The apostle Paul reminds us:

1 Corinthians 10 (KJ2000)
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

In other words, the Bible does not tell us Haman’s story for history’s sake alone. It is written for our learning, that we might guard our own hearts and not repeat his mistakes.

Haman’s Rise to Power

Whatever his background, the defining moment of Haman’s life came when King Ahasuerus promoted him above all the other princes and placed him next to the throne (Esther 3:1). By royal decree, all the king’s servants were commanded to bow and give him honour.

This was no small privilege. Haman enjoyed wealth, honour, and authority on a scale few men ever taste. He had the ear of the king and the fear of the empire. But position and privilege did not bring peace. For all his power, Haman remained restless.

The Mordecai Problem

At the king’s gate sat a man named Mordecai, a Jew. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Scripture does not suggest that Mordecai was disrespectful or defiant — he simply could not offer to a man the reverence that belonged to God alone.

That small act was enough to enrage Haman.

Esther 3 (KJ2000)
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor paid him homage, then was Haman full of wrath.

Here we are reminded of Paul’s words again:

Romans 15 (KJ2000)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Mordecai’s refusal and Haman’s response are not random details. They are lessons for us. They show how a leader can have everything yet count it all as nothing because of one person’s resistance.

The Danger of Obsession

Haman himself confessed this in tragic words: “Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate” (Esther 5:13).

Think about that. Haman had honour, riches, power, and the favour of the king. But in his own eyes, it all meant nothing because one man refused to bow.

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This is the danger of obsession. Leaders fall into the same trap today. A pastor can have hundreds of members but lose sleep over the one family that leaves. A business owner can have hundreds of satisfied customers, but brood endlessly over the one who complains. A politician can have broad support but fixate on a single critic.

The danger is not the “Mordecai” in your life—it is the Haman-like spirit that cannot let go.

Hatred That Spilled Over

Haman’s anger quickly grew out of proportion. It was not enough for him to punish Mordecai. He determined to destroy all of Mordecai’s people—the Jews. He manipulated the king into decreeing their extermination.

This is what happens when bitterness is left unchecked. It never remains private. It spills into your decisions, infects your leadership, and hurts those who are innocent. What began as one man’s offense became a genocidal policy. That is how far pride and wrath can take a leader who refuses to master his spirit.

God’s Reversal

But God was not absent. Mordecai had earlier uncovered a plot against the king, and though his deed had been recorded, it had not been rewarded. On the very night before Haman intended to request Mordecai’s execution, the king could not sleep. In God’s providence, the chronicles were read, and Mordecai’s loyalty came to light.

Ironically, it was Haman who was commanded to honour Mordecai publicly. The man who came to destroy him was forced to lead him through the city, proclaiming his greatness. What humiliation for Haman! Yet it was also a turning point, showing that God can reverse the schemes of the proud in a moment.

The Gallows He Built

Encouraged by his wife and friends, Haman had built a gallows fifty cubits high on which to hang Mordecai. But in a stunning twist of divine justice, those same gallows became the instrument of Haman’s death. When Queen Esther revealed his wicked plot, the king’s wrath was kindled, and Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for another (Esther 7:10).

The lesson is sobering: the snares we set for others often become the snares that trap us. Leaders who scheme, manipulate, or dig pits for others eventually fall into them themselves.

Lessons for Leaders

1. Learn Gratitude.
   Haman’s downfall began with discontent. Leaders must learn to count their blessings instead of magnifying their slights.

2. Do Not Let Critics Dominate You.
   Mordecai was not Haman’s real problem—Haman’s ego was. Leaders who let one critic define their vision are already on the path to ruin.

3. Beware of Overreaction.
   One man’s refusal led Haman to plot genocide. Leaders must keep perspective, or else small slights will lead to destructive decisions.

4. Pride Precedes Destruction.
   Haman’s pride made him fragile. Scripture warns us that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

5. God’s Justice Is Sure.
   The gallows testify that wickedness boomerangs. Leaders who walk in integrity will outlast those who thrive on manipulation.

Conclusion: Don’t Be a Haman

Haman’s story shows how quickly a man can have everything yet lose it all because of pride and obsession. He could not enjoy his blessings because he was blinded by one man’s refusal. He allowed hatred to consume him, and it destroyed him.

Leaders today must take heed. Don’t let your “Mordecai” rob you of joy. Don’t allow one critic, one rival, or one disappointment to erase the goodness of God in your life. If you do, you risk ending up like Haman—a man who had everything but lost it all.

Let us instead learn from these things, for as Scripture says, “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Continue in grace!

But there is a limit to what types can do.

Types point back.
Metaphors define you now.

If you confuse the two, you will admire Christ without understanding yourself.

Types Look Backward

The Bible is clear that types belong to a former era. They are shadows. They are patterns. They are previews.

Romans 5 (KJ2000)
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Adam is called a figure. A type. He points forward to Christ.

Hebrews 10 (KJ2000)
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things…

The law was a shadow. Not the real thing.

Colossians 2 (KJ2000)
16 Let no man therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Shadows point to something real. But they are not the substance.

This is the nature of types.
They prepare you.
They announce Christ.
They help you recognise Him when He appears.

But once Christ has come, types have done their job.

Types Reveal Christ, Not You

Types are Christ-centred, but not identity-defining.

You can study Joseph and learn about betrayal, exaltation, and forgiveness. You can see Christ in him. But Joseph is not your identity.

You can study the Passover lamb and understand redemption. But you are not a lamb in that sense.

Types answer this question:
Who is Christ?

They do not fully answer this question:
Who are you in Christ?

That second question requires something else.

Metaphors Speak Present Reality

When the New Testament speaks about the believer, it does not rely on types. It uses metaphors.

These metaphors are not pointing backward. They are describing present truth.

You are not being invited to admire a pattern.
You are being told who you are.

You Are the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12 (KJ2000)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

This is not a type.
This is not a shadow.
This is your present identity.

You are part of His body. You are connected to Him and to other believers. You function. You supply. You are not observing Christ from a distance. You are joined to Him.

You Are a New Creation

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

This is not symbolic of something else.
This is a statement of reality.

You are not a repaired version of the old man.
You are something entirely new.

You Are the Temple of God

1 Corinthians 3 (KJ2000)
16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

In the Old Testament, the temple was a type. A structure. A location.

Now the language shifts.

You are the temple.

The reality has moved from building to person.

You Are Light

Ephesians 5 (KJ2000)
8 For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

Notice the language carefully.

You are not just in the light.
You are light.

This is identity language. Present tense. Direct.

You Are God’s Righteousness

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

This is not a shadow.
This is not a picture.

This is who you are in Christ.

The Danger of Living in Types

Many believers stay in the Old Testament framework. They think in shadows.

They say:

I am trying to be like Joseph.
I am trying to be like David.
I am trying to be like Daniel.

There is value in learning from these men. But that is not the primary New Testament approach.

The New Testament does not say:
Become like them.

It says:
Understand who you are in Christ.

If you stay in types, you will live by imitation.
If you understand metaphors, you will live by identity.

Metaphors Are Not Decorations

Some treat metaphors as poetic language. As if they are optional or decorative.

That is a mistake.

When Scripture says you are a branch, it is telling you how you live.

John 15 (KJ2000)
5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

This is not just imagery.
It is instruction.

Branches do not struggle to produce fruit.
They remain connected.

That metaphor defines your daily life.

Metaphors Shape Behaviour

When you understand that you are a member of a body, you stop competing with other believers.

When you understand that you are a temple, you become conscious of God’s presence within you.

When you understand that you are light, you stop negotiating with darkness.

