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What Is The Role Of The Holy Spirit?

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What Is The Role Of The Holy Spirit?

Of all the gifts given to mankind by God, there is none greater than the presence of the Holy Spirit. For many people, the person of the Holy Spirit raises many questions as to its functions, roles, and activities. Our Director Mike Omoniyi shares how The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is active in our world and notes several roles the Holy Spirit plays in the lives of believers today.

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How To Cope When Struggling With Burnout

Chinedu Agwu
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How To Cope When Struggling With Burnout

Phrases like “Work hard, play hard”, “Everyday I’m hustling” or “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” whilst often said light heartedly can actually cause us to develop an unhealthy work-life balance. If this is not addressed early it can lead to a state called “burnout”, which is exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration. So, what do we do when we come to the end of ourselves and find that we are running on empty?

What causes it?

I’ll start off by saying it is normal to experience stress and burnout occasionally but as we mature, it is so important to know the sources of drainage in your life and what could be eliminated to help the situation. Imagine you were in a boat and it started leaking, you would want to quickly find out the source of the leak and plug it, to prevent the boat from sinking! You are the boat. Ensure you don’t have too many things in your life draining your emotional, spiritual or physical energy otherwise you will sink.

As a student there are so many things on your mind from deadlines for assignments, to exam preparation, to job applications, the list is endless. With such a long to do list, it can instil worry and fear in the heart. It is so easy to become overwhelmed and stressed when you try to tackle your workload or circumstance in your own strength and wisdom. However, you don’t have to; God is on standby, waiting patiently to be turned to. Waiting to be acknowledged in your life. He is amid the chaos, just like Jesus was in the boat during the storm, He is with you. Peace is in Christ, and He has made Himself available to you whenever you call on His name.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

Matthew 11:28-30

Do you know your symptoms?

God will help us in every situation, as 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 says,

his power is made perfect in our weakness

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

However, it is useful to know what your symptoms of burnout are so you can see the warning signs early on. This could be anything from showing cold-like symptoms to your appetite increasing/decreasing or your sleeping pattern changing, it will manifest differently for everyone but there will be subtle changes within yourself that will warn you that you need to slow down. You need to readjust things in your life, or you’ll be at risk of burnout.

This self-awareness is key, you are not superhuman and neither does God expect you to be. In moments of weariness, call on His name to infuse your body with strength and to give you the wisdom to navigate this high-pressure season. This is important to note, stressful times are seasonal…it has a beginning and an end. I remember as a student feeling like my workload was never ending, the deadlines were getting tighter and demands on me were getting higher! But before I knew it, it came to an end and I was free. You too will be free, keep being faithful in the season you are in. It is not in vain; your private obedience will precede public victory!

Pause. Reset. Realign

So you’ve thought about causes of stress in your life, you’ve reflected on what your stress symptoms are and now it’s time to press pause, reset and realign. Let Christ be your anchor and stabilise you in the stressful situation. Trust Him to give you grace for the season.

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Remember when you feel like you have lost control, God never does. And when you feel you have been given more than you can bear, your back is breaking…just remember that we serve a BIG God who can carry any issue we bring to Him. We must bring our needs, cares and burdens to Him, there is a role for us to play too and that is to surrender.

Practical steps to avoid burnout:

  1. Know your limit and do not overcommit yourself. Let your yes be yes and your no be no
  2. Take breaks. Have a nap, read a book or meditate and listen to music
  3. Abide in the Word of God, be refreshed by His truth
  4. Journal, write down your struggles but also your victories in this season
  5. Give thanks for each day, you’re still standing and haven’t been knocked out yet!

What is Biblical Justice?

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What is Biblical Justice?

`Joke: Q. What’s the best way to study the Bible? A. You Luke into it.

Biblical justice involves making individuals, communities, and the cosmos whole, by upholding both goodness and impartiality. It stands at the center of true religion, according to James, who says that the kind of “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). Earlier Scripture says, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” (Prov. 29:7).

