HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

KOINONIA: HAVING A ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH ELOHIM

I struggled for a better title for this treatise and perhaps you may find a better title for it after reading through. I crave your indulgence as it may be a rather long one.

I am burdened in my heart about a particular error that is becoming so normal among charismatic pentecostals. How often do you hear phrases such as "The God of this Commission," or "the God of Pastor Frederick Akpan (name is fictious) when folks come out to share testimonies or when they are praying? Does this have a basis in the New Testament church? How did we start this practice? How come pastors fail to correct members who are happy to use these phrases. Pray, is the God of the Redeemed different from the God of the Assemblies of God or the God of the Deeper Life? Again, is the God of Papa Adebayo different from the God of Papa Kumuyi?

Indeed in the Old Testament, God was referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At that time, folks did not have a KOINONIA with God. There was no one on one relationship. He was always known as the God of our fathers in order to introduce him to people who have no relationship with him.

In our dispensation this is not the case. Believers have a one on one KOINONIA with God . If truly, you are born again, spirit filled and given to the word, why is He known to you as your pastor's God? Why do you pray and say 'God of my pastor Johnbull answer me.'

Even the Psalmist in Psalm 91 understood the grace of having a one on one relationship with God. He referred to God in the first person pronoun and called him 'My God,' 'my Refuge,' and 'my Fortress.' 

In Timothy 2:5, Paul said to Timothy "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." This scripture alone should make it clear to all believers that God is one and there is nothing like "The God of this Commission " except if there is a god (note the small letter g) that is backing that ministry. Secondly, don't mention your pastor's name in your prayer except you want to pray for him. Your pastor cannot be an intermediary or mediator between  you and God. It is only the name of Jesus.

In Hebrews we are told to come boldly into His presence. We are not told to come in the name of a commission on ministry or a pastor or a bishop.

Does your pastor deserve honour? Yes. The Bible says we should honour those who labour in the word on our behalf. We are to care for them. Respect them, pray for them, bless them with carnal things and make them happy. We must stand for them and defend them but we must never pray to God in the name of another human being.

We must desist forthwith from identifying God with any  one ministry. God is the God of all believers. He is not the God of Assemblies of God or the God of Deeper Life to those who have a relationship with Him. An unbeliever may be introduced to God in that form but not for one who has KOINONIA with God.

Finally if anyone tells you that your prayers would only get answered when you mention the name of a particular man of God, know for certain that that person is a liar.

Have an exciting working week ahead and learn to develop your relationship with God.