2024/2025 OPERATION 18-18 – (WHO SHALL ASCEND? I)

God is not a rewarder of those who seek him anyhow, he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. On the last day, Jesus will declare to some people, I know you not. When they protest saying but I went to Church, I performed miracles in your name, I even built cathedral for the Church, Jesus’ response remains I know you not, depart from me you workers of iniquity. We must therefore be very careful.

What separates Christianity from other ethics is the inwardness, the spirit. it is not every good thing that is done humanly speaking that amounts to much in the sight of God. Anything that is done in the flesh cannot please God.

Who shall ascend? It is only those who ascend that will receive. The Bible didn’t mince words about it, it is not everyone that will receive. When I study the models that are being propagated today, only very few can actually deliver what it takes to be a spiritual Christian. There is so much carnality. There is so much worldliness. Today, there is so much churchism. Some people believe that by just being in the Church means that you are a child of God.

Jesus said that by their fruits, you shall know them (Matt. 7:16). Fruitless Christianity is no Christianity at all. The rapture will happen within the twinkling of the eye and a lot of people will be stranded even in the cathedrals. For many, it will be business as usual. The truth of the matter is that they are in the Church but they don’t know the Lord. I have also discovered that some people have made up their minds about certain things before going to Church. The Church is being used as a place of transactions and other things.

When I was in the theological seminary, we were taught that in every Church, there are two categories of people:

1. Believers. These can be can be subdivided into two –

a. Carnal Christians – these have given their lives to Christ but still struggling with a lot of sinful habits. Sin is still having an upper hand in their lives. If you study Romans 7, you will notice that Apostle Paul was at this point at a particular time. But by the time you get to Chapter 8 verse 1, he wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death”. A lot of people just stop at there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. They forget that it is those who walk not after the flesh! In verse 37, he wrote “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”. In every Church, carnal Christians are always in the majority, over seventy percent. They go to Church but you cannot find any fruit of the Spirit in them. They still exhibit the characteristics of the lion and eagle. Many of them call themselves eagles and they are not ready to bend. The carnal unregenerate mind wants to be entertained so motivational messages appeals to them. Like politicians, what motivational preachers do is to go and dig up things and give them what they want to hear. You can’t give what you don’t have. If you are not filled with the Holy Spirit, you cannot give from an empty cup. It takes spending quality time in the presence of God to receive a fresh infilling, it takes being a carrier of his presence.

TO BE CONTINUED.