Justice flows from God’s heart and character. As true and good, God seeks to make the object of his holy love whole. This is what motivates God throughout the Old and New Testaments in his judgments on sin and injustice. These judgments are both individual and corporate in scope.

One of the greatest injustices we succumb to individually is self-righteousness—the belief that we do not need Jesus but are just and good and right apart from him. We can fail to see that Jesus is the righteous “judge judged in our place” (Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics) for our own acts of injustice, including our marginalizing him by refusing to sense our need for him to remove our sin and make us whole.

Only as we despair of ourselves and cling to Jesus can we participate in his work of restoring lives, the church, and the world by the Spirit of the Lord. We, the church, are to live now in light of Jesus’ restoration of all things.

As we experience the wholeness that Jesus offers, we are to carry his justice forward in the world. We sense God’s heart for this in James’ epistle. James, like an Old Testament prophet, denounced oppression toward the poor. He saw church leaders favoring the rich and looking down on those less fortunate (James 2:1-13). James calls for the breaking down of these divisions, as God seeks to renew his people, making them whole.

The God of Justice

Biblical justice is not first of all a set of bullet points or a set of rules and guidelines. It is rooted in the very character of God and it is the outworking of that character, which is never less than just.

In his magisterial work on God’s attributes, Herman Bavinck argues that in the Bible, God’s justice is both retributive and reparative. It not only punishes evildoing, but it restores those who are victims of injustice. Yet interestingly, “God’s remunerative [restorative] justice is far more prominent in Scripture than his retributive justice.” God stands against “perverting the justice due the poor… slaying the innocent and righteous… accepting bribes…. oppressing the alien, the widow, and the orphan…” God “raises them to a position of honour and well-being… [D]oing justice with an eye to the needy becomes an act [also] of grace and mercy.” And therefore, God’s restorative justice “is not, like his anger, opposed to his steadfast love but is closely akin and synonymous with it.” His justice is “simultaneously the manifestation of his grace (Psalm 97:11-12; 112:3-6; 116:5; 118:15-19).”

Biblical justice is not first of all a set of bullet points or a set of rules and guidelines. It is rooted in the very character of God and it is the outworking of that character, which is never less than just.

The Lord’s justice is also retributive. He not only establishes justice for those who have been wronged and mistreated, but he also metes out punishment to those who have perpetrated those wrongs. He “does not spare the wicked” (Ezekiel 7:4, 9, 27; 8:18; 9:10).  As the Judge of all the earth, the Lord will finally give everyone what justice dictates is due to them (Acts 17:30-31). But he will also restore and “renew all things” so there is no more evil, suffering, or death (Matthew 19:28). Both his retributive and remunerative justice will come to final fulfillment at the end of history, and we will live in a new heavens and new earth filled with dikaiosune – justice (2 Peter 3:13).

The world God had in mind

Anyone can see that the world we live in has much that is wrong. But what’s right? If we correct the wrongs, at what do we aim to arrive?


In learning about God’s Justice, it’s crucial to begin with the early chapters of Genesis. It is deep reading, and no wonder. We’re talking about the origins of all that is. Today, even in our bruised and battered world, God’s original intentions remain. It’s as though Genesis tells us, This is what I had in mind. It is a good world. (God pronounced it very good in Genesis 1:31.) We might also call it a just world, because not only was every part good, but every part was in the correct relationship to all the other parts.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

Think back on some great project you once embarked on: a degree, a career, a relationship, a piece of art. How did that project change for you as time went on? Did your original ideals find complete fulfillment? In the end, could you pronounce it “very good?” Why or why not?

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

What’s the opposite of injustice? If you think of a particular injustice that bothers you—child slavery, sex trafficking, bribery, murder, to name a few examples—can you describe its positive mirror image? What should a world without injustice look like?

