Category Archives: Church

Anointing and Salvation; what is the Difference?

Posted by Jun 30, 2018 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism 6 Comments
Anointing and Salvation; what is the Difference?

Anointing and Salvation are two different entities. Someone can be anointed by the Lord, but not saved by the Blood of Jesus. The essence of this message today is to clarify the difference between anointing and salvation.

I noticed that a lot of Christians suffer ‘big wounds’ in their heart when they hear the story about some powerful Pastors misbehaving in the church. Many people lost their faith in Christ due to the questionable attitude of their anointed Pastors.

Jesus is not pleased with such circumstances. “Then said He unto the disciples, it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It was better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

It is no more news that many anointed Pastors engages in adultery/fornication, homosexual, divorce and remarry, defraud church members, use of fetish charms (idolatry), drunkenness and other unclean vices.

Some people thought that the anointed Ministers would gain heaven despite the lifestyle they choose to live. How true is this school of thought? Let’s confirm the truth from the Bible!

What is Anointing and Salvation?

Anointing in this context is the “call to service”. I am making reference to the spiritual anointing that may not necessarily involve the anointing oil.

For instance, Jesus is an anointed Messiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…” (Luke 4:18)

Either anointing oil is poured on the head of the anointed or not, he is being chosen to the service of the LORD. For example; the Priests, Prophets, and Kings were anointed using the anointing oil in the Old Testament. They were called to represent the authority of God in the lives of the people.

While in the New Testament, the anointing oil for ‘call to service’ was unnecessary. The most important duty of the anointed person is to minister the message, power and authority of the Lord to the lives of people.

Anointing and Salvation is different.

Salvation is the spiritual deliverance from the stronghold of sin and death. Salvation involves the transformation of the body, soul and spirit to obey God’s will.

The saved person is someone whose lifestyle is totally controlled by the Holy Spirit. The choice of the flesh and the things of the world do not influence the character of someone enjoying the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Major Differences between Anointing and Salvation

  1. Anointing is Duty while Salvation is Repentance

Anointing is ‘Call to Duty’ while Salvation is ‘Call to Repentance’. An anointed person can perform his duty as a Prophet, Pastor, Evangelist or Teacher and may not necessarily answer the call to repentance.

That is the main reason a Prophet would minister in a crusade filled with God’s miracles and healings, but in his guest room there are some women waiting to minister adultery to him. Such Prophet obeys the call to duty (anointing), but disobeyed the call to repentance (salvation).

Anointing and Salvation are two different ‘lives’!!

  1. Anointing is not debatable while Salvation is debatable

Anointing and Salvation cannot be the same, because anointing comes from the Lord. You don’t have any choice to turn down the anointing from the LORD. You can’t know when God plans to anoint you.

Many were anointed from the womb of their mothers, so they have no choice of rejecting the anointing. The anointed can perform wonders without having the experience of salvation.

But, salvation is a planned work of God which the anointed have the power of choice to accept or reject. You may choose to accept the terms and conditions of God’s salvation or pretend you don’t understand the deal of His salvation.

For instance, Samson was anointed from the womb, but he refused the standard salvation of the LORD. Samson made love with idolatrous foreign women. His anointing frustrated the Philistine, but his lack of salvation short-lived his relationship with the Lord (Judges Chapter 16).

The Apostles were anointed and they performed miracles when Jesus sent them for evangelism. Judas Iscariot was anointed, but he chose not to surrender his greedy life to Jesus…

Don’t be surprised when a non-Christian performs miracles, healing and so on. He was anointed but not saved!

  1. Salvation leads to Heaven but Anointing does not

Anointing and Salvation can be a good combination, but they manifest independently. An anointed person can be punished by the LORD, but a saved person cannot suffer punishment in hell.

For instance; King Solomon was an anointed King, he did great works assigned to him by the LORD. But, the King chose to disobey the commandments of the LORD. (Salvation is a matter of choice.)

King Solomon enjoyed ‘the world’ and his heart swayed into idolatry. Though he was anointed, but God punished him.

” And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon… (1King chapter 11)

The Threat of the Anointed Minister without Salvation

Many anointed Ministers of God in our generation had turned to be a big stumbling stones! Some of them sing good inspirational music but cling to devil for fame.

Some anointed Ministers perform great miracles, but their hands are soiled with sexual sins, love of money, charms (idolatry) etc. Their anointing cannot save them from eternal punishment. Am not judging, but saying the truth I heard from Jesus!

Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! ‘”

Anointing and salvation are not the same, so don’t be deceived by anointed ministers who lack the salvation of Jesus Christ.

When you intend to correct them, they shout and scare you with statement such as; thou shall not judge…!

Yea, I won’t judge them, but, I would love to remind them the warning of the Lord: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

They do well in the work of the LORD – Yes! It is their Call and Anointing. If they reject the salvation of the Lord, then their anointing cannot qualify them to dwell with the LORD in Heaven.

You can’t use your anointing to mock God; you will reap what you sow.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

It is not mandatory for everyone to pass through the anointing ‘classes’. But, the compulsory step to Heaven is the perfect obedience to the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Good Friday: Is it True that Jesus was Crucified on a Friday?

Posted by Apr 15, 2018 Holy Word, Church 1 Comment
Good Friday: Is it True that Jesus was Crucified on a Friday?

Good Friday is an annual event to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. But, how can Jesus suffer crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrect in two days – Easter Sunday?

Today’s topic will interest you, because it would show the right day the Lord Jesus was crucified.

Basic Facts to understand about Good Friday

The popular belief in the Christendom is that Jesus Christ was crucified on a Good Friday. The Pope and Pastors told us that Jesus Christ died on a Friday afternoon and resurrected on a Sunday morning.

If this information is true, then Jesus spent about one and half days in the place of death. But, Jesus told His disciples and the Pharisees that He would spend three days and three nights in the place of death.

Matthew chapter 12 verse 38 to 40 says: “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

I asked some Pastors to prove the three days and three nights if Jesus was crucified on a Good Friday. Their common count was:

Friday afternoon (Day 1)

Saturday afternoon (Day 2)

Sunday Morning (Day 3)

The Pastors shy away from the Night count, because they couldn’t formulate the count of three nights!! Anyway, the popular count above is wrong.

Today’s message is not meant to condemn anyone, but to open our mind to the right understanding about the crucifixion day, and the resurrection day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To understand this message, you must be ready to read the Bible. Thus, don’t skip the Bible verses in this article….thank you.

Counting the Days from Good Friday

A day can never be complete if  the hours is not twenty-four. And each day has the dark time (6pm to 6am) and the light time (6am to 6pm). It is misleading to teach people that the light time (12 hours) is equal to one complete day.

This is my response to the counts of the Pastors:

Friday afternoon cannot be considered as a day, because Jesus died around 3pm on Friday (not up to 24 hours).

Saturday count was a day, but Sunday count was ‘absolutely’ wrong, because Jesus rose before the light time.

“Now on the first day of the week (Sunday) Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” (John 20:1)

Counting the days and nights from Good Friday:

The Nights:

Friday night (1)

Saturday night (1)

No Sunday night.

Thus, total night from Good Friday is two nights.

The Days:

3 hours on Friday

Saturday (1)

No Sunday.

Thus, total day from Good Friday is 1 day and 3 hours.

The Good Friday and Easter Sunday celebration in the church today is on the basis of two nights and 11/4 day. This is a contradiction to the word of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is not a liar. He spent three days and three nights in the place of death before resurrection.

John chapter 2 verse 18 to 21: “So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”

 

If Good Friday is Wrong, then when was the Crucifixion Day?

Before I go ahead on this topic, you must understand these three facts;

1. There is more than one type of Sabbath.

(a) Weekly Sabbath day (Saturday); “…but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.” (Exodus 20:10)

And

(b) Annual Convocation Sabbath (high Sabbath) which can fall to any day of the week;

“Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.

‘On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat-that only may be prepared by you.” (Exodus 12:15–16)

2. The Jewish clock differs from the one we use; Jewish day starts from the evening (6pm) and ends at the next (6pm) evening, while ours starts from morning (12am) to the next (12am) morning.

3. Jesus spent 3 days and 3 nights in the place of death. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)

 

Alright! I hope you get it right. Let’s continue….

John chapter 19 verse 30 to 31 says: “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”

The Preparation Day is the day before the Sabbath day; such day is for purchases and conclusion of all activities.

So, there is no dispute that Jesus Christ died on the day that comes before the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day mentioned in John 19 verse 31 is not the weekly Sabbath. That was the reason for the emphasis by the writer who referred to the Sabbath as a high day. This Sabbath is related to the annual Sabbath.

Which Sabbath was a ‘High Day’?

