This is the second part of our discourse. We took time to introduce the topic in part one and in this segment, we shall progress in our discourse taking possession of the keys of the kingdom. PLEASE READ PART ONE HERE.
Before going further, I wish to point out that where we are today in this kingdom is the function of the knowledge and understanding we had yesterday. What we will become tomorrow will equally be determined by the knowledge and understanding we command as at today.
For that reason, it is my heart’s desire that we fully take possession of the relevant keys of the kingdom if we are to enjoy that abundant life for which Jesus came for.
According to Bishop David Oyedepo, what we don’t know we don’t know and what we refuse to learn we may never get to know them.
This calls for our conscious effort or responsibility to go for knowledge and understanding (taking possession of the relevant keys of the kingdom)
It is highly unfortunate that one of the great tragedies today is assuming or claiming to know what we don’t know which most a time are caused by our pride and arrogance.
As said, going for knowledge and understanding demands our taking a conscious personal responsibility. Talking about going for knowledge and understanding, what happened in Acts 8:26-38 shows that there are the need for us to seek and receive guidance in our search for this knowledge and understanding.
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.
So he arose and went. And, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and overtake this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its Shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” So the eunuch answered Philip, and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
In the above passage, the eunuch was able to take possession of one of the keys of the kingdom(salvation) because he desired and received guidance from Philip. Also, Philip was guided by the Holy Spirit to the eunuch.
No wonder God Himself promised in Jeremiah 3:15 “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding”. That is to say, we must try and locate the pastors God had appointed or ordained to feed us with spiritual knowledge and understanding.
In other words, just as we need lecturers if we are to get the academic knowledge and understanding, so also we need pastors if we are ever going to get spiritual knowledge and understanding. The reason is that God had equipped them for such purposes.
However, despite that it is our responsibility to seek or search for knowledge and understanding, we must equally understand fully that the real knowledge and understanding comes from God as can be seen in Proverbs 2: 6 “For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
We will confirm that also in Daniel 1:17 and 20 which says, “As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
Finally, please note that what we are talking about here is the right or the relevant spiritual knowledge that we all need if we are to take possession of the relevant keys of the kingdom.
This is a personal responsibility which no other person can do for you. We must take decision and responsibility to take possessions of the relevant keys of the kingdom. Will you be willing and ready to take that responsibility?
