IN THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN A GOD REJECTED WORLD (2Sam.7:1)

LOYALTY TO GOD, A CONTINUOUS EXERCISE!
[EVEN IN A SIN INFESTED WORLD]
HEB.13:1
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This message is very important and necessary, especially in the age we find ourselves in;
Let brotherly love continue. (Heb 13: 1)

Our salvation does not end where we receive it, but a continuous experience that must grow from grace . Just as growth isn't static,so also is our salvation experience;
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (Joh 8: 31)

Here, Christ Jesus admonishes the Jews(the humbled)who believed in Him that the only way to remain saved is by continuing in His Words.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4: 3)

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Rom 11: 22)

Now,here, it's even more seriously stated by the apostle. There's a severity of God on those of us who couldn't continue,that they shall be cut off,but for those that continue shall the Goodness of God be their inheritance.

No wonder the last chapter of Hebrews began with;
Let brotherly love continue. (Heb 13: 1)

REMEMBER, SATAN'S METHOD OF GOVERNMENT...DIVIDE AND RULE...IN ESSENCE, CAUSING DIVISION AMONG THE BRETHREN AS WE ARE WITNESSING TODAY FROM OUR VARIOUS PULPITS... PAINFULLY ENOUGH,ONCE RESPECTED PULPITS.

In so many places in the scriptures,was the word*CONTINUE* emphasized. And continuation means growth. We are not to grow weary or tired of continuing in the Faith TO PLEASE GOD. OUR LOYALTY TO GOD IS DEFINED BY HOW WE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH,IN THE SPIRIT OF THE UNITY OF PURPOSE TO THWART THE INTERFERENCE OF THE ENEMY.

And in reality, there's MORE THAN ENOUGH to cause worry to the Apostles, and that was even in their times. How much more in our age. For instance;

14. Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
15. And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. (Mal 3: 14-15)

That was then,what about now that the physical manifestation of the prophesied knowledge increment in science and technology,that has got many a man thinking if HEAVEN IS TRULY ANYWHERE AT ALL,WHEN WITH MONEY, IT SEEMS YOU CAN CREATE YOUR HEAVEN,AND WITHOUT IT, YOU LIVE IN YOUR OWN CHOSEN HELL (MOST ESPECIALLY BETWEEN TEENAGERS AND AVERAGE ADULTS.)

This is the reason why our LOYALTY TO GOD is needed now more than ever. If you got weakened at this point,the enemy will make a piecemeal of you.

Our loyalty to God can only be proved and accepted by Him when we continue our walk in Faith in Him, without any sign of diminishing.

To this effect,it means we live for His pleasure, that is, we want what He wants ,and specifically, we want what He wants for our lives; we lay aside our personal and fleshly desires and submit to His direction for us. And we want what He wants for us because we believe that He always wants what is best for us;

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16-17)

The first step for believers in pleasing God is to be sure we are walking by the Spirit, not in the desires of the flesh and this can only happen when we accept the sacrifice for sin that He provided for us by the death of Christ Jesus on the Cross.

Paul explains the difference between the sinful nature and the nature of those regenerated by the Spirit. He who lives in sin has his mind established in sinful desires, while those regenerated by Christ Jesus have a completely new mind that is controlled by the spirit and desires to live according to the Holy Spirit’s leading;
6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom 8: 6-8)

And it's in the realm of the flesh (carnality) that the devil operates.FOR EXAMINE , HE DELIBERATELY SETS UP A MEETING BETWEEN US AND THOSE WE WERE FRIENDS,COURSE OR COLLEGE MATES ,WHO ARE LIVING A LUXURIOUS LIFE, WHILE WE MAY BE STRUGGLING TO PAY OUR BASICS BILLS. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE,THEY MAY BE THOSE WE WERE MORE INTELLIGENT THAN THEN.

You will think you met by accident...no Sir..no ma'am,it was orchestrated by the accuser of the brethren for us to run into them. Naturally,there must be a conversation which,if not controlled can make you feel let down by God,after all,you will think in your mind that you have been faithful to God all these years, and what has been the reward,if not unpaid bills, inability to train our kids;

14. Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
15. And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. (Mal 3: 14-15)

But God prepared us already for this eventuality if we are surely adherents of His Word;

12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1Pe 3: 12-15)
16.Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1Pe 3: 16)

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1Pe 3: 17)

As we can see from above, our loyalty to God is always under a test, most especially in these times (really stressful times for those who can barely make ends meet). Therefore, it's a matter of living according to His precepts and commandments as Christ Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). It requires giving up our will, denying our natural desire for honor and approval, and having our mind fixed on the Lord to keep our thoughts pure every moment of the day.

Think about this! If Christ Jesus walked into where you presently are, would you be ashamed of what you were doing or watching? If you are doing something that would bring you shame if others saw it, is a clear indication that what you are doing isn’t pleasing nor be loyal to God. However, when we are honest with God about our weaknesses, then He can help us overcome them if we are sincere about truly wanting to change.

Christians have a responsibility to put to death their old nature through daily surrender or else they cannot live a life pleasing to God. Those who listen to the Holy Spirit will not think about fulfilling the desires of the flesh, because their thoughts are occupied with the God’s Word, His ways, and purposes.

The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” So, what dominates your thoughts?

Christ Jesus lived a perfect life doing everything for the glory of God. The Apostle Paul sought to do the same thing by following Christ’s example and we also can imitate Christ by obediently walking in His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21) and showing love and thankfulness to Him by staying true to His teachings and commands. Remember to treasure each day. Don’t live in constant regret of the past or fear of the future.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
(Proverbs 4:23-27)
Amen!