JESUS IS GOD-WE WORSHIP HIM

Scripture does indeed describe Jesus worshiped. People go on to argue against the worship of Jesus on grounds of doubting His deity. Yet Jesus is God in flesh.

Jesus dressed in flesh for the purpose to save man. Having appeared in flesh does not make Him any less than what He is. If a president or king for that matter enters a grass thatched hut, does the grass thatched house make him any less than what he is ?

Jesus is the word of God (John 1:1-4). The word of God is God. For a person can't be treated in isolation with what they say. Rather a person is mirrored in what comes out of their mouth. What a person therefore says is exactly what that person is. Jesus is God.

The case of the word

According to scripture, the word is living. How can the word be living? The word is living because it proceeds from a being (Hebrews 4:12). Without a being, there is no word.

Characteristics of a word

• A Word Is Living

• A Word Is Powerful

• A Word Is Penetrating

• A Word Is a Discerning tool

So, there is no word that proceeds for nothing (Isaiah 55:11). And upon this, everything is because of the word. For without the word, nothing would have ever been. The world was created with the word of God (Genesis 1 & 2). The word is Jesus Christ.

The word of God will live on and on because it proceeds from the one who lives forever and ever. So, upon this, the power of the word is in the one from whom it proceeds to live on. If you say a word but you cease to live on, the power in your word dies with you. Upon this, God's word lives forever because God lives forever (Matthew 24:35), (Luke 21:33).

Jesus Christ is God because He is the living word of God. And because Jesus is the word of God, everything else is because Jesus is. By Jesus therefore, everything effects. The word of God births what it is sent for.

However, there are two key things to consider before we should or should not believe the deity of Jesus:

• How do we  come to believe the Deity of Jesus? 

• Did Jesus directly reveal His Deity? If yes, why? And if no, why? 

How we are to come to believe the Deity of Jesus?
 

There is no amount of explanation or any sort of magical words which can be used to make someone come to believe the Deity of Jesus. The questions which were asked by those of Jesus' days are still the same questions being asked today. 

• How can this poor man, who has grown while we watch Him be God? 

• Aren't these His brothers? 

• How can God eat and drink? 

• How can God go to toilet?

• How can God be like us?

• How can God be among us?

To them, Jesus was as common as anybody else only bent on over blowing His trumpet. Many doubted the deity of Jesus on such grounds (Matthew 13:55), (Mark 6:3).

Thomas (Jesus' disciple) was one of the chief doubters. Others were torn in between believing Him as a Deity and not doing so. Many only believed Him after the resurrection. Thomas confessed that; "....you are my Lord and my God"only after having seen Him (Jesus) when He had resurrected (John 20:28).

Only Jesus' works and character would represent Him (John 10:25, 10:37-38, 14:11). So, whatever doubt there is to date, is never in isolation, it has been there ever since, and it will always be.

Yet it is only a denial but the truth remains; Jesus is Lord and God. For Jesus only had the appearance of a common person, yet in the substance of Himself, He was and is indeed God. Jesus' personality was much more than any of that of a common man.

 How is Jesus to be believed as a deity?
  

As earlier said, there is no any magic in making one come to believe the deity of Jesus. The mystery, though, is in revelation. We come to understand God is supreme by revelation. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, dispossessed many of the devils, many people watched Him do that, and yet many couldn't believe Him!

They even said He was only casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24). However, whatever others said, would never deter the rest who had the true revelation of the Deity of Jesus and they continuously worship Him to date.

 Why wouldn't Jesus directly reveal His deity.

The answer to this question is in understanding what Jesus' mission was. What was it? Was it to tell  and show us that He is God or to seek for and save us?

Jesus says "...For the Son of Man came to save and seek that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Jesus was describing His first hand primary mission; to save and seek that which was lost.

Jesus did not come for the show of how a deity He is. However though, because that is what He is, upon those whom the revelation fell, so be it, for He is indeed God.

Jesus never denied being called God. He never denied being worshiped. There are very few cases when Jesus intends to reveal His deity (John 8:58). He only did when it was necessary, never for simply a show off. But most of the time, He kept Himself to the mission (Luke 4:18).

Scriptures which confirm the worship of Jesus

•  At His birth, Jesus is worshiped by the wise men and the angels of Heaven (Matthew 2:11)

•  A leper came and worshiped Jesus (Matthew 8:2-5, 9:18; 15:25) (Mark 5:6).

• After Jesus had calmed the storm, the disciples worshiped Him saying He was the Son of God (Matthew 14:33).

• After Jesus had healed the blind man, He revealed Himself to be the Son of God. The man said he believed, and he worshiped Jesus (John 9:35-38).

Note that such worship would have been blasphemy and should have been forbidden as it was in the case of Peter, the angel, and Paul (Acts 10:26, 14:15), (Revelation 22:9). Upon this, it is indisputable that Jesus could have never been a mere man on earth.

• After His resurrection, His disciples worshiped Him (Matthew 28:9, 17 John 20:28-29).

• Even after He had ascended back to heaven, they worshiped Him (Luke 24:52).

• Angels call Him Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11 ).

• Angels are instructed by God to worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6).

Note that men were rebuked for worshiping men, angels, or created beings, but they were never rebuked for worshiping Jesus. Angels are even instructed by the Father to worship Jesus. The context of the above passages cannot fit the idea of obeisance to an earthly king or ruler. They refer to honoring Jesus.

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WHY JESUS UNDERWENT IMMENSE SUFFERING

Jesus was the Son of God (Luke 1:35), (John 3:16), (1John 5:20). Jesus is also God Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent (John 1:1, 1:14, 8:24, 10:30, 20:28, 14:6-7), (Matthew 1:23), (Isaiah 9:6, 43:10-11). Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 1:5, 17:14, 19:16, 19:17), (1Timothy 6:15). Yet He underwent immense suffering at the hands of the Roman soldiers and the Jewish clergy. Why was it so?