When you understand that you are a branch, you prioritise abiding.

Metaphors are not abstract.
They produce specific behaviour.

From Observation to Participation

Types keep you observing.

You watch Joseph suffer.
You watch Moses lead.
You watch David fight.

Metaphors pull you into participation.

You are in Christ.
Christ is in you.
You are part of His body.
You are His temple.

This is not a story you watch.
This is a life you live.

Christ in You

Colossians 1 (KJ2000)
26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The “mystery” is no longer hidden.

It is revealed.

And how is it explained?

Not through types.
Through direct language and metaphor.

Christ in you.

That is not a shadow.
That is substance.

The Shift You Must Make

If you want to understand the New Testament properly, you must make a shift.

Do not abandon types.
But do not live in them.

Use types to understand Christ.
Use metaphors to understand yourself.

Read the Old Testament to see what was coming.
Read the New Testament to see what has come.

A Simple Test

When you read Scripture, ask:

Is this pointing to Christ?
Or is this defining me in Christ?

If it is a type, receive the revelation of Christ.

If it is a metaphor, receive the revelation of your identity.

Final Thought

You can spend your whole life studying shadows and never step into reality.

Or you can recognise that the reality has already come.

Christ has come.
The mystery has been revealed.
You are in Him.
He is in you.

Types helped you recognise Him.

Metaphors now tell you who you are.

And until you see yourself the way the New Testament describes you, you will keep looking backward when you should be living forward.

Continue in grace!

2 Corinthians 11 (KJV)
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 

Paul gives us a long catalogue of his sufferings: lashes, beatings, imprisonments, dangers from rivers and robbers, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness. It is a staggering list that would have broken most men. Yet after listing all these external hardships, he concludes with something far less visible but far more constant:

2 Corinthians 11
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Paul considered the daily burden of caring for God’s people the heaviest load he carried. The outward trials were real, but the inward responsibility was weightier still. What sustained him through shipwrecks and prisons was not stubbornness of will but the inner fire of responsibility for the churches. This is the invisible burden of leadership.

The Burden that Gives Meaning to Suffering

Here lies a paradox: what made it possible for Paul to endure the external hardships of persecution was the internal burden of the care of the churches.

Without that inward responsibility, his stripes and beatings would have been meaningless pain. But with it, every trial became purposeful — a price worth paying for the growth and preservation of God’s people. That is why he could say in :24:

Colossians 1 (KJV)
24 I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.

The inner burden gave meaning to the outer burdens. Vision turned pain into purpose.

The Fellowship Few Seek

Paul’s secret was not merely endurance, but identification with Christ.

Philippians 3 (KJV)
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

Many today seek to demonstrate the power of His resurrection. Few seek to partake of the fellowship of His sufferings. Yet Paul embraced both.

• Shipwrecks did not break him, because he knew churches would be planted.

• Prisons did not silence him, because he could still write letters that strengthened the saints.

• Lashes did not discourage him, because he counted it joy to suffer for the body of Christ.

Resurrection power flows most deeply through those who first share the sufferings of Christ.

Biblical Examples of the Inward Burden

Paul was not the only one. Scripture records other leaders who bore this invisible weight.

Moses cried out, “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me” (Numbers 11:14). Pharaoh’s threats did not crush him, but the daily complaints of the people almost did.

Samuel grieved when Israel demanded a king. God told him, “They have not rejected you, but me” (1 Samuel 8:7). His heart was broken not by Philistine armies, but by the people’s rejection of God’s leadership.

Nehemiah, though safe in the Persian palace, wept when he heard of Jerusalem’s broken walls (Nehemiah 1:4). Comfort did not relieve him of the burden; God’s people’s condition weighed heavier than royal privilege.

Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. He prayed, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people” (Jeremiah 9:1). His tears for their sin and judgment were a heavier chain than the prisons he endured.

And Jesus Himself was moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes, fainting and scattered as sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). The daily weight of the crowd was not irritation but compassion. The burden of souls defined His ministry.

The Contrast with Today

Sadly, many ministers today have abandoned this burden. They are diligent about programs, budgets, buildings, and assets, but careless with people. To them, people are expendable items, just like chairs, microphones, or cars. If one breaks, another can be acquired.

This is a tragic distortion of ministry. The true treasure of the ministry is not equipment, but people. Souls are not assets to be consumed; they are sheep to be cared for. When ministers treat people as disposable, they betray the very heart of Christ, who left the ninety-nine to go after the one lost sheep.

Programs may impress crowds, and buildings may draw attention, but only love for people reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd. Paul did not list “the care of all the churches” as an achievement to boast about; he named it as the daily burden that defined his ministry.

What True Leadership Requires

The invisible burden of leadership is not glamorous. It is not the stage lights, the microphones, or the accolades. It is the weight of souls pressing on your heart daily:

• Praying for their stability.

• Watching against wolves that would scatter them.

• Weeping over their sins.

• Rejoicing in their growth.

• Bearing with their weaknesses.

This is what separated Paul from mere preachers. He did not see people as numbers, or partners, or donors. He saw them as the church of God, purchased with the blood of Christ, entrusted to his care.

Leadership Today

Leadership is not proven by how well you handle storms outside, but by how faithfully you carry the weight inside. Anyone can endure a crisis for a season, but only true leaders carry the unseen, constant burden of God’s people.

Moses sighed under it.
Samuel wept over it.
Nehemiah prayed about it.
Jeremiah cried through it.
Jesus was moved with compassion by it.
Paul bore it daily — and through that burden, resurrection power flowed.

The measure of ministry is not the size of your building, the reach of your program, or the applause of men. It is whether you truly care for God’s people every single day.

Conclusion

The greatest danger in ministry today is not persecution from the world but hardness of heart within the church. A minister can build an empire, run successful programs, and manage large budgets — yet still treat people as disposable. That is not the heart of Christ.

The heart of true leadership is this: “That which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” Until we embrace that burden, we cannot know the fellowship of His sufferings, nor can we truly demonstrate the power of His resurrection.

Continue in grace!

We become so interested in types and allegories that we miss something even more central to how the New Testament speaks. The New Testament is full of metaphors. If you do not understand that, you will misread some of its most important themes.

This is especially true when we talk about the new creation.

The writers of the New Testament were not careless with language. They used words with precision. They described spiritual realities using familiar human experience. They spoke about birth, growth, building, clothing, warfare, adoption, walking, light, food, seed, harvest, citizenship, slavery, marriage, and the body. These are not decorations. They are the structure of revelation.

The Meaning of “Mystery”

Paul repeatedly speaks of the gospel as a mystery.

In Scripture, a mystery is not something confusing. It is a secret that was hidden and is now revealed.

Ephesians 3 (KJ2000)
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote before in few words,
4 By which, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Colossians 1 (KJ2000)
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The mystery is revealed. But notice how it is explained.

It is explained through metaphors.

Christ in you speaks of union and indwelling.
The body of Christ explains unity and function.
The new man speaks of identity and nature.
The household of God speaks of belonging.
The bride of Christ speaks of covenant and love.

So, the mystery is revealed, but it is revealed in pictures.

Why Metaphors Matter

Metaphors shape understanding. They show how something works and how to respond.

Take the phrase born again.

John 3 (KJ2000)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Nicodemus thought literally and missed the point. Jesus used birth to describe a new kind of life. Birth speaks of origin, nature, and growth.

Other examples follow the same pattern.

1 Peter 2 (KJ2000)
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 Corinthians 12 (KJ2000)
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Ephesians 6 (KJ2000)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Hebrews 12 (KJ2000)
1 Therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Each one teaches doctrine through imagery.

