Salvation – FTLWC Blog

New Life in Christ

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:54:42 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Ephesians 2:4-5. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)”

We were saved by grace through faith, a precious gift from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts. While many believers may know this in principle, it is vital to develop a deep, working knowledge of salvation. Without this understanding, we risk missing the full benefits of what God has done for us. Salvation is not abstract; it is deliverance, freedom from sin, from the enemy, from the world’s pressures, and from the consequences of our past choices. It is God’s rescue mission for every soul willing to receive Him.

The Scriptures make this clear:

- Romans 6:23 (KJV): “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV): “…Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
- Hebrews 9:15 (NLT): “Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under the first covenant.”

These verses remind us that salvation is personal and powerful, a tangible rescue from the grip of sin and death. It is not merely a concept to believe; it is a reality to live in daily.

Saved from Our Sinful Nature

One of the most remarkable aspects of salvation is that Christ saves us from ourselves, from the old, sinful nature that once ruled our hearts. Before encountering Him, our desires, decisions, and actions were dictated by this fallen nature. Change on our own was impossible.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NLT): “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins…following the desires of the body and mind, and were by nature children under God’s wrath, just like everyone else.”

We were naturally children of wrath, bound by the power of sin. As Jeremiah 13:23 (KJV) illustrates, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Just as a leopard cannot alter its spots, humanity cannot overcome its sinful nature without divine intervention.

Delivered Through Christ

Salvation is more than forgiveness; it is transformation from the inside out. When we come to Christ, He cuts away our sinful nature and gives us a new heart and a new spirit.

- Colossians 2:11: Christ performs a spiritual circumcision, the cutting away of the old sinful nature.
- Ephesians 4:24: “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Imagine a wilted plant suddenly bursting into vibrant life. That is what Christ does in us. He removes the old, lifeless nature and fills us with His Spirit, giving us a fresh start, a new nature, and the power to live righteously.

Living the Reality of Salvation

Salvation is not meant to remain theoretical; it is meant to be lived every day. We are God’s masterpieces, carefully crafted to accomplish the good works He prepared for us even before we were born.

Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

With Christ living in us, we are empowered to walk victoriously. We can leave behind the old ways, the old fears, and the old limitations. Everything has been made new. Salvation is both a rescue from something and a calling for something, a life filled with purpose, freedom, and eternal hope. Take time to reflect on this truth. The life you now carry in Christ is abundant, purposeful, and filled with divine strength. The old has passed away; all things have truly become new. Walk boldly in the reality of your salvation, and let the light of Christ shine through you.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

Pursuing Spiritual Growth

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:15:55 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation

As believers, one of our primary responsibilities is to nurture and cultivate our spiritual growth. Just like a minor who may have the potential and gifts from God, without maturity, they cannot effectively utilize and execute them. Remaining in a state of spiritual infancy can put us at a significant disadvantage, as spiritual babies lack the capacity to engage in battles and conquer challenges. This dependency on others for almost every aspect of life prevents us from living up to our full potential and purpose in Christ.

To fully grasp the implications of remaining spiritual babies, we must understand the characteristics that define this state. A spiritual baby is akin to a natural baby in the sense that they lack knowledge and understanding of Christ Jesus. Just as a newborn cannot comprehend worldly facts, a spiritual infant may consume the simple and basic truths of the Gospel but lacks the ability to delve deeper into the profound wisdom contained in Scripture. Unlike a mature believer who meditates on the word of God, a spiritual baby does not fully grasp the value and significance of studying the scriptures thereby, hindering their growth and development.

Spiritual babies often play with “fancy toys,” seeking immediate gratification and temporary pleasures rather than focusing on what truly matters in their spiritual journey. Consequently, they become dependent on pastors and spiritual leaders for prayers and guidance, looking to others to discern God’s will instead of developing a personal relationship with Him. They may seek prophets for predictions and revelations and are not yet attuned to recognizing the voice of God speaking to them directly.