That Jesus had to undergo immense suffering, it was of God's making so to remit the world of sin. God detests sin. The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life. Everything must have its own consequences unless otherwise. Having been already condemned, Jesus' act of offering Himself in place of the condemned world was pointing to giving us another chance (Romans 6:23).

And because it was God's own project, Jesus forgave everyone who had exhibited so much anger on Him (Luke 23:34). The Roman soldiers, the Jewish clergy and the clamoring crowd were only being used by Satan. Yet God gives everyone a lively opportunity to be set free, for all that God did was intended for each one of us.

By offering Himself in our place, Jesus provided a way for God to vent His anger against sin. That Jesus had placed Himself in our position (who are sinners); He had to take on all our sufferings and unspeakable humiliations. Everyone therefore should stand fairly warned if we don’t repent and allow Jesus into our lives.

Jesus also underwent immense suffering as part of the process to approve Him; the only man ever to live in flesh with no sin. All had fallen prey to the demands of nature and the wiles of the devil (John 10:8). It had been of the devil's making, that nobody in flesh can ever overcome his wiles.

The devil's ultimate goal was to try to fail any such project aimed at the salvation of man. It thus  required a holy and righteous man to do it. A person who would stand faced with the devil inexcusably (John 8:46). A person upon whom the devil had no claim. A person who would face the devil fearlessly. Satan feared only Jesus (Matthew 8:29), (Mark 5:7), (Luke 4:41, 8:28). And he (the devil) only fears a person who has Jesus (Mark 3:13-15, 6:7-13, 9:38-39), (Luke 9:49-50). That person is Jesus only.

By enduring to the end, it proved to us that Jesus is truly holy and righteous. Had He not been so (Holy and righteous), He too, would have been easy prey for Satan. But that He was so (holy and righteous), it made Him indisputably the right person to execute this noble act.

Jesus never pretended. He was exactly what He said and did. The devil assumes that no one (in the human flesh) can be and remain holy and righteous if he is faced with overwhelming life threatening challenges. So, he always makes accusations against us before the Father (Job 1:10-22). Yet Jesus (in human flesh) endured to the end. And if Jesus did endure to the end, everyone surely can. It is never a bed of roses, yet it is the assured way. We are equally approved when we endure to the end.

Apart from the above, the suffering of Jesus also proved to us more of the following:

• Unconditional love for us 

• Jesus is not a self-seeker

Unconditional Love for us

Had it not been for His amazing, unconditional love for us, Jesus would have given up. For the whole project involved immense suffering and unspeakable humiliation. Yet we ought to recall that He (Jesus) had nothing to gain from this (personally) other than to save man and exhibit His unconditional love.

Jesus expressed His love in unspeakable measures (John 15:13). Great love is said to be great and remain so if it doesn't wane even when in hard times. Jesus' love for anyone never wanes even when it is severely challenged. Had it not been so, He would have cursed His prosecutors and the executors. Yet the indisputable proof is that He blessed them.

So, if Jesus endured all such suffering, it is proof to God the Father and to us that He indeed was driven by love rather than anything else (if it be). And if Jesus proved His LOVE to us by enduring all the suffering; we equally have to prove ours to Him and to others.

Jesus is not a self-seeker

The suffering also proves to us that Jesus was not a self-seeker. This is evidenced in the fact that before He came on earth, He lacked nothing. Scripture tells us that nothing would have ever been if it wasn't for Him (John 1:3). The only thing He was to gain from this whole project was to set man free from the devil's claws. Had He been a self-seeker, you and I can't envisage any reason as to why He should have carried on despite all the humiliating sufferings He underwent.

What could have been the underlying reason then?. It is pretty proven that the underlying reason was all about setting man free from the claws of the devil's calamitous wiles. Jesus’ endurance makes His sacrifice worthy for our ultimate redemption. And we are made worthy because of the same. We, as well should never be self-seekers in all. We should be open and genuine in everything we do, just as Jesus is. Our LOVE should remain the same at all times!

This therefore teaches us many things, the most of which is LOVE (1Corinthians 13), (John 13:34-35). Jesus commands us to love one another, just as He loved us (John 13:34-35). Meaning, had it not been for LOVE, Jesus wouldn't have come to our rescue. Love should be the driving engine. The LOVE of Jesus makes us worthy. And if there is Love, then we can never fail. For Love is of God.

Secondly, we learn that our love for God should match both in confession and deed. Let us therefore confess to love Jesus and also exhibit the same. What was to be approved of Jesus? Was there any sin found in Him? If there was no sin ever traced in Jesus, yet He offered to undergo all this suffering, and He did not clamor at all, then there is a serious lesson for us.

The sufferings that we undergo then in our Christian journey may not necessarily relate to having sinned against God or having gone the wrong way. They (the sufferings) could also relate to a process of approval, just as it was of Jesus. Our endurance is proof of our commitment to God and His will (Matthew 16:24-26), (Luke 9:23), (Matthew 11:28-30).
 

For at the cross, all is done. The suffering was all summed up at the cross. We look to it for salvation and for endurance. The cross is therefore the icon of our forgiveness (by the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus on it).

Above all, what is most exciting about Jesus, is that He didn’t only direct and instruct us on what to do, he equally went ahead of us to engage in all which He directed and instructed us to do. WHAT A FRIEND?!

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JESUS IS THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH

Who is an author?

An author is a person who starts or creates something (such as a plan or an idea)

Who is a perfecter?

A perfecter is a person who completes, or makes something whole and perfect

An Author according to this definition has sole ownership over something. Rather He chooses how and when it is done. It is his and it is up to him how it is ran and managed. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2).

It is not only in the book of Hebrews that Jesus is rightly claimed the Author and the perfecter of the faith. The book of Hebrews only made it quite easier to understand and perceive. But on many occasions, Jesus taught that everything concerning this faith is up to Him. He started it, He paid for it and He manages it. Jesus possesses all the rights over this faith.