How the Mystery Is Explained

Many believers focus more on Old Testament types than New Testament metaphors. But the metaphors are where the explanation happens.

Romans 13 (KJ2000)
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Christ is not clothing. But the metaphor shows identity and deliberate action.

Galatians 5 (KJ2000)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Walking shows movement and daily conduct.

Ephesians 1 (KJ2000)
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

The body explains unity and interdependence.

This is how the mystery is made known.

The New Creation in Metaphors

The new creation is revealed through multiple metaphors.

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4 (KJ2000)
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

John 1 (KJ2000)
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1 Corinthians 3 (KJ2000)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Each metaphor highlights something specific.

• New birth shows origin

• New man shows identity

• Creation shows God’s work

• Sonship shows relationship

• Temple shows indwelling

• Fruit shows results

Together, they explain the mystery.

The Danger of Ignoring Metaphors

Error begins when metaphors are mishandled.

John 10 (KJ2000)
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 15 (KJ2000)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

These communicate access and dependence.

A metaphor must be read in context.

Learning to Read the New Testament Properly

The apostles gave us living language.

Ask:

• Why this image?

• What does it highlight?

• What response does it call for?

If the church is a body, how should members relate?
If believers are children, how do they grow?
If the word is seed, how does it produce fruit?
If life is a race, what must be laid aside?

These are practical questions.

A Call to Recover This Understanding

This series will explore the major metaphors of the New Testament and show how they explain the believer’s life in Christ.

The New Testament is doctrinal through metaphor.

God revealed the mystery using language we can understand.

So yes, types and allegories matter. But if you want to understand the New Testament, you must learn to read its metaphors carefully.

That is how the mystery is revealed.

And that is how we must read it.

Continue in grace!

You may begin by helping sincerely. You may step in where you are needed. You may add real value. You may become so useful that people can hardly imagine the work being done without you. But if you are not careful, usefulness can become a snare. You can begin to think that because God uses you, you are therefore equal in assignment to the one you were called to support.

That seems to have happened with Aaron.

When God called Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses objected. He did not feel adequate for the task.

Exodus 4 (KJ2000)
10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before, nor since you have spoken unto your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

That complaint was not small. Moses was being sent to stand before Pharaoh, address the elders of Israel, and function publicly in a role of enormous weight. From Moses’ point of view, his speech problem was a real handicap. Yet God did not act as though Moses had discovered a flaw in the divine plan.

Exodus 4 (KJ2000)
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who has made man’s mouth? or who makes the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

God was making something clear. Moses’ limitation had not escaped His notice. He already knew. He was still sending him.

Exodus 4 (KJ2000)
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall say.

That should have settled the matter, but Moses still resisted. He asked God to send someone else. It was at that point that Aaron entered the picture.

Exodus 4 (KJ2000)
14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he comes forth to meet you: and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Where Moses was not eloquent, slow of speech and of a slow tongue, Aaron could speak well. When God Himself concedes a man can speak well, then that man must really be able to speak well!

Then in verses 15 and 16, God explained the arrangement. Moses would receive the words from God. Aaron would speak them to the people. Aaron would function as spokesman. Moses would still be the one carrying the divine commission.

This is a powerful picture of supportive ministry.

God could have healed Moses instantly. He could have removed the impediment in one moment. He could have made Moses eloquent overnight. But He chose instead to use Aaron in a way that made Moses’ weakness irrelevant.

That is an important leadership lesson.

Sometimes God does not remove a leader’s weakness. Sometimes He surrounds that leader with the right people. Sometimes the answer to a limitation is not a miracle in the leader, but a helper beside the leader. Sometimes the grace of God comes in the form of support from other people.

That means the supportive minister has a very noble role. His job is not to compete with the leader, but to complete him. His place is not to resent the gap he is filling, but to fill it faithfully. He is there to make obedience easier, execution smoother, and the assignment stronger.

Aaron’s ministry in support of Moses mattered. Without it, at least at that point, Moses’ reluctance over his speech might have remained a major issue. Aaron helped make Moses functional in the eyes of the people. He helped make a weakness less important than it seemed.

That is no small thing.

There are ministers whose greatest usefulness lies in making another man’s weakness irrelevant. They steady what could wobble. They voice what could be muffled. They organise what could be chaotic. They strengthen what could fail under pressure. Such people are gifts from God.

But supportive ministry can become dangerous when support begins to think of itself as headship.

Later, in Numbers 12, we see a sad turn. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses.

Numbers 12 (KJ2000)
2 And they said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? has he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.

The statement sounds reasonable on the surface. After all, God had indeed spoken by them as well. Aaron was the High Priest. Miriam was a prophetess. They were not empty people. They had genuine callings and real usefulness.

But truth can be used in the service of pride.

Yes, God had spoken by them. No, that did not make them Moses.

That was the issue.

They took the fact that God used them and stretched it into the idea that their assignment was equal to Moses’ assignment. They confused relevance with rank. They confused contribution with leadership.

God rebuked them sharply.

Numbers 12 (KJ2000)
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not thus, who is faithful in all my house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even clearly, and not in dark sayings; and the form of the LORD shall he behold: why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

God was not denying that He spoke through others. He was insisting that Moses occupied a unique place.

That is where many supportive ministers go wrong. They are so close to leadership that they begin to forget leadership is still leadership. They become so involved in the work that they begin to assume it belongs to them in the same way. They hear what the leader hears, carry what the leader carries, and stand where the leader stands, at least from the outside. Over time, familiarity breeds comparison, and comparison breeds rebellion.

Aaron should have remembered why he had been brought into the picture in the first place. He was there because Moses had a difficulty, and God chose to answer that difficulty through him. Aaron was an answer, but his was not the principal assignment. He was a support, not a substitute.

There is great safety in remembering why God placed you where He did.

If you are the one supporting a leader, remember this. Your value is not reduced because your role is supportive. Aaron was important. His ministry mattered. His presence made a difference. But his importance did not erase Moses’ uniqueness. The fact that God uses you does not mean you are called to the same seat.

The man who supports well is a blessing. The man who competes from a support role becomes a burden.

Many church problems come from this failure to discern rank and role. A deputy begins to think he is a rival. A faithful assistant starts measuring himself against the one he serves. A gifted subordinate becomes impatient with order. Soon, what began as support turns into silent contention. The work suffers because someone who was meant to strengthen leadership has started resisting it.

Aaron teaches us both what to do and what to avoid.

At his best, he made Moses stronger.
At his worst, he questioned why Moses should stand apart.
At his best, he rendered service that made a major assignment possible.
At his worst, he used his own spiritual relevance as an argument against divine order.

May God give us the wisdom to know the difference.

If He has called you to support, support with gladness. If He has called you to strengthen another man’s hand, do it with humility. If He has made you a voice around a leader, do not mistake that for being the leader himself. Sometimes your greatest contribution is not to take over the assignment, but to make the assignment easier to fulfil.

God gave Moses an Aaron. Aaron was at his best when he remembered that.

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“I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel…” (1 Samuel 15:30).

It is a statement that reveals the root of Saul’s leadership failure. He feared losing face before men more than losing fellowship with God. He was more concerned about how he appeared in the sight of the people than how he stood in the sight of the Lord.

Saul’s Partial Obedience

The command was clear. God instructed Saul through Samuel to utterly destroy Amalek. Nothing was to be spared. But Saul spared Agag the king and the best of the animals. When confronted, he first justified his actions as zeal: “The people spared the best to sacrifice unto the Lord…” (v. 15). Then he shifted the blame: “I feared the people and obeyed their voice” (v. 24).

