Home Blog Page 14

Do You Fear The Lord?

Jerry Koo
-
0
Do You Fear The Lord?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord” is something that people don’t think about as much. Even as Christians, our predominant view of God being this loving Father that forgives our sins, sometimes leads us to shun the view that God is someone that is to be feared and show reverence to. And the more we shun it or avoid it, the more misconceptions we have about it. By doing so, we rob ourselves of endless wisdom and peace that comes from knowing Him and forfeit such knowledge. Hence why we must explore this theme of “the fear of the Lord”, whilst addressing these questions: What does the life of a person who fears the Lord look like? And what makes them fear the Lord?

But first, let’s go to Exodus and observe what a life that doesn’t fear the Lord looks like.

The life of a person that doesn’t fear God

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time, I have sinned”, he said to them,” The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”

Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop, and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

– Exodus 9:27-30

This discourse took place after the seventh plague, the Plague of Hail. Pharaoh has witnessed countless times the frightening power and glory of God, but time after time, he hardens his heart and does not obey God. This time was no different. Though his speech displayed fear, his heart’s posture was not in line with his words. The following verses say, “as soon as the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again” (Exodus 9:34) Just as Moses said to Pharaoh, “You and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

This section gives us two important pieces of information:

  1. The fear of the Lord is not just paying lip service to God whilst it’s not reflected in our actions.
  2. The lack of fear of the Lord is not because of the lack of understanding of who God is.

Pharaoh witnessed first-hand what God can do, yet, even after the final plague, when all the firstborns of Egypt were killed; his heart was still as hard as a rock, and he did not fear God. Fear of God that comes from the fear that something bad is going to happen to you is not true fear of God and its not sustainable as displayed in Pharoah here “as soon as the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again” (Exodus 9:34) What motivates true fear of the Lord then? Let’s go to Genesis and observe the life of Abraham.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

The life of a person that fears God

“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son”

– Genesis 22:9-12

When God tested Abraham’s faith by telling him to sacrifice Isaac, he obeyed God, and He said to him, “Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, you only son” (Genesis 22:12) In contrast to Pharaoh, Abraham demonstrated his fear of the Lord with action and his life testified it. But let’s have a closer look. What motivated this fear of the Lord? Was it fear that something bad will happen to him? No, the Bible tells us, Abraham’s motivation for obeying God was faith. “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son.” (Hebrews 11:17)

The fear of the Lord comes from faith

So, what fuels us to fear the Lord? It should be our faith in him. Both Pharaoh and Abraham knew about God and knew what He is capable of doing- but both had completely different responses. Pharaoh had his eyes only on himself, refusing to accept God’s way and trusting in his own ways. While Abraham trusted in God’s way and lived a life with the fear of the Lord. Acknowledging God’s way is better than his, Abraham was not motivated by fear of something bad happening to him if he didn’t obey- but obeyed because he had faith in God’s way.

To conclude, “the fear of the Lord” is a lifestyle that acknowledges God’s way is better than ours showing reverence to Him in everything we do. It is reflected in our daily decisions, actions and not just word only. The main motivation that enables us to live a life with “the fear of the Lord” is faith, as shown in Abraham’s life in contrast with Pharoah’s.

Hence how do we find “the fear of the Lord”? We seek for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, dig through our Bibles and hunger for His wisdom (Prov 2:3-6). Proclaiming that our ways are foolish and his ways are perfect, coming to His presence with all humility. Then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God, for he is the source of wisdom and delights in giving it freely. Let’s begin our journey to learn how to live a lifestyle with “the fear of the Lord”.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting University

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
-
0
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting University

Congratulations! You are going to university or beginning a degree course. This can be a daunting experience with many unknowns as it is a journey to unfamiliar settings and a new environment. Although all exciting, we must be guided through this stage as it can, and will most likely, shake our comfortable foundations. On the other hand, it can provide numerous opportunities to establish community, make new friends and discover priorities. So with that in mind, here are a few things that can help you stay rooted.

1. Don’t be afraid to stand out

We are children of God, through Christ, saved by grace (Gal. 3:26). If we are unsure about who we are, this is a reminder. Jesus died for our sins on the cross of Calvary, He chose death so we can be dead in our sins. Then He resurrected so we can be alive in Him to live as new creations, set apart from the world (Rom. 6:1-11). We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), we cannot be conformed by the world. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2). It can be easy to blend in, especially on a campus of over 10,000 or more students. However, we have been called to stand out. It may feel like there is no one else thinking like us or who is seeking the Lord earnestly, but that is not true!

