Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:17

Unfortunately for some who have received Christ, they struggle with believing that God has forgiven them, especially if they find it hard to forgive themselves or if some other people wouldn’t forgive them.

Repentance can be even more difficult. Repenting from sin implies turning away from the sinful act with the intention of never doing it again. It’s easier to tell your self , or spouse, or parents, or children, that you’ll never do something again, but with God, it is probably not usually simple to just say: “God I’ll never ever do that again”. I guess that’s because understandably, sin is usually that thing which we don’t love to do anymore and don’t want to do, but may sometimes find ourselves doing anyway.

Sometimes we feel we sin because we do not have time to think or consider our options. Most of the time, we may have impulsively said something rash in anger, back-bit, or told a little lie just before we realise, with disappointment in ourselves, that we have sinned already. With other kinds of sin, like sexual immorality and similar lusts we may try to convince ourselves that we are giving vent to natural feelings or desires, as if the fact that sin comes naturally to us can make it legitimate.

Geniuine repentance is difficult or impossible if we do not reckon on the grace of God. God never gave anyone an injunction never to sin, save that which he has backed up by His grace.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:13

It is by the grace of God that we are what we are, or do what we ought to do. Living the Christian life of victory over sin, is our gift in Christ Jesus. We are not struggling to impress God, but rather His grace challenges us to reckon our selves dead to sin and alive unto righteousness. So that when we are tempted or confront sin, we can know that the power we excercise NOT TO SIN, is not in ourselves but in the grace of God in Christ.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:11-14

Sin is beneath the Christian. Christ went through too much to make us holy instruments of His righteousness. Let there be no excuses, every little sin is big enough to spoil our testimony, even if it is one done in our closets. There is no pleasure in sin for the born-again man, only shame and power loss.

Devotional Prayer

Lord, I know that my victory over sin and sinful habits is not by my own making. I am determined to shun the lusts in my heart and to overcome my weaknesses because your grace has given me victory over sin. I pray you continually use me as an instrument of your righteousness and help me to take daily advantage of your grace, so that I can live in victory and my life can be to you a sweet-smelling living sacrifice.

Apparently mere will always will miserably fail
There’s war in my members, I feel so terribly frail
Can I truly be stripped of this self… this my garment?
At passion girded within my very bosom I anxiously lament!

Argh! disharmony is the name of my sickness
My spirit makes claims, my brain spins, my soul is just restless
Alas! recklessness rather than grace makes me bold
I labor so hard to feel… my heart has gone cold.

Oh Lord! rescue me before I wither away
From my lack of peace, I can tell of my heart’s sway
I no longer neglect to pray: Father keep me from temptation;
Hasten to replenish… bring me again to my completion.

A sinner saved by grace… I acknowledge my acceptance
Help me to be willing, obedient, strong… to exercise patience
Take my guilt, my shame, my weakness… take all control
Sweet Holy Spirit, comforter, restore my soul.

©2010, Tee Akindele

11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…
Acts 5:11-14(NKJV)

Today’s Church in the World’s View

Assuming God’s own standards for the church, I often think about how the world is ideally supposed to view we believers. Looking globally, there is a wide range of reactions to Christianity, but Christianity is still the most popular religion today, even the truly secular world have not been able to ignore it utterly. But that doesn’t answer the question for me.

In Southern Nigeria, where I come from, atleast nominally, the people are predominantly Christians. Christianity is popular. Most people think a Church wedding is cool.  Gospel music /home videos, or whatever’s so called are best sellers. And then, people who never go to church, can tell you the most trendy and glamorous churches or pastors. Church programs in places like Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and other parts of the east, witness the most populated religious gatherings all over the world. Butwith all these observations, how much can we rely on the current church system for a truly spiritual influence in the lives of my people?

I’m disturbed by the fact that many people see belonging to a religion as a social requirement or convenience, that’s why we find many actual unbelievers who feel very comfortable in our churches, without having any definite commitments to Jesus or the bible. I’m afraid about people attending church for different reasons, and to satisfy many selfish needs.  I fear that merely identifying  with a church can now  be conveniently converted for social leverage and status solely. Perhaps more disturbing is the fact that some of our churches encourage these, maybe all they also actually care about now is remaining popular and wining souls for Christ is no longer their ultimate.

The public image of  the first century church

11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women …
Acts 5:11-14(NKJV)

There are several observations to make from this passage:

One, the occurences taking place in the church as a vindication of God’s presence, inspired awe and reverence not only in believers but also unbelievers around. Apparently in those days, if the church was regarded as popular, it was because of God’s undeniable vindication  amongst them in moral purity and in works of power. Does our society actually see our church programs today as more than a social or religious gathering, a place where God actually is present in holiness and power? But how can they really, When they are well acquainted with too many of the church people who lie and cheat, who are irresponsible and unfaithful in work, business and love? and youths who are largely sexually immoral. I’m asking.

Also, v13 clearly let’s us see that people who did not believe, or were not saved yet, were afraid to just come into church and identify with Christians for selfish motives apart from seeking conversion for themselves. Not to mention that being a Christian itself, at that time, came with a price, Persecution and other sacrifices. The lifestyle of those believers was impossible to imitate or fake, they clearly and unapologetic-ally stood out from the world of sin, compromise and selfishness.

The excuse we some times give for compromising the gospel standard, is that we want to pull people in, we want to have sinner friendlier churches. But the uncompromising portrait of the first century church indelibly confronts this rationale. Didn’t that church grow? Oh! they grew and spread in leaps and bounds. The bible specifically offers some details in v14. “And believers were increasingly added“ – it was newly born again believers that were added to church  in multitudes, not unrepentant unbelievers or pretenders. Consequently, the predominant kind of fruit the christians bore at large was righteousness.