This reveals a leader who was enslaved by the opinions of others. The very position God gave him as king over Israel became enslaved to the voices he was supposed to lead.

The Desperate Plea

Even after Samuel’s verdict — that the kingdom was torn from him — Saul’s main concern was public humiliation. He pleaded not for forgiveness, not for restoration with God, but for Samuel’s presence beside him: “Honour me now before the people.”

This is image-driven leadership. Saul wanted Samuel’s endorsement, not God’s approval. He valued appearances above obedience.

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The Danger of Image-Driven Leadership

There are leaders today who follow the same path. They build ministries, organisations, and reputations around the need to look good from the people’s perspective. Their sermons, decisions, and even their confessions of sin are carefully managed for optics. They may admit fault privately, but their priority in public is damage control.

When the fear of man governs us, we lose the fear of God. A leader who trembles at the thought of being shamed in front of men but feels no grief over grieving the Spirit of God has already fallen, whether the fall is visible yet or not.

1. Fear of Man

Saul confessed: “I feared the people.” This is the snare of many leaders. They cannot make hard decisions because they dread losing followers. They compromise God’s word to maintain the crowd.

2. Saving Face

Saul begged Samuel to “honour” him before the elders. Some leaders today will do anything for public recognition. They measure success not by God’s commendation but by social media applause, numbers in the pews, or the praise of peers.

3. Shallow Repentance

Saul’s confession of sin was shallow. His first concern was his reputation, not his relationship. Contrast this with David, who was guilty of adultery and murder, but cried: “Against You, You only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). David’s brokenness was before God, not before men.

The Contrast with David

Both Saul and David sinned grievously. But one was rejected while the other was restored. Why? Because Saul repented for the sake of appearances, but David repented for the sake of God’s presence. Saul wanted to be honoured before men. David only wanted to be right in the sight of God.

When Nathan confronted David, his cry was not “please honour me before the people.” It was “cast me not away from Your presence” (Psalm 51:11). That is the cry of a leader after God’s heart.

Modern Lessons

1. Your reputation before men is fragile, but your standing before God is eternal.
   One day, every leader will stand alone before the Lord, stripped of titles and crowds. Only obedience will matter then.

2. Beware of public endorsement when God has withdrawn private approval.
   Saul had Samuel’s robe beside him that day, but not God’s favour. Many leaders still have the external trappings of success long after God’s endorsement has departed.

3. True repentance is Godward, not manward.
   A tearful apology before people is not repentance if there is no brokenness before God.

4. Fear God more than you fear losing people.
   Leaders who compromise to keep followers will eventually lose both. But those who stand with God will find that He preserves their legacy.

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A Word to Leaders Today

Ministers, pastors, CEOs, team leaders — beware of Saul’s plea echoing in your own heart: “Honour me now before the people.” It is the cry of insecurity, the voice of pride, the last gasp of a leader who has already lost God’s presence but still craves man’s applause.

The true mark of greatness is not in how men honour you, but in how God esteems you. Jesus warned in John 5:44: “How can you believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that comes from God only?”

A leader’s greatest ambition must be this: not to be honoured before men, but to be found faithful before God.

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Conclusion

The tragedy of Saul is not just that he lost the kingdom, but that he never grasped why. His heart was never God-centered. He lived and died chasing honour before men.

The triumph of David, in contrast, was not in flawless conduct but in a heart that was broken and contrite before the Lord.

May every leader learn this lesson: It is better to be dishonoured before men and accepted by God than to be honoured before men and rejected by Him.

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1. Informing

2. Explaining

3. Instructing

4. Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting

5. Rebuking

6. Warning

7. Reminding

In this post, we will consider the concept of Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting as an aspect of the ministry of the Word.

Romans 15
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

For other aspects of the ministry of the Word, it's easy enough to pick one word to describe them. For the one we're considering in this post, I am of the opinion that all three words (encouragement, exhortation and comfort) contribute indispensably to our understanding of the aspect.

The root meaning of the word “exhort", is "to call near". The picture here is that of a parent who wants to speak words of encouragement, reassurance, comfort, etc. and thus calls their child near. This is the mental picture a preacher should have every time he or she exhorts, encourages or comforts people from the pulpit.

1 Thessalonians 2
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Notice Paul says he and his companions preached the gospel to the Thessalonians, because “we would not be chargeable unto any of you". We do people a disservice when we have the opportunity to share the gospel with them, but do not take it. We owe them a debt we may never be able to repay.

Also notice that Paul and his companions exhorted and comforted the Thessalonians while charging them. Encouragement, exhortation and comfort as an aspect of the Ministry of the Word is most effective when we mix it up with the others and use it to make them more endurable.

This aspect of the Word provides the warmth, affirmation and emotional well-being every believer needs to feel loved of God. Without it, the ministry of the word of God leaves the hearers feeling like they are listening to lectures from a schoolmaster, or proclamations of the law from a judge, or marching orders from a superior military officer, rather than expressions of love and affection from our Father.

Many times, the most important thing Paul would ask his companions whom he sent on apostolic journeys to do would be to comfort the saints.

Ephesians 6
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

Colossians 4
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

1 Thessalonians 3
1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

These verses do not mean that the only thing Tychicus and Timothy would do in their errands would be to encourage or exhort or comfort the saints. It does mean that the aspect of the Ministry of the Word would be the most obvious in their ministration.

1 Corinthians 14
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

The whole point of the gift of prophecy is to edify us, to exhort us, and to comfort us.

Hebrews 13
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

The thirteen chapters of the Letter to the Hebrews are described simply as a “word of exhortation". All of the writer's efforts are assessed and the value of the words he wrote by inspiration of the Spirit of God is declared as

Too Little Emphasis on Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting?
Sometimes some preachers look down on messages which encourage the saints. Sometimes, they believe that churches which feature these types of messages end up with believers who lead loose, lax and lascivious lives instead of walking in holiness.

The opposite is true.

When a church has little or no emphasis on encouraging the saints, it ends up with saints who are discouraged. They become frustrated with the challenges of living as believers and become unhooked from the anchor that God's Word represents. Many times, they live as hypocrites.

Encouragement strengthens weary hands. Exhortation sharpens dull resolve. Comfort restores shaken faith.

All are part of the ministry of the Word.

If a minister only informs and explains, he may produce knowledgeable hearers. If he only instructs, he may produce disciplined followers. But if he also encourages, exhorts and comforts, he will help produce enduring saints.

The ministry of the Word is not merely about clarity of thought. It is about strength of heart.

And sometimes, the most powerful sermon is not the one that dazzles the mind, but the one that quietly gives a believer courage to continue.

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Israel had entered the Promised Land. The long years in the wilderness were over. The land was being divided among the tribes. This was the moment many would slow down and settle. Caleb stepped forward instead.

At eighty-five years old, he made a request that still speaks to leaders today.

“Now therefore give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:12).

That request shows how biblical leadership works. It is anchored in God’s word, strengthened by obedience, and expressed through faith.

He led by trusting God’s word

Caleb’s request did not begin in Joshua 14. It began forty-five years earlier. He was one of the twelve men sent to spy out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:1–2). Ten returned with fear. Two returned with faith. Caleb was one of them.

The report of the ten focused on giants and fortified cities (Numbers 13:28). Caleb responded differently. He said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).

Caleb did not deny the facts. He interpreted the facts in the light of God’s promise.

Leadership is not pretending challenges do not exist. Leadership is refusing to allow challenges to outweigh God’s word.

Leadership is not about avoiding challenges. Leadership is about taking responsibility for addressing challenges.

Because of that response, God made a promise.

Numbers 14 (KJV)
24  But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. 

Caleb held on to that word for decades.

