[Hephzibah Stephen]

In the era of the missionaries, they underwent so much of hardship and deprivation in propagating the Gospel. At that time the teaching was that a glorious life with Jesus awaited the believers even though this life on earth was filled with tears and trials. But the prosperity gospel preachers changed that by pointing to the patriarchs and saying that we have to be rich like them. Abraham had money but no children. In a culture where fertility and progeny were important, he was childless. Everyone has challenges of their own. Every believer has to place sufficient value on the kingdom that Jesus will consummate when he returns so as to long for its fulfillment. Our life on earth may be broken but a glorious life awaits us at the Lord’s return and that is a comforting thought.

There is so much evil in this world. When we hear of racism, rape, murder, corruption, and other atrocities, our blood boils. When Christ returns, they will all be judged and that is a comforting thought. There is no peace in store for the arrogant unless they repent while they live.

The church has to be taught the importance of believing on the Lord for an overcoming life now and a glorious life in the hereafter. The God we worship is almighty and all powerful.

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Devadoss

You have rightly pointed out that it would be against the law of God and nature if we were to remain a baby and thus become a spiritual dwarf. Yes, absolutely,the Bible teaches that the Christian life is one of constant growth and it implies steady development, constant enlargement, increasing wisdom.
Thank you brother for capturing a life of a believer in Christ in a nutshell.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts.
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Thank you Sister Mabellyn for your comments.
Yes we have both understood eternal life in a new perspective.
I am truly excited with the clarity this lesson has provided.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Sister Mabellyn
You are perfectly right when you say that if a believer continues in sin, he is denying the benefits of walking in eternal life, which God has made available to us through his son. It is possible to live a life overcoming sin in our life only by constantly building our faith through the Word.
Thank you for pointing out the importance of building our faith through the Word.
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Karl
You are absolutely right when you say, “The Church can encourage believers to actively live their lives accessing all the privileges provided by the Spirit of God. ” Many believers live a life of defeat not realising the power we have in us through Jesus Christ. Even believers live in sin saying they are not able to leave it. As you say we have to educate and motivate the Church to live a life holy unto the Lord.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear sister May
you have rightly pointed out that he knowledge of this truth – the truth of eternal life in the here and now- should impact our Christian life today in many ways. But unfortunately we the believers do not realise it.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Thank you dear May for your encouraging words.
It is indeed a privilege to live out our faith while we are here on earth.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Jebaraj Chidambaram

Yes, the Kingdom of God is in progress and we as disciples are given the task of taking it forward. Satan is a defeated foe. You are right when you say the church of God should march on even through persecution and martyrdom. May God give each one of us the strength to stand in the face of trial.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Devadoss
Yes we are citizens in God’s messianic eschatological kingdom. Jesus has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to present Christ to the dying world. Hope and pray that the Church (body of believers) will realize its mission with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Sajjan George
You are when you said the church, the body and bride of Christ has forgotten the conditions that Jesus has taught us, and those that His apostles have reminded us. Instead of the Church expanding into the world, the world has entered the Church. Very sad state of affairs. Unless every believer repents and returns, the revival will not start.
Let us pray for that.
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Rajkumar,

Yes, it is great to realize that Jesus has done everything for our Salvation. This lesson has taught us that we will even get rewards for what Jesus has done for us. That truth is so very encouraging and uplifting. His sacrifice and the substitutionary death on the Cross gives us hope and peace and so we can live a happy life, in the presence of God. You have rightly pointed out that it is all because the Bible changes a person from internally for the kingdom of God.
Thank you for your thoughts
Hephzibah

• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by Hephzibah Stephen.

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Arun Thomas
You are absolutely right when you say that “each day the corrupted flesh is overcome by the eternal Spirit causing in the here and now a transformation that reflects more and more each day the beauty of Christ”. This is the transformation the Bible talks about in Rom 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, …”
As you have observed this is an everyday process. When this happens the world around us will see Christ in us. That is the aim of a believer’s life on earth!
Thank you
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear Brother Vincent
Nice to hear from you after a long time.
You are very correct to say that the Christian experience of eternal life in the present life will vary from person to person
The Holy Spirit enables each one of us with a capacity to do the right thing that is the moral ability to do what is right. That no doubt gives us great joy.
Thank you for your thoughts
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Thank you brother Peter for your views. Yes this lesson has clarified many thoughts and has encouraged me.
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah Stephen]

Dear brother Peter
You have pointed out that we should encourage believers to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and take advantage of His help to avoid sin. This is a very valid point. Many believers do not give in to the power of the Holy Spirit and continue in sin. Yes brother we have all been given a second chance. We must maximize this chance share the good news with others actively.
Thank you for your insights.
Hephzibah

[Author]

Posts