That Jesus is the perfecter of the faith means that He is not only the Author of the faith, but that its very success depends on Him. In Him is all that is required to make the faith work all through. Without Him in it, it is not, and it is an assured way to fail.

How is Jesus the Author and perfecter of this faith?

Jesus is the Author and perfecter of the faith because it all started with Him. There can't be a thing called Christianity if not for Jesus Christ. He is the perfect sacrifice that made it possible that this faith becomes reality. He suffered overwhelming humiliation and pain so we can have it. He paid full price for it by way of His shameful death on the cross (Matthew 27:32-56), (Luke 23:26-43), (John 19).

And when He rose from the dead, He rightly claimed all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He had paid in full price. He bought us back to God. It is of Him to sustain us all through. Upon this, it is only in and through the name of Jesus that we pray. And the authority that is housed in His name by way of His sacrifice and His perfect being, makes it that when we pray in His name, it so happens as we pray (Matthew 21:22), (Mark 11:24), (John 14:23, 14:13-14).

How does Jesus run the church yet He is not literally on earth?

Jesus is the head of the church. The church is of Christ and upon this, it is to be called the Church of Christ.  The headquarters of the church is in heaven. When Jesus went back to heaven, He did not entrust the management of the church to anyone else.

Take for example the case of the disciples. They had been with Jesus all the way to the cross. They ate with Him and shared much with Him. They met with Him when He rose from the dead. They saw Him ascend to heaven.

Yet all this was never good enough to sanction them for Christ and ready for ministry. Rather despite all that, the disciples could never do a thing until when Jesus set them off by sending them the Holy Spirit. Upon this, He commanded and directed them to go to the upper room and wait on the Holy Spirit who would empower them to perform. And indeed, it was after they were sent the Holy Spirit that they began to minister and act boldly (Acts 2).

So, simply having seen and been with Jesus is not reason to be His minister. There is some other power which a person is supposed to receive from Jesus as proof that he has been called to minister. This power only comes by the pouring on of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).

How Jesus directs the Church

Jesus directs the Church through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does nothing that He is not been directed from Jesus (John 16:13-14). So, even when the Holy Spirit comes, He testifies of Jesus (John 15:26). Rather The Holy Spirit does not act on His own. He passes on only that which He is been instructed by Jesus. For Jesus has all the authority over the faith.

Yet this is not to imply that the Holy Spirit can go wrong, or that He can lead us in the wrong way. No not. How can He when He is God? So, each of the three (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) in one has a role to play. The Holy Spirit plays His role by identifying for and accomplishing us in the matters of God.

So, Jesus instructs us not to labor what to say or to make meaning of what we say (Luke 12:11-12), (John 14:26). For we can't and it is not of us to. But when the Holy Spirit comes, He empowers and directs us so that we become strong and irresistible (Matthew 10:18-20).

In this then, Jesus is the Author and the perfecter of the faith because He has done everything that makes Him so. And any and everything concerning this faith rests with Jesus.

Jesus is the light set before us which keeps burning and which guides us in the way of God. We look to Jesus for spiritual progress and strength.

The Faith is Christianity. This Faith is founded on the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Christ and so He is the reason Christianity is. Those therefore who follow in Jesus' footsteps are called Christians (Acts 11:26).

The term Christian means to be like Jesus in spirit and character. Jesus therefore is the one setting the example for Christians. Everything that Christians engage in or do must have been done or instructed by Jesus who also is the Christ. For Jesus is the perfect example set before us (John 13:12-17). We are blessed when we obey Him (Jesus).

To this, Jesus does attest. He said He does nothing of His own. Everything He does, He is learnt from the Father (John 5:19-24). And the Father does indeed affirm that the Son is His. Upon this, God the Father instructs us to listen to whatever the Son instructs us (Matthew 3:17, 17:5), (Mark 1:11), (Luke 9:35).

But there are some looming questions to be answered. These questions if answered can guide us to a satisfying conclusion. And if well answered, it will give us the opportunity to stand the ground for what we believe or do not believe in.

•  Why or why not Jesus?

•  If not Jesus, who should it have been?

• Could another sacrifice be as perfect?

• Why is Jesus' sacrifice as perfect?

• Was Jesus simply appointed?

• Does Jesus qualify to be called Author and Finisher of our Faith? If yes, how?

Why or why not Jesus?

Jesus is the Son of God. To this, God the Father, the host of heaven, the men, and the demons do attest (Matthew 3:17), (Mark 1:11, 5:7), (Luke 1:35, 8:28, 22:70), (John 3:17), (Romans 1:3-4), (2Peter 1:17).

That our redemption required a God man could only be provided for by the same. Jesus is the Son of God. Only Jesus has the blood and the attributes of God. Scripture does attest that we are all sinners. If to be redeemed, it required one who is over and above sin and that is the God man Jesus Christ. For a criminal cannot stand surety for another.

Jesus is God (Matthew 1:23), (John 1:1-3, 5:23, 8:24, 8:28, 8:58), (Revelation 1:17-18). No human blood could have ever saved man. And yet the blood of animals could only be used to atone (cover upon). The blood of animals cannot cleanse away sin. It is the blood of Jesus which cleanses away sin. And it is sin which brings enmity between man and God.

But Jesus who also is the Son does nothing that He has not learnt from the Father (John 5:19, 5:30, 12:49). He listens to the Father pretty carefully. And in this, the Father is pretty pleased with the Son.

Who else pleases the Father like the Son does? Who else should have taken the place of the Son? How would you answer these questions? But if no one else pleases the Father like the Son does, then the Son qualifies for the position.