He outlived the generation that doubted God. He remained faithful under Moses and later under Joshua. Time did not weaken his confidence in what God had said.

Leaders must learn this lesson early. Vision that is not rooted in God’s word will not survive pressure or delay.

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He waited without losing strength

One of the most striking parts of Caleb’s story is how long he waited. He was forty years old when he spied the land (Joshua 14:7). He was eighty-five when he asked for the mountain (Joshua 14:10).

That is a forty-five-year gap.

Many leaders struggle with waiting. Delay often produces frustration, bitterness, or compromise. Caleb shows another way.

He said, “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me” (Joshua 14:11). This was not arrogance. It was the fruit of consistency.

Caleb stayed spiritually engaged while others complained. He stayed obedient while others rebelled. He stayed focused while others lost direction.

Leadership stamina is not built in moments of excitement. It is built on seasons of routine faithfulness.

You may be waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. You may be serving faithfully while others receive recognition. Caleb’s life reminds you that God does not forget obedience.

Waiting does not weaken leaders who keep trusting in God.

He asked for responsibility, not comfort

When the land was being divided, Caleb could have chosen a quiet territory. He could have appealed to age. He could have argued that he deserved rest. He could have leveraged his close relationship and long association with Joshua to ask for an area that would be easy to take and hold. He knew that there were giants in the land, and it would be more difficult to take a mountain from them.

Instead, he asked for Hebron.

Hebron was not empty land. It was occupied by the Anakim. These were the same giants that once terrified Israel (Joshua 14:12). Their cities were still fortified. The danger was real.

Caleb knew this and still said, “If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out” (Joshua 14:12).

This is a defining mark of leadership. He moved towards difficulty, not away from it.

Leaders who make a difference do not search for the safest assignments. They take responsibility for the hardest work when God has spoken.

You should ask yourself what kind of leadership choices you are making. Are you choosing paths that protect you, or paths that require faith?

Caleb did not ask for the mountain to prove a point. He asked because he believed God was still faithful.

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He depended on God, not past success

Caleb had a strong record. He had been faithful. He had spoken boldly. He had survived the wilderness. Yet he did not rely on his experience.

He said, “If the Lord will be with me.”

That statement reveals humility. Experience matters, but it does not replace dependence on God.

Many leaders fail when past success becomes present confidence. Caleb avoided that trap. He knew victory depended on God’s presence, not his reputation.

This posture keeps leaders grounded. It keeps them prayerful. It keeps them aligned with God’s will.

Caleb received what he asked for. He drove out the giants (Joshua 15:14). The land rested from war. His obedience secured an inheritance, not just for himself, but for future generations.

His life proves that bold faith is not reckless. It is responsible leadership under God.

Caleb’s story leaves you with a question.

What mountain has God assigned to you?

It may be a difficult responsibility. It may be a long-delayed call to serve Him. It may be an assignment you postponed because it looks demanding.

Do not ask for ease. Ask for grace to be faithful. Do not aim for comfort. Aim to trust God fully.

God still honours leaders who believe Him and act on His word.

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“Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” (2 Samuel 23:15)

It was not a command. It was not even a request. It was a longing — a wistful desire uttered aloud. But his mighty men heard him. And for them, the unspoken desire of their leader was enough to act upon. They broke through the Philistine garrison, risked their very lives, drew water from the well, and brought it back to David.

When David received it, he was overwhelmed. He could not drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord, saying, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” (v.17).

What a scene! And what a lesson for us who lead.

Leadership Is Influence

At its core, leadership is not about titles, offices, or positions. It is about influence. If your words, your sighs, your body language, your facial expressions, and even your unspoken longings move people to action, then you are a leader. And if people consistently ignore those signals, then, quite frankly, you are not.

David never said, “Go and fetch me some water.” Yet his men treated his longing as a royal command. Why? Because they loved him. They believed in him. They had pledged their loyalty to him. His wish was their mission.

Leaders must never forget: people act on what you say — and sometimes on what you only hint at. That is why Scripture warns, “Be not rash with thy mouth…” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Influence multiplies the weight of every utterance, and even unspoken desires.

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The Danger of Careless Wishes

David’s sigh was innocent. But his men nearly died because of it. This shows us that leadership magnifies not only our decisions but also our desires. Careless wishes can send followers down dangerous paths.

A pastor sighs about wanting a bigger church, and suddenly the team begins to compromise integrity to boost numbers. A CEO jokingly mentions admiration for a competitor’s aggressive tactics, and before long his staff start cutting corners to match that aggression. A father, weary after a long day, laments about wishing for “some peace and quiet,” and a child interprets it as rejection.

What you communicate, even casually, can become someone else’s mission, someone else’s obsession. Be careful what you wish for!

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Communication Beyond Words

Notice that influence is not limited to words. A raised eyebrow, a heavy sigh, a look of disappointment, or a gesture of approval can steer people more than a hundred speeches. Leaders communicate with their presence as much as with their pronouncements.

David’s longing was expressed in words, but how many times do our followers “read” our eyes, our posture, or our silence? A true leader cannot afford the luxury of thoughtless communication. Every signal matters.

Paul, writing to Timothy, urged him to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Leadership requires watchfulness over all forms of expression, because someone is always watching.

Followers Prove Leadership

There is a sobering truth embedded here: if your followers do not act on what you say (and sometimes what you don’t say), then you are not their real leader. Leadership is validated in the response it provokes.

David’s men risked their lives for a wish. That was proof of his leadership. But imagine if David had sighed and everyone had ignored him. That would have been proof of something else: that his voice carried no weight with them.

This challenges us to examine our leadership. Do people respond to our words? Do they align themselves with our vision? If not, perhaps we are mistaking positional authority for real influence.

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The Weight of Responsibility

When David saw the water his men brought, he trembled. He recognised the sacred responsibility of leadership: men had put their lives on the line because of him. He could not, in good conscience, drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord.

That act was more than gratitude. It was a confession. It was David saying, “Lord, this is too holy for me. Only You deserve such devotion.”

Every leader must feel that same weight. People sacrifice time, energy, and sometimes their very lives because of our words and our vision. We must never take that lightly. We must never consume such sacrifices selfishly. Instead, we must constantly pour it back to the Lord in humility, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him.

Guarding Our Influence

So how do we apply this lesson? Here are some practical takeaways for every leader:

1. Be intentional with words. Never assume people will take your statements lightly. Speak thoughtfully, especially when expressing desires or frustrations.

2. Watch your signals. Be aware of your non-verbal communication. Followers often act on your tone, gestures, or silence as much as your words.

3. Clarify your intent. If you express a longing or frustration, be quick to clarify whether it is a directive or merely a passing thought. Prevent misinterpretation.

4. Honour followers’ sacrifice. When people act on your words, receive their sacrifice with gratitude and humility. Never exploit their loyalty for selfish ends.

5. Point back to God. Like David, always pour out the devotion of your followers to the Lord. Remember, ultimate allegiance belongs to Him.

A Final Word

Leadership is a sacred trust. The deeper your influence, the more careful you must be. What you say — and even what you merely hint at — can move others to costly action. David’s sigh teaches us that leaders must be careful what they wish for.

Our followers will take cues from our words, our looks, and our longings. If they do not, we are not their true leaders. But if they do, we bear the holy responsibility of stewarding that influence wisely, always pointing their loyalty back to the Lord who alone is worthy.

So, let us weigh our words. Let us watch our signals. Let us handle our influence with trembling. And let us always remember: leadership is not for self, but for service — and for the glory of God.

Continue in grace!

It starts with a simple principle.

God teaches us in various ways, but one important method is through examples.