Spiritual babies may be controlled by their senses and emotions rather than being led by the Holy Spirit. Their focus leans more toward the material and carnal aspects of life, leaving them unaware of the profound spiritual realities that exist in Christ. Such individuals may struggle to distinguish between right and wrong and lack stability in their faith, easily swayed by every new teaching or doctrine that comes their way.

The allure of miracles may captivate a spiritual baby, but they may overlook the miracle worker, Jesus Christ, from whom all blessings flow. Being enamored by the supernatural can distract them from the truth and the essence of a relationship with Christ. Furthermore, spiritual babies may not fully grasp their identity and privileges as members of God’s spiritual family. This lack of understanding deprives them of tapping into the abundant blessings and spiritual inheritance available to them through their union with Christ.

The dangers of being a spiritual baby lie in their vulnerability to deception. The enemy uses the power of suggestion and imagination to infiltrate their minds and influence their decisions. These false images presented to them may appeal to their natural senses, leading them astray from the truth revealed in God’s word. As believers grow spiritually, they learn to discern the true picture and rely on the word of God as their ultimate guide and source of truth.

The Bible holds the answers to life and godliness, offering wisdom and guidance for every situation. Diligently following Christ’s teachings leads to a deeper understanding of life from God’s perspective. the Bible outlines the steps to obtain God’s promises and serves as a lamp to guide believers in their daily lives.

Growing spiritually involves feeding on a good diet of God’s Word. Just as children need nutritious food to grow healthy and strong, believers must partake of the spiritual nourishment provided by scripture. Starting with the foundational truths, similar to consuming milk, they should seek to understand the Gospel of grace and seek guidance from seasoned mentors who can help them grow in faith and be firmly rooted in Christ.

The key to spiritual growth lies in knowing Christ more intimately. This knowledge allows believers to experience the reality of His grace and sufficiency in every aspect of life. As they deepen their understanding of Christ, they become more stable, firmly anchored in His truth, and secure in their identity as complete in Him.

Studying the Scriptures is a crucial aspect of feeding on the spiritual food needed for growth. Investing time in understanding God’s Word demonstrates a genuine desire to know Him better and opens the door for the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ in more profound ways.

Additionally, believers must be doers of the word, not merely hearers. Putting God’s truth into action makes it real and tangible, leading to further revelation and growth. Walking in love, extending forgiveness, and living out the Gospel are essential aspects of spiritual growth and maturity.

Praying for others is a significant sign of spiritual growth. As believers develop a heart of compassion and love, they intercede for others, including fellow believers, all people, and those in positions of authority. These prayers reflect a heart aligned with God’s will, seeking His plans and purposes for the world.

As spiritual growth takes root, believers distance themselves from carnal things and become more attuned to the things of God. The love of God increasingly controls and guides their lives, leading them to embrace a life of victory and transformation in Christ Jesus. Praise God for the ongoing process of growth and maturity in the life of every believer!

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor at the Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

THE LOVE OF THE RISEN CHRIST

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:22:04 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.“

THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

In the following verses, we learn that despite being praised for their many good deeds, the Church in Ephesus was reprimanded by the Lord for their lack of love towards Him. He referred to this as backsliding and urged them to repent, warning that the consequence would be the removal of the lampstand from them. This would result in the absence of His presence among them. It’s important to reflect on this, considering He is the light of both the church and the world.

Rev 2: 4-5 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.”

What could this mean? Despite having received numerous commendations from the Lord (see verses below), one would expect them to thrive and excel, but the Lord declared that they had fallen.

Revelation 2:2-3“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

It is concerning to see a church with such impressive credentials from the Lord himself backsliding to an extent that He was going to leave them. This is a very serious situation. The church had become more focused on their ministry as an idol rather than loving the Lord himself. Unfortunately, this is the tragic reality that the Lord had warned about.

Matt 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Those who engage in ministry without genuine love for Jesus or without truly knowing Him as love may ultimately face damnation. The presence of the Lord can only be truly experienced when our actions are motivated by our deep love for Him.