Genesis 1-3 has sparked a lot of arguments about interpretation of key questions, such as the age of the earth, or whether Adam and Eve were real individuals. As you read Genesis, it’s important not to get trapped into the tunnel vision brought on by these controversial questions. There’s a wealth of encouragement and inspiration built into these verses; open your mind to their riches. Read Genesis 2:8-25.

  1. This section of Genesis begins by describing God making a garden. What does the word “garden” suggest? What makes a garden garden-like? What did God put in the garden? (vv. 8-14)
  2. Verse 9 tells us that a great variety of trees grew in the garden, “pleasing to the eye and good for food.” What does this suggest about the qualities God built into his creation?
  3. Why do you think the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was placed at the center of the garden? (verse 9)
  4. What do you think is meant by the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Why are they important resources for the garden?
  5. What is the role of “the man?” (vv. 15-20) What does this suggest about economic development?
  6. Is there any limit to “the man’s” power?
  7. Some suggest that an “off-limits tree” teaches “the man” not to confuse himself with God; every day he passes a tree that God made and humanity is not allowed to enjoy. Have you ever lived with a limit that you did not understand or appreciate? What was it, and did you learn anything from it?
  8. What relationship does “the man” have with the animals and birds? (vv. 19-20)
  9. What is the relationship between “the man” and the woman God formed as his helper?

Despite the injustice we witness around us, we refuse to accept that poverty is an inevitable part of our broken and hurting world. Our response to poverty is different. Rather than seeing it as something that’s too complex, too insurmountable, we focus on tackling it one child at a time. In Genesis and throughout the Bible God demonstrates His desire to be in relationship with us, to see us as individuals. Our model of linking one child with one sponsor is a reflection of this, and is how we seek to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER:

Ask God to help you see our world through the lens of Genesis. We see a garden well provided and protected, with humanity carrying the responsibility of working and caring for it. We see man and woman and animals in proper relationship. We see human beings who know their proper place: they are not God, they live with limits, while they work the garden to discover its potential. Is such a vision possible in the world as it exists now? Ask God for help in seeing clearly how you can be part of re-making the garden.

What Hills Should We Be Willing to Die On?

D. W. Brown
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What Hills Should We Be Willing to Die On?
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When engaging with other Christians, when should doctrine divide, and when should unity prevail? This is a question that each of us must grapple with, and settle on an answer, otherwise, we could find ourselves at either end of a scale. Either too divisive and condemnatory of our brothers and sisters, or too welcoming of harmful or shallow theology. There is a safe middle ground, but to stand there requires some discernment.

A high view of God’s word

It’s important that the foundation of our theology is that Scripture is infallible and inspired by God. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3 that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (verse 16). Any theological viewpoint which downplays the authority or the legitimacy of scripture is to be rejected. An example of one such viewpoint is the virgin birth. Although the virgin birth isn’t central to the gospel message, Scripture is very clear that Mary was a virgin and that she bore the Messiah by the Spirit’s working (Luke 1: 31-35). This is something that is explicitly stated in each of the gospel accounts. Therefore, if we are to be faithful to scripture we should not entertain any viewpoints which deny or downplay its legitimacy.

That’s just one example, but I hope you see the point being made. Even though someone’s view may not explicitly deny the gospel message, ask yourself if it respects scripture as completely true and accurate.

Where we can agree to disagree

There are many areas in our theology where we can differ from one another, and still lovingly embrace each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. These are often referred to as secondary or tertiary issues. For example, infant or adult baptism? Premillennialism or amillennialism? Young earth or old earth?  Christians often passionately disagree with each other and debate about these topics, but all of these viewpoints can be reached by sincerely studying scripture, with every intention of being faithful to it. You will find good arguments to support all of these positions, and none of them compromises the gospel message.

Gavin Ortlund in his book in this topic says the following:

“Within the body of Christ, we need each other – and often we especially need those Christians who lean in different directions than we do.” (Finding The Right Hills To Die On, Page 36)

I have learned a lot of valuable things from Christians I’ve disagreed and debated with, it’s healthy to have these discussions and learn from others in the body of Christ. For example, it was through a secondary doctrinal disagreement with another believer that I became convinced of reformed theology. Looking back I can see how God used that situation to teach and shape me.