Well, it is not a wishful matter. The Son is well positioned and in addition to this, the same Son offered to manage the project. By the offer of the Son, the world is remitted of sin. And this is exactly what God the Father wanted to be done. And because the Son was there when the Father wanted Him, the world is restored. Thus God is now with us. For we are and always to be in the reign of Jesus Christ.

The Son is rightful and upright. All the rest of us are sinners. Only one stands out and that is Jesus Christ. Despite that many traps were targeted at Him, He did not succumb to any of them. For He remained rightful and upright even unto death.

It is thus upon this man that God the Father built this new movement. This new movement like its Head (Jesus Christ) is zealous for holiness and righteousness. Without holiness and righteousness, no man can see God or make it to heaven (Hebrews 12:14), (1Peter 1:15-16), (Romans 12:1), (Philippians 2:5), (2Timothy 1:9), (Ephesians 4:20-24).

Holiness and righteousness is the proof  of the presence of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31), (Mark 3:28-29), (Luke 12:10), (Acts 7:51), (Ephesians 4:30), (1Thessalonians 5:19). And when we are holy and righteous, then we bear fruit.

This man (Jesus Christ) authors and perfects our Faith by way of His holy and righteous nature. It is then Jesus who justifies and presents us to the Father. For Jesus' death was only a process of redemption.

For that, scripture calls this man (Jesus Christ) the Author and Perfecter of the Faith (Christianity). Whatever it requires to be Christian is with and in this man (Jesus). The energy, the rhythm, the love, the commitment, the passion and the faith to be Christian is derived from continually looking to Him (Jesus).

It will be severely punishable for anyone who denies Jesus (Hebrews 10:27-29). For in Jesus, the grace of God is manifested. Besides Jesus, there is only condemnation to eternal death.

When we cease to look to Him, we surely lose in all that makes us Christians. Rather the passion and the rhythm for holiness and righteousness is pretty lost. And this pretty much is a fact that a person has deviated from Jesus and His cause.

Jesus underwent drilling and approval exercises by the Father and the Host of heaven, and of men. Jesus was never found wanting in anyway. Looking to Him is the assurance to victory.

Jesus overcame any and every temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). For even when it required shameful death on the cross, He carried on doing just that (Matthew 27).

Jesus did not seek to retaliate in anyway; neither did He seek to revenge. Jesus' only revenge is that we are saved. He kept Himself to the mission. He excellently passed all the drills. We therefore do not just wishfully follow after Him; He surely gives us reason to do so.

If not Jesus, who should it have been?

If there was another, or rather if there is another who can add up, then we could have readily accepted and followed him. And if Jesus wasn't the Christ, it would have been rather as obvious. Yet who else can claim exceptional? Jesus is irresistible (John 6:68). Jesus said if we seek to avoid Him, then it is to our own detriment (John 5:43), (Matthew 10:33).

Well, everyone of us will continue to talk great, but we can only carry on doing the most ordinary and obvious things.  Rather we are all pretty vulnerable (John 8:34), (Romans 6:16). Jesus came to give us the strength to overcome sin. For because Jesus came, we are no longer slaves to sin.

Who is the mighty?

The mighty is not the one who claims he is. It is not the one people claim is. The mighty is not the pastor, the apostle or any other title in the body of Christ. For the mighty is the one who does the will of God. And the will of God is being in conformity to His commands.

For spiritual wisdom or the wisdom of God for that matter is doing the will of God (Matthew 6:10, 7:21-23), (Luke 6:46), (John 6:38-40, 7:17), (Romans 12:2), (Ephesians 5:17), (1Thessalonians 5:18), (Hebrews 13:21-23).

Happy and blessed is he who listens to, understands and keeps the word of God (Luke 11:27-28). For it is not for the one who is a pastor or an apostle. Rather it is not for the one who preaches powerfully, nor is it for the one who has a big command.

This pretty implies that it does not matter what position you are. Holiness and righteousness is not a matter of what position one is. For it is a matter for those who look to God for every bit.

Who is like Jesus???!!!

Could another sacrifice be as perfect?

Well, apart from being as perfect a sacrifice, not one else has ever offered an alternative. But even when offered, the offer has to be justifiable. Rather, not every offer or gift is justifiable. For it must measure up. Jesus' sacrifice is just as perfect (Matthew 27:24), (Luke 1:35), (John 8:29, 19:4), (2Corinthians 5:21), (Hebrews 10:1-18), (1Peter 1:18-19).

Was Jesus simply appointed?

The answer to this is an outright NO. At this point, I believe that we have examined every bit. We have done a dichotomy by way of scripture. We have dissected this man (Jesus) and inside Him, we can only testify holiness and righteousness. Questions have been asked which no one can answer either way. And there is empirical scriptural and historical evidence that can't be disputed a bit.

Jesus is indisputably tried, tested and duly proven. For God wanted exactly this type of person. And Jesus is that man (the God man). For it is Jesus' character that surpasses human understanding. It is this man who by way of His perfect sacrifice offered to die on the cross for the remission of sin. Jesus surely is exceptional.

Why is Jesus' sacrifice as perfect?

Jesus' sacrifice is as perfect because Jesus is holy and righteous. We have already said and examined that not every offer or gift is justifiable. For this is not a wishful matter. It required certain specifics which not everyone can afford. Say for example, it is not true that a doctor or accountant or any profession is born so. It is not so that everybody can be everything. Jesus is the Savior.

For being doctor or accountant comes by training or nurturing. But Jesus was born a Savior. Rather He was born for the purpose of remitting the world of sin. Jesus' purpose was predestined by the Father. For prophecy about the coming of Jesus is right way back in the Old Testament (Genesis 3:15, 9:26, 12:3, 17:19, 18:17-18).

Does Jesus qualify to be called Author and Finisher of our Faith? If yes, how?

If all evidence points in the direction that Jesus is the Christ by way of His person and character. And that He is tried, tested, and proven. Adam failed terribly. And sin found its way in all the rest of us.