The high day Sabbath was the ordinance of the Lord God as regards festivals such as Passover day and Feast of the unleavened bread.

Leviticus chapter 23 verse 4 to 8 says: “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. ‘On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’S Passover.

‘And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.

‘But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.’”

The passage above revealed the truth that there is more than one type of Sabbath (…you shall do no customary work on it…).

Do not forget that Jesus kept the Passover with His disciples:

“…And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples… So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover…”

And Jesus Christ was arrested on the Passover night:

“Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’… Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.” (Matthew chapter 26)

Note: The Jewish day starts from 6pm and ends at the next evening. Jesus was arrested at night that marks the beginning of the Passover day. And on the next day of Passover; He was crucified and died around 3pm. He died when the next day is just about 3 hours to come.

“And about the ninth hour (3pm) Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”… And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (Matthew 27:46-50)

According to the commandment of God (not the modified Jewish version), the next day after the Passover is the first day of the (7 days) Feast of unleavened bread. And, the commandment of the Lord says that the first day of the unleavened bread must be free of work (Sabbath). (Leviticus 23:4-8)

That was the reason for breaking the thieves’ knees, and the quick burial of Jesus before 6pm (which marked the new day of an annual Sabbath).

Crucifixion Day was on Wednesday, Not Good Friday!

Jesus Christ was crucified and entombed on a Wednesday afternoon. You need more scriptural proof? Alright!

Let’s open our Bible to the book of Mark chapter 16 verses 1: “Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.”

The women bought the spices (on Friday) when the Sabbath attached to the Feast of the unleavened bread was over. They got it prepared on Friday and rested on Saturday (the weekly Sabbath). And, they planned to go to His tomb on Sunday after the Sabbath.

Luke chapter 24 verses 1 says: “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.”

By comparing the details above, you can clearly see that two different Sabbaths were mentioned along with a work day in between. The first Sabbath was a holy convocation (high day) – the first day of the Feast of unleavened bread, (which took place on a Thursday). And, the second Sabbath was the weekly seventh day (Saturday).

Good Friday and Easter Sunday are wrong Teachings!

Since we could distinguish the holy annual convocation Sabbath (Wednesday) for feast of unleavened bread, and the weekly Sabbath (Saturday), then, it is clear that Jesus Christ was neither crucified on Good Friday nor resurrected on daylight of the Easter Sunday.

Note: Jesus Christ did not resurrect on the sunrise of Sunday, because John chapter 20 verses 1 says: “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

The word of God delivered me from the lies of Good Friday, and I want you to be delivered as well.

I take the full responsibilities of my teaching today, because I know that teachers in the church will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1)

Jesus Christ is not a liar, He says:  “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)

Jesus Christ was entombed few hours to sunset on a Wednesday.

Counting the Days and Nights from Wednesday:

The Nights:

Thursday night (First)

Friday night (Second)

Saturday night (Third)

Thus, the total night is Three

The Days:

Wednesday to Thursday (First)

Thursday to Friday (Second)

Friday to Saturday (Third)

Thus, the total day is Three

The counts above respect the rule of twenty-four hours make a day.

Jesus Christ was entombed few hours to the sunset of Wednesday, thus He spent three days and three nights in the place of death and resurrected few hours to the sunset of Saturday.

Mary met an empty tomb on Sunday morning when it was still dark, because Jesus Christ had resurrected long before the early morning cock crow!!

I advise you to be careful with the religious traditions and commemoration that are not rooted in the Word of God. Worship God and celebrate Him according to the Biblical truth, and be careful of the popular man-made doctrines in the Christendom.

Please, read this message twice and study the context and content of all the scriptural references for proper understanding. Feel free to share your comments with me.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Can My Personal Conviction Make Me Lose Heaven?

Posted by Mar 19, 2018 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism Leave a Comment
Can My Personal Conviction Make Me Lose Heaven?

Personal conviction in this context is the strong believe you hold-on to for your lifestyle. The first step towards personal conviction involves listening to a statement or observing a practice. The second step requires deep thought about such issue, and the last step towards a personal conviction is making a favorable choice that suits you.

There are lots of unnecessary differences among us in the Christendom. And at a point I wonder if we are all serving the same Lord Jesus Christ? It is difficult to find a ‘common ground’ on many issues springing up in our midst.

The argument among Christians in our generation is so tough that it has become endless. I noticed that a lot of Christians give reasons for their action based on personal conviction. Today’s message will focus on the correlation of the Mind of God and our personal conviction.