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

2. Community matters

This leads to the next point which is community. I would say this is one of the most important aspects of the university experience, regardless of location. Who we surround ourselves with will have a drastic impact on our lives over the next 3-4 years, or even longer, as we tend to maintain contact with our university friends afterwards. So, who are we allowing to have an influence on us?

Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good character

1 Corinthians 15:33

Our community is vital. If you already have a strong community, you should remain as close to them as possible. Having said that, we need community in our immediate proximity. It can be isolating trying to walk this journey alone, or at distance, because truthfully we were not meant to (Ecc. 4:9-10). There is strength when we find others to walk together and so many societies and groups exist for like-minded people. Our first interactions may not be with Christians but we should ensure those we interact with the most share our values or at least have mutual respect and understanding. At the same time, do not allow yourself to be negatively influenced to commit sin under any circumstance. University doesn’t stop us from being who we are, and the best place to find community is within a church.

3. Find a local church early

At first, this may be a difficult task and we may feel more reluctant to attempt this task, especially if we have an established church community back home. Nonetheless, we need somewhere in our immediate surroundings to build relationships, have close fellowship, and discipleship, with accountability. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for many of us to attend services online, but it is important to find a local church. We know the value of physical relationships, contact and in-person connections. We should not neglect this once we move away to university.

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

Hebrews 10:25

Research and have a read of this article (A Guide to Finding a Good Church) to help in finding a suitable church to attend. Try to do this very early on in your arrival to build a habit of regular attendance before everything else takes over.

4. Know your priorities

The reason you are where you are right now is as a result of a choice, a decision made about the university and course. And everything has been ordained under Gods plan for your life to bring you to this location, for this purpose (Est. 4:14). Our hard work and dedication at this moment to our course and degrees can be an act of worship to God. We can reflect Christ through how we behave at university and how we conduct ourselves throughout our degrees. Therefore, we should not underestimate the influence our lifestyle, living for the glory of God, can have on others. (1 Tim. 4:12).

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

1 Corinthians 15:58

5. Enjoy the experience

Living for the glory of God, saved by the wonderful grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing eternity is our promise is a joy to behold (Rom. 5:2). When we are working unto the Lord and not man (Col. 3:23), we can relax. Why? Because we are not seeking approval or trying to set a standard, we work from a place of approval, we work for God and we enjoy the work of our hand (1 Thess. 2:4). There is a lot to be experienced at university, we should enjoy it. But never forget, our true enjoyment is when we see Jesus face to face and we hear, well done good and faithful servant.

To Those Who Feel Far Away From God

Jerry Koo
-
0
To Those Who Feel Far Away From God

Yes, God has made me realise my utter incompetence to earn salvation through my works. I am brought to my knees when I think about this free gift of faith that is given by God. That there is now no condemnation and for just as Christ died, I have died to sin and now I am alive in Christ. I am now a follower of Christ and live for him and him alone. But! Why do I live as if I haven’t received this faith, I still continue my old sinful lifestyle as if nothing has changed? I still panic and am anxious when things are looking bad in my life. Where is my faith? How do I practice my faith and walk in the way of the Lord?

What is the nature of faith?

Well to answer that, we need to know what the nature of faith is. Is it something that comes into practice automatically, like the central heating once we set it to a certain temperature it just automatically heats up when needed or is it a conscious action that we need to continuously practice? The Bible answers that question in Luke 8:22-25.

“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying,” Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him”

Luke 8: 22-25

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

Faith is an action

This is a well-known scenario where Jesus and His disciples were on a boat and a storm came and the disciples panicked and woke Jesus up. Jesus after rebuking the winds and the waves, He asked the disciples where their faith was. What is fascinating about this question is that where Jesus asks “Where is your faith?”, implies that Jesus knew that they had faith, as we all know is a gift from God, but where was it? The disciples didn’t practice their faith and instead panicked. If faith was an automatic thing that kicks in when we have trial and tribulation, the disciples wouldn’t have been in trouble in the first place. They wouldn’t have panicked and Jesus wouldn’t have needed to ask them, “where is your faith?”

The verses show us that faith isn’t passive but rather an action- it needs to be practised. The next question we should ask is, how do we practice our faith then? We are able to find the answer using the same few verses by observing what the disciples didn’t do.

Reminding ourselves who God is

The disciples saw the storm and as it grew heavier and heavier, they started to panic, and they didn’t realize that they didn’t really have a reason to panic because Jesus Christ was in the boat with them. They had forgotten the miracles, the love, and authority they witnessed first-hand and panicked as the trial came.