For by the disobedience of one man, we are all made sinners. And by the obedience of one man (Jesus Christ), we are counted righteous (Romans 5:19). The righteousness of Jesus is imputed on us from Him (2Corinthians 5:21). It is this sin which separated us from God and put us in spiritual darkness.

The second man (Jesus Christ), unlike the first man (Adam) came and passed all the trials, the tests and the temptations. And that He extremely excelled in all these extreme encounters and restored the relationship between us and God the Father. It is then reliably satisfactory beyond doubt that He is the Author and Perfecter of our Faith.

Rather Jesus answered the BIG question. The question is: how is man reunited with God? And the answer is; man is reunited to and with God by way of submission to Jesus Christ who also is the God man and the perfect sacrifice for the remission of sin. And this He did by crucifixion on the cross. Thus the cross is the point of renewal by way of Jesus' offer on it. For at the cross, we are forgiven and reunited with God.

In Jesus is every promise that benefits and nourishes the spirit (John 16:33), (Romans 8:16-17), (Galatians 3:18, 3:29), (Philippians 4:6-7), (1Timothy 4:8). The promise of eternal life is only real in Jesus Christ. It is so because it is only Him who promised to die and rise again. Jesus is alive.

But if He did not die like some people do falsely claim, it is still reasonable for me to believe on and in Him. For who else has lived for two thousand years???!!! So then, looking to Jesus is the assurance of a sound start and a successful race to the finishing mark.

In the same spirit, as followers of Jesus, we should expect to be tested of the same, if we are to be approved for Christ. But if we cease to look to Him, we surely lose in all strength. Thus Jesus admonishes us to follow in His footsteps if to make it.

We ought to understand that there is no profit in putting all our hope in this world (Matthew 16:24-26). We can only have everlasting peace in Jesus Christ. For if Jesus overcame, we are assured that if we submit to Him (Jesus), victory will be on our side (John 16:33). A Christian must keep relevant to Jesus by following right in His footsteps.

Jesus is the cornerstone of all those who love not only to be called Christians, but those who love to meet the Father (Matthew 21:42), (Acts 4:11). Without Jesus, any house surely collapses. If we keep with Jesus, then we can build a lasting house of faith. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. The only man (God man) to ever live without sin. To the glory of the Father.

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JESUS FOR BARABAS-THE PERFECT MOMENT

Matthew 27:26

"Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified". 

The Bible gives us a chronology of events which consequently led to the crucifixion of Jesus. One of them is the unfounded request by the Jews and their religious leaders to condemn Jesus in place of Barabbas who was a robber and rapist.

For Barabbas was a robber (John 18:40). But the custom of the Jews was that on the Passover, one of the prisoners would be released (John 18:39). Just the next day was the Passover. And this exercise of releasing one prisoner every Passover was always done the day before so to prepare for the Passover.

The day of the Passover itself being mentioned here is more than significant. For it was on the Passover that the angel of death passed over the homes of the Israelites who had applied the blood of the lamb on their doorsteps as was instructed. 

All the rest who did not apply the same blood on their doorsteps were killed (Exodus 12:21-23). This is perfectly symbolic and telling of the mission of Jesus. That even how the blood was applied in the cross like structure was perfectly representative of the cross.

And that it is that every home upon whose doorpost there was no the blood of the lamb, a person or two died, it pretty explains how there is no other way a person can be saved except in Jesus Christ. For just like God directed people how to be saved from death in the Old Testament, so it is that God is directing us now to submit to Jesus so we are saved. For all these are instructions of God and not of men. If we take God's instructions, then we are safe. It is God who directs how we should be saved.

Now Jesus is our Passover (1Corinthians 5:7). For we are no longer required to keep the Passover in its old form. Jesus did it all for us at the cross.

When asked by the governor which of the two; Jesus and Barabbas he would release to them, the mob replied that he (Pilate) should release Barabbas. And then they were asked what should be done with Jesus. They replied that let Him be crucified (Matthew 27:22-24), (John 19:15). 

For on the Passover day, it was a custom to release one of the prisoners. And for this reason, Jesus was crucified and Barabbas who was a robber and a rapist was left free. And we can reliably say that Jesus who had no case to answer was condemned in place of Barabbas who had committed grave offenses and inflicted grievous pain on the community. We learn many lessons from this among which are the following;

• Jesus is the true Savior ans our Passover

• Salvation comes right to us 

• Iconic and symbolic of the fulfillment of the mission of Jesus 

• It is of us to embrace Salvation 

• Focus and Purpose

Jesus is the true Savior and our Passover

This event alone tells how true a Savior Jesus is. For whether the Jews did it oblivious of what implications it had or not, it remains to tell the true nature of Jesus. For all Jesus' life right from childhood up to when He was crucified and subsequently risen from the dead was pretty symbolic. 

That in the place of a robber, it was Jesus who was condemned on unfounded accusations. For Jesus came that the sinners be set free. The sin of man was worthy crucifixion. And cursed is the man who is hanged on the tree (Deuteronomy 21:23), (Galatians 3:13). But Jesus became that curse in place of the rest (2Corinthians 5:21). 

This is what happened with Barabbas. Had it not been for Jesus, Barabbas would have surely been executed. Thus Jesus insists that; if one denies He is (the Savior), he surely dies in his sins (John 8:24). Yet the reward for denying Jesus surely does await (Romans 6:23). For Jesus is the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29), (Revelation 6:15-17, 12:11, 17:14, 21:26-27, 22:3)

Salvation comes right to us

Unexpectedly and oblivious of what it was, Salvation had come to Barabbas. For Salvation is not about whether we have or have not seemingly sinned. Salvation comes from self realization of who we are. Man is a sinner and Barabbas was no exceptional (Romans 2:1-8, 3:23), (1 John 1:8-9). On this fact, Salvation comes to us any time anywhere because this is what Jesus came for. And when it comes, it should be a prayer that we take it. This way, we stand sure that we are safe. In Jesus is all the safety. 