Difference between Personal Conviction and Holy Spirit Conviction

The primary aim of personal conviction is to satisfy one’s self, while the conviction of the Holy Spirit is to satisfy God – Two different entities!! I believe you would agree with me that before we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we do things that please us in our own way – personal conviction.

But, when we surrender our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit convicts us. (John 16:8) And, the Spirit wants us to please God (not in our own way) with His Strong Opinion.

… Huh!! The clash sets in! …

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth (that contradicts your personal conviction); for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak…” (John 16:13)

For instance, in the early stage of Paul’s new life in Christ, he went through serious issues with his strong opinions. His personal conviction when he was an unbeliever clashed with the strong opinions of the Lord. “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good… For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find…” (Romans chapter 7).

Romans chapter 8 verses 1 and 2 gave us a clear picture that Paul quit his previous personal convictions and embrace that of the Holy Spirit.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh (personal conviction), but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Note: A lot of false Pastors with faulty indoctrination misrepresent the statements of Paul written in Romans chapter 7 to encourage a lawless life.

Another example to proof that we cannot mingle personal and Holy Spirit conviction was the case of Peter versus Jesus. Peter had a personal conviction that Jesus cannot be killed, and not to talk about His resurrection.

But, listen to the response of Jesus: “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

The Danger of Personal Conviction in the Church

Unfortunately, when some issues such as; dressing, drinking, music, movies, tattoo, cosmetics, body piercing, games, burial ceremony etc. spring up in the church, it is difficult to agree on the scriptural truth (Holy Spirit Conviction).

Many people thought that their personal convictions were acceptable to the Lord, because their Pastors and the Government supported such practices. They expected God to speak from the roof-top of heaven if their personal convictions are ungodly. But, would the Lord do such? The unpleasant situation of the church is not strange, because it had started long ago in the church at Rome.

Romans chapter 1: “…For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (false Preachers)… because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts (personal conviction), and their foolish hearts were darkened…”

“… And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man (different statue in the church)… Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves (homosexuals, tattoo, piercing of the body in the church)…”

Many people claimed that their personal convictions are liberty in Christ. But, it is heart-breaking to know that the quote below is the order of the day in the Christendom:

“…And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (Holy Spirit Conviction), God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…” (Romans chapter 1)

You may feel uneasy about today’s message, but I have just said the truth. God will keep watching us; He won’t open the roof-top of heaven!! Many churches have one or more of the features above troubling the peace of the Christendom.

Can Personal Conviction Take Me to Heaven?

Since the primary function of personal conviction is to satisfy the flesh, then it is wise to deny the carnal nature and to embrace the Holy Spirit conviction. Galatians chapter 5 verse 16 to 23 says: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish…Now the works of the flesh (through personal conviction) are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…

…idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…

…But the fruit of the Spirit (through Holy Spirit conviction) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”

Is Personal Conviction a Private Matter?

When I tried to show some people the scriptural truth against their ungodly personal conviction, they always cut me short and say: “don’t judge me, it is my private matter with God.”

When I preach messages like this, I don’t intend to judge, because I was once trapped into personal conviction. I know the danger attached to staying too long in ones ungodly personal convictions. I thank God for the Spirit of God that opened my eyes to see many things that are not preached on the pulpit again.

My today’s message is not meant to judge anyone, but to open our eyes to the understanding that personal convictions sourced from ungodly belief cannot blend into the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Contrary to popular believe, your conscience is not the author for telling you what is right or wrong. It produces the fruits of righteousness or wrongs that you plant into it.

You may claim that your personal conviction is a private matter, but your lifestyle ministers to people who watch your actions. Since your personal conviction has a strong influence to people, you must look at them to know whether they constitute to a righteous life or they lead you into a life dominated by carnal nature.

Wrong words motivate wrong personal conviction, but the scriptural truth motivates the Holy Spirit conviction in one’s heart. Hebrew chapter 4 verse 12 says: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Your personal conviction sourced from the human nature might be pleasing to your heart, but it is wise to check and balance your believe with the word of God. There is no controversial issue that cannot be handled by the Bible!!

Valentine’s Day: Is the Celebration for Christians?

Posted by Feb 7, 2018 Holy Word, Church, Youths Leave a Comment
Valentine’s Day: Is the Celebration for Christians?

Valentine’s Day is the celebration of romance. 14th of February is always a spectacular day in the year, when boys and girls, married and unmarried share love in various forms. Valentine’s Day is characterized with red color, exchange of gifts, parties and much of promiscuity among youths.

