Can you believe this? - The Spelling of Righteousness in Traditional Chinese language

First, How old is the Chinese language?

"The Chinese language is the oldest written language in the world with at least six thousand years of history. Chinese character inscriptions have been found in turtle shells dating back to the Shang dynasty¹ (1766-1123 BC) proving the written language has existed for more than 3,000 years" Source https://ethnomed.org/culture/chinese/chinese-language-profile

 

So, how did the ancient and traditional Chinese spell righteousness? And what does it mean in  respect to the prophecies about a certain lamb that would cover our sins and  give us a right standing before God - Righteousness.

The pictograph that means righteousness is a combination of two pictures - Lamb/sheep over the letter Me or I. When you put it together it means Lamb over Me.

 

 To get a better understanding, watch this brief video

 

 

 

Or read this brief article culled from http://walkengeonwater.com/thelamb/

The Lamb Over Me

The Chinese character for “Righteousness” is pictorially composed of two words: A “Lamb” that is written over “Me”.

There is an interesting theory that certain Chinese characters derive their root and meaning from the book of Genesis.  The theory is that after the Great Dispersion following the fall of Tower of Babel, those who migrated eastward would have had knowledge (passed down orally) of stories like Adam and Eve, Cain and Able, The Great Flood, etc, since it was passed down from one generation to another. So following along that thread, it would make sense that perhaps some of these commonly known stories and ideas were translated into pictures, which eventually became words. Google: Chinese characters in Genesis to find out more information.

The word “Righteousness” is a significant word for us because it defines why we do what we do. I believe that at the cross, Jesus imputed His Righteousness on us and took upon himself our sin, our shame, our dead works. Because we could never attain to the standard of righteousness that God demands, Jesus, who was perfect and sinless – All Righteous – did it for us. And thus, I am not righteous because of what I do or don’t do, but rather, I am righteous because of what Jesus did. I don’t and can’t earn righteousness by what I do because it’s not an act but a state of being in Christ. It is in this ultimate demonstration of love that I find my identify. And as Christ rose from the dead victorious, So I am made alive in Christ, righteous and in good standing before God.

Here’s the truth, we do good works from a place of righteousness and not for righteousness. This is what I believe as a Christian. It is at foundation of my beliefs and is at the core of everything I value.

I don’t know whether or not the Chinese language has its origin in the book of Genesis but what I do know is that Christ is The Lamb over me and that I am covered by His Righteousness

1 Reason Christians don’t Evangelize

Evangelism is and will always be a hot topic because of its significance to our faith and growth of the church. Because of this, many things have been said and many ideas promulgated to get Christians to engage in this important exercise of our faith.  But for some reasons, many still fall short. Today, it is no surprise to see a bible quoting, every Sunday attending, tongue talking, Holy Ghost filled believer who goes around his or her business 365 days a year without evangelizing for one day.

But for many it was not always like this. When they got born again they wanted to tell everyone. Without knowing too many scriptures, they shared the testimony of their faith and so much wanted everyone to be like them. So, how and why do many Christians go from this passion to a passionless state where unless they are threatened with punishment or highly enticed with heavenly rewards, they find it hard to share their faith?  I strongly believe that if we can open our hearts to find the answer without the usual blames, condemnation, and over stretched truths, we will not only kindle this passion, we will keep it burning higher and higher.

While there are many facets to this problem, but the backbone-source comes from practical Christian experience. At first, they believed with all their heart but after sometime when their real life experience no-longer matched their confession, they began to lose the initial passion. When you start to short fall of the laws you thought you could keep, telling others to keep same becomes more difficult, and smells outright hypocrisy. When a Christian begin to struggle with his own faith, it is much harder to tell someone else. When you felt Jesus was coming now now now, and it doesn’t happen as expected, the energy to keep telling people fades away. When your real life experience starts to pose more questions than your faith can answer, you lack the inward force to evangelize.