How often that is the case for us as Christians, when things are not going our way or things suddenly happen, we tend to forget what God has done throughout our lives and start panicking. How often do we forget all about God in our daily lives as we go about our lives as faithless people and put our faith for show only when Sunday comes?

That is the time we need to ask ourselves “Where is our faith?” and stop to remind ourselves of who God is. That He is all sovereign and nothing is beyond His control and He cares for His children, and remind ourselves of who we are. We are God’s children that are redeemed by the blood of Christ and we live for him. We are ambassadors of Christ, and “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

May our faith dictate every action in our daily lives, and the key for doing so is through growing in understanding of who God is through the Bible. Building a relationship with Him and reminding ourselves constantly; What a great God we have.

Failure is Not The End of Gods Plan

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
-
0
Failure is Not The End of Gods Plan

Nobody likes to fail. Failing can be more difficult to comprehend when we have worked hard towards the goal, exam or test and it doesn’t work out. It is disheartening and we are well within our rights to be upset. But what if there is a greater opportunity to trust God in our failures. This is an article to help you find hope and trust in God despite failure. Also, show how our failure does not mean the end of Gods plan for our life.

Failure happens

I have failed. I have failed an exam, I failed a subject and I have failed on numerous other occasions. Failure can leave us without any hope or belief in our own abilities or the plans of God. It can even be easy to blame God during our failures as to ask “why did I fail when you have a plan?”. However, what if this failure was the moment that birthed our testimony? There are examples of God using the failings of people in the bible to launch them into purpose. I am not saying that we should fail on purpose, so God can use it, but I am saying, when we do fail, God can and most definitely will use it as failure can be a catalyst for change.

Truthfully, as much as we attempt to categorically avoid it, there may come a point in life where we fail something. The aspiration is that we have a hope greater than our failures and we are not defined by them. We fail only one moment or situation or test, not life. We do not have to constantly carry out failures. As the Word says to lay our burdens down (Psalm 55:22), we can lay our failings too. And we should. 

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

Finding Hope

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, failed a crucial test at the moment where it seemed to matter the most. In Marks gospel, Peter and the other disciples are with Jesus, eating the Passover meal (Mark 14:22-26). As Jesus explains what is to happen and how everyone will fall away, Peter speaks up vehemently declaring that although everyone will leave, He will not (v.31). The test placed before Peter was if despite what the Lord had said, He would stick to His word. Later in the chapter, the moment of the test arrives and unfortunately, Peter denies Jesus (v.70). He fails this test. We can see Peters dismay at the outcome even though He believed He was prepared (v.72). Sadly, we can be as prepared as possible yet still fail. Nevertheless, this example is reassuring because of the close relationship between Peter and Jesus. We too have a closeness with Jesus through our salvation which is why we can learn from this story.

For Peter, this failure may have seemed detrimental to completing the purpose Jesus had previously declared over his life when He said, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). And sometimes failing can cause us to believe we will not meet expectations and start believing we cannot access God’s best. However, on Jesus’ return, He restores Peter and lets Him know he can still be the rock, by asking Him to feed his sheep, then to follow Him, as before. To Jesus, the plan remained unchanged and Peter’s purpose was still the same.

Trusting God

Although Peter was upset at the events that had transpired, once Jesus assured him of the plan over his life, Peter let go of his failure. He walked into the purpose, with what I could only assume was more solid determination, to become one of the founding people in the Christian faith. The book of Acts documents how he boldly declared the name of Jesus and preached the gospel through adversity. We cannot allow ourselves to wallow in our failures when we believe in an omnipotent, omniscient God. 

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Numbers 23:1

No failure can get in the way of an almighty God. His plans are for good, not to harm us, to give us a hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). There is hope in Jesus Christ, a future in eternity and a promise that God will work all things out for our good, even if it does not feel like it. Trust God in your failure, let Him show you what He can do.

How Do We Respond to the Situation in Afghanistan?

Chude Obuaya
-
0
How Do We Respond to the Situation in Afghanistan?

In the last couple of weeks, the news has been dominated by the hostile takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. The images that have surfaced as the situation unfolds has been distressing. Thousands are flocking to Kabul airport in the hope of fleeing the country, women and children are locking themselves in their homes and fatal casualties have occurred due to Taliban violence; the scenes are nothing short of horrific. There is much discussion as to whether the US government made the right decision of withdrawing their troops. Additionally, there is a long history of tension between those pro- and anti-Taliban within Afghanistan. The complexity of this historical tension and its present out-workings are beyond the scope of this article. However, we do not need an in-depth understanding of the circumstances to clothe our hearts with compassion. Image bearers are currently in a position where they are helpless and at the mercy of terrorists. How will we respond?

