 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Way Out
Way 1The Way To Salvation
Salvation 1The Way of Holiness
Holiness 1Voice of Prophecy
Prophecy 1|
|
|
Green Pastures |
Way 1 |
Holiness 1 |
Prophecy 1 |
Salvation 1 |
The Bible |
| ||||||
 |
| THE GREEN PASTURES MINISTRY |
| The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. HE makes me to lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23 verse 1 and 2. |
| I AM the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shll go in and out, and find pasture. |
| You are welcome to the Green Pastures Ministry(Bro. Bright Ibechukwu's web site, I got saved on the 6th of april 1986 and in obedience to GOD's WORD to declare His Word to ALL nations,this site will be devoted to this objective. I have been privilaged to seat and learn GOD'S WORD from his annointed servants all these years,plus GOD'S dealing in my life which has equiped me for this work. GOD has been teaching me privately as I seat daily at his feet to learn from Him. I have not had any formal training so to speak but GOD by revelation has made known to me what His purpose for my generation is and this I wish to accomplish using this medium. THE WAY OUT Many people have asked me, "Do we need JESUS CHRIST to save us", Others claimed they are not really bad, others said 'give me a break there is still time in future'. Well, in all these situations I have tried to explain but many are not convinced CHRIST is the answer to their lives. But as we read this let us come to the final conclusion that JESUS CHRIST the only son of GOD is the answer to man's entire life. GOD in his wisdom from creation made man to be His dwelling place,but satan deceived man into thinking he could work things out on his own terms. Mocking GOD satan challanged GOD's Word with his twisted contradiction,"You will not surely die. For GOD knows the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like GOD, knowing good and evil"(Genesis 3:4-5). Then man with full knowledge of his action, chose to disobey GOD. Man's irreverence was nothing less than high treason.When this happened GOD left man, leaving him uncovered and seperated from GOD in a state of spiritual death. In a futile attempt to cover his nakedness, man hastily prepared a few leaves and vines and clothed himself by the work of his hand. When GOD saw this he pronounced judgment upon man and clothed him instead with tunics of skin from a lamb-- foreshadowing the lamb of GOD who would come and restore man's relationship with GOD. Man was sent out from the garden of eternal life and ever since man has tried in vain to come back to his former union with GOD. But GOD from that moment has as always wanted to restore this broken relationship, found a man Abram made a covenant with him and through his obedience, GOD's promises was secured for another generation. Man later found himself in bondage and GOD sent a deliverer -- Moses to help out and man was led out of bondage and brought into the wilderness and here GOD outlines his plan to dwell with man."I am the LORD their GOD, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them" (Genesis 29:46), but because of man's fallen nature GOD cannot dwell with him, there- fore He ordered Moses "Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). This sanctuary was called the tabernacle.After this GOD had another opportunity to dwell with man but immediately after this another disobedience followed,"Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it,put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them(Leveticus 10:1) again showing disrespect or comtempt for GOD,they were met with immediate death. ON another note, Solomon later began a temple for the presence of GOD, even though David his father provided the materials. The design of this temple was magnificient, its ornamentation and detail extraordinary. The project was completed in seven years. "So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished. (2 Chronicles 5:1).This was also greeted with disobedience. "Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the Lord which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. And the Lord GOD of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them,because He had compassion on His people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of GOD, despised His Words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy(2 Chronicles 36:14-16). We have traced three accounts--- the garden, the tabernacle, and the temple, in all, GOD made efforts to restore this broken relationship. Let us now go into the final place of GOD's desire --- a temple not made of stone, but the temple found in the heart of man. There in the secret place of the heart would be where the glory of the Lord was next to be revealed. This is in line with God's Word,"For no other other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST"(1 corinthians 3:11). After these disobediences, GOD sent His son into the world to show man the acceptable way or the way out. Therefore Jesus Christ was GOD made flesh. John the baptist had a ministry before the arrival of Jesus Christ summed up by these words "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their GOD"... to make ready a people prepared for the Lord(Luke 1 16-17). After John's ministry came JESUS CHRIST to prepare the heart of man,His word was revealed as GOD'S Word made flesh.JESUS CHRIST was sent to the cross in fulfilment of Scriptures as the sacrificial lamb. This was the final and most crucial step in the preparation of the heart of man. JESUS' sacrifice eliminated the sin nature separating man from GOD since the beginning of creation. JESUS CHRIST the lamb of GOD, on the cross, shedding every drop of blood in Him caused the veil of the temple to be torn in two from top to bottom(Luke 23:45).From that day GOD was no more to dwell in the temple made with hands but in the heart of man, for he says,"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me"(Hebrews 10:5).In another place He says that JESUS CHRIST was "a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man"(Hebrews 8:2). The main aim of GOD, for sending His son into the world was to show man the way out, for nothing would work out unless man appreciates and appropriates the final work of GOD. JESUS CHRIST is the mediator of the new covenant,by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant...(Hebrews 9:15). "For if the first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. But because it was faulty He says "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah-- not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, but because they did not continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord."For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be my people." None of them shall teach his neighbour, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.' For I will be merciful to their unrighteous, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more " (Hebrews 8:7-12). Finally, I have tried to show you "The Way Out" by pointing to you the burden bearer___ JESUS CHRIST who has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, because it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so CHRIST was offered once to bear the sins of man, to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a secound time, apart from sin, for salvation. If you will accept Him today,He will show you "THE WAY OUT". |
| THE WAY TO SALVATION |
| In the preceeding article, "The way out" I tried to show us the way out of man's worldly problems and in it I said JESUS CHRIST was the way out. Here I will point to man the way to salvation. Firstly, because every man born of woman came from Adam's transgression, the need for salvation of every soul was made important, as GOD'S Word says" For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD"(Romans 3:23). The sin of Adam was passed to every soul at the garden of Eden, as man chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil instead of the tree of life, GOD cursed man and this has passed from one generation to another. GOD has tried to return man to friendship as before the fall, this was achieved by GOD sending His only begotten son into the world to open the way of salvation to man which has remained closed ever since. GOD'S Word says" For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"(John 3:16). JESUS CHRIST did not become the author of salvation without suffering, as He was born like any other man, passed through every process that man passes in life and having won in every point became the author of salvation to man as GOD'S Word says "Though He was a son,yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him(Hebrews 5:8-9). Furthermore the Word of GOD says" Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted"(Hebrews 2:17-18) The way to salvation was not secured by any other way than by death, as the Word of GOD says"But demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST died for us (Romans 5:8). Man did not deserve this but GOD who is rich in mercy decided to do it,as GOD says"Not by works of righteous which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,....Whom He poured out on us abundantly through JESUS CHRIST our saviour"(Titus 3:5-6). This is the grace of GOD, which is unmerited favour. If CHRIST did not die on the cross and rose again man would have remained in his sinful state till date as GOD says talking about CHRIST "Who GOD set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demostrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance GOD had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in JESUS"(Romans 3:25-26). This has made the work that JESUS CHRIST did at the cross very indispensable as the Word of GOD says"And for this reason He is the mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance"(Hebrews 9:15) Has the death and resurrection made every one righteous? Yes, if man believes in this accomplished work. For the word of GOD says,"For the grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worlding lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.(Titus 2:11-12). HOW DOES ONE RECEIVE THIS SALVATION? Salvation is attained through accepting this finished work of JESUS CHRIST and appropriating the message into one's life as the Word of GOD says,"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of GOD..... For since, in the wisdom of GOD, the world through wisdom did not know GOD, it pleased GOD through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe"(1 corinthians1:18,21). Salvation is receiving the Word of GOD as spoken to man by any messanger of GOD and believing by faith that what GOD says is true to the end, as GOD says "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your heart as in the rebellion"(Hebrews 3:7-8). Do not think the message is worthless or a myth or theology but the right dose able to save man, as GOD says "If you confess with your mouth the Lord JESUS and believe in your heart that GOD Has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation"(Romans 10:9-10) GOD, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.(Hebrews 1:1-3) This piece of GOD's Word makes it clear that JESUS CHRIST has being given charge of ALL things, therefore I would recommend the following steps for you man. 1. Acknowledge your sin 2. Repent and be converted 3. Receive JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and personal saviour 4. Deny ungodliness and worldly lust The first step to salvation is for man to acknowledge that he is a sinner before GOD, by this man has accepted the Word of GOD as true because (1 Timothy 1:15) says "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." Furthermore (1 John 1:8-9) says "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.This step is very important because it is not easy for man to accept his mistakes and shortcomings as it is conventional for man to wave off his negative side. Man must admit he is quilty and cannot do 'anything' to save or help save himself and that he needs JESUS CHRIST. The second step is for man to repent and be converted which means taking a U-turn from his old way and facing the opposite direction.Here man must denounce his former way of life as sinful and asking GOD for his own way. This is in accordance with the Word of GOD,"Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him, and to our GOD, For He will abundantly pardon."