No Goodbyes

      Politically, economically and socially, these are interesting times to live in; times when things that are thought to be stable economically or socially are reeling on their feet. The Body of Christ is not left out; these are indeed dangerous times (2Timothy 3:1); and looking at the trend of events, interesting times as well as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. This period calls to mind the conversation Jesus had with a man that decided to follow Him but wanted first to say goodbye to his family. Jesus responded: “…No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:61-62). Severally, so many had said yes to Jesus Christ but would like to say goodbye to some things in the past before they can fully follow. The reason for this assumption is when you look at the number of professing Christians in policy making positions and the numerical growth of the Church one would be moved to conclude that a revival had swept through the land. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Thus, what could be the problem? Why are professing Christians not representing the values of the Kingdom in their respective professions? Despite the increase in Church attendance and numerical Church growth, why is there not a corresponding growth in the spirituality of the congregants; especially in the face of increase in divorce rates, single parenting, absent fathers, Hophni and Phinehas attitudes, Nadab and Abihu style of services and jezebel attitudes? You may argue that these cannot be adequately measured. True! But if truly we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), then our salt nature which is a preserver and a purifier must reflect in our stations of life. Rather, what is on the increase is the philosophy of ‘SELF’ (me, myself and I attitudes) and children of God look for a way to accommodate God in it. We forget that self is another word for flesh and as long as we operate in it we cannot please God (Romans 8:5-8). 

       We must understand that the Ministry we have received as born again sons and daughters of God is not one that sits well with our past lives or egos. We cannot seek to follow Jesus and still want to hold on to the philosophies of the past no matter how right sounding they may be. These ‘intellectual’ philosophies which are referred to as ‘high-sounding nonsense’ (Colossians 2:8) will surely sabotage our pure walk with Jesus Christ. One might argue that we cannot do this as it will be a lonely road, which is not entirely true! Past lives can and must be done away with and not romanticized no matter how good they may look: “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up. Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but in God’s sight we commend ourselves to every person’s conscience by an open display of the truth” (2Corinthians 4:1-2). We must live lives by the help of the Holy Spirit that do not contradict the word of God we profess to believe. This is so because the god of this age has blinded so many to the truth and has deceived so many to think it is good and right to walk in paths hitherto spoken against by God by redefining them. Friend, if our sincere desire is to follow the Lord: “And He said to all, if any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]” (Luke 9:23 – AMP). There is no shortcut or another way to follow the Master. No goodbyes but a complete turn away from all that hinders. God bless you.