Scripture is very clear about this.

1 Corinthians 10 (KJV)
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Romans 15 (KJV)
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

God did not give us leadership lessons as lists or bullet points.

He gave us lives.

Decisions were made in private or in public.

Results followed.

God preserved the record so that you could learn from past mistakes without repeating them.

This method of learning is intentional.

Paul explains it using his own life.

1 Timothy 1 (KJV)
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1 Timothy 1 (KJ2000)
16 But for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for an example to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

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Then he demands we take his life as an example.

1 Corinthians 11 (KJV)
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

That request only works because examples matter.

You can follow what you can see.

You can learn from what is lived out.

God teaches us by patterns and examples.

Christ is the standard.

Human leaders are mirrors, sometimes clear, sometimes cracked.

That is why this series focuses on events, not personalities.

Some moments reveal leadership better than biographies.

A prophet assumes instead of waiting for God’s instruction.

A king spares offenders who should have been punished.

A leader speaks from desire, and others risk their lives to fulfil it.

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Some moments end well. Some end badly. All of them instruct.

Leadership is tested and proven in pressure.

In timing. In restraint. In obedience.

The Bible records those tests without editing.

This series is written for leaders who want to learn God’s way.

Pastors. Founders. Executives.

Anyone entrusted with people, resources, or direction.

Each post will do three things.

1. Present a clear biblical event

2. Expose the leadership lesson in that moment

3. Apply it directly to how you lead today

No slogans. No borrowed systems. No theories detached from Scripture.

God has already shown you what leadership looks like when it follows Christ, and when it drifts.

He wrote it down so you could learn.

If you want to learn about leadership from the Bible, you are welcome to read this series.

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Remember we shared about the need to receive the Word with meekness, with readiness of mind and with fear and trembling. It also important that the minister teaches with meekness, teaches with a bias for those who have a ready mind, and teaches with fear and trembling.

I have noticed that congregations tend to reflect the attitude of their leadership towards the Word of God.

James 1
21 Therefore ... receive with meekness the engrafted word...

2 Timothy 2
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose them; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Where the teaching in a local assembly is not presented in meekness, church members will gradually adopt an attitude of arrogance. To borrow an expression from Paul, knowledge will puff them up. They will associate a lack of meekness in the preacher with his great knowledge, and the more they know, the more they will become proud, too.

Acts 17
11 ...they received the word with all readiness of mind...

2 Timothy 4
1 I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they draw to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto myths.

Some church leaders tend to adapt themselves to the congregation in the area of preaching. When they notice that men and women are not receiving the Word with readiness of mind, they compromise and present them with other content designed to appeal to our human nature. Some even preach false doctrine because they know that’s what people want to hear!

2 Corinthians 7
15 ...with fear and trembling you received him.

1 Corinthians 2
2 For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Where the preacher himself has a casual, cavalier, careless, comatose, cold attitude to the Word, those who listen will notice, and become like that too. If those who hear the word preached are to be in fear and trembling, the one who preaches must be in fear and trembling too. I have never understood how a man could believe himself to be speaking on God’s behalf and not project a sense that he knows he is undertaking a supernatural, spiritual and sacred business. 

James 1
22 But be you doers of the word…

1 Thessalonians 1
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit:

Finally, the minister must himself be a doer of the Word. He must take the lead in being an example – it must be easy for us who listen to the preacher to agree that he is merely asking us to live our lives the way he does. Where this isn’t the case, the preacher may do a fine job of preaching, but people will not respond as they should.

I am persuaded better things of you! I believe God will use us all mightily, and His Body will be blessed through our ministries.

Continue in grace!

What a privilege it was for Mary to have been the mother of Jesus! History records accounts of women like Delilah and Jezebel who were wicked, but Mary was chosen to be the mother of our Lord! Speaking by the Spirit of God, her older cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, calls her “blessed”.

Luke 1
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit:
42 And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

“A certain woman of the crowd”, who may or may not have known Mary, also calls her blessed. Jesus did not deny this, but made a very interesting statement – if you’re a hearer and a doer of the Word of God, you’re blessed over and beyond His mother, Mary.

James 1
21 Therefore put away all filthiness and extreme wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
24 For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and immediately forgets what manner of man he was.
25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Many receive the Word with meekness, readiness of mind, fear, and trembling (as they rightly should), but the blessedness is in being a doer of the Word! The one who receives the Word but does not do it is referred to as one who “deceives his own self”. The whole essence of receiving the Word is to obey the Word. The man who hears the Word, rejoices at it but does not obey it, is just as much in rebellion to the Word as the man who gathered a hostile crowd and chased the preacher out of town!

Think about it. If the government were to announce a new tax, there would be people who would commend them and those who would criticize them. Some may have a public demonstration supporting the idea, others may have one opposing it. Some would even take them to court challenging the legality of the tax. But at the end of the day, when it’s time to arrest those who have not paid the tax, they would not consider whether you were one of those who supported it or not. It wouldn’t matter if you’re one of those challenging the idea of the tax in court. The question at the end of the day is: “Have you paid the tax?” 

There is no other blessing available in our Christian experience which can substitute for obeying the Word. There is no blessedness from prayer and fasting, from having hands laid on you, from deep and intense worship, from preaching to other people, from being faithful in church attendance, from confessing the Word, from receiving a personal prophecy, etc. which can act as a substitute for the blessedness that comes from being obedient to the Word of God. The man or woman who enjoys the richest of spiritually sublime experiences of these other things, but is not a doer of the Word, is described as “deceiving his own self”.

If we are not careful, knowledge of the Word becomes an end in itself. We may end up becoming men and women who talk about the Word, argue about the Word, sing and dance about the Word, listen to the Word, and encourage others to listen to the Word, but in the end, are not obedient to the Word.

The devil has given some in our day an awkward substitute for being doers of the Word. He doesn’t call it disobedience, he calls it “using wisdom”. 

John 13
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Continue in grace!

I once saw a play which tried to depict what life was like in a small town in the area that is now South-West Nigeria, back when the Oyo Empire was at its peak. The leader of this small town was a vassal of the Alaafin, the absolute monarch who ruled the Empire. In the course of the play, a messenger shows up in the court of this leader and announces he has a message from the Alaafin. Even though this messenger was a slave of low social status, everyone at the court stood up to receive the message. They stood in fear and trembling at the word of the Alaafin.

The Old Testament records many instances of men and women responding in fear and trembling at God’s Word.

1 Samuel 16
4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Come you peaceably?

In the Old Testament, they stood in fear and trembling of the Word because they knew that the Word could be spoken in instant judgment against them. Some in the New Testament believe those days are over, although Ananias and Sapphira would probably disagree.

In any case, our primary reason for receiving the Word of God with fear and trembling is not a foreboding of instant judgment, even though that is a possibility. Our primary concern is that we will receive the Word in vain and that the Word will stand in judgment against us.

Acts 24
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.

Hebrews 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, although a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

There is a danger we all face when we become too used to listening to preachers – the danger of no longer trembling at the Word of God. Do you remember when you just got saved, and sat in awe when you listened to men and women teach the Word? In our day, this danger seems to be amplified by an information overload. We get so much religious content on our phones and tablets via social media that we seem to have become numb – somewhat insensate – to God speaking to us simply.

Many times, the Lord seeks to chasten and correct us through His Word; with poor results, because we no longer tremble at the Word. A lot of gimmickry and show business that have preoccupied some pulpits today is the result of preachers trying to catch the attention of believers who are no longer moved by the simple preaching of God’s Word.

Hebrews 2
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Hebrews 12
6 For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.
8 But if you be without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are you illegitimate children, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Continue in grace!