Jesus gives an opportunity to everyone. No matter who that person is. It does not matter whether you played part in whatever happened to Him. For He came to save everyone. For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:9-10). Everyone who is not in Jesus is lost sheep. And everyone who is in Jesus is found sheep.

Now, we have no more information about Barabbas thereafter, but if he knew how actual and significantly symbolic it was, there was no other opportune time particularly for Barabbas than this. That in Barabbas' place Jesus was executed, the only way for Barabbas to cease this opportunity was to give hie life to Jesus. For Barabbas was only spared on Jesus' account. 

The thief on the cross was quick to understand and grabbed the opportunity to submit to Jesus (Luke 23:43). And when he did so, he had it all. What others take too long to understand and make use of, the thief on the cross took and benefited from it in a matter of seconds.

Iconic and symbolic of Jesus' fulfillment of the mission

 

This event was iconic and symbolic of the fulfillment of the mission of Jesus. Jesus had come to save us from the consequential sin. This mission was first realistically fulfilled on Barabbas who had been a robber. 

For Jesus who was blameless and righteous was exchanged for Barabbas the robber and rapist. The fact being that our sins were expunged by the condemnation and consequent death of Jesus. For Jesus had to die for the remission of the human sin (John 19:49-51). Yet He is risen (Luke 24).

It is of us to embrace Salvation 

Jesus has accomplished the mission. If to say, the food is on the dinning table. It is of us to choose to eat or not to. For Barabbas had all the space to embrace salvation just as anybody else is. Because coming to Christ doesn't require to have been what type of a sinner, it is simply to embrace the gospel of Jesus. 

It is of one to choose between light and darkness (John 3:19-21). I only wonder if Barabbas had realized he had equal space. For God is more than ready to give you another chance. That chance is already available to you and me in the person of Jesus Christ.

Focus and Purpose

In the human sense, how would Barabbas have been granted the gift of Salvation? The fact is that Jesus was crucified in place of Barabbas. And that directly implies that Barabbas was to undergo the same fate. For this was an opportunity for Barabbas to be spared. And Barabbas was indeed spared. But did Barabbas realize the crucial symbolism of all this?

For in the human sense, one sinner looks worse than the other. If a human person was to be consulted on who should be saved, our choices would be pretty founded on physical attributes. To Jesus, a gay needs Salvation much as a chicken thief does.

Jesus remained focused and purposeful despite the immensely perturbing conditions He underwent. For He always forgave, despite that it would be quite hard to. He overcame human emotions. Jesus always and readily gives everybody another chance no matter what. Anywhere and everywhere, Jesus displayed He is the Savior.

And upon this, I can boldly say that you may have the powers to say whatever you may wish to say about me, but you will never have the powers to effect it. You can only wish. For only Jesus has my life in His hands. He alone gave His life for me. And if you have given me a hand somewhere, I give thanks to God for you. For you have done so more for God than for me. All glory is to Jesus. Amen.

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RUN THE RACE TO THE FINISHING MARK

Paul said he had fought a good fight, he had finished the race, and he had kept the faith (2Timothy 4:7). But, in this, we seek to expound on the part that; …I have finished the race..." 

By using the word "race", Paul was only being metaphorical. The exact meaning though was that if it had been a race, he had successfully made it to the finishing line.

Paul sought to liken our Christian journey to someone in a race. In a race, there are guidelines, rules and regulations.

The final result of one individual participant is not counted on another. That is; the winner of the race is so because of factors of his own. So is the loser. The winner then is rewarded in accordance. The loser is either held in shame or punished accordingly. For this reason, all the guidelines of the race have to be strictly followed. Anyone who cheats on these guidelines faces disqualification.

On this fact, in a race, if one is caught doping and if the race is still ongoing, they are disqualified. If they have already been declared winners, they are stripped of the medal. This is because they have cheated on others by not following the guidelines. One is seemingly a winner, but he/she has not won on fair terms.

On this then, nobody will find themselves in heaven on account of what position they occupied while in this earthly life. For the standard of accessing heaven is absolutely nothing else but RIGHTEOUSNESS. And no one is counted righteous by way of the position they occupy. For righteousness is a matter of the heart and not a literal issue.

For at the starting mark, all the participants have to take off on equal terms. In this same vein, salvation is available to everybody, and all that is required of everyone is to embrace it. Like in a race, the starting mark in salvation is confession of Jesus Christ. What happens thereafter is solely dependent on decisions taken by every individual during the course of the race.

There are challenges in this race. And these challenges are factually undeniable. And all such could be reason for each and every excuse. Yet despite any excuses there be, it should not and does not matter or count at all. One result counts and that is to cross the finishing mark.

Keeping the spirit and following the guidelines (as spelt out) are an integral part of the race. And the winning is to be viewed in this way. The challenges that are faced by each participant in the race have to be dealt with individually. And how each participant goes about such challenges will determine what the outcome should be.

Everyone's aim who is participating in a race is to be winner of it. Nevertheless, what is being spoken of here is not that as Christians, we should aim to race and win against each other. And that is not how it is or should be. No. Not at all.

In this race, we (as Christians) are not of the nature of a contestant or a contender. In this race, we are all participants. The race is open to whoever wishes to participate in it. Yet all the participants can be winner together. It is rather that each participant in this race is obliged to aid another who is found failing in the race.

Worth to note is that; none of the participants has or should have any powers to disapprove another participant. The orchestra of the race is none of the participants. The orchestra of the race is Jesus. Him (Jesus) alone can qualify and disqualify. On this then, whatever we (the participants) do or say against each other is totally misplaced and does not count at all. Our individual opinions change nothing. If anything, the negative things we keep doing and saying about the fellow participants can only affect the author and not the intended target.

