.

2. Asked-for grace

 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Our effort was never enough; Jesus died and poured out grace. But for this grace to work in man, he must ask for forgiveness. That asking of forgiveness activates this grace. If you don’t ask for it, it will not be given. Even Paul, though grace found him, I believe he prayed for forgiveness for his misdeeds.

Another instance of the kind of grace is when we ask God for it. No one possess it all; our agglomeration of the spirits of grace can come through prayers. James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”. Christians can pray for grace. And as long as the will of God is not on our way, and our hearts are right with God, He has promised to answer us.

I have written songs effortlessly, I also have songs, for which I had to pray and pray more before I could pen it down. The first day I set out to write this article I couldn’t finish it. Then I prayed to God for the grace and it was given to me. Therefore we can also receive grace by making making prayer efforts.

After grace is given

Those whom God has given grace must use it to actualize the purpose for which it was given. Those offered salvation through grace must live saved and resurrected lives. Those who possess grace for prayers must pray. Those who have ministerial grace must minister the word.
There are many church goers who claim to be saved by grace but still live in sin, fornication, lies, cheating, deceit and one form of sin or the other. They cling tightly unto the grace message but neglect its true power and meaning thereby abusing God’s grace. For the grace that brings salvation teaches, empowers and strengthens to say no to sin, any other thing apart from this is not from God.

I Ogba Victor, a servant of the Jesus Christ hereby admonish the Churches and Christians to pray to God for grace. As at the time I write this article, I have been persuaded by God of his zeal to pour out the Spirit of grace upon the church. May the grace of God and his son Jesus Christ rest upon us all; Amen!

 

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