When Zacchaeus
met Jesus and turned from sin Jesus said to
him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of
Abraham” Lk 19:9(ESV). Take note
Jesus said “this house” not just “this man”. Am we trying to teach that once a
man is saved automatically every member of his household is saved whether they
believe or not, whether they accept Christ or not? No; not by any means.
However there is sufficient word of scripture to indicate that when a man gets
saved it is expected his entire house will follow suit. Follow suit in the same
example of repentance and faith.
Do you
remember Noah? Then the LORD
said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have
seen that you are righteous before me in this generation” Gen 7:1(ESV). It
is from this place we begin to see salvation’s effect on the household. His
wife, sons and daughters in law were included in the call. The patriarch
Abraham was chosen by God and expected to impact his household as well. For I have chosen him, that he may command his
children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing
righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has
promised him Gen 18:19(ESV). Ever wondered
why God chose you, ever doubted His assignment and target for your prayers and
effort? Here’s a certain one.
Have you
considered the demand of the angels in Gen 19:12(ESV)
when they came to bid Lot escape from Sodom? "Have you
anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city,
bring them out of the place”. Notice it was
the same set of individuals: sons or daughters, and sons in law that they
requested - as with Noah. I believe this is the minimum zone of influence God
expects. It should not therefore surprise us when Paul and Silas said similar
words to the repentant Phillipian jailer. And they said,
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your
household." Act 16:31(ESV). God has placed
you within a household to influence them for Him, to influence them for the
purpose of salvation. Many a miracle was performed by Jesus on a child in
response to the faith of a parent, and on a member of a household for the master.
Was not the parable of the friend at midnight not on behalf of someone just
coming into a man’s household? A friend of
mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him Lk
11:6(ESV). You have a locus standi in the spirit over members
of your household. When Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, Levi who was yet to
be born through Abraham was deemed as having paid tithes too. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives
tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his
ancestor when Melchizedek met him Heb 7:9, 10(ESV). So exert your spiritual influence today.
Lay claim on it and in the spirit bid everyone under that influence to begin to
bow.
No comments:
Post a Comment