THE DEADLY EXCHANGE

THE DEADLY EXCHANGE

 “Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.”   Gen 25:29-34 NIV

Exchange is the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another, it is the conscious and legal giving up of something in other to receive another thing that is more desired.

However you may define it the fact remains that exchange is an appeal to one’s choice. If it is a matter of choice then no man should claim to have been forced into an exchange because the only power of freedom anybody has is the freedom of Choice. How are you making use of yours?

            The world which we dwell in is a market of choices with many open windows of appealing offers bidding for an exchange. Men invariantly engage in exchange and most of these exchanges are expensive and deadly. Deadly exchanges have the characteristic of being exceedingly harmful, extremely poisonous or injurious, involving loss of divine grace. The Devil, the world and the flesh is offering us the opportunity to trade our eternity for pleasure, money, fame/ popularity and sin. Many who are spell bound and blinded by their carnal cravings and misplaced desires are surrendering their priceless soul in exchange for momentary gains.

Esau like many today in their profane nature saw nothing wrong in sacrificing a spiritual provision to satisfy his physical appetite. And Jacob who is a cheat cunningly overtook his brother and gained his birth right.  But he clearly demanded for Esau’s birth right and the Godless Esau did not hesitate to exchange it for a moment’s pleasure.  When Esau later lost his father’s blessing as the first born to Jacob he cried bitterly and could not get it back, he forget that it was bought with some bread and lentil stew. He sold his birth right for a momentary pleasure. Adam and eve equally fell into that trap of deadly Exchange when they sold their peaceful abode in the Garden of Eden and fellowship with God in righteousness for the pleasure of a bite from the forbidden apple, a disobedience to God.

“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” 1 Peter 5: 8 AMP

The most dreadful attack of the devil on mankind in an attempt to steal our eternal joy is not by fierce and open confrontation but a canny deception that appeals to our immediate wants in exchange for our eternal needs. The Lord has paid the price for our sin and purchased us with his death on the cross and the blood of the new covenant as an eternal sacrifice for our salvation. 1 Corinthians 6: 20 say “You are bought with a price…” You are valued to be priceless and should not involve in a deadly exchange. Accept Jesus today and be saved. Each time we sin against God we engage in a deadly trade exchange of this position for a lie, adultery/ fornication, theft, cheating, murder, envy and jealousy, gossip and slander, etc. Proverbs 23:23 admonishes us to Buy the Truth and not sell it. Who is the truth in John 14: 6 “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33.

You have the power to terminate that deadly exchange taking place in your life and family now, by accepting Jesus Christ today as your Lord and personal savior and say no to Satan, Sin and the Worldly pleasure.

SALVATION PRAYER

            Lord Jesus I am sorry for delaying till now, I confess that I am a sinner and am sorry, please forgive me my sins and cleanse me with your precious blood. I answer your call today and receive you into my life as my Lord and Personal Saviour. Please come and set me free from sin, death and hell: strengthen me with your Holy Spirit to serve you for the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me in Jesus name. Amen.

ALLELUIA YOU ARE SAVED!!! Continue in Christ and sin no more Please call or contact us if you wish to no more about His (God’s) saving grace.

DIOCESE OF ETSAKO (Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion)

ALL SAINTS’ CATHEDRAL AUCHI Opposite former Union Bank Warrake Road, Auchi, Edo State Nigeria

Rev’d. Canon Joel C. Nwohiri. 08032399875, 08053467227 E-mail- j.nwohiri@gmail.com.

GOD BLESS YOU AND JESUS LOVES YOU