So while we can accept and embrace secondary issues, in contrast we must put our foot down when it comes to primary issues. Primary issues are those doctrines which are necessary for a right understanding of God’s character and ultimately the gospel message. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul warns the reader to avoid a false teacher who “teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (verse 3) This shows us that there is absolutely no room for doctrine which distorts the words of Jesus.

Defend the Gospel

What we must seek to defend at all costs is the gospel message. The Apostle Paul stresses the importance of this in his letter to the Galatian Christians. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” – Galatians‬ ‭1:8-9‬

Notice how strong Paul’s language is here, he calls for anyone preaching a false gospel to be “accursed” – this highlights the seriousness of the offence. We must take this very seriously.

A different message is becoming more and more prevalent around us and being labelled as “Christian”, one of prosperity and based on merit. The ultimate hill that all of us should be prepared to die on, is that we are made righteous by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is our responsibility as Christians to defend this message, and not only to defend it but to passionately proclaim it.

I pray that we would grow in wisdom to discern, and courage to die on, the hills that we ought to.

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The Life-Changing Reality of God’s Love for You

Chinedu Agwu
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The Life-Changing Reality of God’s Love for You
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I love you. Such a short sentence yet one of the most profound ones you will ever hear, now let us take it one step further, imagine God whispering that into your ear every second of every day. How pumped would you feel?! Often times it is difficult to fully internalise the height, depth, and breadth of God’s love for us. For many of us, the love of God is an abstract idea, something we merely have head knowledge of as opposed to transformative heart knowledge. This being said whilst it certainly is a gradual journey, we want to be in a place where God’s love is embedded in our hearts and fuelling every part of our lives, so we can go out into the world and love others with the love God first loved us with. So how can we make God’s love more real in our everyday life?

We do nothing for His love

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him

Psalm 103:11

Before Christ, we were separated from God. He was a distant figure that we felt disconnected and far away from in our hearts yet through Jesus, intimacy was created. The veil was torn, and we gained direct access into the presence of God; we can speak to and hear from Him directly, as a child speaks to their father. In sending Jesus Christ to become sin and die for us on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21), God demonstrated His love for us first by ushering us into His gracious presence (1 John 4:10). He is a God that meets us where we are at in our faith but does not leave us the same way. As Christians, we have the privilege of walking in daily fellowship with God, being washed and sanctified by His word. His love for us as a people sets us apart, so whilst we may go through trials and tribulations in this life, it is His love that sustains us and lifts us up again. It is so important for us to take time to quietly meditate on God’s love for us and how He views us because the enemy, the devil, is prowling around trying to deceive us regarding God’s love (1 Peter 5:8) and if we don’t have a good grasp of the truth it is very easy to fall for a lie.

What can compete with the truth about God’s love for you?

Although we may understand that God loves us, that doesn’t stop other life factors from trying to dismantle the truth and power of His love. These can act as thorns preventing you from enjoying the fruit of the Holy Spirit inside of you. These could be any situation such as suffering from a long-term illness to a family breakdown, failure or heartbreak from a relationship, these very real situations can instil doubt, fear and cause you to question your worth in God’s eyes. It is important for us to remember that God’s love is not circumstantial, whether we are in the valleys or mountain tops His love remains. The presence of pain and suffering does not equate to the absence of God amidst it all.

When the world says, “you’re not good enough”, “You were a mistake”, “Who could ever love you”, the Holy Spirit is faithful to bring into remembrance that God loves us with a steadfast love that is enduring (Romans 8:39). He is the good shepherd that would leave the 99 sheep to look for and bring home the one. Our God would move heaven and earth for His children.