When your teaching only condemns and fills them with guilt, you practically quench the fire in them. As a result, while they focus on “fixing themselves, getting it right with God”, they find it impossible to sincerely share their faith. When you hear every Sunday that you are not good enough, could really never please God no-matter what you do, how can you sincerely and passionately desire to bring others into this same experience?

The answer my friends is not to tell them that Jesus is coming tomorrow morning, neither in promising them immediate answers to their prayers just because they evangelized. The answer is in preaching to them the gospel of Christ which shows them who they are in Him. The gospel is not the obedience of man, it is the obedience of Christ. The gospel is not the laws of the bible, it is the grace of God given to us in Christ. The gospel is not about man’s sin, it is about the complete price Jesus paid for man’s sin. Truth is, many of the people you are forcing to evangelize need to have their own faith restored. Though in church but in their hearts many of them have deep questions that must be answered.

A person cannot give what s/he does not have.  Their faith must be restored. Their confidence rebuilt. Their conviction and joy brought back by exposing them to the true heart of the Father God. When the gospel restores their true position in Christ, they will overcome sin, live victorious, experience the joy of their salvation, and when these things are in place, you don’t need to threaten them to share with others. I know because I was once there. In 3 years since Jesus led me to His gospel, God has used me to win more souls than in the 19 years I was a Christian under the law. If you want to reduce everything I have said to one reason, it is this: The Law is the problem and Grace is the answer.  

I am sorry, I must confess this:

When I began to pastor and people called me for prayers, I prayed for many people, especially unbelievers, without actually believing that God would answer them. And here was my reason: for many years I was given many reasons why God will not answer my prayers even as a believer. If there was sin in my life, God will not hear me. If I missed any tithe at-all, He will curse me. If I served only in one department when I could serve in more, He will withhold his blessings from me. If I did not win any soul at-all, then my blessings will be hanging. Though I attended regularly but if I missed any service, the blessings were present the day I was absent. If I did not fast and pray long hours, then I must definitely forget about His blessings.

So I reasoned thus: If God will not bless me because of all of these, how then should he bless and answer my prayer for an unbeliever who has no regard for Him and does none of these things. He does not go to church, pays no tithe, obviously living in sin, and does not serve God at-all. I mean how could He? So in the early days, when people called me for prayers, I will try to convert them before praying for them. I reasoned that, at-least this might make God look favorably towards them.

Secondly, since I was told that God will bless me materially based on my service and commitment to Him, sometimes, I wondered why it appeared some people who did not serve Him as much as I did had these things more than I did. I had friends who were not as committed in church as I was, but materially, they seemed to fair much better.  Haven’t you wondered at this before?

Well, let the truth set you free

I realized the following:

1.      Nobody was saved until Jesus died and rose from the dead. Therefore, every blessing Jesus released and every miracle he poured out was on unsaved people, and many of them were not working for Him. 100% of all Jesus did were all gifts of grace --none of them qualified for it. It is the blessings of God that leads to repentance. So today, I pray with full assurance of faith whether they are ladies of the night I meet on the streets of Abuja or whether he just offered to sell me drugs. I have laid my hands on a bouncer working in front of a brothel and God healed him instantly. I can never forget how this muscle stern looking guy almost broke down in tears as he told me that his greatest desire is to serve God but didn't just know how. If they see the heart of God towards them, they will run towards Him not away from Him.

2.      Because we have reduced Christianity to material blessings, today, Christians are forced to compare themselves with unbelievers. For many this is a huge blow to their faith. In reality, the blessings I have are far greater than all the wealth of the world combined in one place. God has given me a right standing with Him and I have my place guaranteed in eternity. And this has nothing to do with my work or service - they are 100% gift of grace. I am no longer under the dominion of the powers of darkness. I am the righteousness of God in Christ and not under the dominion of sin. The things that rule unbelievers does not rule my life. If you know who you are, you will pity every unbeliever.

3.      I need not slave to produce material things like they do. I realize that when I rest in His finished work, my needs are met. Rest is not lack of activity, but when I work in confidence of success, I need not panic, I need not steal, I need not take from anyone; rather my actions are a blessing towards others.