John 14:21-24 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”

If our actions do not stem from our love for Christ, then He won’t be part of them. This is because our love is directed towards whatever holds the highest value in our hearts, and that is what motivates our actions.

Matt 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

When we fail to love Jesus with all our hearts, it indicates that He is not our most valued treasure and does not have our complete devotion. This is what is meant by backsliding or falling away—our hearts have shifted focus from Him. Instead of worshiping Him sincerely, we merely go through the motions with our lips. Even though we may still be involved in ministry activities, our hearts are no longer aligned with His purposes. Our passion for ministry becomes our idol, taking precedence over our love for Jesus. This applies to all aspects of our lives—if we do not act out of love for Jesus, then we are not truly glorifying Him but rather the things that motivate us.

Let’s take a practical example of this in our Lord Jesus.

John 14:31 “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”

Everything Jesus did during His time on earth was driven by His deep love for the Father, not out of obligation or duty. His actions were not merely tasks to be completed, but rather expressions of His profound love for God. His motivation for every action stemmed from His genuine desire to honor and please the Father.

John 10:17 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

The primary motivation behind Jesus’ sacrifice was to offer Himself as a demonstration of love to His Father, not because He felt obligated or enjoyed the act of dying. His desire to please and honor His Father was the driving force behind His sacrifice. As a result, the manifest presence of the Father was always with Him.

John 8:29 “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”

What did Jesus do that pleased the Father? The answer is in the following verses.

Matt 22:37-39 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Let us look at everyday situations to illustrate this truth, even within the realm of natural love. When people are deeply in love, they do everything for each other out of the love they share. They are willing to go to great lengths to show their love. Spending endless time together is not an obligation, but a genuine desire because they love each other. Every gift they give and everything they do is driven by their love for each other. They don’t do things because they love the action itself, but because they love the person they are doing it for. Similarly, when we engage in ministry or any other activity, it should not be because we love doing it, but because of our love for the Lord. It’s worth noting that we often end up enjoying these activities because of our love for the Lord. However, the underlying reason for doing anything should always be our love for Him. If the motive behind an action is our passion for the activity itself, then we’re doing it for ourselves to fulfill our own desires, rather than for the other person or the Lord.

We can only reciprocate love to the Lord when we truly understand and experience His love for us. “1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.”

Then, like the early church, we can declare that “ we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

Jesus said in Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” This verse emphasizes the level of commitment and devotion required to be a disciple of Jesus. It doesn’t mean to literally hate one’s family, but rather to love Jesus so much that all other relationships and priorities pale in comparison. It underscores the central importance of Jesus in the life of a believer.

The Holy Spirit alone holds the power to unveil God’s love for us, guiding us to the cross, and empowering us to respond with authentic devotion, mirroring the commitment of true disciples.

Heb 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We need to keep our focus on Jesus, as that’s where the greatest love is revealed. By doing so, we can love Him back. If we take our eyes away from Jesus, we won’t be able to see the love of God for us. The more we look upon Jesus, the more we see this love is beyond human understanding. This love can only be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

To know Christ, we must covet His presence in our lives. We should create a culture of His presence so that we can know Him more intimately through experience. Our desire to study the Scriptures should be focused on knowing the Lord Jesus, not just studying the Bible. Our motivation for studying should be to know Him, who is the grace and love of God.

When the Lord was teaching His disciples about Himself, He first pointed to the Scriptures and explained that every scripture was about Him. He then pointed to the Cross as a major revelation of Himself. Christ had to suffer on the Cross to enter His glory. At Emmaus, the Lord revealed His person to the disciples by breaking bread. Breaking bread revealed Him as the giver of life, the source of life. He is the bread of life. The Holy Spirit opened their eyes to see the risen Lord, and they responded immediately by leaving everything behind for Him. Before that, they were discussing Scripture with no revelation, talking about a dead Jesus, and not understanding what the Lord was teaching them at the time. (Luke 24:13-35)