The power of meditating in the presence of God

Recently I read a book called “Stay” by Sophia Barrett which talks about the healing power of meditating in the presence of God. A key part that stood out in the book about meditation was that it can act as an antiseptic, it is painful as God will uproot lies that you have carried in your heart and expose things that have unrightfully hoarded space in your heart. Yet at the same time, it is healing as it releases you to live the abundant and empowered life He intended for you (John 10:10). You are restored through His lovingkindness, back to a fully effective vessel empowered by His loving truth.

God’s love affirms and anchors us in this life, He loves us with the highest love – agape love. He didn’t just say it flippantly, but He demonstrated it through Jesus (John 3:16) and I pray that God will give you spiritual eyes to see His love for you demonstrated in your life. His love is persistent, sacrificial and all-consuming, no matter what we come against it is bearable if we’re abiding in Him. So, say this with me “I am loved, not by chance but by choice. I am loved not because I deserve it but because I’m chosen. I am loved not just today but for eternity.”

Practical ways to remind yourself of God’s love:

  1. Start a gratitude journal to document the work of God in your life.
  2. Share your testimonies with friends/family.
  3. Abide in the Word of God.

Why are there so many Christian denominations?

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Why are there so many Christian denominations?

Jesus often prayer that his followers would have such a radical unity that would be a testimony to the world. However, when we look at the Christian body today, it seems as though they divide up into hundreds of different groups, churches, and denominations. For those who are not Christians, it seems confusing. Why can’t they agree on anything? Why are there sometimes four different churches on the same street? Even for believers, the question often arises: Why are there so many Christian denominations?

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Never Neglect The Spiritual Disciplines

Shumi Mararike
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Never Neglect The Spiritual Disciplines

“Read your Bible, pray every day

Pray every day, pray every day

Read your Bible, pray every day

If you want to grow”

This simple Sunday school song we may have heard as children reminds of the importance of daily Bible reading and prayer. While we may be aware of the significance of these spiritual disciplines in our lives, what is at stake when we neglect Bible reading, meditating on Scripture and prayer?

Does this promote legalism?

Being disciplined in prayer and Bible reading is not legalistic. They are not a way of gaining God’s acceptance. He accepts us not on the basis of what we do, but on our faith in what Christ has done for us. These disciplines do not undermine grace. Rather, they are a means by which we experience God and His grace. God has graciously revealed Himself to us in His Word and invites us into fellowship with Him through the privilege of prayer. As we do so, the Holy Spirit stirs up our desire for God. Our faith is strengthened. Temptation seems less enticing. We become less susceptible to the accusations of Satan as we cultivate these godly habits.

Bible Reading

How often do you go without eating? I would imagine that this period is rarely more than a few hours at at a time because you understand the necessity of feeding yourself. The health consequences would be dire were we to deprive ourselves of food. The same goes for our souls (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). Without a consistent intake of the Scriptures, our souls become malnourished. A healthy Christian is a growing Christian, and a growing Christian is a Bible reading Christian. We have been born again to a new and living hope (1 Peter 1:3), so how can we not desire the very food which will make us grow? How else can we expect to increasingly know God apart from His self-revelation in Scripture? As we feast daily on God’s Word, our souls are nourished and our taste buds delight in the flavours of His goodness.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:8


Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2-3

“God’s Word has life, gives life, and nourishes life… If we stop feeding the Word, we stop growing, we stop enjoying (tasting) the grace that we find in the Lord.”

Warren Wiersbe

Meditating on Scripture

Worldly meditation often involves emptying your mind; ridding yourself of all thoughts and emotions. Biblical meditation says fill your mind with the Word of God and reflecting on that which you have just read.

Thomas Watson wrote:

“Meditation is the chewing upon the truths we have heard… Meditation is the soul’s retiring of itself, that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God, the heart may be raised up to heavenly affections.”