4.      When it comes to working for God or serving God as the terms are generally used, I do neither. I am not a servant, I am simply a son who lives up to his responsibilities. The more I realize just how much He loves me, the more I desire to live and do things that are very pleasing to Him. I do not go out to evangelize because I need a mansion in heaven --that will be cool too, but I do so, just because I enjoy telling people how much Jesus loves them. And because I know that whatever evil they do or whatever lifestyle they live is because they have not tasted His love.

The conclusion:

When you were a child, depending on your parents, you were either threatened with punishment or enticed with promise of goodies for you to brush your teeth and to take your shower. But now that you are an adult, you will fight for tooth paste and water to bath, if there was scarcity.

We have run our ministry without intimidating, threatening, cajoling, forcing, or mandating anyone to give or do anything – not even once. Why? We are committed to raising sons and daughters unto God not slaves. If you truly know who you are, you will do what you are supposed to do.

Remember to leave a comment or share your experience...

Looking to Break a Bad Habit?

I know you may have made your New Year resolutions concerning some bad habits you want to drop and the good ones you really love to develop. Or perhaps, you fall into the category of those who no longer believe in New Year resolutions because you tried many times and failed. But whether you believe in resolutions or not, I am sure that deep within your heart, there are issues you love to get rid of.  That is good because on this post, I want to show you how I broke off from my own bad habit of over 20 years.

For the records, there is nothing wrong with New Year resolutions, but I am sure you know by now even through your own experience that only about 8% of those who make these resolutions actually follow through. When I look at these number, it confirms how weak we are as humans. With your good self and all determination, qualifications, sophistication, wisdom, and prowess, don’t you see there is something very revealing about the human nature that we may wish and will, but fail to do, even when we know the dire consequences of our habits?  

But how can you stay away from sweets when sweet calls out your name from every nook and cranny?  How easy can you break away from addiction to pornography when the lead is constantly presented to you in words and images everywhere you look?  Few days ago, my wife and I were in total disbelief when we saw the erotic ad for a wedding gown.  Can you imagine? Even for a wedding gown? No wonder the Master says, in this world, you shall have troubles. We vote the sexiest man or woman alive but never the most virtuous.   

So, I am not here to remind you of the consequences of your habit because you are already aware. Some of you may have lost valuable relationships, sources of income; gaining more weight, dealing with failing health or even with contracted diseases. I am also not here to tell you to stop because if you could, you should have by now. I know you have gone beyond self-help since you have tried many times but fall back deeper and deeper.

It is here that religious people often make the error of thinking that if we can hammer the dangers of pornography, alcohol,  drug, and sexual immorality into the head of people, then it will make them stop. They believe that these people can stop if we can frighten them well enough with images of hell fire, and remind them so passionately of how God’s rage and anger is burning over them. Well if it works, for example, Utah - one of the most religious states in America will not rank eight out of the 50 states in prescription drugs overdose deaths. (CNN report).

It goes also to show how love, the center piece of everything God is and Jesus came to reveal has been overshadowed in the heart of men by the cold hands of religion. While people suffer, we teach them religious obligations. In their misbelief, they think that if we can preach more about sin, tell people not to drink coffee in defense of their religious believes, it will make them clean. It is no wonder we have more sinners today preaching to a greater number of sinners. I do not want you to believe me just by reading this, but take a little bit of time and read the gospels: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, and see for yourself what Jesus would have said to an addict.

Here is how to break your bad habit or addiction: Stop trying by your own efforts.  You are looking at the wrong place for help. “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” (Mathew 5:33 – MSG).  Nomatter how big or small your habit is, I want to remind you of this unchanging fact: God is love. His love for you is not like that of a man – It is totally and completely unconditional. He loves you so deeply even with the crack pipe or needle in your hands, and even as you spend hours staring endlessly at those images. When everyone has given up on you and walked away, you are the best person He is looking for.