We should all learn from what Lord said to thr Church in Ephesus. It is not enough to just do good deeds; we must also do them out of love for Christ. Despite being commended for their works, they were in danger of losing the Lord’s presence because they lacked genuine devotion. At the heart of everything is Christ. Loving Jesus, serving Him wholeheartedly, and making Him our top priority, all with the assistance of the Holy Spirit should be the earnest pursuit of every believer.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

The Fruit of the Spirit

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:51:55 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Gal 5:22-24 “But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires.” GWT(God’s word Translation)

The doctrine of the fruit of the Spirit is one of the most misunderstood doctrines in Christendom. One school of thought believe that the fruit of the spirit can be achieved by the holy works of men. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Our human effort and strive cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit. This is what the Bible says about that position.

Gal 3:1-5 “You foolish Galatians! Who put a spell on you? Before your very eyes you had a clear description of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross! 2 Tell me this one thing: did you receive God’s Spirit by doing what the Law requires or by hearing the gospel and believing it? 3 How can you be so foolish! You began by God’s Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power? 4 Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something! 5 Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?”

We can immediately see that the fruit of the Spirit does not mean the works of human effort! It is not the works of men but the fruit of the Spirit. Also, we can see that it is impossible without faith in Christ. Paul wrote that it is not by human effort. He said it is by way of faith which activates all the works of God and His power on our behalf to bring all of it into reality.

WHAT THEN DOES THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT MEAN?

Our main text (Galatians 5: 22-24) describes the fruit of the Spirit as the result of the new life of Christ in us. It is the manifestation of the new nature we received when we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. It can also be defined as evidence of the power of Christ in us. This life we received is rooted in Christ, the source of all life. It flows from Christ in us and shows as the fruit of the new life of Christ we now have.

Jesus illustrated this in John 15:5 “ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Jesus said, “I AM THE VINE…YOU ARE THE BRANCHES” The branch is the fruit-carrying part of the tree. So, we believers are the fruit-carrying part of this tree as illustrated by our Lord. If we abide in Him or live in Him and He lives in us then we can bear this fruit in abundance. He never said anything about our human effort. Just two conditions are required. Abide in Him and He in us!!!

SO, WHAT THEN DOES IT MEAN TO ABIDE IN HIM AND HIM IN US?

Here is another scripture that explains what it means to abide in Christ and Him in us.

Rom 11:17-20 “But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.”

When We came to Christ we were grafted into Him by faith only. We were joined together with Him as one Spirit. We in Him and He in us.

1 Cor 6:17 “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”

Grafting changes the nature of the fruit the grafted branch bears. If the tree produces sweet fruit, the grafted branch will also start to produce sweet fruit. We were grafted into the holy life of Christ and immediately began to produce the same life as Christ. This branch does not have to work itself out to produce sweet fruit, it just simply does by remaining attached. We remain attached by faith in Christ. The Scripture we reviewed previously (Romans 11: 17-20) says that some of the Jews were broken off because they failed to believe in Christ. So as long as we believe in Christ, we are grafted in. We produce the righteous life by being grafted into Him so we the bitter branch can now produce sweet fruits. So, we who were sinful by nature can now produce a new life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is another Scripture that throws even more light on how we cannot produce this fruit by obeying the laws but simply by faith in Christ Jesus.

Rom 7:4-6 “So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. 5 When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. 6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.”

Before we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, all we produced were sinful deeds! This is because we had a sinful nature. So, all we did was simply act according to our nature- which produced sin, disobedience and produce sinful deeds.

Eph 2:3 “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”

Romans 7:5 “When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.”

If we are honest with ourselves, the above verses describe our reality before we came to Christ. We were condemned by the law that pronounced death for sin. We were under its power and authority. The Bible says that “the soul that sinneth shall die” This was our fate, we were condemned to death. But then The Lord came and presented a new way out. He gave us a new NATURE. He gave us His life and also died in our place to pay the penalty for all our sins.

John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Christ also cut away the old sinful nature that made us produce sinful deeds. We were buried with Christ and rose with a new life in Him. Praise the Lord! This simply means that when we came to Him he gave us a new life. His own life by coming into our lives.