(Thomas Watson)

Marvel at the words you read in your study. Apply them to your heart by savouring that truth and allowing it to shape your thoughts and affections, thus transforming your conduct. This is what enriches our Bible reading. Meditating on Scripture doesn’t only aid memorisation, but causes the Word to take root in our hearts and then shapes our lives.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

Prayer

When considering Bible reading and prayer, one might be tempted to compare which is more important between the two. However, both are equally vital:

When asked: ‘What is more important: prayer or reading the Bible?’ I ask ‘What is more important: breathing in or breathing out?’

Charles H. Spurgeon

Prayer is a privilege. By prayer, God invites us to participate in the fulfilment of His will on the earth (Matthew 6:10). Through spending consistent time in prayer, we also grow in intimacy with God. In prayer, the sovereign ruler of the universe desires to fellowship with us as both our Creator and our Dearest Father. I believe that if we pondered upon this more frequently, we would pray more often and with greater excitement.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:6

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

1 John 3:1a

Self-sufficient people don’t pray; trust me, I’ve learned from experience. By engaging in prayer, we are humbled as we are confronted by our own powerlessness and God’s omnipotence.

The key to prayer is a heart of dependence. God desires that we come to Him in complete trust in Him as opposed to ourselves. God readily takes our burdens so that we need not bear them anymore. His power and grace is sufficient. As we take everything to God in prayer, He is ready to equip us with His inexhaustible strength to face the trials of the day. No issue is too small for His concern. No request is too great for Him to accomplish. The greatest comfort and joy is ours to experience as we devote ourselves to prayer.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 17:6

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2


The spiritual disciplines we’ve explored are not exhaustive. Nonetheless, their centrality in Christian living cannot be overstated. This is why we must remind ourselves of their importance to then make them a priority in our lives. Start afresh today. Find ways to make these practices more fruitful and enjoyable so that you may deepen your relationship with God and invite others into relationship with Him too.

The Doctrine of Immutability: Knowing the God That Never Changes

Chude Obuaya
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The Doctrine of Immutability: Knowing the God That Never Changes
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The character of God has been brought into question since the very beginning. Is God who He says is? Or does He change depending on the situation? The consistency of God is further brought into question with the apparent change in nature in the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. The bible declares that God doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6), so why does it appear that God and Jesus are different if they are meant to be One (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29)? Did the Old Testament writers merely mishear God and write things about Him that are mistaken? Or perhaps we need a more careful reading of the scriptures to see that God hasn’t changed.

The Trinitarian God


The scriptures declare that there is one God, but unique to Christianity is the fact that this God exists in three persons. These three persons are co-equal, interdependent, and unified with the same nature but distinct in roles. This is what Christians refer to as the Trinity – One God in three persons. This is important because if each person of the Trinity has the same nature then One person cannot act in a way that would contradict the act of another. Furthermore, if One of the persons within the Trinity were to make a decision there would have to be total agreement since there is complete oneness within the Godhead. For example, the Trinity decided to make man in their image (Genesis 1:26). There was complete unity when making that decision and there is complete unity within the Trinity when making every other decision. Here is where the confusion lies, I think. Throughout the scriptures, God acts in different ways at different times. Sometimes it appears God has acted wickedly and other times He acts kindly. The confusion occurs when we separate God’s ways from God’s nature. God can and does act in different ways but He never acts in contradiction to His nature. So, what is His nature?

Is God Different?


Since creation, God has been progressively revealing Himself to mankind with this revelation culminating in the person of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-4). God’s plan from eternity past was to redeem a people for Himself, through His Son. So that these people can know Him and enjoy Him forever (Ephesians 1:3-10). Throughout the scriptures, God reveals much of His nature as the biblical story unfolds. After the Israelites committed idolatry causing Moses to break the ten commandments, God brings Moses back up Mount Sinai to re-write these commandments on new stones (Exodus 32). As Moses enters the presence of God, see how God describes Himself “The LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: The LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation”. (Exodus 34:6-7). This isn’t merely how God describes Himself, this is also how the people of God describe God (Daniel 9:9; Isaiah 30:18, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2). Repeatedly, we see that the God of the Old Testament is merciful, kind and patient. So why does He kill so much and Jesus didn’t at all? There are a few problems with this question. 1) It separates God (The Father) and Jesus. Remember they have the same nature and are eternally unified. In everything, they are in total agreement. 2) It disregards covenants. God dealt with different people in different ways at different times. All of His ways are consistent with His nature. 3) It disregards sin. God doesn’t kill people out of uncontrolled rage, God isn’t abusive. God is Holy and Just. God hates sin and responds to it with His wrath, occasionally enacting immediate justice to deal with sin, purify His people and remind them of their call to holiness (Nahum 1:2, Leviticus 18:29-30).

