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King Balak of Moab hired Prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. God forbade the prophet from cursing but rather blessed them. In doing that he said these deep prophetic and revelatory words: “I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations” (Numbers 23:9b NIV). Making it obvious that an essential component of the Israelites’ immunity and invincibility was their consecration and separation. We saw this same phenomenon played out, but in the reverse, two chapters later, in Numbers 25. When they forgot about their identity, lost their consecration and began sleeping with the Moabite women. They even participated in sacrifices to the gods of Moab. All for which they paid very dearly.
There is something to be said for identity retention, consecration and immunity protection. Back in the days, themes like ‘Consecration’, ‘Sanctification’, ‘Holiness’, ‘Separation from the World’, and not far from them, the term ‘Compromise’ used to be regular staples on church pulpits, these days not so much. Could that be the reason or one of the reasons, why many are wondering that unlike before negative things seem to befall Christians more? Did we, unbeknownst to us, lost something, somewhere?
If you have been a believer for a while, you may be a witness to a time not very long ago when the church seemed to enjoy a lot more immunity in general. There was a time that travelling with a Christian is an extra bit of assurance that the trip can never come to mishap. When people suffering from oppression would get instantly delivered or at least greatly relieved the moment they stepped into our gatherings. When failing students became believers in Christ and without any special prayers their grades shot up. Often, sickly folks get converted and so will be the state of their health. Those were not here and there exceptions, but common place occurrences.
It may just be that when the church let slip of her set apart identity and her consecration, her immunity and power reserve also took a hit? These days there are little or no markers to distinguish a Christian from a non-Christian in thoughts, words or deeds. Our ruminations, motivations, pursuits and aspirations including our actions are often in perfect sync. In fact, based on a distorted deduction of Matthew 5:16 “let your light shine before others” and similar scriptures, we are often coached to outdo the world in some worldly not heavenly parameters. Forgetting Colossians 3:1-2 NIV: “since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
It is further saddening that the measures and levels of ills in the society including dishonesty, self-centeredness, love of money, corruption, greed, gossip, envy, jealousy, addictions, immorality of all kinds, deceitfulness, infidelity etc. often, may register at the same decibel levels within the church. The Greek word Ekklesia translated “church” in the New Testament literally means “the called-out ones“. Like the Israelites back then, we are called to be a people apart, not a people part of. With our power and immunity largely in situ in our separation and consecration. A people who do not consider themselves one of the nations – is still the calling, still the standard.
These days we behave as if the Bible is only full of promises, to the contrary, there are more instructions than there are promises in the Holy Book. So, in case you haven’t heard anything in a while or even at all, about ‘Consecration’, Sanctification’, ‘Holiness’ and ‘Separation from the World’, these very important themes to the heart of the Father, here are few New Testament reminders:
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 NIV
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4 NIV
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NIV
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV
– Ola Bosun Ajidahun
©2026 Ola Bosun Ajidahun . All Rights Reserved. New Blogs are Posted Every Saturday Afternoon 1 PM Mountain Time
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Thank you for this message a reminder for all believers and disciples of Jesus Christ to remember our first Love and calling
Accurate! We all need to get back to our first love. Thank you!