War Against Indifference


In this age of social media, we are likely to encounter more information than ever before. World events that will not make mainstream news we encounter by scrolling through our Twitter feed. Having access to so much information can be helpful because it enables us to engage with people and communities, we would otherwise be ignorant of. Having access to so much information can be harmful because our initial concern can descend into indifference. If a photo or video becomes too distressing, we can just close the page and move on, forgetting that we saw such horrific scenes. Now, whilst I am not encouraging endless absorption of traumatic content, I would like to alert us to the danger of indifference. When we do encounter these traumatic events, what do we think? Do we see the sufferers (and the perpetrators) as image-bearers (Genesis 1:26)? Or is it simply none of my business? Are we plagued with individualism, the endemic pervasive within contemporary culture? I would like to cast our minds to the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Three men saw a man in need. Two of the men responded to the need with indifference, The other responded with compassion (Luke 10:31-33). Which one are we? When we see the images that surface from the scenes in Afghanistan, how do we respond – with indifference or compassion?

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

What Can I Do?


There are 3,545 miles between the UK and Afghanistan. Even those most passionate about social justice can feel increasingly powerless to create change. Whilst this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some suggestions as to what Christians can do to support those in need.


1. Develop good theology on the Imago Dei. This might seem like a strange way to start, but it is arguably the most important step to take. Every single human that has ever been created has been made in the image of God, to reflect and behold the glory of God. So, wicked acts against humans ultimately declare the heart of the person towards God. Since humans are the crowning point of creation, to destroy or diminish what God created is to say I hate God and His glory. To be indifferent towards the crowning point of creation is to say I don’t care about God or His glory. Is this you?


2. Pray. You may not have the resources to help refugees escape from Afghanistan, but you can pray. Prayer is the means by which God providentially acts within the affairs of humans. In Luke 18, a widow pleaded incessantly to a wicked judge to grant her justice against her enemy. She pleaded until the judge gave in. If consistent pleading can change the heart of a wicked judge, what will the consistent pleading of the righteous cause a virtuous Judge to do?


3. Give. Where our treasure is there our hearts are also (Matthew 6:21). Whilst praying is paramount, it can be used as a copout. What we give our money to, usually indicates who our god is. Find reputable charities or churches that are doing ‘on the ground’ work to support the refugees fleeing the country or the residents remaining in Afghanistan.


4. Lament. Indifference doesn’t always come from a lack of care externally but also from a lack of care internally. Consuming significant amounts of traumatic content without processing the information is not good for our soul. We have emotions not to control us but to direct us to the One who can help us make sense of all the noise. Lament says instead of being angry about God, I will take my anger to God, allow Him to comfort me and finally lead me on the path to hope. If you need to lament, spend some time in the Psalms. It will do your soul much good.

There is so much wickedness in this world and at times it can be overwhelming. Whilst we may be overwhelmed, we will overcome. Victory is ours through Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14). Sin and Satan will not get the last laugh. Whilst we await that final victory, let us not meander our way to the finish line. We have too much hope to be indifferent.

Your Spiritual High Will Not Last

Chude Obuaya
-
0
Your Spiritual High Will Not Last

Growing up in a Pentecostal church there was much emphasis on experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. There were often deliverance services, all-night prayer and worship conferences to achieve this goal and refresh the believer. This desire remains amongst many Christians. Christians desire to be spiritually filled during an event or service that will spur them into a deeper, more consistent walk with God. However, this event – a “spiritual high” – often does not last and many Christians revert to square one. Christians are then left scouring for the next opportunity to regain that spiritual high they felt. Were we made to wait for tangible experiences of the Holy Spirit to feel empowered to live out the gospel imperatives or are we able to live empowered irrespective of these experiences?