As a much younger Christian, I was frequently encouraged to be a “Berean Christian”. The Bible actually speaks of Berean Jews. They were Jews living in Berea (now in modern-day Greece). The Thessalonian Jews heard the Word and promptly organized a riot to persecute Paul and Silas, at which point the apostles left their city.

Paul and Silas preached to the Berean Jews, and they showed a better attitude to the Word than the Thessalonian Jews. What was this attitude? The Bible tells us that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, which is the same thing as saying they paid it serious attention.

Acts 17 (The Bible in Basic English)
10 Now these were more noble than the Jews of Thessalonica, for they gave serious attention to the word, searching in the holy Writings every day, to see if these things were so.

James 1
19 Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger:

To receive the Word with all readiness of mind is to give the message a fair chance.

Sometimes when the Word of God is being preached, we do not pay serious attention. You can tell from some folks’ body language that they can’t wait for the preacher to be done. Some choose that time to get on their phone and catch up with all the likes and shares on Facebook. Others stare at the preacher, but they’re not seeing him, they are wondering which team will win the big game kicking off by 5 p.m. later that day, or whether or not Freddy will propose to Fannie on the soap opera that evening.

For others, they pay attention, but they sit there with several preconceived notions in their minds. And once the preacher dares to say anything which does not agree with any of their pre-conceived notions, they switch off mentally and begin to prepare a rebuttal to the preacher’s point!

Perhaps the best example of the ideal attitude we should have in this respect is a trial judge. During the hearing of a court case, both sides hire lawyers who will say whatever they need to say to convince the judge their clients are right. During the trial, the judge never once interrupts a lawyer who says something he knows to be wrong. He listens patiently, makes notes, and then goes into his chambers to study the law after which he writes and then delivers his judgement.

To receive the Word with a ready mind does not mean that you must believe everything the preacher says and swallow it hook, line and sinker. It means that you will careful attention and dissect what is being said, carefully comparing it with what the Bible says. Do not restrict yourself to only the Bible verses the preacher has referred to – compare the verses he quotes and the meaning he has given them to other Bible verses he may have been silent on.

1 Thessalonians 5
21 Test all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 John 4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

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Meekness has been described as the attitude of backing off from a fight you could easily win. It is closely associated with the attitudes of humility, submission, self-control, and not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought to.

You aren’t being meek when you refuse to engage the champion boxer in your country in a fight – you are probably just demonstrating that you understand self-preservation. Sometimes you read about how two men got into a shouting match, and then one “became meek” when the other produced a gun. That’s not meekness. That’s just a rational response to a change in the balance of power!

A biblical example of one who showed a lack of meekness is Naaman. He was a Syrian general. He was told to go to the Prophet Elisha to receive his healing from leprosy. He went bearing gifts and presented himself to Elisha.

2 Kings 5
10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.
11 But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and cure the leprosy.

Amazingly, Naaman had his ideas about how leprosy should have been cured by Elisha. One may be forgiven for wondering idly why he didn’t cure himself in his own country! Praise God, the story ends with Naaman repenting and receiving his healing.

But we see some in the church who show a similar attitude. They always seem to know what should have been said in a better way, how it should have been said in a better way, why it should have been said in a better way, etc. The idea that the imperfect presentation of the Word could be such a great blessing to the Body and is exactly what they need in their own lives seems to be far from their minds. 

Naaman would have gone back to his country a leper, angry because he couldn’t stand the idea of washing in a river like the Jordan. Many in our day ignore “the engrafted word which is able to save their souls”, and go home clinging to “all filthiness and extreme wickedness”.

The salvation of our souls as expressed by James isn’t talking about the New Birth – the reference is to the renewing of our minds. James instructs us to meekly receive the Word which was already engrafted into our spirits.

There is a call today for you to humble yourself next time you are receiving the Word. Do not focus on criticisms of the preacher or the way he presented his content. Focus on the Word you are there to receive. Receive it with meekness!

Continue in grace!

Hebrews 4
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

In the 1850s, an African king sent one of his nobles to lead some other men to England on a mission. Their task was simple. They were to give his warm regards to the Queen and ask her to tell them how England had become such a powerful nation.

When she received the nobleman and his entourage, Queen Victoria sent for a Bible. She gave it to him and asked him to tell his king, "This book is the secret of England's greatness".

I don't know whether you will agree with the Queen that the Bible was the secret of England's political and military power. But I think we can all see from the Scriptures that we are meant to derive benefit from the Word of God.

Paul told Timothy that “All scripture… is profitable…”. But the writer of Hebrews said, “… the word preached did not profit them”. The word preached was meant to be profitable to these people, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t the fault of the word that was preached, it was the fault of those that heard it. They were responsible for the word “not being mixed with faith in them that heard it”.

Romans 10
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith does come by hearing, but not for everyone. Some hear the word and go on to express faith, others hear it and respond with unbelief, doubt, scepticism, mental assent, etc. God desires that we all know how to receive the Word so that our response is always in faith, and we benefit from the Word.

1 Thessalonians 2
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.

The greatest of messages from men is inferior in value to the least of messages from God. The most excellent of ideas from a human viewpoint is irrelevant when placed side-by-side with what God considers truly important.

John 12
48 He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 13
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.

Notice from these verses that the way to know one who has rejected God is to consider his or her attitude to the word. To fail to receive God’s Word is to reject God! It is amazing how many people claim they are seeking God’s help or God’s favour for one issue or the other, but state quite clearly that “I don’t have time for your preaching, just pray for me”. Prayer is important and of great benefit, but it is not meant to be a substitute for receiving the Word.

In this series, let us consider how to receive the word of God in the light of the Scriptures.

Continue in grace!

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.

You do not belong to yourself. You belong to God. You are called the redeemed of the Lord because you were purchased with the blood of Jesus. You are now obliged not to live for yourself but for Him. Because you belong to God, your body belongs to God, and one day you will give Him an account of how you used or abused it.

Romans 12 (KJ2000)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12 (Bible in Basic English)
1 For this reason I make request to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you will give your bodies as a living offering, holy, pleasing to God, which is the worship it is right for you to give him.

A living sacrifice! That sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn’t it? Most sacrifices in the Bible were the dead type.

An example of someone who was a living sacrifice was the Prophet Samuel. His mother Hannah had been barren, and in her desperation to have a child she proposed a deal to God: Give me a male child and I’ll let him serve you! (Notice that this isn’t an acceptable thing to do in the New Testament – today we’re to simply ask for whatever we need in the Name of Jesus.)

1 Samuel 1 (KJ2000)
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give unto your handmaid a male child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Samuel stayed alive, unlike the animals brought to be sacrificed. He remained alive while they ended up dead. But just like the animals brought to be sacrificed were no longer under the control or use of their owners, Samuel was no longer under the control and direction of his parents. He belonged to the service of God now and became an assistant to the High Priest of Israel, a man called Eli. Previously, Eli had no right to ask Samuel to run errands or attend to anything. If he wanted Samuel to run any errands, he would have to ask Hannah first. But as soon as Samuel became a living sacrifice, the roles were reversed. If Hannah wanted Samuel to run an errand or to even visit him (she seemed to see him only once a year!), she would have to ask Eli for permission.

By inspiration of the Spirit of God, Paul asks us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. Just like Samuel was set apart for the service of God, our bodies are to be set apart primarily for the service of God. Whatever way we want to use our bodies even for our benefit must be with His permission.

1 Corinthians 6 (KJ2000)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Your body isn’t yours. It belongs to God. He expects you to use it, like everything else you own, in His service. You should not prioritise your pleasure, your desires, or your own needs over and above the service of the Kingdom of God.