Col 2:11-12 “When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”

2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

In summary, to produce the fruit of the Spirit, we must first accept Christ as our Lord and personal savior. Then we will be grafted into Him, united with Him, and become one Spirit with Him. As a result, we produce a harvest of good deeds and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. This fruit is then tangible for people around us to see.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

Made Whole by the Blood of Jesus

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:06:05 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Luke 5:20-24 “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”

Every blessing from God is dependent on the forgiveness of our sins. Without the shedding of the Son of God’s blood, there is no benefit for those who have fallen from God’s grace and are under His judgment for sin. Through the shedding of his blood, forgiveness is offered to such individuals. Before the coming of Christ, the whole world was condemned before God.

Rom 3:19-20 “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

This is why Jesus offered the man in Luke 5:20 forgiveness before healing. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, forgiveness had not yet been achieved through the shedding of blood. However, God’s mercy is not bound by time; He extends it according to His will. Jesus forgiving sins before His crucifixion demonstrated God’s mercy and foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice He would make on the cross. During this time, Jesus operated within the Old Testament framework, similar to the prophets. His forgiveness mirrored the forgiveness ultimately achieved through His sacrificial death, marking the beginning of the New Testament era. This shift ushered in a new covenant where sins are remembered no more.

Hebrews 8:12 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” In essence, Jesus’ forgiveness of sins served as a preview of the redemption accomplished through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. After the cross, God commanded us to proclaim that forgiveness of sins is now available to all who come to Christ in faith and accept His sacrifice on their behalf.

Acts 10:42-43 “And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Acts 13:38 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Even the nation of Israel, chosen by God, had the opportunity for forgiveness if they turned away from rejecting Jesus Christ. Despite being His own people, they did not accept Him when He came.

This forgiveness brought us the benefit of redemption, which means freedom from all kinds of bondage, including satanic influences, sickness, and more.

Eph 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”.

Col 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.

WHAT IS REDEMPTION? Redemption encompasses two key meanings: Firstly, it’s the action of saving from sin, error, or evil. Secondly, it involves regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt. Synonyms include recovery, repossession, and recoup. In essence, redemption brings freedom from all debts to sin, penalties of sin, and freedom from sin and evil.

These benefits are made possible through the atonement of the blood of Jesus. Scriptures like Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 emphasize that redemption comes solely through the blood of Jesus and nothing else. This implies the clearing of our sins by the blood that washes them away, as well as the restoration of health and other blessings.

If we fail to grasp the significance of redemption and salvation, which are the primary benefits of the cross for us, it can hinder our understanding. Through the cross, where Jesus shed His blood for us, He provided healing and opened the door to all of God’s blessings. Jesus has unleashed a torrent of blessings through His blood.

Heb 10:18-20 “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh”.

Jesus has not only provided healing for us but has also taken our afflictions upon Himself, bearing them on the cross as He paid for our sins with His life.

Isa 53:4-5 “Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted.5 And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace [is] on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us.”

Isa 53:10 “And Jehovah hath delighted to bruise him, He hath made him sick, If his soul doth make an offering for guilt, He seeth seed — he prolongeth days, And the pleasure of Jehovah in his hand doth prosper.”

One might ask, when was Jesus bruised, and when did He receive the stripes that healed us?

1 Peter 2:24 teaches that Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the tree, referring to the cross, fully atoning for them. Through the stripes that drew His blood on the cross, healing was provided for us as part of our redemption and salvation blessings.

How can we enter into this?

Isa 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed” another version (NLT) says “Who has believed our message ?To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?

This powerful arm of God’s salvation is unveiled only to those who believe in the good news of freedom through Jesus’ blood. Those who reject it have no alternative path to blessings apart from the blood, which is revealed through the living Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the only way to these blessings, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:18-20. Salvation or healing is not of ourselves but is a gift of grace and mercy. Mercy implies the acknowledgment of guilt, and only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from sin and guilt.

Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God.”