How Quickly We Forget

A common theme throughout the Scriptures is the forgetfulness of God’s people. In the Old Testament, Israel (God’s covenant people) often forgot the faithfulness of God and reverted to sinful pleasures that God delivered them from (Deuteronomy 9:7-8, Isaiah 51:12-13). In the New Testament, the Epistles continuously exhort the churches addressed to put off the old self and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10). These reminders are necessary since God’s covenant people, both old and new, often forget the faithfulness of God in the past. One place in scripture where this is evident is in the book of Judges. Shortly after Joshua died, God commissioned the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites so they could obtain the land promised to them (Judges 1:1-2). The Israelites fail to obey God and do not drive the inhabitants out of the land (Judges 1:27-34). An angel of the Lord then appears to the Israelites to declare judgment on the people as a result of their disobedience (Judges 2:1-3). Upon hearing these words, the Israelites cry out in repentance and attempt to appease God with sacrifices (Judges 2:4-5). Whilst Joshua was alive the people obeyed God (Judges 2:7), once he died a whole generation grew that didn’t know God nor the works He had done (Judges 2:10). It was as if the Israelites were in need of constant spiritual highs to remain faithful. So, not only did their forgetfulness adversely affect their generation, but it also affected the next.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

We Must Remember

If we rely on spiritual highs, we will miss out on the day-to-day power that is readily available through the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended, He said that He won’t leave us as orphans but that there was a Helper that was on the way (John 14:15-18). This promise should drive us to hope because we don’t have to experience God in part but in full. We don’t have to settle for moments of the tangible presence of God at a conference or a worship night, to feel empowered to live holy lives. God does not save us and then leave us to our devices, granting us crumbs of His presence to empower us for a short while. God fills each saved one with Himself, so each believer has unhindered access to the same Spirit that raised Jesus (Romans 8:11).

We are promised that each day if we walk with the Holy Spirit, we will not gratify the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). We are promised that when resources are low, we don’t have to fret because God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:8). We are promised that when we feel that the world is against us, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ (Romans 8:37-38). The message of the gospel is not that you get moments of freedom, but that in Christ you have total freedom. You don’t have to wait till the next revival night at your church to experience the intimacy that Jesus promises. Instead, the scriptures remind us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Spiritual highs won’t sustain you, but if you’re in Christ, God will.

What Does The Bible Teach About The Trinity?

Cole Shiflet
-
0
What Does The Bible Teach About The Trinity?

Even this morning as I began to write this article, my roommate expressed his fear of studying the Trinity. For so many Christians, the Trinity remains a mystery because they are afraid of slipping into heresy. Yet, if the Trinity really is the foundation of the Christian Faith, it should be at the forefront of our minds. My hope for this article is not to provide a defense of the Trinity, but to argue for why we should study it.

Now, let’s be clear, in many ways the Trinity is a mystery because, of course, it is the study of God’s triune nature. Throughout church history, theologians have referred to this inability to fully describe who God is as ineffability. The word “effable” is an adjective that means “able to be described in words.” Contrarily, “ineffable” simply means “too great or amazing to be described in words.” As Christians, we believe that God is ineffable, but we also believe that he has revealed himself through the Word.

In a study conducted by Anchored Passion in 2020, 82% of American Evangelical young adults believe that God exists in three persons, 96% believe that the Son and Spirit were equal to the father, and 95% believe that Jesus was truly man and truly God. Well, it seems like the vast majority of Bible-believing Christians here in the United States have a basic understanding of the Trinity. Despite this, 43% of respondents go so far as to say that there are three different Gods. This shockingly high number demonstrates a widespread lack of clarity around the doctrine of the Trinity.

Our Aim

When studying the Trinity or any theological topic, it can be easy to view it, primarily, as an intellectual exercise. Yet, I want to challenge you to view it as an act of worship. The purpose of studying the Trinity is not to win debates, but to know God. As our knowledge of God increases, our love for Him ought to increase with it.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

What Does The Bible Say?

Perhaps much of the confusion around the Trinity exists because the Bible itself does not explicitly use the word “trinity,” yet the doctrine of Biblical trinitarianism is built off of three foundational truths.

  1. There is one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

First, throughout the Old and New Testament, Judaism and, subsequently, Christianity are constantly put against the polytheism of ancient culture. From Baal to the altar to the unknown God, polytheistic religion was the norm in the culture that the Bible was written in. The Scriptures are clear, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

  1. God exists in three persons. (Matthew 3:13–17)

Second, the Bible is clear that Jesus is not the same as the Father. While they are both God, the baptism of Jesus, among other passages, teaches us about the importance of the distinction between different persons of the Trinity.

  1. Each person is truly God. (John 8:58, Acts 5:3–4)

Third, the Bible teaches that the Father, Son, and Spirit, are all truly God. This is evidenced through the story of Ananias and Sapphira and the instance when Jesus, himself claims to be “I AM.”