(Isaiah 55:7) Further the word of GOD says to man, Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come fromthe presence of the Lord."(Acts 3:19) Here man must confess his past life and sins before GOD and ask GOD to come into his life.Finally, the Word of GOD says "___Repent and turn from all your transgressions,so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord GOD. Therefore turn and live."(Isaiah 18:30-32) The third step for man is to receive JESUS CHRIST as his Lord and personal saviour. This involes a conscious request asking JESUS CHRIST to come into the life of man,because when man rebelled, man took control of his life but when he repents he ask JESUS to return and retake control of his life, so that JESUS becomes his new LORD and saviour. This is what GOD says "Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;behold, all things have become new."(2 Corinthians 5:17) In another place GOD'S Word says of CHRIST "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of GOD,to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD"(John 1:12-13) The final step for man is to deny himself of ungodliness and worldly lust. Repentance is not complete unless man continues in living a holy life before GOD. After repentance and acceptance of JESUS CHRIST, man must continue to live as the CHRIST he has accepted for He says"Be ye holy, for I am a holy GOD."(1 Peter 1:16) The Word of GOD says" For the grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that,denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great GOD and saviour JESUS CHRIST,who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."(Titus 2: 11-14) Now that I have with the help of the Holy Spirit being able to outline the steps to salvation, the ball is now in your court,to accept or reject Him, but which ever option you take, remember there is a consequence for each choice.I will advice you to accept Him for He says"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to GOD through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them."(Hebrews 7:25). "My sheep hear my voice,and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand."(John 10:27-28) "And this is the testimony:that GOD Has eternal life, and this life is in His son."( If you reject Him,this is what He says"...but he who does not believe is condemned already,because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten son of GOD."(John 3:18b) "...he who does not have the son of GOD does not have life."(1John 5:12b) "And anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."(Revelation 20:15) If you have your life buried in drugs, life on the edge,depressed, involved in new age movement, scientology, bound by sexual im |
| THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS |
| "A highway shall be there,and a road,And it shall be called the highway of holiness.The unclean shall not pass over it,But it shall be for others.Whoever walks the road,although a fool,shall not go astray".(Isaiah 35v8) "For I am the lord your God.You shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holly;for I am holy"(Leviticus 11v44a) In this section, I am writing both to the saved and the unsaved,Salvation or one giving his heart or life to Jesus Christ is not complete unless there is a continuous walk in holiness.God said,"Ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people,that ye should be mine"(Leviticus 20v26) When we become saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are to remain seperate from sin or as God says abstain from all appearance of evil. This is to avoid contamination. The moment we give our lives to Christ through acknowledging our sins and asking for forgive- ness, our sins are automatically cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.To remain in this state,we must avoid going back to our dirty habits that we left behind,"For God hath not called us unto uncleaness,but unto holiess"(1 thessalonians 4v7). You cannot achieve holiness on your own but it is the Holy Spirit of God that keeps us holy as God's word says"If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you"(Romans 8:11). You must as a requirement receive the Holy Spirit in addition to your salvation. ...Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,he is not His"(Romans 8:9b). Our minds must be renewed from the old way of life which is corrupt and rather be transformed by the renewimg of our minds.If we are baptised with the Holy Ghost of God,he will direct us in all our ways and show us the true way so that we do not go astray because His leadership is what God desires in our lives.The importance of the Holy Ghost is to change the operation of our minds from it's former way into the way of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will lead us to know the truth of God as found in the Bible and by feasting on this Word our minds are changed and the old man gives way to the new man. We cannot stand after salvation if the holy Spirit is not within because He is there to teach us how to live separate or holy and not to mix with any unclean thing(sin)."Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness...or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?(2 Corinthians 6:14-15) Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.Do not touch what is unclean,and I will receive you"(2 Corinthians 6:17) The High Way of Holiness is therefore a life cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ and living according to His Word through the leadership of the Holy Spirit.Our continuous obedience to Christ and His Word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit is Holiness. In the Bible or Gods Word holiness is used interchangeably with sanctification as it is the will of God for one to continue growing in holiness or sanctifica tion as God's Word says "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole Spirit,soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"(1 thessalonian 5:23).God desires nothing short of holiness in our lives because God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity(Habakkuk 1:13). |
 bcn50@hotmail.com |
 Sign Guestbook |
 View Guestbook |
|
. |
| Visitors: 00633 |