Understanding Jesus

Jesus is the perfect revelation of God, He isn’t the replacement revelation of God. Jesus didn’t come to correct the misrepresentations the people under the old covenant had, but to be the One that inaugurated a new one (Hebrews 8:6). God used patriarchs, prophets, judges and kings, sacrifices and other means to point to the coming of His Son who will be better than all these things. Jesus didn’t come to say disregard what you first knew, He came to say this is what you have been waiting for and it’s better than what you can imagine. The reason His people rejected Him wasn’t that God of the Old Testament was angry and Jesus was so mellow; they rejected Jesus because they hated the light (John 1:9-11, 3:19-21). Jesus affirmed the same oneness that God declared in the old testament (John 10:30). And when Jesus says He only does what He sees the Father do, He is referring to His role within the Trinity not discounting certain acts God the Father did in the Old Testament (John 5). Jesus had no issue with how God acted and interacted with His creation, so why do you?

Perfectly United


Admittedly there are some difficult portions of scripture to handle. If you are finding it difficult to reconcile the God of the old testament and the God of the new I understand. There are some texts that you will have to wrestle with. Fortunately, our salvation is not contingent on understanding the immutability of God. Salvation comes by believing in Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus Christ means believing in who He says He is and what He says He has done. Believing in Jesus Christ also means believing that He doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8). There is no difference between God the Father and God the Son, they are and always will be perfectly One.

Loving Your Enemies

On Mission
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Loving Your Enemies

Joke: Q: Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?A: The area around Jordan, because the banks were always overflowing

Jesus brought up the issue of mercy repeatedly. Everyone wants mercy. The Bible tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment. Of course, we want it. Giving mercy requires us to give up revenge and hand the judgment part to God. Loving our enemies doesn’t mean allowing them to continue to hurt us. That would be a failure of loving ourselves as God loves us. We can do what is in our control to protect ourselves while trusting God to step in.

We can always pray for our enemies. Praying is an act of mercy. Praying is loving like our Heavenly Father. Praying changes our hearts.

God commands us to love everyone—including our enemies.

Here are some key Scriptures (Bible verses) on loving your enemies:

  • A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)
  • But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)
  • Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
  • We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it. (1 Corinthians 4:12)
  • Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
  • Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)
  • Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. (1 John 2:9-10)

Our highest calling is to spread the Gospel and help others grow in Christ.

We should be passionately concerned about introducing people to Jesus. Along the same lines, we should be passionately concerned about other believers’ spiritual welfare.

Study “dissensions” in Galatians 5:19-21 and Romans 13:13.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice. (Philippians 1:18)

Discussion

  • What is notable about these dissensions?
  • How does Paul advocate that we deal with these disagreements

Jesus loved his enemies. Make him your example.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34)

Realize that you may be right: The other person may be your enemy.

However, if someone insults you or dislikes you, respond in a Christ-like manner. Don’t take things personally or give in to hurt feelings and let your emotions control you. Instead, see the other person as someone with a problem who needs God’s help and your prayers.

Determine what part you played in the problem.

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5)

See problems as opportunities to grow in Christ.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. (James 1:2)

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Love and forgive…even if your enemy does not apologize.

Follow Jesus’ example

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)

Follow Stephen’s example

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)

Evaluate your love for your enemies

How well do you practice the following verses?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

In groups score yourself from 0-10 on each of the following.

