Yesu Mulungi - African Christian Perspectives

By Kato Mivule | May 17, 2009

Commentary on Romans 4:6-12
One of the most sought after ‘spiritual commodity’ in the world today is Blessings. From ancient civilizations to the present Westernized Civilization, Blessings is something highly craved for and wished for. All religions have a form of prerequisites for one to attain blessings. Even Business Corporate entities in the world want to sound ‘blessed’. American Presidents always proclaim a “blessing” on the USA and her troops.  

It is in such state of affairs that the Prosperity Gospel and Curse-Deliverance Preachers have shrewdly bundled a ‘derivatives gospel’ to sell “blessings” as a spiritual commodity to a materialistic and ‘feel good’ positive thinking world hungry to be pronounced blessed and free from curses and bad omens – it is the main reason why Joel Osteen’s Books always feature on the New York Best Seller List.

Are Saved Christians Cursed?
When one becomes a Born Again Christian, do they remain cursed or are they blessed of The Lord? Is it true that Blessings are equated with money and material prosperity? Is every blessed person rich, wealthy, and materialistic? Does suffering mean that some one is cursed and not blessed?  Are cursed people always poor and suffering? Can anyone buy Blessings and Deliverance from Curses from a Preacher?

These are some of the questions that millions of Christians wrestle with every Sunday as they listen to preachers of the Prosperity Gospel and Teachers of the Curse-Deliverance Gospel. However, this raises serious theological questions for the Curse-Deliverance Gospel since the proponents teach that Christians are cursed and in need of Deliverance from spells and curses. In many cases the Christian seeking Deliverance from the Curse have to get a “point of contact” in form of gifts and mostly money to the Deliverance Preacher. In that way the Christian has to work for their blessings otherwise they remain cursed.

Paul the apostle’s teaching on Blessings…
But let us take a look at how Paul the apostle addressed this issue to the believers in Rome. It seems from his letter to the Christians in Rome, there was an issue as to who was blessed and who was not. It seemed to be an issue of contention perhaps from the Jews who claimed that gentiles could not get saved unless they got circumcised and kept the Law of Moses. The Jews who taught circumcision as a prerequisite for salvation might have objected to Gentiles claiming to be blessed because they had converted to Christianity, by telling them that they would only be blessed if they were circumcised.

Yet even today we have preachers and teachers in Church who claim that Christians are cursed and in need of deliverance through the “anointed men of God”. Christians are told that if they don’t give or tithe to the Church then they are cursed and others are told they cannot get deliverance from “generational curses” unless they give as a “point of contact” to the deliverance minister.

Blessed are those to whom The Lord will not reckon sin…
Romans 4:6-8
(6)  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
(7)  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
(8)  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

We see that Blessings are pronounced on those whose sins are forgiven and the people whom The Lord does not deem sinners are called Blessed. Therefore the only prerequisite for one to attain Blessings from The Lord is to repent and ask forgiveness of sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  In other words no one can buy blessings from The Lord. They are a free gift that comes with one’s sins being forgiven apart from works.

The scripture is clear that blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven. If you are a True Christian and you are Born Again and have repented of your sins and received forgiveness from The Lord, you are blessed. The trouble is that we equate Blessings to material wealth and money.  Yet in this case forgiveness of sins is a very big blessing…it is a ‘huge’ blessing for The Lord to count you as sinless and forgiven.

The piece of scripture above throws cold water on the whole doctrine of the Curse-Deliverance Gospel and totally contradicts the merchandisers of Blessings in the Christian Church today.

There is nothing as a cursed Born Again Christian. It is important to note that Blessings come with the Forgiveness of Sins and Salvation. You cannot separate a Christian being blessed and being forgiven their sins. We must remember that it is The Lord that counts one as Blessed and it is The Lord that pronounces this blessing on those to whom The Lord deems forgiven.

Therefore it would not be naïve to state that those who are not forgiven of their iniquities and are reckoned sinners before The Lord are not blessed regardless of how much money they have and how much wealth they command around the world.

Again here we see that many people walk under a curse because they have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have rejected His forgiveness. Such folks are what undiscerning Christians look to and desire to emulate simply because of money and wealth.

Again a many cursed peoples walk the streets of the world with riches and great wealth but before Heaven, they are under a curse – their sins are still counted against them because they have rejected the Forgiveness of Sins and Salvation in Jesus Christ. So, it is common to find very poor people who are blessed of The Lord and on the other hand very wealthy individuals under the curse of sin.

The greatest blessing any Christian has and will ever have is the Forgiveness of sins they receive in Jesus Christ and their personal relationship with Jesus Christ – it all has nothing to do with money and riches.

Yet some of our modern day preachers and bible teachers continue in the error of equating The Lord’s Blessings with money, materialism, fame, and the riches of this fading and decaying world.

