PRESSING FOR YOUR REDEMPTIVE RIGHTS IN CHRIST JESUS

By Bishop Taiwo Akinola

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ~ Philippians 3:14.

Introduction:
Without any doubt, the finished works of Jesus Christ on the Cross come with plenty of benefits to all humanity. Notwithstanding, enjoying these benefits is reserved only for those who are determined to press for their redemptive rights and are ready to fight to keep the faith.It is proven over time that Satan will always try to attack any thing that is of value to any serious minded believer: your health, wealth, dream and faith, your voice and influence upon the earth, your success, your significance and your joy etc. He normally comes in very subtle ways, but thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. Alleluia!The well-informed Christian man is not just fighting for victory, but from a position of victory (1Jn.4:4; 5:4). In other words, the battles of life are already decided in his favor. However, he still needs to ‘fight the good fight of faith’ (1Tim.6:12). We must arise, confront the enemy and claim the victory, if we ever wish to enjoy our redemption heritage in Christ Jesus. No two ways to victory: you must confront the devil if you must conquer. Confrontation is the only valid pathway between two irreconcilable kingdoms. And, whatever you refuse to confront will continue to intimidate and harass you (Matt.11:12).Nothing valuable comes out of lazy, restrained or silenced living. Every precious thing you see is a product of determined and sustained pressure. The Apostle Paul knew these facts so well. In Philippians 3:13-14, he seems to be saying: “I have not yet reached the end of my journey. I am not at the peak yet. I am still pressing to get there”. The full proof of your redemption is a function of your effectual pressures of faith. Yes indeed, the crowning of your effort in any Christian enterprise is in sustaining the pressure of faith. If you don’t press, you don’t enjoy progress. And, to refuse to press forth in faith is to become a victim of satanic oppression.
Stand Your Ground to Withstand Demons
Sin, poverty, trepidation or failure doesn’t make you look like Jesus Christ, the Lord. Albeit, it’s the place where you stand that will determine your ability to withstand evil (Ephesians 6:10-17). As it was apparent in the experience of Joshua, only God can help us to overcome resisting demons, but He will not do so without our cooperation (Zechariah 3:1-5). And, standing right to withstand evil is a salient part of that cooperation.Satan is permitted to corrupt covenant violators, but the people who stand with their God will firmly resist him (Daniel 11:32). Standing in the light of God’s Word above sin and filthiness will leave no ground for your adversaries to stand to resist you, but it will certainly position you well to overcome the accuser.The enemy’s strategy is to entice the believer from his position of authority, and get him vexed, burdened, confused, depressed, distracted, or self-conceited so as to make him seriously vulnerable to attacks.If, when dealing with the enemy, we give room to the bent of our own spirits, then defeat is sure. But, standing firm in prayers and faith, under the blood of Jesus Christ and in the fullness of the Holy Spirit will invigorate our overruling authority over every form of satanic manipulation (1Timothy 6:18; 1Peter 5:9).
Subdue Every Intimidation and Fear
God did not create man to function under fear. Hence, when intimidation is allowed, faith is paralyzed and normal course of creative wisdom is suspended. When you allow yourself to be harassed and intimidated, you are pushed out of your covenant heritage of joy, abundance and security. So, God’s first instruction to His covenant friend, Abraham, was “fear not” (Genesis 15:1). No spell can work on you without fear. No divination can affect you if you do not give in to intimidation. And these explain why Satan and his agents usually employ brute force to inject fear into the minds of men so they can gain advantage over them.Fear is the master demon the devil uses to rule people. Just like faith opens the door for God to work in our lives, fear opens the door for Satan. Hence,  fear must be stomped out of your life if you truly want to start enjoying your redemptive rights in Christ Jesus. And, the best way to subdue the spirit of fear is to systematically develop an unfailing confidence in the presence, the promises and the power of the Lord God to help you.
Be Truly Engaged in Covenant Exercises 
Now, nothing enforces the will of the Father-God like a covenant walk with Him. This is so because every act of divine providence operates on the platform of the covenant. Besides, no faith-ritual works alone, they all work in consonance with the covenant walk we engage in. It is your covenant walk with God that commits Him to your wellness and releases His kingdom blessings upon you, in the name of the Lord. Yes, in the spirit realm, there is a sphere where you lack nothing – ‘a land of brooks of water’ – but you enter into it and maintain your citizenship rights therein by your covenant walk with God (Deuteronomy 8:6-10). Divine providence will work anytime and anywhere, but it is meant only for citizens of this covenant sphere (Jeremiah 33:25-26). On all authorities of the Bible, I can safely affirm that covenant blessings are not just by mere luck. They are command-driven to those who maintain their lines of relationship with God, the ‘Unfailing Covenantor’ (Deuteronomy 8:18). These are people, who no matter how dry the land becomes, their covenant land will keep on producing, and their redemptive dues will never be denied them.Friends, be prepared at all times to exercise yourself in the covenant. That is a surest way to enjoying your redemptive privileges in Christ Jesus (2 Chronicles 27:6). Yes, eaglets are born, but great eagles are made only through rigorous exercise.Progress is never ending for God’s covenant children, until the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). However, progress stops when you think you have arrived and you stop to exercise yourself in our most holy faith. Exploits cease when there is no more vision to pursue and translate.
In conclusion, please note that there is honey in the lion, but you must kill the lion to eat the honey. And, when you efficiently walk in the light of this revelation, barriers, wherever they’re found, will crumble before you like a pack of cards as you advance against them in the name of the Lord. 
Bishop Taiwo Akinola is the Presiding Bishop of the Rhema Christian Church and Towers, Sango Ota.