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 14 May 2025 03:47:08 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 Tim 2: 15-16

It is important that all believers are deliberate about being a student of the word so that we can show ourselves approved of God, walking in victory and rightly interpreting, teaching, and explaining the word of God. The Bible also encouraged us to shun profane and vain babbling-, words that are worthless and do not add any value to us in any way. Instead, they degrade our knowledge of the truth. These words are totally irrelevant and have no basis in the scriptures. They seek to introduce contaminants into our minds and turn us away from the truth. This is why we must study to know the truth so we can immediately identify these vain words introduced to us by the enemy of our soul.

There is no room for ignorance of the word of God in the life of a believer. Ignorance of the word simply means we have lost the battle against the enemy. The level of victory we have is directly proportional to how much of the word we know. Any Christian who hardly finds time to study the word of God is in danger of being defeated by the enemy. We find time to do relevant things such as eating, working, hanging out with friends, etc. If a professing Christian finds time for other things but does not find time to study the Bible, then you can tell that he does not count the word of God among the relevant things in his life.

Hosea 4:6 “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.”

BENEFITS OF STUDYING THE SCRIPTURE

- The word of God reveals the will of God for our lives and guides us in the path of His will in any situation. When we study the word, we receive insight and revelation from the Holy Spirit. This only happens when we earnestly seek to know God’s word. Psalms119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” The word of God lights the way ahead of us so we can see clearly see which way to go. Through every season of our lives, we can be confident that God is always leading us through His Word.

- Studying the scriptures ensures continuous fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Just like spending quality time with a friend will strengthen your friendship, so also intimacy with the word builds up our relationship with the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

- The word shows us who to focus on. The Bible points us to Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. As we study Christ, we begin to learn about our new nature, our new self which is hidden in Christ. Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

- Spending time in the word will teach us what to say and how to tame our tongue. The words we speak can shape, create or destroy our lives. Studying the word will teach us how to use our words wisely and curate them to build up and edify our lives and that of others.

James 1:26, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridled not his tongue, but deceived his own heart, this man religion is vain.”

- It builds you up to spiritual maturity. The same way we grow naturally by feeding on good food, we also grow spiritually by also feeding on the good food of the word of God. If you don’t feed your body the right foods, you deny it essential nutrients for healthy growth and it will affect your body and even make you vulnerable to diseases. This is true for your spiritual life too. If we feed on junk it will cause us to have real problems spiritually and our growth will be affected, leaving us open and vulnerable to spiritual diseases. Lack of the knowledge of Christ who is the word brings about deficiency of the truth in us and it will affect our spiritual growth. This is why some Christians who claim to have been saved for many years still act out like baby Christians controlled by their emotions and their flesh. They fail to understand much about who Jesus is and the realities of our new life in Christ. The new life of Christ does not manifest in their lives to any recognizable extent. Their light is so small and cannot give much light to anyone in this world that is enveloped in darkness.

Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, 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.”

The need to study God’s word cannot be overemphasized. We just reviewed a few of the benefits in this post. There are several other benefits. Let us make studying the word a priority. As we embark on this, may our eyes of understanding continue to be opened to know Jesus more and more.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:43 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 Tim 2: 15-16

BENEFITS OF STUDYING THE SCRIPTURE

- The word of God reveals the will of God for our lives and guides us in the path of His will in any situation. When we study the word, we receive insight and revelation from the Holy Spirit. This only happens when we earnestly seek to know God’s word. Psalms119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” The word of God lights the way ahead of us so we can see clearly see which way to go. Through every season of our lives, we can be confident that God is always leading us through His Word.

- Studying the scriptures ensures continuous fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Just like spending quality time with a friend will strengthen your friendship, so also intimacy with the word builds up our relationship with the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

- The word shows us who to focus on. The Bible points us to Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. As we study Christ, we begin to learn about our new nature, our new self which is hidden in Christ. Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

- Spending time in the word will teach us what to say and how to tame our tongue. The words we speak can shape, create or destroy our lives. Studying the word will teach us how to use our words wisely and curate them to build up and edify our lives and that of others.

