Heralds Digest

  “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In territory prone to insecurity, aggression and all forms of lawlessness, everyone is prepared to adopt a jungle lifestyle and watch out for himself. Even the instructions from reputable leaders and those in authority are mostly treated with suspicion. While these concerns, relating to social insecurity, are valid, the concern about soul security and the lifestyle of brethren under the influence of the Spirit is expected to be different. Obedience and submission to leadership by believers are synonymous to obedience and submission to God and His commandments. This is because the soul in disgruntled fellowship is exposed to attacks from the enemy’s camp, especially in an atmosphere that encourages insubordination. Whereas, obedience and submission set the...

  “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The transient nature of the best of hope in this world should naturally limit the drive for earthly achievements. Unfortunately, many are often caught in the mad race until it is time to face the endless eternity. Hope in academic excellence, business breakthrough, family achievements, career and ministerial accomplishments, etc, are great but transient. While the scriptures refer elsewhere to singularity in this type of hope as miserable, it suggests here the existence of a happy hope. Fortunately, happy hope makes the heart happy or joyful always, even in the midst of inevitable negative experiences and disappointment of this wicked world. It is the hope of heavenly glory that defiles the possible interjection with earthly gory. After all, earthly glory or gory has no continuing City or citadel; there is always peace and contentment in the pursuit of the happy hope in Christ’s promise...

  “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews‬ ‭13:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Those who rule their world with corruption and covetousness are obviously not concerned about the curses attached to their games. Like it works with the temptation of coveting someone else’s properties and positions, pre-marital sex defiles the bed and the foundation of creativity in life. Otherwise, the matrimonial bed is presented as the sacred room or studio for creativity and the theatre for the pronouncement of divine blessings. Unfortunately, today’s parade of youthful exuberance, immoral relationships, and all acts of covetousness will rather play game with God’s pronounced source of dominion and productivity in life. Yet, godly marriages remain the oasis of love, contentment, peace and satisfaction; and especially, a relief from the theatre of war, unrest, and dissatisfaction. Therefore, those who respect the blest bed in their relationships; an...

  “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Working and living in our real world reveal the limit of human intellectual capabilities. Real men understand that their achievements at home, workplace and in the society depend largely on the manipulation of physical principalities that provide the enabling environment. Little wonder why most real men are ignorant of the supernatural manifestation of the real God. While relationship with real men is limited to the computation of facts and figures, relationship with the real God demands faith in the invisible. It implies that while the real world is partly governed by the vincible intellect of men, faith in God enables believers to operate the real world with invincible intellect. While facts and figures constrained life’s achievements by the words and actions of men, faith defiles the concept of impossibili...

  “for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ It is widely believed that those who cry foul of the imperfections of the legal system should try the weirdness of lawlessness. Without the law, the animalistic nature and the insanity of the fallen man made are clearly pronounced. Therefore, while acknowledging the imperfections in the law, the scriptures declare its largesse towards the path of godliness. No doubt, the fear of the Lord is the entrance of attraction to the law. Those who fear the law and not necessarily its enforcement are obviously positioned to access the benefits of the grace of God. Although the wreckage of lawlessness often brings some people before the door of mercy, the risk of eternal loss and destruction is high with carelessness. And while awaiting the hope of salvation by grace, it is always better to accept a call to draw near to God through th...

  “who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews‬ ‭5:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ One of the hardest sacrifices in human relationships is submission, i.e., the sacrifice of self-will. Whereas, the oneness in the trinity is highly sacred, and incomparable with the desired submission in human relationships. Notwithstanding, Christ demonstrated the act of sublime submission to the Will of God, by sacrificing both the privilege of oneness in the trinity and the rights of a righteous man in prayer. It is no longer news to every submissive child of God that the Father’s Will may sometimes fall out of understanding. The major challenge comes mostly when nothing is even provided for possible understanding. Yet, by following the example of Jesus Christ, believers are calle...

  “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The promise ‘Come unto Me, and I will give you rest’ is just a promise to all those who come to the Saviour. The actual rest is found only by those who receive the promise with an open heart (faith). Besides those who outrightly reject the invitation to come, there are many comers who filter the word of God with their human intelligence and the abundance of statistical evidence. Even with the provision of abundant evidence, God’s promises cannot abide in hearts hardened by the spirit of disobedience. Whereas, the wholesome word of God is proclaimed with the complete revelation of His powerful personality. And it cannot remain profitable to anyone, after being perforated by human intelligence and statistical evidence. Therefore, it is not enough to just ‘Come unto Me’ , the promise ‘I will giv...