Heralds Digest

  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:21-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Those who trade off their birthright in life do make merchandise of this irreplaceable valuable on the altar of surface suffering or light affliction. But those who are called with perfect understanding of their divine calls would not trade the glorious and solid salvation for a pottage. Like Jesus Christ accepted and embraced His surface suffering to provide a solid salvation, sanctification, and Spirit Baptism for those who would accept the sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, we are enjoined to follow His steps without running murmur out of our mouths. Otherwise, detractors and sufficient agents of the Devil are always at the door to hawk their wares (flash of comfort, pleasures, and material properties). And while the unchanging reality in all surface sufferings is the...

  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Common praises are rendered by common people, who are ruled by common practices. While these praises are familiar to the people of this world, it is nothing strange that the lifestyle of common people cannot give praises to God. If anything, common praises, even when utilized for the coloration of testimonies in the assemblies of God’s people, promotes albeit in secret the works of darkness, unrighteousness, and wickedness. Whereas, only peculiar people can give peculiar praises, because these strange praises are composed on the scoresheet of suffering for righteousness. A life fully given to peculiar praises is completely chosen, surrendered, and sepa...

  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:21-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ While sinful suffering understandably serves repudiation, it is always hard for anyone to accept the ministry of sinless suffering in the pursuit of righteousness. But by following the example of Jesus Christ, we know that sinless suffering enables gracious separation from the demand of the flesh; and it consolidates the virtues that depict godliness. Although the agents of sinless suffering in believer’s life are not commendable for their acts of wickedness, they create the atmosphere where Christ is lifted up for the world to behold His glory. Christ can no longer be lifted up on the cross of Calvary, being already risen from the dead. He is constantly being lifted up in believer’s absolute submission to sinless suffering, imposed through persecution, unjust denials of...

  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Praises for physical and material prosperity, financial breakthrough, family and business enlargement, and career progression or promotion are comely. Unfortunately, these give-and-take praises embrace the needs of the body at the expense of the needs of the soul. But when the scriptures presents a different type of praise from peculiar people, it becomes obvious that these self-promoted praises are not peculiar. Peculiar praise singles out God alone for His redemption plan and the deliverance of His own special people from darkness into the marvellous light. Even when we cannot see a personal reason for praise in our moment of pain, persecution, and p...

  “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:2-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Godliness is no doubt a great work of grace, particularly starting with the experience of the second birth. Notwithstanding, the experience of man in our complex and challenging world has sharpened the concept of great gain, irrespective of the status of any man’s relationship with God. The reason why the mixed milk of the word (a sensible blend of God’s word, Will, and way with the opinion of relevant principalities) is the delight of everyone today is not far-fetched: the concept of spiritual growth, without a measurable dimension of physical and material growth, no longer makes sense. Until the understanding of great gain is situated at the centre of great grace, the desire for the mixed milk remains inevitable. The scriptural revelation is presented here as “ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious”. The ...