This is a race against the devil. Adversarial tendencies should never exist and later alone overcome any of us. We (all Christians) do have a common enemy and that is the devil. And if each one Christian in the race can discern this well, every single individual in it can be winner. We (Christians) can all be winner. The winning being mirrored in this is having made it to heaven. No Christian will access heaven on account of having had the other fail.

The following are some of the hurdles we face while in a race;

• Knocking yourself down, 

• You could be pulled down by a fellow participant or 

• You could slide off the marked route. 

How successful you are in managing and overcoming such hurdles you encounter during the race is what will eventually tell the hero in you. For the hurdles will never provide you any slight excuse for failure. It is therefore incumbent on one to know how to go about the challenges he/she is faced with.  It is a personal race. To be winner is a matter of individual decisions and not those of others.

It is never smooth and it will never be, but it is vital that we cross the finishing mark. On this account, we should run carefully bearing in mind that there are detractors and abstractions right in the way of the race. It is therefore not a matter of how many excuses we could give for having failed to cross the mark; it is solely a matter of having crossed the finishing line. 

The question therefore looms; have you crossed the line? If not, you are doomed! For the prize is singularly given to the winner not the loser, whatever the excuses may be. The rules and regulations of the race do not provide for excuses. Have you crossed the line? Yes! Everlasting joy and happiness awaits you!

This is advice to you and I as Christians, that like how contestants in a race force themselves through to the finishing line so should we learn from them (Matthew 7:13-14). We should be Christians with a purpose and a vision (1 Corinthians 9:25-26), well aware of what lies ahead of us.

Confessing Jesus Christ is one thing, and going all the way is another. We should be proactive while we are continually on our knees praying for God’s grace to sustain us in the race.

The outstanding lesson though should be for us to be wise Christians. For the devil is cunning and seeks to use our naivety to get us into a position when we should feel it is too much on us and therefore not worthy taking. 

Jesus says we should be wise enough to be able to overcome the devil. While others are laboring to make it to heaven, the rest (being used by the devil), are busy not only not minding reaching the mark, but are tirelessly laboring to devastate every single individual there is. This calls for wisdom (Matthew 10:16). 

For it is not about our physical strength and ability to participate in the race, but the discernment, insight and wisdom we apply are equally vital. The devil is hidden behind any physical evil manifestations. The devil is the enemy of the human race.

And many of us lack the fruit of self-control. The devil then uses the spiritual realm to create and orchestrate the detractors in form of objects who are humans. He (the devil) does not only use literal power. He applies both spiritual and literal powers  to defeat us (God forbid). And this is mostly so because we lack spiritual discernment, insight and wisdom. 

Take for example the parable of the ten virgin girls (Matthew 25:1-13). Five were wise and five were foolish. Mark you, they were all virgins! The five wise ones acted wisely and entered heaven on that account. The five foolish ones acted like so and missed heaven on that account. Not that they had any disbelief in what they did, but one thing lacked; wisdom. You may miss heaven not on account that you have any doubt that Jesus is LORD and that it is only through Him that we will meet the Father, but on account that you lacked in understanding what it is all about.

For one should be aware of who they are in terms of character, but they should also much be aware of whatever surrounds us. Your enemy is always with you and that is your sinful nature, only and always aiming to make sure you fail to ever cross the finishing mark (Matthew 10:36). 

Man's number ONE and worst enemy is sin
 

What is sin?
Sin is disobedience to God.

Any Christian's victory is a matter reaching heaven. And that is the principle. All the rest is secondary. Yet in this, the devil is relentless in planning his attacks. The devil will only give up on you upon reaching heaven. Short of that, you are still the devil's target (1Peter 5:7-9).

Samson was a man of God, and God used him mightily (Judges 16:3). But one thing that Samson had failed to understand; that he was on the devil's target list. The devil knew that once he enticed Samson into sin, his powers would be no more (Judges 16). 

Your weak point is only energized by sin. Sin is the devil's weakening, devastating and breaking tool. 

Samson had weakness with women (just like anyone human has a weakness). It is upon this that the devil sought to use Delilah to lay ambush of Samson (Judges 16:4-15).

When Samson failed to discern the devil's machinations, he succumbed to sin. And once he succumbed to sin, the devil needed not to apply any more effort. Samson was totally broken and became self defeating (Judges 16:16-21). 

Samson and Delilah

When you fall into sin, you become self defeating. Your enemies need not to struggle any more to bring you down after you have sinned. Everyone can only watch while you are being bartered and pounded to pieces. Thank God that He gave us Jesus and that in Jesus, we have another chance. But the cost is high, never take it lightly.

By one's own self, you will never defeat the devil. It is made possible to defeat the devil only by the power availed to us in the grace of God. You can only realize this the day you forsake God. When God departed Samson, he became playing stuff for the Philistines.

A lot of scripture says much about sin. But below is scripture about the effects of sin;

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Sin takes away God's glory from us.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

1 John 3:4
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. Spiritual lawlessness.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 John 3:8
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

Psalm 66:18
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Numbers 32:23
But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.

Isaiah 57:20-21
But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Job 15:20-35
"The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless. "Sounds of terror are in his ears; While at peace the destroyer comes upon him. "He does not believe that he will return from darkness, And he is destined for the sword.

John 8:34
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

Proverbs 5:22
His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."

James 1:15
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Ephesians 2:1
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

Colossians 2:13
"When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions..." Sin makes one not to be in touch with reality

Isaiah 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Jeremiah 2:22
"Although you wash yourself with lye And use much soap, The stain of your iniquity is before Me," declares the Lord GOD.

Ezra 9:6
and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.

Genesis 3:10
He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself."

Isaiah 59:12-13
For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with us, And we know our iniquities: Transgressing and denying the LORD, And turning away from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

Deuteronomy 31:18
"But I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods.

Isaiah 1:15
"So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen Your hands are covered with blood.