More harm is done than good in the lives of youths on Valentine’s Day of this generation. Why? And, is Valentine’s day celebration an instruction from the Lord? Who originated Valentine’s day and for what purpose?

Today’s message will expose the truth about this romantic celebration.

The History of Valentine’s Day

A genuine Christian must not join the train of any popular event without scrutinizing the source and motive of such celebration. I searched through some reputable sites and discovered the history of Valentine’s day;

Wikipedia noted that some Christian Martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 were Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred in 269 A.D, and was added to the calendar of saints by Pope Galesius in 496 A.D.

Valentine of Terni was a Bishop, and he was martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian in 273 A.D.

Valentine’s day was first associated with romantic love through Frey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

Noel Lenski, a historian at the University of Colorado at Boulder said that the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia from February 13 to 15. The drunken men sacrifice a goat and a dog, and the young women will line up for the men to hit them with the hides of the animal. They believe this will make them fertile.

The practice also involved match-making lottery, in which young men drew the name of women from the jar. The couples will then be coupled up for the duration of the festival.

Pope Gelasius muddled things in the 5th century by combining Saint Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. He named February 14 in honor of Saint Valentine as the Patron Saint of Lovers.

But, the festival was more of theatrical interpretation of what it had once been. Lensky added, “It was a little more of drunken revel, but the Christian put cloth on it. That didn’t stop it from been a day of fertility and love.”

What is bad about Valentine’s day?

There is a terrible mix-up during the celebration of Valentine’s day. Some innocent people share cards to their loved ones from a pure heart of love. While some take the advantage of the celebration to lose their virginity, participate in erotic parties and drugs. Uncleanliness, romance and illicit s3x are the order of the day.

Is it right for Christians to get involved in a celebration that is not under the doctrine of the LORD? Jesus says: “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority”.

The bad things about Valentine’s day celebration are:

1. It is an attempt to Christianize an idolatry celebration. But the Pope’s attempt failed and the output was a mess to the Christendom.

“…we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting…” (Ephesians 4:14)

2. Valentine’s day was originally a solemn day for remembering the works of the martyr, not a day for celebration of love. Thus, the present celebration of Valentine’s day is a deceit.

3. The celebration was not a commandment from the Lord; rather it was a doctrine of man. “Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:12)

4. There are high records of immoralities and sexual perversion on this day.

5. Good works of Agape love are uncommon, and the celebration does not glorify the name of the Lord.

6.  Satanists and unbelievers celebrate Valentine. So, we cannot be of equal yoke with unbelievers.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2Corinthians 6:14)

 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Valentine’s Day is not a celebration for the Christians, because it has no scriptural basis. It is widely acceptable by the world, because the outputs on such day are ungodly.

Christian Dress: Does God Care about the Dress You Put on?

Posted by Dec 18, 2017 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism, Youths Leave a Comment
Christian Dress: Does God Care about the Dress You Put on?

Christian dress does not have a specific design or style, but it has some specific features. These features differentiate the Christian dress from the worldly dress.

It might interest you to know that the value of the global textile mills market totaled 668 billion dollars in 2015. The textile mills market includes yarns and fabrics. It is predicted to reach 843 billion dollars in value in 2020.

Also, the value of the global apparel market totaled 843 billion dollars in 2016. The apparel market covers all clothing except leather, footwear and knitted items. It is forecast to reach 1 trillion dollars in value in 2021. A huge market indeed!

What are the roles of Christians in this economic value for dress? Today’s message would explain the attributes of Christian dress and the implications of the present fashion in the church.

The Origin of Dressing

The first record of wears was recorded when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. So, disobedience to the instruction of the Lord led to the alteration of the human brain. It killed the sense of freedom and replaced it with the sense of nakedness.

Adam was the first fashion designer, but he got it wrong because the fig leaves could not cover the nakedness properly. Genesis chapter 3 verses 7 say: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

God did not like to see our nakedness exposed in any form… thus He helped Adam and Eve with a better material that could cover their nakedness properly. Genesis chapter 3 verses 21 say: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

What is the Design for Christian Dress?

Christian dressing in our generation is a controversial topic that a lot of Christians do not like to hear. Why? Our leaders refused to scold us when we accepted the fashion of the world.

The fashions of the world had engrossed the church so much, and we dislike anyone who preaches against our love for the worldly fashions.

