Home Blog Page 4

Where Is my joy gone?

M.T. Omoniyi
-
0
Where Is my joy gone?

As Christians, we are called to live lives that are marked by joy. However, in the midst of life’s challenges and trials, it can be easy to lose sight of the joy that is meant to define our faith. Yet, true joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is a gift from God that transcends the ups and downs of life. In this article, we will explore the essence of joy, its source, and how we can experience it in our daily walk as Christians.

Joy is not happiness

First and foremost, joy is not merely a fleeting emotion or momentary happiness. It is a deep-seated sense of well-being and contentment that comes from knowing and being in a relationship with our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit working within us (Galatians 5:22). Joy is the result of recognising that our sins have been forgiven and that we have been reconciled with God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It is the assurance of eternal life in Christ and the hope that we have in Him.

The source of our joy, as Christians, is rooted in the character of God. Our heavenly Father is a God of love, mercy, and grace. He delights in His children and desires to bless us abundantly. When we align our lives with God’s will, we tap into His joy and experience His presence in a profound way. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” In other words, true joy is found in seeking God, abiding in His presence, and finding our satisfaction in Him alone.

Furthermore, joy is not a passive state but an active response to our faith in God. The apostle Paul, despite facing immense persecution and trials, proclaimed, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Paul understood that joy is not circumstantial but a deliberate choice to focus on the goodness of God and His faithfulness. It is an act of worship and a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives. When we choose joy, we are a witness to the world, pointing them to the hope and peace that can only be found in Christ.

So, how can we experience joy in our daily walk as Christians? Firstly, we must cultivate a heart of gratitude. Recognizing and appreciating the blessings that God has bestowed upon us, both big and small, help us to shift our focus from our problems to the goodness of our Heavenly Father. Secondly, we need to immerse ourselves in God’s Word.

The Bible is filled with promises and reminders of God’s love, faithfulness, and the hope we have in Him. Meditating on Scripture and allowing its truths to penetrate our hearts will bring forth a deep sense of joy. Lastly, prayer is vital in cultivating joy.

Through prayer, we can pour out our hearts to God, seek His guidance, and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

Experiencing joy as a Christian is not contingent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. It is a gift from Him that flows from a heart that is surrendered to His will and rooted in His Word.

As we continually seek His presence, cultivate gratitude, and engage in prayer, we will find that true joy becomes a constant companion on our journey of faith. May we be known as Christians who radiate joy, drawing others to the hope and love found in Jesus Christ?

Three Lessons I Learnt From Tim Keller

Chude Obuaya
-
0
Three Lessons I Learnt From Tim Keller

On the 19th of May 2023, Tim Keller went home to be with the Lord. A hugely popular figure who left his mark on both the Christian and Secular worlds. As the tributes poured in remembrance of a life well lived, it caused me to reflect on the impact that Tim Keller left on me.

There’s a famous saying “Never meet your heroes”. I didn’t get to meet one of mine, I only got to see him from afar. In my view, Tim Keller consistently exuded grace and gentleness in his writing, preaching and interactions on social media. These observations seemed to be backed by many tributes from people of all denominations and backgrounds who despite the various interactions all seemed to be left with the same impression – Tim Keller loved Jesus. At the end of my life, I would love to be remembered the same way.

Tim Keller on friendship

Very few sermons have impacted me like the sermon Tim Keller gave on Friendship. With such an important relationship being the bedrock of human life, you would assume that it would be preached on more. Tim Keller reminds us that to be a true friend requires “constancy, candour, carefulness and counsel”.

In a little under 40 minutes, I realised that I had undervalued this gift that God had granted me. Often, people do not want to appear to be a burden. However, according to Tim Keller, to be a true friend, you must be willing to repeatedly bear the burdens of your friends. After all, doesn’t Galatians 6:2 exhort us to do this very thing? What is clear from this sermon is that we must avoid the tendency to coast through friendships. Instead, the friendships we cultivate here on earth should be rooted in the great friendship we find in Jesus.

Keller on suffering

I wonder what went through Tim Keller’s mind when he was first diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in May 2020. We all know that we will go through some sort of suffering in this world. We don’t need an in-depth theology to know that the effects of sin can be so disorienting. And yet, when suffering comes the scripture exhorts us to glory in our sufferings (Romans 5:3-4). This is hard to hear when the suffering is seemingly unbearable.