Are there Prerequisites for this Blessing?
Romans 4:9-12
(9)  Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
(10)  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
(11)  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
(12)  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Paul the apostle sheds more light on the question of blessings by asking the Christians in Rome at what time Abraham was blessed. Was Abraham blessed before he was circumcised or after he was circumcised? If Abraham was blessed after he was circumcised then that would suggest that he received blessings from The Lord because of circumcision.

However, Paul the apostle points out clear that Abraham was blessed before the advent of circumcision. The Lord counted Abraham as righteous and because of his faith in The Lord. Abraham believed in The Lord and then was counted as righteous. The Lord counted Abraham as blessed and this was before Circumcision as Paul the apostle clearly states that Abraham was reckoned righteous before circumcision that he might be a Father of all them that believe just like Abraham believed in God and was reckoned righteous by The Lord.

So, we see that Abraham is referred to as the Father of All who Believe since he Abraham had to believe… The question is then, when did Abraham believe? Was it before circumcision of after circumcision? The answer is given by Paul the apostle that Abraham was reckoned righteous before circumcision. Therefore Abraham could not boast at any one time that he worked for the Blessings that The Lord pronounced on him.  Abraham was not blessed because of circumcision but because of his belief and faith in God.

No one can therefore brag and boast as to how they have worked hard to get blessings from The Lord. No one can buy blessings from The Lord. No one can buy forgiveness and justification before The Lord.

We see that Paul the apostle’s rendering of the term ‘Blessing’ in Romans Chapter 4 is attached to Forgiveness of Sin, Righteousness, and Justification before The Lord, all apart from works. In other words no one can claim they are justified before The Lord because of works. Therefore Christians who are Born Again, forgiven of sins, justified before The Lord, reckoned as righteous before Jesus Christ cannot be cursed but are blessed.

They who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham…
Galatians 3:6-9
(6)  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
(7)  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
(8)  And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
(9)  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Paul the apostle shows us in Galatians chapter 3 that The Lord long desired not just to bless Abraham but to bless all nations – that is all those who would believe just like Abraham. The Lord would bless them through Jesus Christ – The Seed of Abraham.

No one can buy and purchase the blessing of Abraham like some Prosperity Gospel preachers claim; those who believe and have faith in Jesus Christ are blessed even so with Abraham.

Christ Jesus REDEEMED us from the curse of the Law…
Galatians 3:10-14
(10)  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
(11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
(12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
(13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
(14)  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

This is one of those powerful scriptures that the Curse-Deliverance ministers hate and always try to twist around. However, no one can be justified before The Lord by keeping to a set of rules and regulations set by man. The Law of Moses could not justify anyone before The Lord because no one could fulfill the Law, therefore creating a curse on those who failed even at a single Law.

The scripture is clear that those who follow after the law are under a curse and simply because no man can be 100 percent perfect by keeping the law. It is Christ Jesus who redeemed us from the Curse of the law, being made a curse for us when He gave His life on the Cross for us.

It is Jesus Christ who set us free from the curse of the law that the blessings of Abraham might come upon us through Jesus Christ. It is all a free gift and we do not have to purchase blessings and deliverance from curses. Jesus Christ once and for all gave His life on the Cross and redeemed us from the curse.

It is important to note the word REDEEMED in this passage – The Lord Redeemed us, Bought us, Purchased us, Paid a Ransom for us, by giving His Life on the Cross for us and shedding His Blood so that we would no longer be held under bondage, captivity, slavery, and hostage to the Curse – Jesus Christ set us free from the Curse.

I would suggest that it would be better to give your money to the poor and orphans rather than to the Curse-Deliverance Gospel preachers.

It is clear that Christians whose sins are forgiven and washed by the Blood of Jesus Christ are not cursed but blessed freely in Jesus Christ.

The promises where made to Abraham’s SEED – Jesus Christ…
Galatians 3:15-16
(15)  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
(16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

God longed to bless mankind through Jesus Christ and the blessing that was spoken of was the Forgiveness of sins, Justification through Jesus Christ, and Salvation. I always hear Prosperity Preachers claim Abraham’s blessing because of the Tithe and giving. Such teachings are wrong and an error for one to suggest that Jesus Christ blesses His saints when they Tithe and curses them when they don’t.

Malachi 3:8-9
(8)  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
(9)  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Such preachers always quote Malachi but forget that Malachi was prophesying to Israel and their neglect and abandonment of the Mosaic Law. Malachi declares a curse because the Israelites failed to keep the law, thus Malachi agrees with Paul the apostle in Galatians Chapter 3:10 that cursed is any one whose works are under the Law…If you failed to keep the whole law then you were cursed.

Yet it is Jesus Christ who gave His Life on the Cross and REDEEMED us from the Curse of the Law. How then can a preacher stand and say that Christians are cursed if they don’t Tithe?

Are we under Grace or The Law? If under The Law as some preachers suggest in the area of Finance, who then REDEEMED us from the Curse of the Law? Was it not Jesus Christ? Are you then not trying to negate and trample down the work of redemption from the curse of the Law that Jesus Christ did on the Cross???