We call such preacher an “old school cross…” We refuse to attend the few churches that criticize worldly fashion in the Christendom. Unfortunately, many Pastors do not want to lose their unstable members to this controversial topic, so they kept quiet. “Sitting on a keg of gun powder…”

The features for Christian dress include:

1. Modest; covering all the sensual parts of the body.

2. Decent; not with flashy colors or attractive ornaments.

3. Appropriate; the under-wear for the inner room is not for evening dinner across the street.

4. Less Expensive; to avoid waste of money on vanity.

5. Design; the female dress must be different from the male dress.

First Timothy chapter 2 verse 9 say: “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing.”

Can Christian Woman Put on Trouser?

Trouser for women became popular in the 19th century. I felt bad when I discovered that the Devil is corrupting the people through fashion. Dressing differs from one culture to another, and the early generations knew that the dress of a male can never be the same for a female, because of the difference in our body shape and responsibilities.

But, the Devil who is doing all his best to corrupt the human race enticed people with the fashion of unisex. When God noticed this abomination in the midst of the Gentiles, He warned the Israelis not to imbibe such fashion.

Deuteronomy chapter 22 verse 5: “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.”

The thought of a woman to wear trouser was inappropriate in the America culture until the 18th century. Mrs. Bloomers and her friends thought of it, and it was widely accepted in the 19th century. It marks the beginning of moral destruction in the US. Other Continents grabbed the fashion as well, and the world is going wild.

Many women of this generation had lost their respect due to their provocative style of dressing. If you are a God-fearing woman who wants to follow the will of the Lord, test trouser with the five features above and tell me if it is a pass or not.

Christian Dress and the Church

False Pastors in the church told their congregation that God does not look at outward appearance, so the Christian dress can be the same as the worldly dress. Any verse in the Bible they quote to support this abomination is simply misconception.

Paul did not tell the women to be moderate in abominable wears or makeups. The context of ‘moderation’ in 1Timothy 2:9 was moderate Christian dress and behavior.

Pant that shows the ‘front V-shape’ and ‘back hills’ of the women is no more inappropriate in the church. Miniskirts and other seductive wears are regarded as normal Christian dress in many churches. Hey! The church had fallen in love to worldliness.

Please take this caption serious: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1John 2: 15-17

I am not judging anyone, but I am telling you the scriptural truth. This generation had failed the Lord. We need to go back to the Bible, and restore the First Love. Let’s stop embracing all the offers of the world – it is shameful!

The Spirit of the Lord warned us to be different from the world, but our action says: “No, we want the fashion of the world”.

The Lord told us not to conform to the custom of the world, but the church leaders say: “No, let’s bring in the worldly people with their corrupt custom; they will change in the church.”

Unfortunately, the lukewarm converts did not change, but they thought the other church members how to embrace the corrupt custom of the world.

So, do not flow with the custom of the world that gets rotten every day.

God is not a respecter of man. Our population cannot intimate God! Remember the story of Noah. This is a clarion call for us to stand firm in God’s Will and to reject ungodly dressing.

Listen! Very soon, the fashion of trouser and miniskirts will fade away, and the use of bikini and underwear pants will be the next fashionable clothes in the public. Devil is not at rest, he will invent more fashions that will deep the world into a terrible mess.

Don’t be deceived by those Pastors and Prophets who are after your money and your presence in their church. God is concerned with the cloth we put on;

These are some proves:

1. The Lord made a better cloth for Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:21

2. He taught the Priest how to dress. Leviticus 16:4

3. The Lord took the subject of cloth (holiness) very serious. Leviticus 14

4. Jesus discouraged expensive wears. Matthew 6:19

5. Holy Spirit speaks through Paul and Peter when the early Christians faced the storm of corrupt fashion.

6. Our body is the temple of the Lord, so He is concerned with the dress we put on. 1Corinthians 3:16

You would give an account of how your body, soul and spirit were used on earth. So, always fix your trinity into the trinity of the Lord.

I implore you to take a firm stand in Christ and don’t be tossed away by the fashion of this corrupt world. Christian dress does not expose cleavages and other sensual part of the body.

Christian dress neither seduces nor induces the beholder with lustful desire. Godly dressing does not tighten the body to show the feminine shape.

Note: You might be the only one in your household obeying the will of God related to Christian dress. Don’t be discouraged, because many are called into the Christendom, but few would be chosen at the end – Matthew 22:14.