Tim Keller taught us that when suffering is great, we need to lean on God who is greater than our suffering. When we feel hopeless, the scriptures teach us that suffering has a strange way of leading us to hope (Romans 5:3-4). Tim Keller didn’t spend his days trying to diagnose why he was suffering from stage IV cancer, instead, he put all his hope in the Great Physician. Tim Keller taught us that all those who put their faith in Christ will always eventually hear “Your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:52).

Be gentle because God is gentle

To paraphrase Dane Ortlund, Jesus only described Himself once in the scriptures and He called Himself “gentle and lowly” (Matthew 11:29). In a society where there is much debate about what being masculine is, Tim Keller taught us that the most masculine thing men can be is gentle. Oh how much better the world would be if we would follow Jesus in this way.

Tim Keller would often share his thoughts on social media and this would bring engagement from all corners of society. Sometimes, he would encounter a harsh response that would question his reasoning, motive or sincerity. Not once did I see Tim Keller respond in kind. Instead, he was eager to embody this Proverb “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). When tensions threatened to boil over online, Tim Keller would endeavour to disarm his opponents with grace and draw them in with the truth. This mixture of grace and truth inevitably points us to Jesus (John 1:14).

Tim Keller taught me a lot. I’m sad that he has died. But I’m also happy because he lives. Tim Keller taught me that the goal of the Christian is not to be perfect but faithful. I never got to meet one of my heroes in this life, but I’m certain I will get to in the next. Until then, I look forward to carrying on the charge I think embodied Tim Keller’s ministry – showing that Jesus Christ is worth trusting.

Who do you follow?

Shumi Mararike
-
0
Who do you follow?

Following Jesus is not easy. It requires whole-hearted devotion to God as we make Christ our priority (Luke 14:26-27), considering Him our greatest gain (Philippians 3:7-8). To follow Christ is to obey God irrespective of the consequences (Acts 5:28-29 ). The magnitude of the task demands the help of others. We need to join those who embark on the same course as us in following Christ. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: “Who do I follow in my efforts to follow Christ and “What is guiding them?”

Who to follow

We are to follow those whose example points us towards the ultimate example: Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 11:1). Their character should reflect the nature of Christ. Like a child who follows the example of their parents, we are to imitate God and those who follow Him faithfully (Ephesians 5:1). Some things to look out for include:

  • Those who live under the authority of the word of God. Accordingly, their way of life is consistent with the standard of God as set out in the Bible
  • Repentance from the sin which marked our lives outside of Christ. A continual pursuit of righteousness and a commitment to holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:8-11; Colossians 3:5-14)
  • Those who follow God’s example by their love, selflessly sacrificing themselves for the good of others (Ephesians 5:1-2)
  • Compassionate and forgiving people (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13)
  • People walking in sexual purity (Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5-6)
  • Those who speak encouraging words (Ephesians 4:29) and God-honouring speech (Ephesians 5:4)

Finding who to follow

Moreover, we must consider where to find people to follow. You may find Christ-like examples in well-known pastors, teachers, speakers or social media influencers. Although there is value in this, there is only so much you can identify in a person and benefit from at a distance. You cannot limit who you follow to those from afar. You need personal relationships. You need flesh on flesh contact with fellow believers around you. Look within your church, fellowships, friendships circles and the like. Commit to the Christian communities in your locality. By doing so, you can sharpen each other and motivate one another to live for Jesus and remain steadfast in following Him (Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24). You can follow others from a distance, but you maximise your growth by following those within your proximity.

How to follow

Lastly, how are we to follow these people? With Christ Himself being our ultimate standard, the other examples we have in our lives are bound to fail at times. The same goes for ourselves. As such, we do not follow in a spirit of judgement, but with grace. Furthermore, we follow consistently and with persistence. The athletics metaphor often used in the New Testament demonstrates how we and those we imitate can follow Christ. Like a runner, we are to be disciplined, remaining persistent by staying the course despite the challenges we may face (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-3).

We run with the goal of Christian maturity, knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him with an unwavering focus (Philippians 3:10-14). So dear friends, whoever and whatever we follow may they always point towards and exemplify Christ and I pray that as believers we would have the discernment to know when the person/thing we’re following needs to change.

