He died on the cross of Calvary for our sins and the third day, He rose up again. Before ascending to heaven, He gave a charge to all his disciples and that charge became the last commandment of God. It is written in Matthew 28: 18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. “
In accordance with this commandment, many Christians have taken it upon themselves to lay treasures in heaven by preaching the word of God always. Setting the sinners free from sin with the word of their testimony. This calls for great happiness and joy to see the children of God, fulfilling the commandments of God, but it becomes a great sorrow to discover that there be many who preach against sin but they themselves are deeply engrossed in sin. This is a great misery. On the part of those that are free from sin, sadness. And on the part of those who are directly involved, doom. Preaching the word of God is a source of joy when we abide by what we preach, but if we don’t do the will of God , preaching would be tantamount to witnessing against ourselves and laying in heaven, great wrath against us in the day of judgement. For the hand of God is heavy upon all those who hold to sin in the midst of righteousness and except they change for good, they are doomed for destruction. We are the children of light, created to show the way for those who are a blind, a guide to the weak, henceforth, it becomes impertinent that we should maintain our status and place in the sight of God, for if the light becomes darkened by sin, how shall it be able to guide anyone? The word of God was written so we may all obey it, we were tasked to preach so many may know it and obey it, if then the preachers are disobedient to it, how shall their preaching be counted as righteousness. Nay, but when you preach to a man not to sin and you go about doing the same, you are not counted as a preacher but as an unworthy judge, perverting the gospel of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who himself laid down His life for the remission of our sins, to the end that we should henceforth be no more slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. Having therefore received the grace to be called the children of God, we must begin to uphold the commandments of God, remembering that grace was not given unto us so that we may continue to sin, but that we should all repent and be forgiven of our sins. Because anyone who lives a sinful life is emulating the devil, which is the father if sin, therefore, such is counted as an enemy of God, to be cast into eternal darkness forever and ever more. I do not condemn anyone, for we are all the same, having gone astray but here comes a call of repentance, that you all may know the truth and it world set you free from the power of sin. St. Paul spoke at length on t his in his epistle to the Romans, instructing us to remain firm in the love of God and avoid deviating away through any act of lust or hatred. As it was written in Romans 1: “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Think not within your heart that your efforts aimed towards preaching the gospel would atone for your own sins. For if you still continue to uphold unrighteousness even when you are well aware of the fact that God detests sin, you shall be counted as the devil who knew the commandments of God but choose to disobey it, therefore, you have no excuse to preach the word of God and refuse to obey that which you yourself preach.
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
If you are among these sort of preachers, I want you to know that it is not too late. Henceforth, you would be doing yourself the greatest favour on earth by repenting of your sins and doing what is right always. Let no one tell you that you cannot be forgiven, because the difference between grace and the law is forgiveness. If Christ could have come down to us while we were yet sinners and died for our sins, how much more would he have mercy upon those who preach his word but fall to sin? God is merciful as he has promised in Hebrews 8:” 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. “Realizing that Christ has died for us, it is time to have faith in Him that He is able to save you from sin. Ask for forgiveness of sins, and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A new life becomes important I your life, you need to realize that each new day comes packaged with its own blessings and temptations, therefore, it is high time you dedicate your whole soul and body to the battle against sin. It is not a battle you fight once and win forever. No, sin can only become silent, it would never die, you have to kill it everyday and be prepared to fight it all the time. Even when you think temptations are no longer coming, continue the battle, you fight evil by doing good, you fight sin by reading the bible, you kill sin by preaching the word of God and practicing what is written in it. You are destroying sin by spending your leisure time in prayers and things that can edify your soul, only when you do this would you be able to do what you preach. If you ever pause doing them maybe because you are busy, thinking that sin is already dead, it would rise up again and defeat you, leaving you helpless and then you have to start all over again. Be killing sin or it would be destroying you.
My brothers and sisters, let us all embrace the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, by preaching the word and practicing the word. Grace, love and mercy be upon you all in Jesus name. Amen