If you have been trying to forgive that person, but just can’t seem to make it happen or feel powerless or shameful because you just can’t stop eating and drinking that thing you know is not good for you. Yes my dear, in that situation, His love and grace super-abounds for you. The power of his love is shown mightily in the midst of your weaknesses.  It is specifically for these kind of issues that He came so that you can receive the good news you are reading now. He came looking for the weak, the oppressed, and those held in captivity by any kind of negative force or addiction. You are the one He came looking for. Listen to me, if you can deal with these issues by yourself, then you have no need of Him. It is the very idea that you can fix yourself that makes the grace and power of God less effective in your life.

There is so much conflict with religious doctrines. When you are broke and poor, they tell you to confess that you are rich. When you are sick, they tell you to confess that you are healed. When you are weak, they tell you to confess that you are strong. But when you sin or struggling with a habit, they tell you to confess your sin. Unknown to them, the same principle applies here: For those who are born again, when you fall into sin or a bad habit and you desire to get out of it (not that you want to stay in it), then confess who you are in Christ, and not who you are not.

But you say 1 John 1:9 says, if we confess our sins. Please read the same verse in context from both the Amplified and Message Bibles. John warns against self righteousness and encourages the acceptance and admitting of sin, and says that total reliance on the finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of all sins is the only way to be clean. If you are in Christ, you are no longer a sinner because He paid for your sins. Remind yourself that Christ paid for your sins and confess these words even in the midst of your habit and see the power of God at work in your life. I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. Friend, it is these words that set me free in one day from habits I had struggled with for more than 20 years.

If you confess it in one day and it does not happen, keep confessing it over and over especially when the pressure comes or when you actually fall into the habit. if your habit is not sinful in nature, confess this. I KNOW YOUR POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN MY WEAKNESS. I RECEIVE YOUR GRACE TO OVERCOME (MENTION YOUR HABIT). What you are doing is taking your eyes of yourself and your human efforts and putting all your trust on Jesus and what He has already accomplished for you.  You are bearing witness to the truth of who you are in Christ.

For some, God will take away the problem and others, you might receive directions of what to do. Several testimonies abound on this. I heard that of a guy who desperately wanted to quit smoking, as he confessed his righteousness over and over, it was led in his heart to start running. In the natural, who could have thought that developing this new habit could replace another totally different habit? As he began to jog regularly, it was weeks before he realized he hadn’t smoked. Please listen to me, it is not steps of human wisdom that we need, it is the freely given power and grace of God through the leading of His Spirit.

Remember, if you are in Christ and not under the law, sin shall no longer exert dominion over you (Romans 6:14). For this reason and contrary to what religious people tell you, The Holy Spirit NEVER comes to convict you of sin. How can, when Jesus already paid for your sins. Let me show you how for too long, we have read our own meanings into the bible and remain oblivious to what the scripture actually says. As a result, where we expected freedom we got deeper into bondage.

Have you heard religious people talk about how the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin? Yes, I was taught that and I believed it for many years. Well, please read for yourself. First pay attention to the attributes of the Holy Spirit as amplified in the brackets below. His function is of three folds: to convict and convince THE WORLD of their sin because they do not believe in Jesus. But for you, who already believe in Jesus, He comes to remind you of your righteousness in Jesus.  And of judgment, because the devil (not you) is judged. Jesus Himself said so:

John 16:8-11 (AMP)

⁸ And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: ⁹ About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; ¹⁰ About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; 11 About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him

Here is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer:

John 14:26 (AMP)

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

Learn the truth, when you hear any voice or witness trying to remind you of your shortcomings or bad habit, it is NOT the Holy Spirit. It is either the voice of your religious mind or that of the devil;  he might even quote scriptures for you. The goal is to accuse and condemn you so you feel less of who you are and lack boldness before God. To break free, confess the truth of who you are: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. For those who have not accepted Jesus, this is the opportunity to come into the kingdom where all things are possible to them who truly believe, including the power to overcome any addiction.

Let me know if you need help and please do not hesitate to share this good news with others. Remember also to share your own experience of God's love, so we might encourage the many who are suffering because they are unaware of how much God loves them.