Your theology can change your emotions

Chude Obuaya
-
0
Your theology can change your emotions

Have you ever been told that your feelings don’t matter? Or that you ought not to be led by your emotions but by the Holy Spirit? These well-intentioned statements aim to dissuade Christians from allowing their emotions to rule them as emotions can often misdiagnose the situation we face.

What if our emotions do not need to be ignored but must be redeemed? What if our emotions do not obstruct our fellowship with God, but when rightly guided, can lead to deeper fellowship with Him? This is what the doctrine of Orthopathos aims to proclaim – God wants us to have the right affections.


What is orthopathos?


The term “Orthopathos” was introduced in the 1970s by Wesylan and Pentecostal theologians. Their aim was to demonstrate that the Christian life was not merely right thinking (orthodoxy) or right action (orthopraxy), but there was also a proper way to experience God. Henry H Knight explains “We need not only right beliefs and practices, but we also need a right heart; we need not only to think and do what is faithful, but we also need to be faithful persons.

To put it differently, orthopathy does not primarily refer to a warm heart, but to a heart formed, governed and motivated by love”. According to Wesylan’s theology, to experience God as we ought we need the right thinking and the right actions that are informed by the right heart. In other words, how we feel about God matters. This does not mean that we must generate feelings to experience God rightly. What it does mean is that as we have been filled with love (Romans 5:5), this love ought to transform not merely our emotions but our person. Now we live in such a way that embodies the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). John Wesley would say “… Christians [should] have a character which consists of holy tempers such as love for God and neighbour, faith, hope, peace, humility, and other fruit of the Spirit”. This is what Paul prayed over the church of Ephesus, that they would not only be filled with the love of God but know the love of God so that they could experience the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19). Without orthopathos, we will fail to experience God as fully as we can.

The Three Os

In His high priestly prayer, Jesus says that to know God is to have eternal life (John 17:3). To know God is not merely intellectual knowledge of God but to also be in a covenantal relationship with Him. To have eternal life is to know God with our head (orthodoxy), our hands (orthopraxy) and our heart (Orthopathos). The relationship of these three Os can be compared to that of a Venn diagram. To experience God fully we need hearts shaped by the love of God that will transform how we think, live and feel. If any component is missing, the Christian will reduce the experience that God desires for us. Christians that over-emphasise orthodoxy are in danger of being pharisaical.

The danger is people like this can often honour God with their lips but have hearts that are far from Him (Matthew 15:8-9). Christians that over-emphasise orthopraxy are in danger of work righteousness. The danger is that people can often believe that how they live is what justifies them before God. Paul nullifies this way of thinking “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Christians that over-emphasise Orthopathos are in danger of centralising their emotions.

The danger is that without feeling certain emotions they are far from God and thus unable to fellowship with Him. Paul nullifies this line of thought also by telling us that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height or depth, nor anything else in all creation [including your emotions], will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:37-39.

Whilst our feelings ought not to be the compass of our lives, they can be good indicators in our lives. Instead of suppressing or over-indulging your emotions, let the love of God transform your emotions so that you can experience Him more fully. In doing so, we can experience heaven on earth.

Three Things To Consider Before You Join a Church.

Chude Obuaya
-
0
Three Things To Consider Before You Join a Church.

Looking for a new church is hard. Whether you have been in church all your life or are new to the family, finding a local assembly that you can call home can be daunting. With the Church seemingly plagued with scandals, it can be hard to view the local church as a place that you can commit to. Whilst the Church is not perfect, it is still beautiful and is the manifestation of God’s covenant commitment to those that put their faith in Jesus (Ephesians 5:25, Revelation 19:7-9). The local church is the physical representation of a spiritual reality. Committing to a local church is vital because you declare that as Christ has committed to a people, so will I. The aim is not merely attending a church as a bystander but committing to a church as a member. There are many things to ponder before joining a church, but here are 3 for your consideration.

Qualified Leaders


In the bible, Paul wrote to two pastors: Timothy and Titus. In these epistles, he instructs these pastors to only appoint qualified men to the role of Elder (1 Timothy 3:1-6, Titus 1:5-9). These qualifications have not been left a secret, neither are they subject to review or modification. These qualifications given by Paul, come straight from the mind of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The role of an Elder is not one to be taken lightly. It’s not for men who are gifted in speech or likeable in personality. Whilst these traits are not necessarily negative in isolation when they are elevated above the necessary character required to lead God’s sheep disaster will surely follow. You don’t have to look far to see the numerous pastoral failures that have occurred in the past year alone. When you become a member of a church, you’re entrusting the pastor with your soul (1 Peter 5:2-3). Don’t you want to ensure that they are qualified for the role? Before joining a church, ask what the process is for appointing elders. Does it match what the bible demands?

Consistent Fellowship


The book of Acts marks the inauguration of the Church. Christ has ascended, and the Spirit has descended and filled all those who trust in Jesus (Acts 2:1-4). Upon being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter is emboldened and preaches the gospel to the people present in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14-36). This gospel presentation leads many to receive the gift of salvation and trust in Christ (Acts 2:37-41). These new converts devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, food, and prayer (Acts 2:42). This is how the first local churches began, does the church you’re considering compare? Your local church experience shouldn’t be limited to 2 hours on a Sunday. If the local church is a physical representation of the global Church, then you’re committed to one another daily. The news converts in Acts devoted themselves to daily fellowship (Acts 2:46). How seriously does your prospective church treat fellowship?

Patient Discipline


Last year, a letter from a church enacting discipline on one of its members went viral. A short perusal of the comments showed the outrage of people against this church. From the comments, it seemed unimaginable that someone could be excommunicated from their local gathering. Isn’t the church meant to be open to everyone? Aren’t we meant to love people no matter what they do? The comments displayed that there appears to be a gross misunderstanding of what church discipline is and what it is meant to accomplish. The Church is God’s bride. God redeems sinners through the sacrifice of His Son. All those who put their faith in Jesus are grafted into the Church. Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice so that the Church could be presented to Him as holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:27). This means that sin cannot be tolerated within the church. That doesn’t mean that we will not fall short. It does mean that when we do fall short there are processes in place to restore the believer in gentleness and patience (Galatians 6:1). However, there are those who wish to remain unrepentant. There are those who wish to remain in their sin after multiple warnings and admonishments (Matthew 18:15-17). In this case, it is the duty of the church to remove such a person from church membership and consider them an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). Why? A little leaven leavens the whole batch (1 Corinthians 5:6). In other words, sin is prone to corrupt even the most faithful of believers. Church discipline has a two-fold effect. 1) It alerts all those who seek to remain in sin, that sin is not tolerated here. Repent and trust in Jesus. 2) it encourages the believer, especially those who have been abused. It says we won’t tolerate sin of any kind. You are safe here. Does the church you seek to attend take discipline seriously?

No church will be perfect, but churches can be faithful. As you look for a church, ensure your criteria match what the scriptures prescribe. It will do your soul so much good.

How to Disagree Well, Without Losing Your Convictions

Chude Obuaya
-
0
How to Disagree Well, Without Losing Your Convictions

During the lockdown, it seemed like everyone was online. New social media platforms such as House Party and Clubhouse quickly rose in popularity, as many saw these new apps as an opportunity to discuss and debate important topics. Christians quickly saw these platforms as opportunities to engage with friends and strangers on various issues that were prominent within the Church. However, what often began as fun debates eventually descended into slander and in-fighting. Nowadays, there don’t appear to be as many online debates, perhaps many were discouraged by the way covenant brothers and sisters were speaking to one another. Is there a way to disagree well, without losing your convictions?

Passion or Rude?

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to debate. I love engaging with various ideas. I love engaging with people who are passionate about the ideas that they believe in, whether I agree with them or not. However, it can be difficult to determine whether someone is passionate or rude. The style which people utilise in a debate can make it even more difficult to determine. Some debate loudly, others quietly. Some are confrontational in their approach; others are more reserved. The style in which one chooses to engage in a debate isn’t always indicative of whether they are displaying the respect that one should. Instead, we must work hard to distinguish between passion and rudeness. Here are some things to consider:

Debate With Love


1. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. It is un-Christlike to immediately jump to the worst possible conclusion when engaging in debate. When you debate or discuss with friends or strangers, do you immediately assume the worst about their intentions?
2. An adage goes “People are equal, ideas are not”. When engaging in discussion or debate do you or the person, you’re debating with attack the person or the idea? Every human is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; 9:6). What you say of people may be indicative of what you think about God and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, or debates (Matthew 12:34)
3. Finally, you are not your ideas. I think this point might be the most important to consider. Some topics are more volatile than others and engaging in certain debates does require much wisdom and discretion. When engaging in any topic it is vital to remember ideas are not people. Godly people can hold ungodly ideas. These ideas need to be challenged. But we must be sober enough that we can be the ones challenged too. When we are, how we respond is very telling. Do we hold our ideas more closely than we ought to?

Slow to Speak


Whilst many suggestions can be given to assist us in arguing better, I think one instruction from scripture can be the guiding principle that encapsulates all I’ve stated – be slow to speak (James 1:19). When engaging in a debate, especially one you’re knowledgeable about it, it can be easy to become overbearing and rude. But we can combat this by just slowing down. No matter how wrong your opponent is, whilst they may be your enemy; they are always your neighbour. Jesus calls us to love our neighbours always (Matthew 22:38-39). Let’s have this in mind when we next debate and we will be sure to disagree well.

The resurrection of Jesus: did it really happen?

Shumi Mararike
-
0
The resurrection of Jesus: did it really happen?

If Jesus did not resurrect from the dead, then Christianity is false. We have believed in vain, and are to be most pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:14; 19). Therefore, we need to evaluate the evidence and know whether it happened or not.

What are some of the key claims about Jesus’ death and resurrection and how can we know that he really did rise from the dead?

1. Jesus died by crucifixion

Crucifixion was a common form of execution used by the Romans. The crucifixion of Jesus is reported in both Christian sources (Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-37) and non-Christian sources. Josephus wrote “When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had condemned him to be crucified…”[1] Tacitus wrote of how “Christius, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberus at the hands of one of the procurators, Pontius Pilate.”[2] On the basis of Christian and non-Christian sources, we know that Jesus of Nazareth died by crucifixion.

2. The tomb was empty

Firstly, both biblical and non-biblical sources record claims that the tomb was empty. Early critics accused Jesus’ disciples of stealing the body (Matthew 28:12-13; Justin Martyr, Trypho 108; Tertullian, De Spectaculis 30). Ironically, this implies that the tomb was empty because if there was a body in the tomb then there would be no need to attempt to account for a missing body.

Secondly, the primary witnesses to the empty tomb were women. In the 1st-century Jewish and Roman world, a woman’s testimony was discredited and considered equal to that of a robber (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1.8). On account of this, if the gospel writers invented a story to persuade people that Jesus had resurrected from the dead, they would not include women as the primary witnesses to the empty tomb. Therefore, the gospels would not feature women as the first witnesses to the empty tomb unless it really happened.

3. People claimed to see the risen Jesus

Furthermore, people claimed to see the risen Jesus shortly after his death.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

The passage above contains a creed – a concise summary of the Christian faith. Creeds were the best way to preserve important information in a format which could be easily memorised. This is a reliable source as 1 Corinthians was written in 55-56 AD, just over twenty years after Jesus’ death. Additionally, many scholars date this creed within two to eight years of Jesus’ death. Paul indicates that he previously passed on it on to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), which suggests that he received it from the disciples Peter and James when visiting them in Jerusalem three years after his conversion (Galatians 1:18-19). Accordingly, the early date of the creedal statement rules out the possibility of the claims of Jesus’ resurrection being an evolved legend.[3]

4. Lives were transformed

Lastly, the conversion of sceptics suggests that the disciples’ claims to have seen the risen Jesus were true. Saul of Tarsus (the apostle Paul) was a relentless persecutor of the church who suddenly became a follower of Jesus (Acts 9:1-19; 22:6-21; 26:12-18). James, the brother of Jesus, was a sceptic during Jesus’ life (Mark 3:21; John 7:5). He was also converted and became a pious Jewish believer and a leader at the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:12-21; Galatians 1:19). These conversions are significant as they demonstrate that the claims of a resurrected Christ were not fictitious tales to comfort Jesus’ followers. They were also the assertions made by Jesus’ enemies and sceptics who also claimed to see the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7-8).

Proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection led to the execution of the apostle James (Acts 12:1-2), James the brother of Jesus (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 20.200), Peter, and Paul (1 Clement 5:1-7; Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 2.25, 5-6). Although religious devotees die for causes they believe to be true, the death of the witnesses to the resurrection is different. They were the ones who knew directly whether the “cause” they promoted was a fabrication or a real experience – and no one dies for a lie they know to be a lie![4]

As the evidence is weighed up, the resurrection of Jesus is the best explanation for the aforementioned facts. He is risen, hallelujah! We have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3) and assurance that the Christian message is true. This is good news to celebrate and share today.

[1] Josephus, Antiquities 18.64 Jospehus in Ten volumes, vol. 9, Jewish Antiquities, Loeb Classical Library, Louis H. Feldman, trans. (Cambridge, Mass; Harvard University Press, 1981)

[2] Cornelius Tacitius, The Annals 15.44 (c. A.D. 115)

[3] John Dickson, Is Jesus History (The Good Book Company, 2019), 140

[4] Dickson, 142

Hedonism: The Pursuit of Joy

Chude Obuaya
-
0
Hedonism: The Pursuit of Joy

If you pay close attention to the news or social media, you are sure to find the things that divide us as humans. Whether it is a political position or a football team, there is seemingly an emphasis on how different humans are. However, there is much that we all have in common. One of these things is joy. Humans were created for joy (Psalm 96:11), namely joy in God and what He has made. We seldom choose activities to partake in that we don’t derive joy in. Even the necessary activities (such as work) that we partake in are for future joy (our wages). As with everything, sin corrupts what was made for our good and God’s glory. What Paul describes in Romans 1 is a problem that plagues all humanity, we’d rather derive joy in what God has made apart from the God who made it. The Bible defines this problem as idolatry. So how can we pursue joy in such a way that doesn’t make us neglect God as the object of our joy?


God vs Stuff


In our technological age, we are consistently inundated with entertainment. Whether it’s social media, streaming platforms or facetime, there are abundant opportunities to pursue joy. Often, when topics like these are raised two sides are quickly established – it’s either God or stuff. On the surface, they appear to be fair opponents. It is easy to elevate stuff to the neglect of the God we ought to have above all (Exodus 20:3-4). However, it is also possible to have God in His rightful place to neglect what He has made. This position is also wrong. Whilst one position promotes idolatry, the other promotes Gnosticism. One concept of Gnosticism proclaims that only good can be found in the spiritual, whilst evil is found in the material. These two positions present a false dichotomy, you must choose God or His stuff. God doesn’t give us such a choice to make. Instead, we ought to declare over creation what God did – that it is good (Genesis 1:31). And whilst creation has been tainted by sin, God’s final word over creation is not destruction but redemption (Romans 8:20-21). To pursue joy biblically is not to separate God from His creation and choose one. Instead, to pursue joy biblically is to enjoy creation in all its goodness and for this joy to resound in praise and glory for the Creator (1 Timothy 6:17).

Enjoying God’s Creation


Secular/Sacred Divide


There always seems to be an event, tv show or song that sparks debate amongst Christians. Christians are called to be holy (Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:16), so these debates are warranted, and careful consideration is necessary. Some Christians want to be instructed at each juncture as to how to be holy, whilst others want to use their freedom without considering their neighbours. I think Romans 14 can be helpful for us. “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:13-17). In Romans 14, Paul here is detailing how believers ought to handle disputes. It is unlikely that believers will be united on how to best use their God-given freedom. Believers can be joined on not using their freedom as a stumbling block to the “one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15).

Pursue Joy in Peace


We will have different theological convictions on how to pursue joy best. Our position on engagement with a particular form of entertainment is not a universal position for all believers. Before you decide to DM that brother or sister, ensure that you’re not making a personal conviction, a corporate one (Romans 14:23). If a fellow believer is pursuing joy in such a way that violates biblical command, correct them gently so that they are more readily able to hear you (Galatians 6:1). One day we will have unbroken and unending joy that is untainted by sin. But we do not have to wait for glory to taste what we were created for. God in His kindness has given us all things for our enjoyment, don’t let sin rob what Christ has redeemed.

Supporting loved ones in tough times

Shumi Mararike
-
0
Supporting loved ones in tough times

Sometimes, Christians can be the most emotionally unintelligent people you meet. This may deter our friends and loved ones from sharing their troubles with us, in the fear that we would not understand or be helpful in our responses. So how can we do better to support our loved ones in tough times?

