AS IT IS WRITTEN

AS IT IS WRITTEN

Pilate answered, What I have written I have written – John 19:22.

Here is a man whom we could call a judge in his days because he occupied such position in his province before whom the people of the land came to hear their judgement. We know he was in authority during the trial of Jesus Christ when the Lord responded to one of his questions saying “…Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above… - John 19:11.” Let us leave much speaking about the background today and move on to the subject of the matter. The reason for this text is to draw comparison howbeit in a very minute sense with God. We have here a man who wrote something and the people demanded or requested, so to say, that it should be changed to which he replied them “…what I have written, I have written.” He said it in such a way, manner and tone as if to tell them, “I cannot undo what I have done” or “I cannot change what I have written”. If this be true in the case of a man, how much more shall we apply to the matter and nature of our God? Truly speaking, there is no man who is unquestionable. No man! But God is unquestionable. With God, this word is truer and weightier compared to Pilate. Let us at once take this word to the mouth of the lawful, rightful and appropriate Owner and Declarator of this verdict – that is, God, our heavenly Father. What He has written, He has written.

That which Pilate declared was as soothing as if to say he declared the mind of God prophetically in a moment. Now brethren and friends, it is time to consider what the Lord God has written unto us. Our God is not dumb and neither is He an illiterate. He devises various means to communicate His will, mind, purpose, precepts and commands to us so that we would have them in clear and simple terms. Though sometimes the method He uses could be by the prophets, dreams, visions, angelic manifestation, signs and similitudes. It is true in these last days, it pleases the Father to communicate His mind unto us through His Son whom He hath appointed the Heir of all things. And now, we have the Holy Spirit whom the Son sent unto us baptizing us into the Godhead by whom we receive revelation and redemption. However, there is a valid and concrete avenue which God often uses. It has been one of His ways and methods ever since and He is not planning to recede that to anything or anyone at least as long as the earth remaineth. And this method is by “WRITING.” Whether there be visions, dreams, prophecies, revelations, signs, similitudes He is giving to His people, so far they are from Him, in most cases, He would often command it to be written as with the case of Habakkuk – “…write the vision.” To fight against and combat forgetfulness and negligence He would give command to men like Moses and Joshua thus: “And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates – Deuteronomy 6:9” and “…Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua – Exodus 17:14.” The Law He inscribed upon a stony tablet. Later when giving the prophecy of new convent, the Lord God said “…After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people – Jeremiah 31:33.” So, this is enshrined and inscribed upon the heart where He writes also. His SPirit becomes the pen of a ready-writer by whom He writes and incribes eternal purpose upon the hearts of men and women. When He granted revelation in part to men like Isaiah, Daniel and John, there were moments He had to give them charge to “WRITE!”

Someone reading this may be asking what the essence of this long preface is about “write, write and write.” Well, my dear sir, since you care to know, God is willing to tell you.

First, whatever He has committed to writing via His people or servants, they are for our learning. How do you fare in them? When questions were directed to Jesus Christ, most times, He would ask “How readest thou?” or “Have ye not read?” How have you been faring in this regard? Have you been reading His written word and what have you learnt? As for you, you read all manner of books and literatures but this Book of The Law and the Law of Liberty is what you cannot bear or endure to exercise thyself therein. You can while away your time amusing yourself with books and other articles, journals written by men to arouse you mentally, intellectually, sexually or otherwise, but when it comes to the “It is written of the word of God” your opinion is like that of the old Gallio “who would neither be judge or have interest in such matters – Acts. 18:15.” Other books would do for you but not the Bible. You say "YES" to magazines but when it comes to the Scripture, it is a stern "NO". Praise be to God that your type is not the only people in the world. We still have people who are devoting themselves to reading and studying of the "It is written word of God.” To these people I shall commit myself and lay in order to speak without further ado. 

These are written for us, not just to read or learn but most importantly to leave by them. How well do we apply the word of God to our daily living? Reading is good but not enough. Learning is good also but let it not be that of mental or cognitive knowledge alone. Let it be that of the hidden man of the heart. There are people who cannot do without reading newspapers, listening or watching news on cable networks and the like. They know the current state of nations the world all over. They can give the analysis of foreign exchange in terms of devaluation and valuation of different currencies and denominations of countries. Speak about sports, they are in the know. Tell them about politics, there they are. Call for media and entertainment, they are not least among the forerunners. Yet they know little or nothing about the mind of God for this season and moment. Poor souls indeed. Poor and wretched generations of ours!

We now live by news and rumours. We have built our lives around the information and data collated by men of whom majority are liars. Did I say majority? I mean all – “…let God be true, but every man a liar… – Romans 3:4.” We believe the written reports and opinions of liars more than the True God. Is that so? Judge ye among yourselves whether it be right in the sight of God to believe and live by the words and written reports of liars (men) more than God? Again, if the words which Pilate wrote could standfast, be steadfast and would not be erased, how much more shall be the Surer word of Prophecy written to us by the Father of Spirit, Lights and all flesh? Note this, the Word of God is unchangeable! If you do what He says, you shall receive reward but if you kick against it, there is a recompense awaiting you. Note this also, Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, as it is written He that believeth on Him shall not be condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already. This is written – unchangeable, unutterable and indelible. Obey and pattern your life according to as it is written – “Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good – Job 5:27.”

PRAYER:

Father, I see my wrong in that I have not wholly given myself to Your word. Teach me and instruct me daily. Enable, empower and help me to live by Your written word henceforth in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

IT IS WRITTEN GREETINGS TO US ALL