Paul and Martin Luther, servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, called from the difficult to the hard for the glory of God to spread His gospel of freedom and peace. Greetings to the church in Nigeria, to those who are being sanctified by the sufferings of the faith and by the hand of God. We have heard of your situation and rejoice with our fellow brethren at the endurance you have demonstrated as a testimony of the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
And we pray that you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, for such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. For He does not will that any should perish.
Our Lord Jesus warned us that the world will hate us as it hated Him and put Him to death. Yet He still commanded us to love and not fear what man can do to us and our family but rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body. And though this world, filled with devils, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness is grim, but we tremble not for him—his rage can endure ‘cause his doom is sure! Likewise, many precious things of this life—though good—can be shaken and taken and will not remain. But we have received and therefore must live for a kingdom which cannot be shaken, for it is eternal.
As you offer yourselves as a living sacrifice unto God, which is an acceptable service of gratitude with reverence and awe, pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many be defiled.
Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might…for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.
One little word which is above all earthly powers will fell the prince of this darkness. The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who sides with us! Let goods and kindred go. And this mortal life also. The body they may kill, but God’s truth abides still—and His kingdom is FOREVER!
May the grace and peace of God be with you as the Comforter fills you in this time of sorrow.
Monday, February 1, 2010
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