James 1:26, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridled not his tongue, but deceived his own heart, this man religion is vain.”

- It builds you up to spiritual maturity. The same way we grow naturally by feeding on good food, we also grow spiritually by also feeding on the good food of the word of God. If you don’t feed your body the right foods, you deny it essential nutrients for healthy growth and it will affect your body and even make you vulnerable to diseases. This is true for your spiritual life too. If we feed on junk it will cause us to have real problems spiritually and our growth will be affected, leaving us open and vulnerable to spiritual diseases. Lack of the knowledge of Christ who is the word brings about deficiency of the truth in us and it will affect our spiritual growth. This is why some Christians who claim to have been saved for many years still act out like baby Christians controlled by their emotions and their flesh. They fail to understand much about who Jesus is and the realities of our new life in Christ. The new life of Christ does not manifest in their lives to any recognizable extent. Their light is so small and cannot give much light to anyone in this world that is enveloped in darkness.

Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, 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.”

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

The Spirit Upon Us

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:48:09 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Luke 24:49 “And behold, I send the promise of my father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

The book of Isaiah reveals the significant role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Isaiah 32:15 highlights the transformative power of the Spirit, symbolized by the pouring out of the Spirit from on high, leading barren lands to become fruitful fields. God’s work is accomplished not by human might or power but by the Spirit of the Lord.

The ministry of Jesus exemplifies the dependence on the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:16, Jesus received the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove after His baptism which signifies the beginning of His earthly ministry. Jesus was anointed by the Spirit to carry out His mission of preaching the gospel, healing the brokenhearted, delivering the captives, restoring sight to the blind, and setting the oppressed free (Luke 4:18).

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

As believers, we too are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve. Acts 1:8 assures us that upon receiving the Holy Spirit, we receive power to be witnesses of Christ’s love and salvation. This empowerment enables us to testify about Christ through both our words and actions, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and enabling us to fulfill our purpose as witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth.

God is still looking for such witnesses. The Bible admonished us to select individuals who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom for specific responsibilities within the church community (Acts 6:3). This underscores the significance of being spiritually filled and wise in carrying out our duties. It reminds us that maintaining spiritual fullness through prayer, studying the Word, and living a life that honors God is essential for effective ministry and service (Acts 6:4).

The early church serves as a powerful example of the impact of being led by the Holy Spirit. Acts 11:19-21 illustrates how believers, empowered by the Spirit, spread the message of Jesus to different regions, resulting in many conversions. Another example is Barnabas. The scriptures spoke highly of Barnabas calling him a man of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. His ministry led to the growth of the church.

Peter’s preaching led many to repent and get baptized, showing how powerful it is when the Holy Spirit guides our words. Philip also saw amazing results when he preached about Christ

Acts 8:5-8 “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.8 And there was great joy in that city.”

Acts 9:31 “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

To walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must submit to Him and not rebel against Him. We should honor Him and not dishonor Him. It’s like being a valuable vessel in a big house – if we cleanse ourselves from dishonor, we will be deemed as vessels fit for the Master’s use.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Our focus should be on pleasing God, not people, as the Holy Spirit doesn’t seek approval from crowds or choirs. We should follow the example of Jesus, who didn’t seek honor from people but from God alone. Galatians 1:10 “obviously I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God, if pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant”

When we preach, we must ensure it’s God’s word we’re sharing, not our ideas or opinions. It’s important to stay true to God’s teachings to save ourselves and those who listen to us.

1 Tim 4:16 “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” NLT

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like

Healed Through the Atonement of Our Lord Jesus

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:13:16 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Luke 5:20-24 “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”

Acts 5:31-32 “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” This forgiveness brought us the benefit of redemption, which means freedom from all kinds of bondage, including satanic influences, sickness, and more.

Eph 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”. Col 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.

WHAT IS REDEMPTION?

