In this revealing lesson, Brother Singh uses two aspects of our Christian life to demonstrate why negatives are necessary for our growth and stability. Paul stated: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8)

The early church experienced "trouble" on every side, meaning that it struggled against the corruption of the ungodly world to establish itself and survive. Brother Singh equates "trouble" to the process of refining raw gold into a precious metal as we know it. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it is tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7).

If you enjoy the words of Jeremiah, Isaiah, and the Apostle Paul but dislike your local pastor, you will die lost! It is a reality of life. God sent each man He called to minister life to the people in his day. Therefore, our faithfulness in implementing what we were taught in the local assembly will judge us when we stand before God.

"Why does Brother Singh preach so stridently against iniquity?" people may ask. Two passages contain the answer: Jesus said, of the days in which we now live, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12). That means that people's love for God, for truth, and each other grow cold. They may continue to be religious but serve God at their convenience. It happened in the past and continues today. A mere 22 years later (approximately), the Apostle Paul warned: "The mystery of iniquity doth already work" (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Today, the effects of iniquity are much more apparent. 

Few saints recognize the danger of iniquity. Echoing the Apostle Peter, Brother Singh, therefore, is not negligent to remind us of these things, though we think we know them to ensure we are "established in the present truth." In this lesson, we examine how iniquity separates us from God, rendering us powerless compared to the early church. 

Iniquity is probably the least understood offense in church. It is more challenging to detect, for it is a COLLECTIVE violation involving unauthorized worship—a form of religious practice that God has not approved. Therefore, all aspects of our service to God need continual scrutiny to ensure that we have not fallen into "a form of godliness but deny the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:5). From such practices, we are warned to turn away!

If we ignorantly drift into a mechanical form of worship that offends God, we too could be rejected in the same manner as Judah. God declared, "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward." (Isaiah 1:2-4)

In this troubled time in history, when the world reels in chaos, Brother John and Brother Sam combine to encourage the saints to seek restoration for our souls. We gather in God's house to offer praise and thanksgiving for His mercy and goodness to us and to free our minds of the pollution that bombards our thoughts daily.  The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Jesus and his ministry because the Lord has anointed him to bring good news to the poor. He has sent his ministry to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

King David wrote these magnificent words: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

Ultimately our walk with God will lead us to a sense of peace and tranquility, as described above by the psalmist. Yet,  Brother Singh explains that we may sometimes feel abandoned by our heavenly Father before finding our spiritual green pasture by still waters. 

No goals are reached without planning, commitment, and sacrifice. Motivation is dependant upon several factors, as this lesson will demonstrate. It takes courage and strength never to give up. The eagle and the lion symbolize strength and courage in the Bible, characteristics that inspire children of God. The prophet Isaiah wrote: "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isiah 40:31)

Our church attendance accomplishes much more than saving us from our past sins, Brother Sam advocates. The struggles of life drain us of the blessings we ought to enjoy because we do not walk as children of light as we ought to do.  God's plan obligates us to continue securely established and steadfast in the faith without drifting from the hope promised by the gospel that we profess to follow. Failure to receive healing and deliverance is not due to a shortage of God's faithfulness but ours! 

The continuity of Christ’s church is dependant on the leadership of faithful men whose hearts are committed to the work of God. Thus, Paul wrote these instructions to his son in the faith. "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2Timothy 2:2). In modern vernacular, "The things [the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others" (AMP).