Three Dangers To Avoid

Now that we have laid a foundation for what the Bible does say about the Trinity, it is important to be aware of three false views of the Trinity that have been popularized and, subsequently, condemned throughout church history.

  1. Modalism is the problematic idea that condenses the three persons of the Godhead into one person. This heresy has been spread through the analogy that God exists like H₂0, in three different forms. At its core, modalism teaches us that God manifests himself as three modes, moods, or forms while Biblical trinitarianism teaches us that God exists as three distinct persons. Simply put, modalism succeeds in teaching that God is one, but fails to teach the distinction between the three persons of the Triune God.
  1. Tritheism is the heresy that there are actually three distinct gods. This idea has been analogized by comparing the Trinity to an egg which exists as three distinct parts: white, shell, and yoke. In this dangerous analogy, the egg is simply a sum of the parts. At its core, tritheism teaches us that God exists as three distinct gods while Biblical trinitarianism teaches us that God exists as three distinct persons. Simply put, tritheism succeeds in teaching that there is a distinction between each person of the Trinity, but fails to recognize the unity of the Triune God.
  1. Subordinationism teaches that one person of the Trinity is inferior to another. This idea has been popularized by groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who teach that the Spirit is an impersonal force and the Son is a created being. At its core, subordinationism often denies the deity of Christ or the Spirit. Simply put, subordinationism succeeds in recognizing the distinction and unity of each person of the Trinity, yet fails miserably to acknowledge the deity of each person of the Trinity.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Understanding the basics of Biblical trinitarianism is essential to understanding who God is. The Trinity is not simply another doctrine about God, but is the foundation and core of the Christian faith. The beginning of the Athananasian Creed goes so far as to argue that you cannot reject this and be saved.

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith; Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.

And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated nor threeincomprehensible, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. So the Father isGod, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord; And yet they are not three Lords but one Lord.

May we not simply pray in Jesus’ name, but in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. May we remember that the Father did not die on the Cross for us, but the Son. May we remember that God exists as three in one.

Finding Security In Christ

Shumi Mararike
-
0
Finding Security In Christ

The Christian pilgrimage is rarely ever smooth sailing. There are numerous peaks and troughs along the way. At times you may feel as though you’ve strayed too far away from God. Have you considered yourself to have sinned beyond the riches of His grace and forgiveness? This couldn’t be any further from the truth. When troubled by such feelings, it is vital that we remember our position in Christ and God’s commitment to us which make us secure in Christ.

Our Position in Christ

Few passages fill the believer with confidence in their in their position in Christ as Romans 8:31-39 does. It is the climax of Paul’s explanation of the implications of our justification from Romans 5:1 through to Romans 8:30. There is a logic – “a gospel logic” as Sinclair Ferguson writes, “which is a fundamental element in bringing us assurance of salvation.”[1] This can be broken down into four parts when we work backwards from verses 39-31 where Paul makes four assertions set alongside four proofs to support them.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

1. No Separation

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:38-39)

There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39). You will be confronted by diverse trials on many fronts in both the physical and spiritual realms. But nothing nor no one, no power or influence can separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-36). You can be certain of this because God is greater than any earthly father, and like any human father, He determines to protect you all the more in the face of danger. Additionally, you are more than a conqueror in Christ (Romans 8:37). Hence, you can stand confident in the face of such destructive opposition because Christ loves you, and no enemy or calamity can separate you from His love.

2. No Condemnation

 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(Romans 8:34)

In Christ, you are no longer condemned. He is the only one who holds the power to possibly condemn us (John 5:22; Romans 2:16), but never will. He is seated at the right hand of God, not waiting to condemn us, but making intercession for those who have believed in Him (Romans 8:34).

3. No Accusation

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

(Romans 8:33)

Fear of accusation of sin and guilt comes from both Satan and yourself. Preach the gospel to yourself daily. Remind yourself that there was nothing you did to obtain your salvation, and there anything you do to lose it either. This is because the God who can accuse us is the God who justifies us – declares us righteous and forgiven in His own sight (Romans 8:33; Romans 4:5; 3:21-26, 26-28; Romans 8:29-30). Thus, our justification is undergirded by the very nature and character of God Himself.

4. No Opposition

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

(Romans 8:31-32)

The question in verse 31 is a first-class conditional. In this context, “if” implies no doubt. Paul is effectively saying that since it is true that since God is for us, it is true that no one can be against us. There will be opposition from all angles – the world, the flesh and the devil – but we will prevail over them. What evidence do we have for this? That God did not withhold His Son, the greatest sacrifice of all for our sake. If God did not hold onto what was most costly, we can be assured that He will meet our every need – no matter the cost – including your assurance of salvation.