I once heard about a preacher who declined an invitation to minister in a particular town because “There’s no hotel there good enough to host me”. I’ve often been intrigued by this position. I often compare and contrast it with that of many missionaries who serve for years in very uncomfortable conditions, not appreciated and not celebrated in this world. If you’re a missionary reading this, I exhort you to finish your assignment in this world with joy. The Body of Christ may not appreciate your sacrifice, but the One Who sent you will reward you richly. 

In the service of God, we should be willing to go wherever He says to go, stay wherever He says to stay and do whatever He says to do. Only then would we have His approval in this world and the next.

Continue in grace!

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.

You do not belong to yourself. You belong to God. You are called the redeemed of the Lord because you were purchased with the blood of Jesus. You are now obliged not to live for yourself but for Him. Because you belong to God, your money belongs to God, and one day you will give Him an account of how you spent it.

Many years ago, to be called born-again was to be called poor. People thought riches were sinful. There were even songs composed which celebrated the expected poverty and misery of God’s children. Look at this chorus:

Here I wander, like a beggar,
Through the heat and the cold,
And my burdens are so heavy,
Lord, my sorrow is untold,

Praise God, the Spirit of God raised teachers in the Body to show us from the Word that we’re not wandering beggars, we’re fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God! We’re not walking in untold sorrow, we’re full of the joy of the Holy Spirit! 

But it seems to me that in being liberated from this destructive mindset of poverty we moved too far in the other direction. It seems to me that for some Christians, the pursuit of worldly wealth has now become a trap.

Luke 12 (KJ2000)
13 And one of the crowd said unto him, Teacher, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
16 And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room to store my crops?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I store all my crops and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have prepared?
21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Interestingly, Jesus warns a man who simply wanted His help in securing an inheritance about covetousness. He didn’t speak to the issue, He didn’t ask why this man’s brother was about to cheat him, and He didn’t ask for a meeting to resolve the matter. Instead, Jesus spoke a parable to encourage this man to look beyond his brother’s treacherous ways and focus on being rich towards God. There are only a few people referred to as fools by God in the Bible, those who gain worldly wealth but do not lay up treasure in heaven make the list!

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No matter how much money you make in this world, you will not take it with you to the next one. Our great quest to own riches should be moderated by Paul’s reminder that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

I have seen many investment seminars hosted by churches, but very few seem to remind us of the need to be rich in the next world, or even talk about the concept of being rich towards God. The Scriptures teach that we will be rewarded in eternity for the way we spend our money to support God’s Kingdom in time.

I encourage you to look at your finances again. Do you support your nuclear family (1 Tim. 5:8)? Do you support your extended family (1 Tim. 5:4)? Do you give to those who teach you the Word (Gal 6:6)? Do you give to the poor (Eph. 4:28)? Do you give to the church (1 Cor. 16:1-2)?

1 Timothy 6 (KJ2000)
17 Charge them that are rich in this present age, that they be not haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Continue in grace!

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.

Ephesians 5 (KJ2000)
15 See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5 (Tree of Life Version)
15 So pay close attention to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise.
16 Make the most of your time because the days are evil.

You do not belong to yourself. You belong to God. You are called the redeemed of the Lord because you were purchased with the blood of Jesus. You are now obliged not to live for yourself but for Him. Because you belong to God, your time belongs to God, and one day you will give Him an account of how you spent it.

Time is an interesting resource God has blessed all of us with. The saved and the lost, the billionaire and the pauper, the wise and the foolish, the old and the young – all have access to it. We talk about saving time, even though it cannot be saved in the way we save money. We talk about not having time, even though each day has the same quantity of time in it.

Our purpose in time is to prepare for eternity. It is OK to enjoy our time here on earth. It is OK to access our fair share of the resources of the earth, which God has richly provided for all to enjoy. But we must never lose sight of the fact that this world and all that is in it is temporal. We are here to prepare to live in the next world.

Our existence in time is always going to be very, very brief compared to our existence in eternity. If a person were to live for about 150 years, we would refer to that as a long time. And it is a rather long life, compared to others who live for about 70 or 80 years. But compared to our existence in eternity, it is short. We must make the most of the opportunities that come our way during this short time in serving the Master. 

Time is much more valuable than eternity. In the natural, value is determined not just by usefulness, but also by scarcity. Thus, water which we cannot survive without, is sold at a lower price than alcohol which we can do without, which even damages our bodies. Because time is limited and eternity is limitless, time is much more valuable and should be treated as such. An hour spent carelessly is an hour that could never be regained. An hour spent carelessly is an hour you will not be able to account for when you stand before Him!

John 9 (KJ2000)
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Ecclesiastes 12 (KJ2000)
1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them;

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We must never fall into the habit of making plans which postpone serving God for “later”. God will never judge you by the plans you made to serve Him, He will judge you by the actions you took while trying to serve Him, and the motives behind those actions.

Some people are envied now who will be pitied in eternity, some people are pitied now who will be envied in eternity. Some are spending their lives in silent service to the Master who will be rewarded in eternity. There are those that we celebrate as “great men of God” who will be rebuked in eternity. Of course, there are also those that we celebrate as “great men of God” who will be rewarded by the Master. But the point is, God will not reward offices or giftings, He will reward faithfulness. In the Body of Christ, because we respect offices and giftings (as we rightfully should) we tend to imagine that God will reward them.

Make the most of every opportunity now. The Bible warns consistently that “the days are evil”. This means that you are not sure you will have those opportunities tomorrow. Jesus said that we would have tribulation in the world. Today the situation may be convenient for you to serve the Lord, tomorrow you may be too distracted by one test or trial or the other.

Continue in grace!

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.
16 Therefore from now on know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet from now on know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

His love is a constraining love. To constrain is to bind, to restrict by force. Hmmm, I thought He came to set us free. What sort of love sets us free by constraining us? Let us let Paul explain, as inspired by the Holy Spirit…

“If one died for all, then were all dead.”

The reason Jesus died for us was because we were spiritually dead. A sentence of death had been passed on Adam and all his descendants by God Himself. We were suffering some of the awful effects of that sentence already, and awaiting the final execution of the judgement. In the natural, when a man is condemned to death, he’s not released to go home to his family while awaiting execution, is he? No, he’s kept in prison till it’s time to hang him. In the same way, unbelievers live in this world awaiting His judgement. They live every day of their lives under His wrath.

In dying for us, Jesus took our sentence of death on Himself. Our lives were forfeit, He paid, and He cancelled the claims of Divine Justice upon our lives by the sacrifice of His own life.

“And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.”

If you were arrested by the traffic police and they were about to tow your vehicle away, you’d surely be grateful if a friend passing by were to pay your fine and stop the process. Maybe this friend has to cough up a huge amount of money. Maybe the money is so much that it represents your income for many months or even many years. Well, you’d make plans to begin payment. The sooner, the better.

But what if your Friend paid with His blood? What if He redeemed you not with money, but with His own life? You can’t pay back this debt. He now owns you, lock, stock and barrel. He releases you to go home and be with your family but asks that you work for Him from now on. He hands over some assets for you to manage. He tells you that someday He will ask you to give an account of how you managed these assets.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Paul calls you a new creation. Your old life is over. A new life has started. All that you ever were, all that you are now, and all you could ever be belong to Someone else. One day you will have to settle accounts with Him. Will He celebrate you for living for Him, or will He conclude you cheated Him?

1 Corinthians 6 (KJ2000)
19 What? know ye not that …ye are not your own?

2 Corinthians 5 (KJ2000)
9 Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…

Continue in grace!