GROW IN GRACE
Dearly beloved, I bring you greetings in the name that is above every other name, Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God and our soon coming King. What a joy to be alive and well to be in God’s presence. Beloved, this is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. If you take a close look around you today, you would notice that the activities of the enemy seem to have increased, but the good news, however, is that the grace of God abounds even much more. Like I have always said and it bears repetition, this is the best time for the believer to be alive; because while it is getting darker in the world, it is actually getting brighter in the church. What that simply means is that you have enough grace to navigate your way this year in spite of what you see around you.
The grace of God upon your life is intended by God to take you high above contrary situations and circumstances so that you can soar where others are crawling. In other words, when men are saying that there is a casting down, you are saying there is a lifting up. That is what makes you different from the world because they cannot understand how you function. That is why Apostle Paul in 2nd Timothy 2:1 in his letter to his son Timothy encouraged him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. That grace was to enable him to endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ and yet stay on top of his game. In other words, hardship was not enough to stop Timothy in the work that God had called him into. The man was simply unstoppable.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.’’ (2 Peter 3:18 KJV)
Beloved, in a world such as ours today, you really cannot function without the grace of God upon your life, because everything is designed to work against you. If God does not help you, there is no way you can make it. Like I have always said, functioning by the grace of God is just the starting point; but the truth is that you need to grow in that grace. In other words, for you to be strong in the grace of God, you must grow in it. Since growth can only come through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you must take a quality decision to get to know Him intimately. Beloved, it’s not all about just coming to church or getting involved in activities. It goes beyond that. You must make up your mind to personally seek the Lord in the study of the word, in prayers and fasting so that you can know Him for yourself.
Today, believers are easily satisfied with just attending church programs and there is nothing wrong about that, but unfortunately, that is where they stop. No, you must be thirsty for God in this day and time. Remember that only those who know their God would be strong and do exploits. Beloved don’t spend your energy and time seeking things, but seek God and I can assure you that the more of God you know, the more of His grace that overflows into your life. At that level, your capacity is enlarged and you can do things that others cannot dare. Grace brings you to a level of holy audacity that will shock your world. David was able to confront Goliath in his days because of what he had developed a capacity for. He had come to know God intimately while tending sheep in the wilderness. He had contended with the bear and the lion and in the same vein, Goliath was just another obstacle to be brought down.
As I close this article, my prayer for you is that you will grow in this grace and truly take charge of your world. I challenge you to arise from slumber and launch out into the market place or wherever it is the Lord has located you. Refuse to just fold your arms and watch like a spectator while expecting things to fall on your plate like a bag of cherries. No, it is time to roll up your sleeves and go to work. You may have been told that you cannot make it in that business or job, but understand that no man has the final say over your life. I declare by the mandate of God that you will succeed in that same place where you failed before. The terrain may be tough, but you have what it takes to break through and be on top of your game. God never promised that things would be easy, but He promised that He will be your Helper, Guide and Strengthener. Child of God, let the best come out of you, shoot for the skies and beat every known record for this is your finest hour. This generation is waiting for you and I have an assurance that whatsoever you lay your hands to do shall prosper. I prophesy that the grace of God will set you on high and deliver to you much more than you could ever imagine.
As you go into this week, as always, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. As a father in the house, I bless you.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop
