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Why Online Services Could Ruin How We Think About Church

Chude Obuaya
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Why Online Services Could Ruin How We Think About Church

Over the past year, churches across the globe have had to adapt or completely create a new way of doing local church meetings. Christians have had to develop a newfound love for Zoom and YouTube as the pandemic forced (necessary) restrictions. While church being online does have some benefits such as wider reach, greater accessibility, and adaptable service times; there are also some hindrances: reduced accountability, decreased attention, and diminished relationships. In the UK, the government has rightfully agreed that churches are amongst the institutions that are essential for people during this pandemic. While some churches are unable to meet, some who could meet, choose not to meet, This begs the question why? Has the pandemic changed how we feel about church or has it merely exposed how we always viewed church?

The Danger of Pragmatism

For many decades different leaders have warned against the dangers of pragmatism. Pragmatism is the philosophical idea that the ends justify the means; that the validity or truthfulness of an idea is verified by its consequences. Whilst pragmatism is not inherently evil in and of itself, it can lead to compromise when pragmatism comes into contradiction with what the Bible declares. The temptation arises, particularly when concerning local church gathering, which is that if it works it is okay.
I have engaged in and heard the various reasons why there is no difference between online and physical assembly. One of the main reasons that I hear is that the different components of a church service i.e. liturgy and sacraments can be replicated online. Unfortunately, this line of thinking misses the mark as to why we have these various components of a church service. When we gather at church, we are not just doing some religious activity, we are being a people purchased by the blood of Jesus, bound by covenantal promise (Ephesians 2:11-22). It is not just about doing praise and worship but doing it together. It is not just about taking part in communion but doing it together. We miss out on the command to admonish one another with spiritual hymns and the word of God (Ephesians 5:18-21; Colossians 3:16) when we reduce local church assembly as a place we go to complete religious stuff.

Say No To Transactional Relationships

When we succumb to the sin that pragmatism can produce, we can be seduced into thinking that our relationships, specifically those fostered in church, are transactional. We start to think “why do I need to meet up with my elder for accountability when we can talk over WhatsApp” or “Do I need to go to church to sing praise and worship? I can sing at home”. Do you realise the problem? The issue here is that we have reduced all interaction to “what’s in it for me”.
This position is antithetical to the ethic that ought to govern all our lives – love your neighbour as yourself (Galatians 5:14). When we live this way, our question will change from “what’s in it for me” to “how can I serve them”. We will no longer see the church as a spiritual activity to tick off our religious list, but as the body that Jesus died for. The “each other” commands that are given in scripture cannot be done online or over the phone; they require physical intimacy. We were not made to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and God’s wisdom has sovereignly given you your local church to remind us of this.

Let us persevere together

It has been a difficult year for us all. Some of us have not seen family or friends for months, others have suffered great loss in a variety of areas. We do not need less interaction, but we also do not need any kind of interaction. We need people that will remind us to long for the appearing of Jesus (Hebrews 10:25). With so many great challenges that we face our souls may be in a precarious position, thank God for pastors who are entrusted to help watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17). They are better able to do this when they can see you.

Pastors your flock is weary and understandably so. Remind us why we gather and why it is important that we meet often and physically. Remind us of the church’s long history of gathering and the impact it has had. Remind us that in a seemingly hopeless situation that we have an abiding hope (Titus 2:13). It is my prayer that we are soon able to meet in person with no restrictions and that God would remind us why there is nothing like meeting together physically.


Sin doesn’t define the Christian, Christ does

Chude Obuaya
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Sin doesn’t define the Christian, Christ does
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It seems like every week there is a new scandal involving a Christian which leads to the understandable question from non-believers, “why don’t Christians act like Christians”. Whether or not non-believers are aware of the spiritual mechanics of the Christian life, they are very much aware that Christians should not do certain things. Therefore, there must be some dissonance for the non-Christian when they see a Christian act in such a way that is antithetical to the Christian life. So, non-Christian, this article is for you. This article will not justify the un-Christlike behaviour that you may have seen from celebrities or even from your friends and family, instead I seek to declare what the Christian is and why what they do doesn’t ultimately define them.

Sinfulness of man

The bible defines sin as lawlessness (1 John 3:4). The bible also tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The glory of God can be defined as the beauty, majesty and worth of God that displays and declares Him as the supreme Ruler, Creator, Treasure and Lord of all things. Therefore we can conclude that sin is any action, speech or thought that will break the law or rule of God which in turn diminishes or detracts from His glory – namely seeing God as the supreme Ruler, Creator, Treasure and Lord. Now, every human in the past or present has sinned. David declares in the Psalms what is true for all of us “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). And sin entered the world because Adam and Eve rejected the law of God to do their own thing (Genesis 3). So, this does not mean that we are held responsible for Adam and Eve’s sin, what it does mean is that Adam acts as human kind’s federal head. Consequently, sin enters the world through Adam and as a result all his progeny are born into sin – meaning we have a nature that is against God. Not only that, but the world is under sin which explains, at least on a macro level, why we see so much wickedness and suffering in this world.

The Gospel Starts with God

Perhaps a friend or family member has shared the Gospel with you, or you have heard someone shout it in the middle of a high street. Maybe you have heard a version that declares you as a bad person that is en route to hell. Or another version that says God is desperate to know you and you’re breaking His heart by not receiving Him. I would suggest both of these versions have problems. The problem is that this gospel starts with you, in the bible the gospel starts with God. You see, the first book of the bible starts like this “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). This is fundamental because the gospel is not primarily about what you have done against God or what you can do for Him; instead, it is about what God has done in Christ for the world for His glory. The gospel is about God formulating a plan before time began that would send Jesus Christ (who is fully God) to the world as man, that He might reconcile the world back to God (cf. Philippians 2:5-11, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21). The gospel is about God dealing with sin and all of its effects, destroying the works of the devil (the enemy of God and man) and setting those captivated by the power of sin and the devil free (Ephesians 2:1-10). The gospel is not about what you can do for God, the gospel is what God in Christ has done for you.

Not Defined By What We Do

Now to be a Christian, one must simply believe in who Jesus says that He is and what He has said He has done (Acts 2:22-36). Once you believe that you are a sinner and that Jesus is the Saviour, you are now a Christian. What Jesus accomplished on the cross now applies to you, you are now a child of God (John 1:12, Galatians 3:26). This means that it is faith in the person of Jesus and His works (life, death and resurrection), that makes a person saved (a Christian) (1 Corinthians 15). What a person does once they are a Christian, is the outworking of their professed faith. This is where the dissonance occurs. Why do we see Christians who have this faith act in such a way that makes it appear that they do not? Well, two words may help with this: justification and sanctification. Justification means that when a person places their faith in Christ, they are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, they are made right with God (Romans 3:21-31). No sin in the past, present or future separates them from God. Sanctification is the ongoing process of the Christian realising what their justification declares, namely that they are not what they used to be (sinners) but they are now changed (saints) (Romans 6:1-14). So when you see a Christian act in a way that is antithetical to Christianity remember this, their actions doesn’t nullify what Christ has done in and for them. It’s actually an opportunity to see what makes Christianity so glorious, God consistently gives us more than we deserve (Psalm 103:10).

Pain and Glory

Christians have done some damage to their witness, admittedly. I am not innocent in this area either. I have done things that non-Christians would be rightfully quick to exclaim “but aren’t you a Christian”. Sinful behaviour should never be justified. Sin doesn’t just harm the person involved but permeates far beyond the immediate reach of what the person involved intended. Whilst Christians will not be sinless on this side of eternity, they should be Christ-full. Meaning, in the day to day life of the Christian they should show that Jesus above all things is their pursuit. God’s grace (unmerited favour) is what carries the Christian in this life and the next. If you aren’t a Christian I invite you to come and know this grace that is found in the person of Jesus, I can assure you it’s greater than what I can try to describe in words.

A Brief Look At Bible Translation: Is it Reliable?

D. W. Brown
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A Brief Look At Bible Translation: Is it Reliable?
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I confess that I am guilty, at times, of taking my access to the Bible for granted. I don’t often think about how blessed I am to have a Bible in my own language, and not only that but also to have a selection of versions that vary according to readability and communicate the message in slightly different ways.

Bible translation is a subject that is often brought up by those arguing against the reliability of the Bible. In discussions with sceptics, I have frequently encountered the objections that we can’t possibly trust Scripture to be true and infallible when it has been “translated so many times” and “passed through so many hands”, surely it has been “watered down” and we can’t possibly know what the writer actually meant. These views sound plausible at first, but when we closely analyse the lengthy process of Bible translation, we start to see that these arguments against the Bible’s reliability do not hold much weight. So what are the answers to some of these misconceptions? 

 How do modern translations work?

When scholars are working on a new Bible translation, let’s take for example the English Standard Version which was first published in 2001, it was not a case of simply translating an older English Bible version (in this case the RSV) into a version that is more readable for the modern reader. It involved a large team of over 100 highly experienced scholars, seasoned pastors and theologians reviewing the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible, against the English text, and arduously ensuring that they translated as accurately as possible into what we now know as the ESV; whilst using other historical texts such as The Dead Sea Scrolls and The Septuagint as sources of references.  

What about the original manuscripts?

Of course, the big elephant in the room in this discussion is the fact that the physical pieces of “paper” which the original writers of biblical texts used have been lost in history. However, these writings were replicated and widely distributed in the few years following their writing. There are 8,500 Greek manuscripts on the New Testament alone and thousands more in other ancient writings. Scholars take these into account as they undertake the enormous task of translation.

Another common objection to the reliability of the Bible is that a lot of the manuscripts we have vary from each other. However, I would argue that this actually supports the reliability of the Bible. This is what Greg Gilbert (MDiv) says in an article for Crossway:

 “it’s precisely the existence of those thousands of copies, from all over the empire and with all their variations, that allows us to reconstruct with a huge degree of confidence what the originals said.”

This is because rather than contradicting each other, these sources actually fit together like a puzzle to give us a complete picture. Click here to read Gilbert’s full article. 

It goes without saying, but before a new translation is published it is thoroughly proof-read and quality checked by experts and linguists in each language.

Something that can be easily overlooked in this discussion, is how God is working throughout the process of Bible translation. God has raised up people who love Him and want to serve Him in this laborious task. These are highly skilled people who are using their gifts to make the riches of God’s word as accessible as possible to everyone – we should have faith that the Spirit is inspiring and working through these people as they carry out this task.

A note about different translations

You often hear people discuss which Bible translation is the most accurate, the most reliable. However, it isn’t that simple. This is because different methods are used for different translations. For example, the New International Version was translated phrase by phrase from the original language (Functional equivalent), rather than word by word (Formal equivalent). Some would describe it as a paraphrase rather than a translation. However, this approach was taken in an attempt to make the text more readable and easier to understand. Although this translation is not as literal as the ESV, which was translated word for word, great care was taken by scholars to try to ensure that it doesn’t lose any of the meaning that the original author intended to get across.

Forming gratitude towards different translations

We should seek to continuously thank God for the blessing of having numerous translations. It is really helpful to see how the same passage has been worded differently, and I believe consulting numerous translations during Bible study gives us a fuller picture of what the author is communicating. However, do practice discernment in this regard and look into how the translation was done.

We should also bear in mind that over 255 million people have no Scripture in their own language. There are about 2,200 known languages that remain without a Bible. This is heart-breaking, and something we should be praying regularly. I would recommend checking out Wycliffe Bible Translators for more information about this need.

Do you trust the bible?

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

Every word of your bible is trustworthy, true and breathed out by God. The Bible is the primary way that He chooses to communicate with His children, the writer of the book of Hebrews describes it as “living and active” (4:12). Trust that the God who is faithful in carrying out the Gospel work through the ages, is also faithful in letting the story of His work be faithfully communicated through our Bibles. 

Multitudes of people have opposed the bible and the message of Christianity down through the ages, but it has stood the test of time. We can have full confidence and assurance that it is accurate and true. As you open your Bible and start reading, you are letting the precious words of God fill your mind and heart, that’s an indescribable blessing! We would do well to consider that more.

I Am Not Always A Happy Christian

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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I Am Not Always A Happy Christian
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There is a common misconception that as Christians, we will always be happy. We will always be positive and full of optimism. That although worries come, we will be smiling through it all. However, this is seldom the case. A lot of things happen in our lives and around us that can affect our overall mental health. We will not always be ‘happy’ Christians. So as there are still many misconceptions when it comes to the topic of mental health within Christianity, how then as believers, should we navigate this struggle?

You are not alone

We first need to understand that we are not alone. Whether temporary or long term, many Christians suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. We can be drastically affected by the stressors in life which can lead to anxiety and fill us with insecurities. Fearful of the unknown or situations that take us out of our comfort zone, for example, a global pandemic, continuous lockdowns and not seeing friends or family for an extended period. Even if it’s for a moment, we become tired, stressed, lethargic and start to lose joy in life.

We are not the only ones. The bible is full of examples of faithful people going through their deepest laments, struggling with mental health issues and crying out to God about them:

  • Job who was depressed, in the hardest part of his life, cried out multiple times:

And now my life seeps way. Depression haunts my days. At night my bones are filled with pain, which gnaws at me relentlessly.

I cry to you, O God

Job 30:16-17, 20
  • Elijah who wanted God to take him:

It is enough now, O Lord take away my life

1 Kings 19:4
  • Paul who suffered affliction through a thorn:

I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me

2 Cor. 12:8

  • Our Lord who suffered and cried in despair on the cross:

– “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)

There are many more “woes” from the prophets of old – the book of Psalms is full of distressed, depressed and downcast people. At times we can find ourselves crying out in the same manner. Our feelings do not display a “weaker faith” or “a lack of trust in God”. I have found when I struggle with my anxiety or low mood that I am reaching more for Jesus. “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:11) because Christ has said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).

Why the Word is so crucial?

When I find myself struggling with my mental health, one of the most effective ways I have learnt to cope is through the Word (the bible). The bible can help us navigate the struggles of life. There are so many verses to help guide us through these times. We do not have to lean on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5). We can keep our hearts stayed on Him (Isa. 26:3), at all times, through the word, especially when we do not feel up to it.

As described above, people in the bible have struggled with similar issues. It is a greater joy to read of their continued faithfulness in the midst of this. When our mental health reaches a low, we can remind ourselves of the truth in the word.

The word of God constantly reminds us to not worry, to not be afraid or be anxious (Phil. 4:6, Matt 6:25, 1 Pt 5:7). Jesus calls us to cast our burdens unto Him, to come to Him when we are weary (Matt 11:28) when life gets a little too much. And in the Word, we are advised to not worry about tomorrow for we do not know what tomorrow will bring (Matt 6:34).

Ultimately, the more we think about these things, or meditate on them, the more we are likely to believe them. And thus, accept it.

Jesus, our hope

Christ is the living Word and through Christ, we are free. We should understand that He is a strength. Anxieties will come, we may not always have the confidence to speak, but there is nothing to fear with God by our side (Isa. 41:10). At a point where it may seem as we are surrounded by darkness, there is a light that shines brightest and the darkness cannot overcome it (Jn. 1:5).

When Jesus says “In this world, you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world,” (Jn. 16:13), this includes our anxiety, stress, sadness and difficulties with our mental health.

To find out more about the topic of mental health and the Gospel, listen to this episode of The On The Table Podcast

How To Live Free From The Fear Of Man

Ayo Stephen
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How To Live Free From The Fear Of Man
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How often do you live in fear of supporting Christ? Constantly apprehensive of how others will view you rather than how God will view you? Are we more concerned with making sure to renew our minds and actions to be like that of Christ, or have we become disillusioned by the fear of man that we spend endless amounts of time, online and offline, trying to gain the approval of peers? What can we do when wanting to please man has led to a dullness for pursuing godly and radical living for Christ?

Redirect your mind

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Living a life in unity with Christ is not one that should accommodate fear. As we accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, we obtain a spirit of peace, power and love (2 Timothy 1:7). Throughout the Bible, we are reassured that He is always with us, to the point where, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death itself, He is right by our side. (Psalm 23:4). If the Author, that has control of death itself, requires us to live for him, then who are we to live for the attention of mere humans (Revelations 20:14)? How prideful can we be to think that a creation’s approval surpasses that of the Creator?

We need to ask the Holy Spirit to redirect our minds, remembering the dynamic of the relationship we were gifted and adopted into. Jesus said even if we do not acknowledge him, even if we do not follow him, He can raise up stones instead (Luke 19:40). We need to understand that He doesn’t need us, but we need Him. And now that we understand this, why not exclaim to others the need that they’re searching for? Christ gave His life for us so that we can be free from sin and suffering. We should thus use our lives, lives that cannot pay for that price, to glorify Him and proclaim His name fearlessly.

Our Godly Purpose

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Living in fear can mean that we can waste our lives, not living for God’s purposes. An example includes prophet Jonah whom God sent to evangelise in a foreign city. However he ran away from it, choosing to disobey God instead. Instead of wasting the precious days God has given us, we should put our confidence in Him and experience the peace that accompanies fulfilling His purposes in our lives. We should use prophet Jonah as an example on how to repent and ask for a fear of God that makes wanting to serve him and be obedient a priority over living for the approval of others.

Obedience is better than sacrifice

But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22

As Christians, we can unknowingly abuse the grace that exists with God’s sovereignty.

I am not a preacher, I’m just a normal Christian. If someone else can take my place, then why me? Why do I need to stand up for the Word if I’m going to Heaven anyway?

We are asking the wrong questions. The true question is if we are called to be countercultural according to Christ’s standard of living, then why do we enjoy and devote our time to doing the things that makes us blend in? Acknowledgment and obedience of God’s word is far more important than being satisfied in the fact that there might not be a consequence. Because the truth is actions always have consequences. We should be asking ourselves, what is expected of us according to God’s word and what should we be doing to maintain this standard. Salvation is a gift, but with it comes with the responsibility of obeying Christ, professing and defending the gospel in speech and conduct. If the disciples gave into wanting to please the public, the gospel might not have been preached and we may have not heard it as a result. We should thus act responsibly acknowledging that the same mercy bestowed upon us can be observed by others also.

Be reminded of how insignificant everything is in comparison to the things above, even fear itself. It is important to understand that the more you become aware of the need to be able to form a healthier, more life-giving fear – the fear of God, the more you will notice that it is feeding you with a delight in him that helps us to be radical and countercultural for His name’s sake.

What Exactly Has God Been Doing Over the Last Year?

On Mission
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What Exactly Has God Been Doing Over the Last Year?
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Today (the 23rd March 2021) marks exactly one year since lockdown restrictions began in the United Kingdom. As restrictions begin to ease and life returns to some form of “normality”, it can be easy to look back at last year with a pessimistic mindset, remembering only the difficulties of 2020. However, even after the year we just had, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 77:11, we want to “remember the deeds of the LORD”. To do this, we asked some of our writers to share what they have learnt about God’s faithfulness during these unprecedented times.

Shumi Mararike: During the pandemic, God has brought greater depth and joy into the relationships in my life. Despite spending the majority of my time at university, I’ve come to appreciate the love and support of my family all the more. We invest in the well-being of each other, being intentional in our efforts to spend more time together. I have also experienced more of Christ’s love from my friends’ sacrificial love and consistency toward me. Their wisdom, encouragement and rebuke has contributed to my growth as an individual over the past year. Most significantly, two of my close friends have trusted Christ for salvation; to God be the glory! 

Chude Obuaya: When news first broke out that there was a deadly virus spreading throughout the world I underestimated the severity. I looked at the data at the time and it didn’t seem as severe as it turned out to be. My university was one of the latest to close and I had to finish my Masters at home. This affected my final exams as well as my dissertation and it was difficult. Compiling this, there was so much death that was occurring throughout the world from Covid-19 to police brutality, it was a lot. God led me through a time of lamenting which was good for my soul. It led me to the goodness of God. Throughout the past year, God has shown His faithfulness to me in my degree, career and relationships. He has kept me and shown me that He is in control no matter what happens. 

Seyi Sobogun: God is so faithful. I cannot count the number of times in the last year that God has shown me that He is for me, He is with me and He will never leave me. In situations where I was ready to give up, God always showed up. But that is exactly who He is, He is faithful and even if we are faithless, He will always remain faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:11). No matter what may have happened over the last year, regardless of what fears I may have faced or challenges that came my way, God remained the same.

Deborah Asamoah: As a TV freelancer, I already live month to month with the precarity of employment. In March 2020, the coronavirus brought the production I was working on and all other TV productions, to a screeching halt. I went from having work and income lined up, to nothing at all. However, during those months I had plenty because God used His faithful providence to ease my anxiety by making financial provision when I had no means to work. But more importantly, to teach me a greater lesson of finding satisfaction in Him amidst the trial of having to go without.

Ayo Stephen: The pandemic was one that took us all by surprise. At the start I must admit, it was difficult, tolling on my mental and physical health. However, God has shown that His faithfulness never changes despite how the world changes. God has kept all my family and friends alive. Due to his grace, I did not see death, nor did I mourn over my loved ones. He also brought me closer to Him, despite my imperfect self – and with the sudden lockdowns, He has graced me with opportunities to become closer to Him and further away from the world.

Toye Akinoso: During this lockdown, God was faithful to making sure my joy in him will be full. When lockdown started in the UK, it seemed as though the world took a standstill. The busyness we had all become so used to quickly dissipated. Prior to the pandemic, I found that we can often get so caught up in the business of life that we often miss the lessons God is trying to teach us. During this lockdown, I learnt the importance of what the Psalmist meant he said ‘be still and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10). This year, God allowed me to slow down and focus on what really mattered, our Creator God, Heavenly Father and Saviour.

Matidaishe Mupfacha: God was faithful in preserving my family, especially my parents. The are both nurses and they worked in environments were Covid was very much present. Every day they were exposed to potentially being infected, but they never were. Things were going well until late-December 2020 when most of the family got infected, my dad being the worst affected. I watched my dad do his best to remain present and positive through the whole painful ordeal though every night he fought nightmares of death. I watched my whole family support each other, trying to put their medical minds together in order to alleviate my dad’s ever-fluctuating symptoms. God was faithful in keeping us sane and hopeful. He allowed my dad to make it through.

Dan W. Brown: This time last year I had just dropped out of uni and was working a temporary job in a factory, feeling very uncertain about the future. Lockdown turned out to be a great blessing in my life, it helped me to slow down, spend more time in the word and prayerfully consider the future. In the middle of my uncertainty, God was wonderfully working, and he blessed me with a job that I love, and in the process taught me a lot about what it means to rely on him completely. For the rest of my life, I will look back on the last year as a time when God displayed to me his magnificent sovereignty over a broken world. Glory to God

Is Submission Relevant Today?

Deborah Asamoah
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Is Submission Relevant Today?
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We hear a term that, nowadays, is considered to be an ugly word in our society today. Submission. It is mocked as being outdated, oppressive and many consider that the idea should no longer have a place in our society. That being said, is submission something we should ignore in the 21st century or is it still a useful framework to use and follow today?

The “disliked” word 

Whenever we hear the word submit, some of us, especially as women, can shudder at the thought of what is required of us when we are asked to submit. It is almost always a difficult conversation when broaching the subject because people almost never seem to agree on the topic. Knowing the divisive nature of this matter, I myself have sheepishly given a half-hearted and rehearsed answer on submission or avoided discussing the topic altogether.

Abusive authority is a deterrent for submission 

I think such a response has stemmed from the idea that the issues surrounding submission are not clear cut. Moreover, it is obvious that the abuse of power, demonstrated by male leaders, in particular, does not make submission inviting. In fact, it acts as a deterrent. This is not surprising, given that people holding greater power have unfairly used and continue to use their authority to lord it over those with less power in a way that makes the latter feel like the only way to feel liberated is to resist, rebel, and refuse to submit.

History writes a long list of stories, both told and untold, which speak to the negligence of those in authority that leave people disenfranchised en masse. For example, the Transatlantic slave trade dehumanised and mistreated black Africans for the profit of European powers. SARS has a long record of abuses towards their own citizens. Statistics show that 35% of women worldwide experience physical, emotional and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly deriving from an intimate partner. This does not even speak to the cases that are unreported.

With the long list of abuse and offences caused by those who have authority, it is no wonder why people, particularly women, are questioning the idea of submitting to someone who is capable of violating them.

Recovering the value of submission 

Think about the examples that the Bible uses in relation to submission and authority. For example, the husband is called to love his wife as himself (Eph 5:28). In other words, treat her with the same care and devotion as he would his own body. Pause for a moment. Think about the ways you care for your anatomy. Nourishing it with food. Setting aside time for your body to rest and recuperate.  In turn, we give our body the opportunity to flourish, grow and feel restored, leaving it feeling well-served, empowered and cared for. But note that our body does not choose when it gets to eat, nor does it choose when it gets to rest. It has no power to dominate itself over us with its needs. We have authority over our bodies. We choose when to feed it or give it rest. Yet we do not ignore our body’s needs. We are careful to listen to its needs, and consider how it feels so that we can nourish it and take care of it appropriately. 

Similarly, a husband who is called to be the head of his wife is not called to wield his power over her in order to control her whilst ignoring her needs and desires, thus leaving her feeling marginalised. Instead, he should be exercising authority in a way that allows her to be taken care of, her needs and wants to be considered and most importantly allows her to feel loved and cherished. In turn, she feels empowered and supported instead of oppressed and marginalised. Paul expresses this idea when he says:

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife, loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it.

Ephesians 5:28 – 29

Submission should be treated with the idea that the person with more power, should not oppress the person who is in submission to them, but should use their power to benefit the person who submits to them. Another way this can be interpreted is servanthood. The husband or father is called to be both head and servant of his home. In this way, submission is never oppressive but always supportive and beneficial.

How do we correct our view on submission?

This leads us to the big question. Where do look to if we want to have the right perspective about submission? Paul makes this very clear for us;

Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.

Ephesians 5:25

A husband nourishes and cherishes his wife because Christ does the same for his church. Us, people who are considered members of His body. Christ being the perfect example of authority, anticipated the most major need of His body (the Church) before the foundation of the world. Our need for salvation. He set about accomplishing this need by dying for our sins so that we could be pardoned of God’s wrath and experience the benefits of eternal glory. Even now He nourishes us by His Spirit so that we may be kept until He returns and enjoy His eternal riches. In return, we as Christians submit to Him because we know and trust that He has our best interests at heart.

With this in mind, we can see that submission derives from a place of love. Therefore, with this view, we should strive to be shining examples to society when we choose to submit to one another faithfully; showing that submission is not something from which we must be deterred but something to be embraced because it incurs one’s best interests.

To find out more about the topic of relationships and dating, listen to the latest episode of #onthetable below!

Why You Should Stand Up for the Gospel at Any Cost

Ayo Stephen
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Jesus entrusted us to spread the truth to every nation so that all can know who God is through him. This began with the twelve disciples in what we know as the ‘Great Commission.’ But this shouldn’t end with them – in fact this should continue even until after we have left this Earth. It is written that before the coming of Christ, the gospel will be spread to every nation (Mark 13:10). However, it is portrayed many times in the Bible that to stand up for what is the truth isn’t an easy task, especially in a world so clouded in darkness and evil.

Why should you care?

As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!”

Acts 7:59

Stephen, a martyr of Christ, died professing the truth. Apostle Peter, a disciple specially chosen by Jesus, on whom the church began with, died as a follower of Christ. Lastly, Apostle Paul was a man specially chosen by Christ to teach and instruct Jews and Gentiles of the Word of God. In doing this, he wrote the majority of the New Testament. He conducted the works of the Lord despite the world telling him otherwise. Despite his life being in danger, he continued on proclaiming the truth He was called upon and believed in.

So why these examples? It is important for us to understand that many before us have stood for the gospel, even in the harshest of times. These people were prepared to put their reputation, even their lives aside so that we might know Christ and be saved. It is thus imperative for us as Christians to understand that there are people still awaiting the truth that do not yet know it. We, therefore, have a duty to stand up for the gospel even if it may cost us, acting selflessly so that others can live in the same joy we do. This way, as we continue to spread His word, we are able to bring new people under his adoption, through the Holy Spirit, into the salvation that he granted freely (Romans 8:15).

silhouette of man and woman standing beside cross during sunset

Take up your cross

They are not of this world, even as I am not of it.

John 17:16

Standing up for the Gospel irrespective of what the world throws at you is not an easy task. It will cost us to give up the world for the Word. It will cost us to be fully renewed by the Spirit and not be lukewarm in matters concerning the world. In an ever-changing modern society, most people speak and act to please others, however we must speak and act to please God alone. This may cause us to lose our reputation like those in the past did, being ‘cancelled’ for standing up for the truth. In the worst cases, it may even lead to the loss of our lives. However, we must understand that this is what Christ went through to ensure salvation was granted to us. We must thus pick up our cross’ and follow him – understanding that if we are to remain in Him, we are very likely to face the same adversities He faced by society, social media, even family and friends.

Through accepting Christ, we have allowed Him to enter our lives and transform us from within as new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, we cannot accept him and still act like we are of this world. As John 17:16 says, we should act to be against the evil of this world, being careful not to accept things unacceptable to God.

Our hope is in the Lord

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:1-2

A key element in the Christian faith is our belief in the joy to come, and the reality of our hope in things above. Our joy lies in pleasing Christ and bringing people to the salvation He has offered, through the Holy Spirit. With this mindset, what is there to fear?

By remembering that this world is not the final destination, we can gain a new confidence that those of this world do not understand. This can help us stand up and profess the gospel with conviction – with nothing holding us back. If you ever get into a situation where you fear for standing up for the gospel, understand that Jesus ascended with the promise of preparing a place for you in Heaven. Stand firm in this and profess it with boldness. One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is God, even if now the world does not approve.

Why Are You Not Evangelising?

Shumi Mararike
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Why Are You Not Evangelising?

When was the last time you shared the Gospel? I address the question to both you the reader, and I the writer. I too felt a tide of unease rise in my gut when confronted by the thought. We know the importance of sharing the Gospel, but often fail to do so. I hope that as we reflect on the following questions that may point toward the reasons why we are not evangelising, we may be encouraged to not only know the Gospel, but also preach the Gospel.

1. Am I ashamed of the Gospel?

You may be ashamed of the Gospel because you don’t sincerely believe it to be good news. Perhaps you’ve become so familiar with the term that you have lost sight of the immensity of the message. The Gospel is “euangelion” – good news. This was news that a foot runner would bring from the battlefield back into the city, proclaiming that victory had been achieved. This news transformed the lives of the people, bringing them great joy in knowing that the war had been won. In the Gospel, we have a life-changing announcement: In His love, God sent His Son to die for our sins and bring us into a relationship with Himself if we believe in Christ (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:10). In doing so, Jesus has saved us from sin’s penalty and triumphed over Satan, sin and death (Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 2:24).

Have you ever thought someone is “beyond salvation”? Have you felt the desire to share the Gospel but refrain from doing so in the belief that it will fall on deaf ears? These are subtle ways in which your shame toward the Gospel is revealed; you doubt the vastness of its power.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

Romans 1:16

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

“Ashamed” in Romans 1:16 speaks of being disgraced or personally humiliated as a result of placing your trust in something which has let you down. “Power” is translated from the Greek word “dynamis”, giving us the word “dynamite”. There is inherent power in the Gospel, carrying the capacity to seismically shift the lives of those who hear it and believe it. This is no cause for shame. Place your confidence in God and the power of His Gospel, proclaiming it and leaving the results to Him.

2. Am I shy?

Evangelism is daunting. Faith is a highly sensitive subject matter so it requires a balance of gentleness and boldness. Disinterested responses can discourage you. Antagonism (especially from a knowledgeable person) may leave you feeling embarrassed and inadequate for the task. The study of apologetics is useful. You can also learn and build confidence by going on outreach with others, but what you really need is divine enablement. Jesus knew this, and so He has sent us His Spirit to embolden us for evangelism. Draw courage and strength from His Spirit who dwells in you, empowering you for witnessing.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8


3. Am I too proud?

Shame and timidity are great hindrances, commonly rooted in pride. Focusing on yourself rather than others and their need for salvation will give you several reasons not to evangelise. Mockery and the loss of friends and loved ones are genuine fears. But no one had more to lose than the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9). The second Person of the Trinity, equal in deity and sharing the glory of the Father humbled Himself to accomplish the Father’s plan for salvation (John 17:5). Philippians 2 eloquently captures the humility of Jesus :

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
 rather, He made Himself nothing
 by taking the very nature of a servant,
 being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
 He humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
 even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:5-8

Christ humbled Himself in a way that we are to follow suit by proclaiming this good news.

