Our supreme call to manifest God in the flesh
Welcome dear friends! I thank God for every one of you and I believe this beautiful day will bring you blessings as you meditate on the word from God to us today.
We are continuing to address the topic I titled “Our supreme call to manifest God in the flesh”. Based on 2nd Corinthians 4:1-5 we have already underlined the following principles:
1) We all already have a ministry – to reveal or manifest God to this world.
2) We must understand the ministry we received is by mercy and not by personal merits. It is by the grace of God.
3) We must not faint nor give up as we pursue our assignment or calling in God.
The next principle I want us to see from that same passage is that:
4) We must renounce the hidden things of shame.
«…but we have renounced the hidden things of shame…» (2nd Corinthians 4:2).
Hidden things of shame – are the things we hide from other people, because we are ashamed of them. God is pleading with us to renounce all kind of hidden, shameful things in our life, since those will destroy our good testimony at the end. Each of us have to work at cleansing our lives from all what can be classified as “hidden things of shame”. All hidden things will be uncovered one day if we fail to expose and eliminate them from our lives on time. God is not interested in putting us shame ,but He will never stand our hypocrisy either.
«Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known». (Matthew 10:26).
Confess your sins before God, Who knows everything, asking Him to help you with getting rid of the hidden things of shame. The more honest your life is the more safe it is.
«… and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; …». (Hebrews 12:13-15).
Choose to live a life transparency instead of living with double standards. God wants to heal all that is lame and incomplete in your life – in your family, in your work or business and in your relationships. However, in order for Him to achieve that you have to be honest before God and work on the issues that must addressed in your life. Live in peace and holiness, so that God can be real in your life. Make sure there is no bitter root in your life. Root is an invisible, hidden part of the tree and represents the part of your life that is hidden from the eyes of others. However, the fruits we bear depend on our roots, that’s why you have to working from the roots of your life. Do not deceive yourself, whatever is hidden now will eventually become uncovered the moment you expect it the least. The issues you refuse to resolve on time will do harm to later on and will spread bad smell or odour around your life. It’s not God’s concern to humiliate us, because love covers many sins and God is love. But God expects us to repent of our sins and renounce all secret and hidden sins from our lives. When David sinned with a married woman, he first neglected the voice of his conscience that reproved him. He tried to cleverly cover up his sin. Of course, God
would not allow such thing from a man HE LOVED, therefore He had to reveal David’s sin to the prophet Nathan. If David had not listened to the voice of the prophet and had not repented of his secret sin, then he would have died, because sins leads to death.
5) Do not walk in craftiness!
«… not walking in craftiness…» (2nd Corinthians 4:2).
To be crafty means to be dubious, a crafty man never behave naturally, instead he tries to deceive other people for the sake of personal gain or benefit. In order to manifest God in our lives, we have to put away craftiness and tell the truth always! Lies mislead people and prevent you from revealing Christ to others through your life. God is inviting all of us to be sincere in all our dealings. Remember that Jesus loved the truth but he hated iniquity and unlawfulness (Heb.1:9), let’s learn from Him!
Peace be multiplied!
See you tomorrow!
Rufus Ajiboye, pastor