Who then are the cursed?
This is a very good question and the scriptures in the New Testament are very revealing as to who is cursed. We have established that those who are saved, forgiven, justified, and redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Christ cannot be cursed and are NOT cursed but are blessed.

So, who then are the cursed? We see from scriptures in the New Testament that the list includes false teachers, the materialistic, false prophets, and all who rebel against The Lord and Reject Jesus Christ…

The Greedy, Materialist, and Rich who refuse to care for the Poor…
The Lord referred to them as “Ye Cursed”…They are the Goats…
Matthew 25:41-46
(41)  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
(42)  For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
(43)  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
(44)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
(45)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
(46)  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

False Teachers and Preachers who preach and teach ‘Another Gospel’…
They are cursed regardless of how much wealth they own…if they preach a Gospel contrary to the New Testament Teachings they are cursed…It might be that the Prosperity-Curse-Deliverance Preachers fall under this category…

Galatians 1:6-9
(6)  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
(7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
(8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
(9)  As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

False Teachers and Preachers who Merchandise the people of God…
Again the Prosperity Preachers and other heretics regardless of their wealth and money fall into this category… Don’t let money deceive you; there are many rich and wealthy preachers who are cursed… These are they who preach the gospel of Balaam causing the saints to love the world and follow after mammon. Peter the apostles refers to them as “Cursed Children”…

2 Peter 2:1-3
(1)  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
(3)  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2 Peter 2:13-16
(13)  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
(14)  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
(15)  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
(16)  But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet.

More on those who are blessed in Christ Jesus…
We see from the New Testament scriptures below that The Blessings mentioned have nothing to do with money, riches, wealth, and materialism. Rather we see that those blessings are pronounced on those who walk with Jesus Christ and obey His Word.

We also see that the blessings are not bought and not sold; they cannot be received in exchange for monetary value. Those who teach that The Blessings of God can be bought are BLASPHEMERS of the True Gospel of Jesus Christ and are HERETICS.  

We also see that those who are blessed by Jesus Christ many times have to endure hardships and suffer for His Name. Just because believers go through sufferings does not mean that they are cursed. Yet we see that many who claim to be rich and wealthy and materialistic might actually be under a curse.

It is even more eye opening to see that The Lord counts those who endure trials, hardships, tribulations, and suffer for His Name as Blessed…

Those who endure hardships, tribulations, and persecutions for Jesus Christ are blessed…
Matthew 5:2-12
(2)  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
(3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
(5)  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
(6)  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
(7)  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
(8)  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(9)  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(10)  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(11)  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
(12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

God our Father has blessed us with ALL Spiritual Blessings in Christ…
You don’t need to give anyone money to buy any blessing… You are already blessed with all spiritual blessings you will ever need… Those who ask for money to bless you are thieves, liars, blasphemers, and preachers of ‘Another Gospel’…watch out!
Ephesians 1:3
(3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Endurance and Perseverance are Blessings…
James 1:12
(12)  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

To continue in and obey The Word of God is a Blessing…
James 1:25
(25)  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

To Endure, Persevere, Patiently, and be Persecuted for the Name of Christ is a Blessing…
James 5:11
(11)  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

1 Peter 3:14
(14)  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 4:14
(14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Reading the Words of Prophesy in the book of Revelation and keeping The Lord’s Watch is a Blessing…
Revelation 1:3
(3)  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Those who will be martyred for the Name of Christ are blessed…
Revelation 14:13
(13)  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

Keeping The Lord’s Watch and a Holy Life is a Blessing…
Revelation 16:15
(15)  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

The Redeemed who will be part of the Marriage Supper of The Lamb are Blessed…
Revelation 19:9
(9)  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Those who will be part of the first resurrection – the Redeemed are blessed…
Revelation 20:6
(6)  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In the New Heaven and New Earth before the Throne of God and of The Lamb will be no more curses…
Revelation 22:3
(3)  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Keeping to the words of Prophesy in the Book of Revelation is a blessing – Keeping the Watch of The Lord…
Revelation 22:7
(7)  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book.

Obeying The Lord’s Commandments is a blessing – blessed are those who do His commandments…
Revelation 22:14
(14)  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Notice that we don’t see any attachment to materialism, wealth, riches, and glories of this world when it comes to being blessed in the New Testament.

Instead we see that endurance, perseverance, suffering for Christ, Persecution, tribulation, martyrdom, obeying the Word of God, Keeping the Watch of The Lord – Bible Prophecy about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, etc, all have attachments to being blessed in The Lord.

Brethren, don’t be deceived that Prosperity Gospel Preachers and the Curse-Deliverance Teachers have blessings in store for you, they have none…rather they carry curses on themselves because they preach ‘another gospel’…

In Christ Jesus
God Bless You
Kato Mivule