Be present

Firstly, we must be present with our loved ones. Pain and loss often bring a pervasive feeling of loneliness. Therefore, by being present, we show our loved ones that they are not alone. Our presence is a reminder that they are surrounded by people who care for them, and are with them in their trials. Be emotionally present by carrying their burdens and weeping with them (Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15).

Be physically present by visiting them regularly. But don’t feel pressure to find the right words to say. Sometimes your silent presence expresses more than words spoken, and is a powerful display of your support (Job 2:13). Therefore, just be present where you can.

two women having a conversation

Listen to them

Secondly, we must listen to our loved ones. The nature of their trials may raise several questions and place heavy burdens on their hearts. However, we must resist the urge to quickly jump to solutions, attempting to answer every question and address every weight on their heart.

Speaking before listening is foolish (Proverbs 18:13). Sometimes people just want to be heard. In simply listening, you allow them to verbalise their feelings and make sense of their emotions. This validates their feelings and can be cathartic. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7). So slow down and listen.

Pray for them

Furthermore, our loved ones need us to pray for them. Pain can cripple a person to the point where they are unable to muster the strength to come to God in prayer. Therefore, don’t just pray for them, but pray with them. Pray that they will feel God’s nearness in their despair. Pray that He will heal their pain (Psalm 147:3) and comfort them in their mourning (Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Remind them of God’s promises

Additionally, when facing trials, your friend needs you to dispel the lies of the Satan with the truth of God’s word.

Be sure to remind your loved ones:

  • God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5) – God is with you.
  • God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1) – In the tough times, God is protecting you.
  • Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5) – Your sorrow will not last forever, you will rejoice again.

Our loved ones need us most in their darkest hour. By being present, listening to them, praying for them, and reminding them of God’s promises, we can begin to provide the love and support they need.

When sharing the word, don’t forget to live by it.

D. W. Brown
-
0
When sharing the word, don’t forget to live by it.

Have you ever found yourself in a moment of self-awareness, when you realise that while you are trying to share the gospel and tell lost people about Jesus, you yourself aren’t really living as if the message is true? It can feel like an unsettling paradox, and it can lead to real discouragement. 

I can certainly identify with this.

In this article I want to share three brief thoughts, about why it is so important to remember that while you share the word, you must also live by it.

Zeal to share flows from authentic faith

There is a clear correlation between the authenticity of one’s faith and the effectiveness of their witness. When we are walking closely with God, and therefore more intimately sensing his work in our lives, then speaking about what he has done for us comes a lot more naturally. In fact, in these seasons there can be a wonderful excitement about sharing what God has done for us, and that is how it should be.

In Matthew 12, we read that Jesus said, “From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (v34) In other words, whatever we are most captivated by, we find the easiest to speak about. I could talk for hours about Chelsea Football Club, with great passion and conviction because I love the club (despite this tragic season). The principle is the same – when we are actively spending time in the word and in prayer, seeking to know God more deeply, it leads to increased affections for Him, and in turn increased zeal to tell others about Him.

Words without actions are unconvincing

Another thing to consider is the danger of weakening your witness through actions which contradict your words.

If you have a non-Christian friend and you tell them of the ways in which Jesus has changed your life, but the next day they observe you acting exactly the same as you used to, or in a way that the rest of the secular world does, it doesn’t give your words a lot of meaning. Future attempts to speak about Jesus to that friend could be met with scepticism, because of the disconnect between what you said and how you acted.


I remember learning the hard way at university, when I was speaking to a friend about the Christian worldview and he pointed out that some of my behaviour he had witnessed was inconsistent with that. “Actions speak louder than words” is so often true.

Hypocrisy is dangerous

For me, one of the most striking pictures that Jesus painted was that of a man with a log in his eye pointing out that someone else had a speck in theirs’ (Matthew 7) It’s a picture of hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is rarely deliberate, and it can creep in subtly, but Jesus is clear that it is serious. We need to be careful that in our attempts to share the gospel we aren’t rebuking people for actions and attitudes which we ourselves are guilty of at the same time.

Our witness should always come from a place of humility, acknowledging that we are all hopeless sinners in need of a saviour.

While writing this I’ve been convicted to examine my own spiritual life, to think about whether I’m really living out what I’m seeking to share with others.

Let me encourage you to take a moment to do the same. I pray that each of our hearts would be so captivated by God’s grace that we can’t help but authentically share what he has done for us.

1...345...50Page 4 of 50
Sample field data

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