Isaiah 64:7
There is no one who calls on Your name, Who arouses himself to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us And have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.

Hosea 5:6
They will go with their flocks and herds To seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.

Micah 3:4
Then they will cry out to the LORD, But He will not answer them Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds.

Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

Utmost strength is in righteousness. Righteousness is the strongest weapon over any other.

What is righteousness?
Righteousness can be defined as the right standing with God.
Righteousness is also a state when one is in agreement with God.

Scripture tells us that it is in righteousness that we stand strong (Isaiah 54:14). God's throne is founded on righteousness (Psalms 89:14). God is right with Himself.

Righteousness is the weapon which makes anyone conquer any and everywhere. It is the weapon over any thing else that is (2Corinthians 6:7). Because of Righteousness, simple Daniel conquered the kingdom of the fierce hungry lions.

Righteousness is not something one can simply claim. No. Not at all. Righteousness is a matter to be lived. And if we live it, then we can be assured of God's presence upon our lives. If you have God's presence upon your life, you will command things and they will surely be. 

Righteousness gives us command. Jesus performed miracles and wonders not because He was simply Jesus. No. Not at all. Jesus was and He is Son of God. Yet things happened by His command because He followed the course of Righteousness. Jesus did perform miracles and wonders because God was with Him (Acts 10:38). If you have God upon your life, nations will bow before you and everything there is. A Righteous person can never be overtaken by a bit of evil fear. The story of Daniel gives us the perfect example (Daniel 6).

Despite all the accusations placed on Daniel (because of God's favor on him over anyone else in the Medes and the Persian kingdom, and for worshiping his God, and despite all the threats posed before him if he did not give up worshiping his God), he carried on worshiping God because he knew he was rightly doing the right thing (Daniel 6:10). When you are doing the right thing, you will surely be held in strength.

Yet the accusers will not relent and will never stop. They will keep laying ambush (Daniel 6:12). It calls for the wisdom of God to overcome such ambushes. And when they lay these ambushes, they will seem successful, but if you keep with God, they are doomed to fail (Daniel 6:16). Your accusers will try to make sure you are totally destroyed (Daniel 6:17).

Yet not everyone one hates you (Daniel 6:18). The king Darius was deeply grieved when Daniel was thrown in the den of lions. 

But we also ought to take care that our worst enemies can be seemingly our best friends. The person who entices you into sin, will after having you in the act turn out to taunt you all the rest of your life. He will keep wondering what a Christian you claimed you are!!!???

God will always save the righteous from all danger (Daniel 6:20). But even if He does not literally save you (as He did to Daniel by shutting the mouths of the lions), you stand assured of reward when you stand before God the Father. For no man can give another salvation. Men (being used by the devil) only seek to destroy you. Only God will bring you the joy of salvation.

Daniel in the den of lions

We also ought to notice how vital it is to remain respectful of those placed before us as leaders. Daniel remained respectful of the king despite the king having witnessed him being thrown into the den of lions (Daniel 6:21). For being right with God entails submission to those in leadership. No matter they detest you.

Then eventually, your innocence of sin before God will ensure you stand in victory (Daniel 6:22). You will surely be part of the testimony of God (Ezekiel 14:14, 18, 20). Lack of it will surely leave you helpless and totally devastated.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Proverbs 21:21
Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity and honor.

1 Timothy 6:11
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;
the offspring of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 21:2
A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.

Psalm 112:6
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Proverbs 11:18
A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

In a nutshell, while Daniel was defiant in the face of sin, Samson fell prey to it. Daniel did not resist being thrown in the den of lions because he stood right in righteousness. He did not expect the hungry lions not to feast on him, but he never gave in to intimidation and coercion into submission.

Daniel knew that the source of  fear is sin. What would happen to him in the den was not an issue. For whether the lions were to eat him or not, he cared only standing before God not as a loser.

Daniel knew that sin is what is destructive and not being feasted on by the lions. And was drawn out of the den of the hungry lions alive and unhurt (Daniel 6:23).

In this, what dents an individual is not what is aimed at them by others (in whatever form) say; provocations, insults abuse etc. Defeat comes from how one chooses to respond to what is aimed at him/her by the rest. The decision one takes in response to a provocation is what makes one either right or wrong before God. Mark you, what counts is how God views an individual and not how the rest will judge you.

A righteous person has strong faith in God, and on this, they will not fight for or seek to defend themselves. He/she has utmost confidence that whatever people's opinions may be, such opinions carry absolutely nothing because God is the final judge.

For a person's composure and calmness in handling and going about a matter will tell where their utmost trust is. Daniel did not resist anything that was planned on or done against him because he had his trust in God. God will always defend a righteous person.

On the other hand though, Samson was so weakened by sin. He had lost hope of ever making it in life. His only prayer was; let me die with the Philistines (Judges 16:30). He surely died with them. Yet he had been sent to save them.

A man of God is not to die with the rest out of the weight of sin. A man of God is to work with God to save souls. If people refuse to take the message you are passing on to them, then let them die on their own account, but not to perish with you.  Samson lacked purpose at the end of it all.

While Samson's body was carried away for burial (Judges 6:31), the God of Daniel was being exalted for saving Daniel from the fury of his enemies who had tricked the king into throwing him in the den of the hungry lions. And the king declared that no other God should be worshiped other than the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:25-28).

I can't wait to imagine a guard of honor being staged for Daniel both in the Spiritual realm and in the literal world for insisting on standing in righteousness while faced with such overwhelming force of evil, intimidation and coercion. 

In all this then, following the guidelines and keeping the rules and the regulations are part of the win. None of them (the guidelines, rules and regulations) is or should be held in isolation (2Timothy 2:5). For in such, you are counted outstanding of all of the rest. You must be genuine in your win with the observance of all instructions which have been laid before you.

We must be purposeful and visionary Christians.

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