Faith Life 48 (Faith leads to the renunciation of self 2)

Ayoola Fakeye

 FAITH LEADS TO RENUNCIATION 2

In the prevous article, we started seeing Moses' deliberate refusal to be called Pharaoh's Son. This is a serious act of faith!

 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,” Hebrews 11:24‬‬

It could have been faith alone in the covenant-keeping God that would have inspired Moses to refuse forty years of kingly enjoyment in the pursuit of God’s will and purpose. This is a strong deliberate decision.

During this period in Egypt, history made us aware that they worshiped over 1,400 different gods and goddesses in their shrines, temples, and homes. This tells us the condition of the environment Moses was in at that time. He was exposed to corruption, profanity, and different kind of vices. Yet in the midst of them, he could decide for God. This decision could only be influenced by Faith.

In our society today, we have plenty of indecencies, immorality, and similar vices crusading all around. Therefore, people find it easy to blame social media, parentage, their background, and the likes. Moses as well was raised in the court of one of the most corrupt leaders ever known. Moses was raised in a circle where none of the people in it knew or have a relationship with the God of Israel.

In Ancient Egypt, women danced nakedly almost every night in the king’s court for entertainment. This kind of circumstance and more is what Moses was exposed to for forty years. Think about this! If not for faith in the God of Israel, he would not have been able to decide for Christ.

What is happening in our nation is not first because of corruption. But it is because men are not in a faith relationship with the covenant-keeping God. Men are not in fellowship with Christ and thereby they are not considering what He has done for them. It's a faith-relationship issue! It is not first about the other societal issues, but primarily, men are not in a faith relationship with Christ.

Many people today are in other forms of relationship with God. Some, it is a relationship where they just use God to get what they want. They would rather not dwell in His presence and behold the beauty of His glory and grace. So, I am asking you; how does your relationship look like with Christ? 

Beloved, even in this perverted generation, you can still decide for Christ. You can decide to stay agreeing with your father; to live to proclaim His name and Grace. You can decide to count all as loss for the excellency of Christ and His knowledge. Although, it won't come automatically because our flesh won't want to do so. Truly, our flesh is subjected to corruption all around us, but at the same time, we must not forget that our spirit is alive to God. 

 “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 ‭‬‬

The Bible spells out clearly that Moses was learned in all wisdom of the Egyptians. That is, Moses attained the highest educational level, which we can refer to today as professor emeritus. I want us to consider this; Moses at forty is already a scholar at the highest level. That is outstanding! So, imagine someone who has gone through the stress of starting his primary education, secondary education, tertiary education, M.Sc., Ph.D., and has written numerous theses and consequently awarded professor. Imagine the reading, probably the night classes (if it were our days), the dedications, the commitments, and the resources that would have been spent in attaining such height. Yet, Moses threw all these aside to follow the vision and the purpose of God for Israel.

Moses doesn't just have a kingly status in society, he also has the highest educational status. I have seen people that feel they are too big to decide for God.  I want you to know that between you and God, you are nothing! So, whatever position we are in, it must be a tool for the kingdom's advancement. And if God says, well, it is time for you to leave a particular tool to take up another, then glory to Jesus, so be it!

Furthermore, if there is a position or achievement you have attained that always makes you see yourself as superior to other believers, this same will be that which will hinder you not to decide for Christ. Peradventure, you already have this kind of feeling, I want you to know that God is not condemning you with this message, but this is to tell you that you need to receive the mind of Christ as regards the position that makes you feel superior.

Beloved, we all have already been brought to a most superior position through the redemption that is in the blood of Christ. Your earthly attainment can never do that. Therefore, you need to start focusing on the right direction.