“0” means “I need a lot of improvement.”
“10” means “I’m great at this.”
___ I am patient.
___ I am kind.
___ I do not envy.
___ I do not boast.
___ I am not proud.
___ I am not rude.
___ I am not self-seeking.
___ I am not easily angered.
___ I keep no record of wrongs.
___ I do not delight in evil.
___ I rejoice with the truth.
___ I always protect.
___ I always trust.
___ I always hope.
___ I always persevere.
___ My love never fails.

Conclusion

But loving our enemies?  That goes against our human nature.  Sometimes our human nature wants to hold a grudge or get revenge.  But the Bible makes it clear: “Dear friends, never take revenge.  Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” Romans 12:19 (NLT).

To take revenge is to repay evil with evil.  It’s easy to strike back or to strike out at our enemies. And when we feel attacked or hurt, it’s hard to love.  But God says to let Him deal with our enemies. Only He can judge, and he doesn’t need our input on how it should look.  We are to leave our enemy in his hands.

“Don’t repay evil for evil.  Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”  1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

As Christians, we have a new purpose and a new way of life. Instead of “getting even” as our old self wants, we respond with a blessing, a prayer, or a positive response.

What Does it Mean To Be Free In Christ?

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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What Does it Mean To Be Free In Christ?

I am saved by grace, what next, do I keep living as I was before, just with the knowledge of the grace of God? No. “We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:2). We must not neglect the power of grace upon our lives, however, we should never abuse this grace. Once we have been saved, we have been set free from sin. Free from the penalty of sin and free to live as God intended. We are now the righteousness of God, by faith (Rom. 3:22), and we should live boldly with that truth. So, what does that mean?

Free to live

We can live our lives freely, knowing that the price has already been paid for our sins. We also know there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1), so we do not walk around with guilt or shame. The burdens of our mistakes are lifted. The payment for our sin is complete and the power of death is defeated (Rom. 6). We live with a peace that surpasses all understanding. We live for Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who died and gave himself for me

Galatians 2:20

What we have received, through Christ, allows us to live with freedom. We are not slaves to the law, saying what we should and should not do. We are not under a legalistic covenant but a grace-filled one. And most importantly, we have a relationship with the Father through the Son; we live as children of a heavenly Father. Essentially, we are living a new life in Christ. Grace has freed us from our former way of life, where sin had dominion. No more do we let sin have free reign over our lives. To live free in Christ means understanding, accepting and walking in that freedom. Remembering, no matter what, we are forgiven.

Free to serve

Sin is no more our master. We are no longer slaves to sin, we have been freed from the shackles it had over our lives. We have an opportunity in the freedom of our salvation.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love

Galatians 5:13

Becoming imitators of Christ, with the same servant attitude, we esteem others higher than ourselves. When we are ready to serve a brother or sister in need or to serve within our community, we point others to Christ. The grace we have been given is not of our own merits or because we deserve it (Eph. 2:8-9). We have been gifted with this grace and eternal life in Christ Jesus. How beautiful is it to share what we have received! “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace,” (1 Peter 4:10). Knowing our reward is elsewhere, we accept the call to serve on earth, and humbly surrender our will to the will of the Father. For as we have seen Christ do, we do the same.

Free to love

Without question the most important commandment is to love, to love God and to love our neighbours (Gal. 5:14). We must love. 

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma

Ephesians 5:2

The gift we have been given of salvation was only possible because of a love so deep, so wide and so immeasurably high. As it says in 1 John 4:9, “In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him”. We are called to love even more, as we understand the love of God. Before the price paid by Jesus, there was a veil that kept us separate from the holiness of God, we were too sinful to be in His holy presence. However, Jesus tore the veil and now we can come boldly before God’s throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). Through Christ, we can share in this communion with the Father and closely experience this love.

Yes, we have grace but it does not entitle us to continue living unchanged. The good news of Christ is a changing force. Christ did what the law could not do, He made us right with God. There is a lot more to life under grace than we attribute.

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