Faith Life 47 (Faith leads to the Renunciation of the world)

  Ayoola Fakeye

FAITH LEADS TO RENUNCIATION OF THE WORLD

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,” Hebrews 11:23-24‬‬‬

 

Generally, there is a lot of renunciation to do if we will be able to live in God's divine destiny. Renunciation simply means the act or practice of renouncing something, a position in which you are before, a title, a right, and the likes. It also means abandoning your position most times for a lower stake. Renunciation has to do with our will bending to God's will

 

Jesus, Himself, practices this. If Jesus did not, he will not have died for us. The bible made us understand that He didn't consider Himself to be one with God, instead, He considered the Father's intention of saving us, and so He humbled Himself to the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

 

Jesus left all the glory of heaven, the attention of the angels, and the praises of the cherubim to involve Himself in our situation. Is Jesus not wonderful, lovely, and gracious?

 

So also, when we consider Moses, we saw that same act. And this act is only produced as a result of our absolute reliance on God and His word; our absolute trust in His direction and leading.

‬When Moses was fully mature, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. The bible specifically tells us about his maturity so that no one will think he was hypnotized. This tells us that this man, Moses, already knew what he was doing. He made a deliberate refusal. 

 

This refusal of being called the son of Pharaoh's daughter was not only by mouth, but it was law-bidding. It was more of someone who went to court to sign an agreement that he will never be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. So, it was not a decision he will be thinking to reverse in some years. It was his final decision!

 

Someone can think that it was the force of blood that made him make that decision. As there is a popular saying which says, “blood is thicker than water.” Well, that's not the situation here. The bible emphasized that His action was an act of faith. We must as well understand that Grace does not run in the blood. You don't get to be in God's purpose because you are a pastor’s daughter, or you are born into a Christian home. Nope! But it starts with identifying with Christ.

 

 “But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.” Acts 7:21-22‬ ‭‬‬

 

God divinely orchestrated Moses’ path in such a way that he can be raised as a prince. It was God that protected and directed him to be nurtured in the palace. But that privilege was only for a time being. This tells us that some opportunities are only meant for the moment. And when they have fulfilled their purpose, you need to know that it is time for you to move. If a man decides to stay longer where he supposed not to be, it draws him back from purpose and destiny. This is why we must prioritize God's word and hearing from him, and this comes as a result of the relationship we are having with Christ. How cordial, intimate and consistent is it?

 

As believers, we must take our positions lightly in comparison to God's Word (Philippines 3:5-11). For instance, when we prioritize our Job or our base above relating with Christ, then it will be difficult to even hear God's word even if he asked us to leave that particular position. Peradventure, you can discern what God wants, then it will be very difficult to respond. Because the response to God's word is a by-product of faith.

 

Beloved, don't define yourself by the position you occupied or the privileges given to you. Define yourself by Christ and your relationship with Him. I have seen people who hold tight to their job, and they are ready to go the extra mile to keep their job, but some people are not ready to take any steps to agree with Christ.

 

Moses could refused his position in Egypt because his faith was in the God of his fathers. He knew that these Palace privileges were just a means to an end and not the end in itself. So, we must also understand that those privileges are merely a means to an end.

 

Beloved, until you make Christ the definition of your life, it will be difficult to bend your will to God's will. People often asked me this question, “why is it so difficult for someone to bend to God's will?” The answer is simple. It is simply because you have not been prioritizing your relationship with Christ.

 

Friends, our world is getting depleted every day, and it so saddens Christians are also contributing their Part to this depletion because we have not been staying where God planned for us to stay. 

 

When you are in the wrong position, you will be polluted and be part of the pollution.