Faith life 50 (Faith of the Fathers)

 

Ayoola Fakeye

Faith of the Fathers

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” Hebrews11:24-26‬ ‭‬‬

Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ's greater riches than the treasure in Egypt. The treasures of Egypt are what is referred to as the pleasure of sin in vs. 25. The pleasure of sin there is not in the sense of fornication, or adultery, but just means enjoying the privileges Egypt afforded him.

 Apostle Paul also calls this pleasure as weight that besets us (Hebrews 12:1). These are things, opportunities, placed on the way to obstruct us from walking the path of Faith. These are the strategy of the devil which he gives us every day in the form of temptation to play God in our lives; to make decisions, fight and defend ourselves.

 This was the same way the devil came to Adam, to boss his life. He came to Jesus also, telling him the same thing. I am sure he must have come to you today, to tell you the same thing. (Genesis 3)

 Moses chose to suffer mistreatment and to be identified with the children of Israel; a representation of the church of Christ. Moses didn't take the self approach, rather took the faith approach by relying absolutely on God.

 However, when a man rejects the temptation that the devil always brings on the way, and submits to Christ in full assurance and faith, the devil will bring opposition. This is by no means to scare you, but the fact is the devil will bring opposition your way when you commit yourself to follow Christ (Psalm 34:19). The devil will want to make it hard for you to remain in faith. At times, he uses close relations and friends as obstacles. Occasionally, he even uses brethren in the same congregation to cause a stumbling block on your path to follow God's purpose. This shows how unwise we have been many times when we are fighting people because they are not the real cause of the problem. They just serve as a distraction and not the main cause. Many of them can not even explain why they are causing you heartache, but because they make their selves available for the devil, so the devil could use the effect to achieve his aim.

 Who can stand against our God? No, not one, no one will! Therefore, don't be overwhelmed by the noise all around you, but overwhelmed by the sound of the triumph of the cross.

 Moses was not overwhelmed by what he is going to pass through with the children of Israel. He knew their present state, how Pharaoh and his chiefs have subjected the Israelites to hard labor. But He was not overwhelmed to suffer for the cause of Christ. But He was excited by the victory Christ would bring, and the eternal rest thereof. How do I know?

 The later part of the text tells us that Moses chose to suffer with the children of Israel because he looked to the reward. Here, in the same verse, Moses linked with Christ even when Christ had not come.

 Just as God showed the revelation of Christ to many Old Testament saints, God would have shown Moses the revelation of Christ. He must have seen that beautiful kingdom Christ would build by His blood.

 Fast track back to Abraham...

 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16‬ ‭‬‬

During Abraham's lifetime, his focus was on the heavenly country prepared for the saint. This is the same reward Moses looked towards. It Couldn't have been Canaan because he couldn't get to enjoy Canaan with the children of Israel at the end. 

 Moses followed the faith of his father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These men were not persuaded by earthly riches but by the vision of the glorious city of Christ.

 The faith of the Fathers is such that is ready to suffer opposition just to stay in faith because they saw the kingdom of Christ.

 Beloved, there is a kingdom that Jesus has brought you into with His blood. It is an eternal and incorruptible kingdom. Don't allow what the devil is doing around you to make you lose focus. Resist the devil and He shall flee! But you must have been born again to do that. So, are you born again?

 

 


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