God’s Commitment to Us

We see God’s commitment toward us in how He has gifted us with eternal life. Remember, there is a logic to the gospel. As basic as it sounds, we ought to remember what eternal life is. The promise of eternal life is that when Christ’s returns, believers will be raised to eternal life with Jesus (John 6:40). It is both a future hope and a present possession. As a believer, you have eternal life. You will never perish. You are safe in the arms of Jesus, and by virtue of that, safe in the arms of God as He and the Father are one (John 10:30).

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

(John 5:24)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

(John 10:27-30)

Our Response

Preach the gospel to yourself daily. Remind yourself of your position in Christ and God’s commitment to you. Only then will you begin to know and believe that you haven’t strayed too far away from God. You can stop running from God and run back to Him because His arms are wide open. You’re no longer condemned but forgiven if you have trusted in Christ for salvation. Confess your sin and repent. Put to death the sin in your life which strains your relationship with God and hinders your progress as you determine to live for Him (Colossians 3:5-10; Hebrews 12:1). Commit yourself to the meditation and study of Scripture (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2). Seek God in prayer (Colossians 4:2; Galatians 4:6). Commit yourself to the life of a local church. All this is integral to intentionally strengthening your communion with God so that your relationship with Him may flourish.

[1] Sinclair B. Ferguson Maturity: Growing Up and Going On in the Christian Life (The Banner of Truth Trust, 2020), 71

How to Correct Fellow Believers

Shumi Mararike
-
0
How to Correct Fellow Believers

For the Christian, Yahweh is the one true God (Jeremiah 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). He has also revealed Himself as the God of truth (Isaiah 65:16), with His word being the summation of all truth (Psalm 119:160). Accordingly, His Son is full of grace and truth (John 1:14) and is the embodiment of truth itself (John 14:6). The Christian is transformed by His Spirit – the Spirit of truth who leads believers into all truth (John 16:13). Against this backdrop, we see how vital it is for us to pursue truth and lovingly correct the errors which shape our own theology and that of others. But how do we do it?

Consider your own errors

None of us are infallible. We are finite beings. We do not have a perfect understanding of Scripture, so we must never come across as though we do. Nonetheless, the Bible is not an enigma. It is written in a way that we may understand it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, diligent study, and the help of others. So before rushing to point out the misunderstanding of others, start by assessing your own comprehension. As you study Scripture, consider what the text plainly says. Study passages in their context and in light of cross-references where said topic is also mentioned. We must adopt “a Berean approach” to the Bible (Acts 17:11), examining the Scriptures to determine the truthfulness of what we hear, applying them to shape our doctrine. Correcting fellow believers starts with ensuring that we ourselves have adequate understanding.

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 17:11

Directly address the issue

All doctrine is important, but some issues are more pressing than others (see here). However, errors that threaten the truth of the Gospel or matters that are of “first importance”, must be addressed with directness, boldness, and clarity. Paul never shied away from this. When some Christians from a Jewish background were teaching the necessity of circumcision for salvation, he and Barnabas went to discuss the controversy with the apostles and elders at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-2; 6). This same issue drove Paul to write to the Galatians and dispel the lies of the false teachers. In such instances, silence is detrimental, but directly addressing the issue is loving and necessary.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

Be motivated by love

 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ

Ephesians 4:15

What is your motive? To appear knowledgeable (pride)? To win arguments? It is insufficient to speak truth without considering the motive. We must speak truth in love. Affection and love for others compel us to share truth with them. Complacency in correction can be detrimental to the development of individuals and the maturity of the church at large. Just as it is crucial that we have different leaders with different gifts in the church (Ephesians 4:11-14), we need believers who are willing to speak the truth in love for the growth and maturity of Christ’s body (Ephesians 4:13-16). Love and truth are inseparable (2 John 1-3). Thus, love drives our correction, softens its tone, and is moved by genuine care for the people we engage with.

Exercise patience

Genuine agape love (selfless and sacrificial love) is patient by its very nature (1 Corinthians 13:4). Our brothers and sisters may be holding onto convictions that are close to their hearts. Whether shaped by independent study or influenced by the tradition and church background they’ve grown up in, these tend to be sensitive and strongly held viewpoints. Additionally, there may be others barriers to their understanding. Hence, patience is vital in our explaining, but also our kindness.

As we seek to correct others, we must check our own understanding. Our motivations in correction, must be love and we must do so patiently. Although tricky, correcting others in love is crucial. To neglect love is to neglect the truth. To abandon the truth is to neglect love. We cannot afford to do either.

Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers?

Chinedu Agwu
-
0
Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers?

There are various factors that could hinder our prayers from being answered, the most obvious one is not praying in the authority of Jesus Christ, praying without trusting in Him or by his name. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It can be disheartening and even frustrating when we pray to God but don’t see a shift in our circumstances as we had hoped. One could ask “God do you even hear me when I call?” and the answer is yes but as mature Christians we need to understand that whilst we pray, we must seek the will of God to be done and not every wish to be granted. This article will highlight a few reasons a prayer is not answered or is delayed.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD

Isaiah 55:8

Praying according to God’s will

God’s will is found in His Word, the scriptures, which provides us with sufficient knowledge on how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. We are His creation made by Him and for Him, our life is not our own but was bought at a price. When we pray, we ask God to conform our will to His own because if we pray against His will, out of own personal desires we risk being out of alignment with His plan and purpose for us (1 John 5:14, Rom 12:1-2 and Proverbs 19:21).

Make prayer a personal encounter and not a parade

When we pray let us retreat to a quiet and private place to speak but also to hear from Him. This could literally be anywhere from your bedroom to your closet or your car/bike ride. As long as it is a place without distraction or disruption so you can have that intimate moment with the Father. It is not a sin to pray in public, as sometimes you may feel led to pray for a fellow pedestrian or a homeless person, however, we must avoid parading prayer and making it a show versus a holy moment (Matthew 6:5-8). The Pharisees had a tendency of praying in a proud and self-righteous manner, which we are warned against.

Hi reader, thank you for clicking on this article. As a charity, it is due to the donation from individuals that allow us to share this article with you for free! However the truth is, less than 1% of our readers donate and in order for us to keep on going, we need your help. If you donate just £2 a month, you can help Our God Given mission keep thriving. To donate, click here.

Ask “Am I praying from a sinful or pure heart”?

This point may make you squirm a little, but we must examine our hearts when we pray because God does! Is there any unaddressed sin that you are committing that you know is displeasing to God? We cannot have our cake and eat it too. It’s not the end of the world but in this situation, we must repent and turn away from that sin, our God is gracious and rich in mercy (Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 66:18-19).

Ensure your heart is free of bitterness/unforgiveness

When we pray as challenging as it may be, we must try to ensure we are not carrying bitterness or offence in our hearts towards anyone. This I know can be easier said than done but unforgiveness can be a stumbling block in our prayer life. If it is an area you are struggling with, take the burden to God because He is compassionate and faithful, He will give you the strength to overcome and forgive (Mark 11:25-26).

Make prayer a priority and not a last response

This point may sound obvious but still needs to be said, make prayer a daily practice and not a last response. The word says we do not have because we ask not. Take your needs and desires to God because He cares about you. Do not look to the world or other people, go to your heavenly Father and Creator who knows you better than anyone! (James 4:2).

Husbands to honour wives to avoid hindered prayers

I will start off by saying this is not an attack on men! There is a biblical duty for husbands to honour and be considerate of their wives. A great responsibility is placed on husbands as the head of the home because after all they are called to love their wives like Christ loves the church. A very high calling. So, when there is disrespect or dishonour in a marriage, this can hinder prayers from being answered (1 Peter 3:7).

Check the motives behind your prayers

Similar to the point above about examining your heart and praying according to God’s will. When you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in prayer. To place a word or a person on your heart. To strip away any ungodly motives which could skew your outlook or feed sin in your life (James 4:3). Have you ever asked yourself “how earnest was my prayer?” When you pray for that job, or car or spouse- do you intend to include God in those plans? Or is it just for personal gratification? An example of earnest prayer in the Bible is that of Hannah as she prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1) and God, examining her motives responded to her prayer.

Pray with faith 

This point is last but certainly not least. When you pray, pray with FAITH! That you are praying to a BIG and ABLE God who listens and responds to prayer. Be bold and confident with your prayer but also be humble because God is the one who can fulfil your desires. Some things we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2). When He says yes, no one can close that door and when He says no, no one can open that door. And if doubt creeps in, ask God to increase your faith even more to overcome it! (James 1:6-8). Make prayer a priority and not a last response. Do not look to the world or other people, go to your heavenly Father and Creator who knows you and your needs better than anyone!

1...131415...50Page 14 of 50
Sample field data

© On Mission (2024) | Part of The Evangelical Alliance | Registered Charity: 1170615