Redemption encompasses two key meanings: Firstly, it’s the action of saving from sin, error, or evil. Secondly, it involves regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt. Synonyms include recovery, repossession, and recoup. In essence, redemption brings freedom from all debts to sin, penalties of sin, and freedom from sin and evil. These benefits are made possible through the atonement of the blood of Jesus. Scriptures like Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 emphasize that redemption comes solely through the blood of Jesus and nothing else. This implies the clearing of our sins by the blood that washes them away, as well as the restoration of health and other blessings. If we fail to grasp the significance of redemption and salvation, which are the primary benefits of the cross for us, it can hinder our understanding. Through the cross, where Jesus shed His blood for us, He provided healing and opened the door to all of God’s blessings. Jesus has unleashed a torrent of blessings through His blood. Heb 10:18-20 “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh”.

Jesus has not only provided healing for us but has also taken our afflictions upon Himself, bearing them on the cross as He paid for our sins with His life.

How can we enter into this?

Isa 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed” another version (NLT) says “Who has believed our message ?To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?

Resources You May Like

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 13:44:47 +0000

By Minister Onyeka Emmanuel

1 Corinthains 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?- unless indeed you are disqualified.”

Jesus is coming back soon, are you ready for His return? Are you truly part of God’s sheepfold? Assess yourself if you are really in the faith while you read this blog today. It is better that you hear the truth now than on that last day, when it’s too late.

Matthew 7:13-14 says “Come to God through the narrow gate, because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction- nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life- so few even find it! Then in verses 21-23 of the same chapter in Matthew it says, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter into the realm of heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father. On the day of judgment many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles for the sake of your name? But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!’”

Many people will try to be followers of Jesus but will fail. They will do things for “God’s Kingdom” to enter that narrow gate, but that gate will be locked. Jesus is the gate, and only by entrusting the whole of your heart to Jesus’ lordship does he let us into his sheepfold and assume the position of Lord in our lives, supplying us with the grace to be His sheep. We don’t want to be part of those people that God tells “I don’t know you depart from me”, while we claim that we ate and drank with Him. We can sometimes be so convinced that we are walking with God but instead we are walking with someone else who isn’t Him. There are things and people out here that look like Jesus, but they aren’t. We must be sure we are dining with the TRUE God.

Since the only people who will enter the Kingdom of God are those who do God’s will, then what is God’s will? 1 Corinthians 15:27 tells us that “Then, when all things are under His authority, the Son will put Himself under God’s authority, so that God who gave His Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.” God’s endgame is to rule over everything, to sit on top and everyone be beneath Him. Romans 8:29 puts this into perspective, “For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son so that His Son would be the firstborn among brothers and sisters.” God established a family with us in which He is the head and Jesus is the firstborn child, and we are His brothers and sisters. The whole point of us being born again is for us to be a part of this new family.

God is after a relationship with us and loves us, but make no mistake, there is NO relationship we can have with God other than one where He rules OVER us! We cannot come to relate with a loving God and ignore that He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the one who is destined to reign supreme over everything everywhere! This includes reigning over US! Even Jesus (who is God) had to submit under the authority of God, so why would we think we’re exempt? We were purchased to follow God’s plan. If we don’t follow that plan, then we are disqualifying ourselves from it.

The Bible constantly tells us to check and make sure that we are still in the faith. We cannot assume, we MUST test ourselves. Luke 11:35 tells us “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness” and 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” We go to the doctor for physicals and wellness checks, it is the same thing with God. He is telling us to take a physical, we need a checkup! The light we think we have, are we sure it’s truly light? We can be so convinced that we are following God that we don’t realize sometimes that He is NOT our Lord. We are placing things above Him. Anyone that doesn’t submit to the Lordship of Jesus isn’t part of God’s sheepfold. The sad truth is that some of us could be on our way to hell not heaven. Ask yourself today “am I on the narrow road of God or am I on the road that nearly everyone chooses?” If you are not on the narrow road, go before the Lord on your knees and ask Him to help you submit yourself to Him today!

Onyeka Emmanuel is a Minister at Rising Generation, Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

Resources You May Like