I assure you, the shame, shyness and pride you may feel is incomparable to the feeling of knowing that someone you had the opportunity to share the Gospel with has died in unbelief. The price is too high. Pray for opportunities and boldness to evangelise. Pray that God softens the hearts of those you speak with and for their salvation. Lastly, remember these words by Rice Tice: “In evangelism, I can only fail if I keep quiet”.

Your Tribe Is Not Your God

Chude Obuaya
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Your Tribe Is Not Your God
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The world is filled with a variety of issues. When people engage with these issues, opposing sides are rapidly filled with their proponents at the ready to support their position, whether right or wrong. The problem that arises when engaging with these issues, especially difficult ones, is that people are susceptible to tribalism over truth. The tendency is to follow your tribe’s position, no matter the cost. This tendency is often seen amongst Christians when engaging with the hot topics of our time. Whilst Christians have the liberty to hold various positions on non-primary issues, what we do not have the liberty to is abscond on the truth because it does not fit our tribe’s view. So how can we faithfully navigate through different topics and ensure that our allegiance is to the truth and not to our tribe?

Say No to Tribalism


Firstly, it is important to define what tribalism is. Tribalism is defined as “the possession of a strong cultural or ethnic identity that separates one member of a group from the members of another group”. In other words, tribalism is when people are overly loyal to their group (whether political, social, theological etc). This leads to people being over-critical of groups with an opposing view to their group and under-critical of the views of their own group. When we hold a non-critical view of our tribe, we become blind to its flaws, bad arguments, and poor positions. We can often find ourselves on the side of the oppressor, rallying against justice and standing firm against the truth. As Christians this should not be so after all “He [God] has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). We cannot stand on the side of justice, kindness, or humility if we are committed to being on the side of our tribe no matter their position.

The temptation to show greater fidelity to your leader or tribe than the truth is not a new phenomenon. Whilst the scriptures may not use tribalism as we have defined it, 1 Corinthians 3 uses a word that bears close similarity. In this portion of scripture, Paul bemoans the church of Corinth over their sectarianism (or tribalism). Paul states that when there is strife and jealousy amongst Christians because they hold varying positions, that they are acting according to the flesh (1 Corinthians 3:2-3). Whilst this text is referring mainly to Christians following Church leaders, the premise can be used for Christians following any leader or tribe. What we must remember is that our tribes are not given to us so that we can boast in them, but given by God as a means of grace for our benefit and the benefit of others (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

Tribalism is Really Unbelief


If we want to accurately deal with the sins that beset us, then we must rightly diagnose them. Tribalism is a symptom, not the root cause. Tribalism – Partiality – Idolatry – Unbelief. Tribalism occurs because of the sin of partiality. To show partiality is to show unfair bias towards a person or a group and this is a consequence of tribalism. To show partiality is to break the royal law which is to love your neighbour as yourself (James 2:8). Yet this sin unravels deeper still because partiality is the fruit of idolatry. Idolatry is when we place any person or anything above the name and renown of God, thus diminishing His glory. Tribalism produces an ungodly allegiance that says my bias is a greater treasure to me than God. The truth does not matter to the one that is unwaveringly committed to his/her tribe. What matters is that they are right in their own eyes or the eyes of their tribe. This is a perilous position because the scriptures tell us that there is a way that seems right to us that leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Still, idolatry is a product of a deeper issue still and this, in my view, is the seed that produces all of sins fruit – unbelief. Tribalism is ultimately unbelief because it states that a tribe can give me something that Jesus cannot. Tribalism states that the opinion of my tribe is greater than the opinion of God (John 12:42-43). Tribalism states that the truth is not important, but my position is, even if it is wrong and is potentially harmful in its implication or application. Tribalism trusts in its group rather than in Christ and by no other name can a man be saved but in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).

Your Tribe is Christianity


In Christ we have the freedom to eat what we want, live where we want, support whatever political party and be part of whatever Christian denomination we want (Romans 14:1-12). What we do not have the privilege to do is use our freedom as an occasion for sin or to support that which is sinful (Galatians 5:13). Supporting a particular tribe is not an issue if we realise that our tribe does not have the monopoly on truth, Jesus does. We do not need Christians who are drunk from the ideological positions of their tribe, instead, we need Christians who remain sober-minded, committed to Jesus and those who He created in His image for His glory.

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