SCRIPTURAL READING : 1 Tim 1: 9,10: 2 Tim 2:19: Eph 5:6-12: Titus 3:3: Is 8:9: Prov 13:20: 1 Cor 15: 33:
Salutations beloved brethren in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And now, O ye servant of the Lord, this message is for you! " The Lawless, my servant is in Association." God Almighty has seen and hereby is concerned about your stand with him and his holy word! The Holy Spirit has reported that you are not standing well with your God! Beware and be careful for your ministry is stained because of the Lawless that you are happily in Association!
THE LAWLESS:
Apostle Paul, while writing to Timothy his son in the gospel, underlined to him the key aspects of order, sound doctrine, discipline, and being a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He then warned him about the Lawless thus: Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine( 1 Tim 1:9-10). See?
Notice the various aspects of lawlessness that the scripture profiles! It is not only limited to things like murder, fornication, sinners, and menstealers. But it also includes aspects of being disobedient to the word, ungodly, unholy, and he summarised thus: And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine! See?
DISOBEDIENCE:
For emphasis, lawlessness goes together with disobedience. In one place, while writing to the Ephesians, apostle Paul exhorted the saints thus: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. ( Eph 5:6-7). See?
Hence, you as a servant of God should always keep in mind, that it was a result of the deliberate act of disobedience to the direct commandment of God to him, that caused King Saul fell and lost his kingdom ( 1 King 15:22,23). Therefore, it pays to take the warning of the word of God: obedience is better than sacrifice! See?
INIQUITY:
What is iniquity? We all know what it is, don't we? Iniquity is defined as something you know, God’s word expects you to do it, but you simply refuse deliberately not to do it! In short, iniquity is nothing less than being Lawless! And as the servant of the Lord, you ought to be well conversant of the sin of iniquity. Correctly!
These examples should help to explain it well:
It is written! If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me( Psa 66:18). See? The issue here is: do you harbour iniquity in your heart? How about those that you are in association with? Do you care to find out how they are standing with God and his word? Do you care to check their belief and whether or not they believe in sound doctrine? Do those things matter to you before you ever think of afflicting yourself in a certain group or association of believers?
Notice! Apostle Paul also wrote to Timothy on this matter of iniquity! He said: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.( 2 Tim 2:19). See? Therefore, you, as a servant of Christ, should never compromise on the issue of iniquity! You need to be careful even, as you are hungering for collaboration with others in the work of the Lord. There is still a need for you to move cautiously. Rely on God to help you to make divine connections with people of clean minds and sincere hearts. They are there. Certainly, they are in the minority. But, it will take the Almighty God himself to help you to come to know them. See?
What is more! Jesus also warned us to be careful of workers of iniquity! And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.( Matt 7: 23). Why were they rejected at the end of the road? Their confession didn't match their conduct in obedience to the perfect will of God!( Matt 7: 21-22). See?
ASSOCIATION:
It is written! Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. ( Isa 8:9-10). It is alright to be in some kind of association with a group of believers. Fellowship is important in the Christian life, as long it's based on the truth and walking in sound apostolic doctrine ( Acts 2: 42). Right!
Notice that any association that does not meet the order, discipline, and the standards of the truth of the word of God, and God has not vindicated it, will face consequences of being broken in pieces! Therefore, as a servant of the Lord, your first priority should be: : God is with us . " That is exactly what John Wesley said: The best thing that has happened to us is:" God is with us." And how is it in your case, man of God?
In the final analysis , you, as a servant of the living God, must be to be very careful of whom you are in association! There is a need for you to be more prayerful and ask God to grant you the power of discernment to discern between good and evil that exists amongst the people that you are in association with! ( Heb 4:12). See? It calls for a high level of maturity on your part( Heb 5:14). You need to have the ability to hear directly from God, for there are many voices in the religious realm in these endtimes! ( Rev 3: 22). Submit yourself to the leadership of the Holyspirit and learn to follow him, and do so very closely! ( Rom 8:14).
The word of Lord warns those who walk presumptuously of dire consequences! ( Num 15:30: Psa 19:13: 2 Pet 2:10). See?
There is something that God is concerned about you! " The Lawless , my servant is in Association ." See? You are not standing well with God ! And your ministry is stained ! Be careful! Pray to God to grant you the power of discernment. Exactly!
Watch! There is a redline some of you are about to cross: And that is: you can never accept any form of correction ! God expects you as a true servant of Christ to remain humble and be sincere in your heart! ( 1 Pet 5:6: Jam 4:6: Phi 1:10). Yes, Sir! Take the example of apostle Paul who said of himself and calling: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
( Rom 1:1). Did you get it? Watch your association among the Lawless! Separate yourself unto the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which is committed to your trust( 1 Tim 1:11). Be sure, you are standing well with God , and your ministry is not stained ! Remember, you are led by the Spirit of God ( Rom 8:14). See?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you . Amen . One more soul . We work till Jesus comes .
Pastor Charles Obwoon