Church with God’s power and presence

We must realize that we are the church. We must be a truly spiritually minded people if we really want to enjoy God’s presence and power clearly evident for all to see in our churches again, like it was in the time of Peter. There are a few things we have to consider:

Our Gospel, what we preach. What kind of gospel did the Apostles preach, they definitely didn’t advertise general goods and wholesale solutions to every personal problem in that church. They preached Christ simply, they advertised salvation from sin and eternal life. so no prospective believer was in doubt what they were signing up for. If you weren’t tired of the weight of sin and looking for a savior, you wouldn’t be in their church. If all you wanted was a cure from poverty, or sickness, nobody would be taking advantage of your neediness, trying to trick you to join the church. In our poverty stricken environment in Africa, most people would do anything, if you promise that it will give them financial freedom, and that includes general church attendance, sowing seeds of faith, paying of tithes etc. Being a Christian, can hardly be referred to as a work of grace in this cases. These kind of patronizing, need centered gospel, doesn’t produce any long lasting faith. We may contextualize the presentation of the Gospel, so as to identify with different kinds of people, cultures and experience, but we cannot adjust it’s contents to suit individual neediness.

Christ centered-ness and Love, how we live. Christ should be at the center of our focus, not just the center of our message, but also the center of our desires and aspirations. The world can intelligently tell what our priorities are by the way we live in the society and the examples we lay in the office or business places. This, in its own self, is a witness of our gospel. Do the things we live for contradict the gospel we profess. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. The world also notices our selflessness in the way we demonstrate love towards one another. Besides, God identifies with love. The spirit of God moves freely and comfortably wherever there is love and devotional harmony.

Our doctrine and sanctification. We do not discriminate when we present the gospel, no living human is evil enough to be denied a right to hear the gospel. But we must discriminate against certain ideas in church with good reason. We must discriminate against ideas that compromise the message of the gospel, even though they bring  more unsaved people to attend church. We must not be conformed to the world or worldly desires, we must do the will of God. Rom 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17. We must preach the truth with grace and compassion like Jesus did, but we must preach nothing but the truth.

If we opt to lessen the standards of doctrine as prescribed by the epistles, maybe conform our teaching more to the incline of what carnal minds wish to hear, shying away from issues of repentance and consecration, in order to accommodate more of the unsaved kind and coax them into commitment in our churches, we make the church more conducive for the sinner, but will it really be God in charge  or would it just be us running a show.

Conclusion

God chose to show His presence in the church since it’s earliest years by works of power, signs and wonders. Apart from seeing numerous miracles, the young men for instance, who packed out the dead bodies of Ananias and Sapphira would have no doubts about God’s fiery holy presence in the church, same for those who knew what happened to some of those who ate from the Holy Communion table unworthily. You may ask, is God’s presence and power really that evident in the church today? Or why then, does God condone much more unrighteousness in the church presently? God’s presence is still Holy and Powerful as ever it was Holy. So Maybe we should all ask ourselves where are our churches in His presence?

A couple sells a property of theirs, they want to do like the Christians are doing and contribute the proceedings from the sales to the church. Nobody is asking them for it, but apparently out of vain glory, they both connive to claim they sold it for a lesser price than the actual figure, so they can keep the rest and still be praised for having given all their gains.

God is not pleased with their attempt  to make a fool of the church and His omniscience. Their plot is revealed to Peter by the Holy Spirit, who condemns their act as a lie to God and not to man, he even pronounces the judgment that followed right after. And instantly, the husband Ananias, and his wife Sapphira drop dead, one after the other, right in the church. (Narrated in Acts 5:1-10)

Now, I’ve never been able to read this passage in Acts 5 without cold shivers and questions popping out all over my mind. Questions like where is grace in this story? Did Ananias and Sapphira, have a chance to repent? And where they the only ones lying or sinning in church to have been singled out for such swift retribution or Did God deal with all sinning people in church that way then? Would He still judge me just like that? I’ve always felt futile and like I’m missing the point trying to find these answers, but then, I’ve learnt some lessons from the passage.

What lessons? The grace in divine Judgment

Sin kills, whether instantly like dangerous driving, or slowly like soft poison, the soul that sins shall die. God’s standards have not changed, the wages of sin is still death, whether for the unbeliever or the professing Christian. As far as God is concerned, the person who out-rightly rejects Christ and the one who who acknowledges Christ but doesn’t reject sin, have both rejected His forgiveness and His grace and may get the same end, the wages of sin.

I’m afraid this doesn’t sound gracious to me either. God is a God of forgiveness, Christianity is a religion of Grace! But then I wonder, if God permits to let all sin go unpunished, will it make the world a better place? Will it make the church more graceful to be in? Would it have made Him a better God? If all of us could get away with cheating on each other, telling lies and killing, then there would be no need for a judicial system or any form of law, there would be no justice or a sense of right, and consequently, no fundamental human rights too. The Holy God hates any form of sin, He will bring all sins to judgment. However, His own righteousness and justice is the fundamental  strength and basis for righteousness whether in the church, our society or the secular judiciary.

I find grace in the fact that God doesn’t put his hatred for sin first before us, but puts His love for the sinner first. He has sent Christ to die and to give us an opportunity to claim forgiveness, through His death on our behalf, so we can escape the ultimate retribution for our sins.

Responding to persecution

How does the bible teach us to respond when we are being persecuted, discriminated against, abused or cheated because we identify with Jesus:

1. Courage. The first human response to opposition is usually fear. The reason why the scriptures are full of warning about persecution in the world is so that we will not be afraid when it comes. Ignorance about what persecution means make many feel they did something wrong when it shows up, guilt could lead on to hopelessness, fear and despair, which can make a person deny his/her faith at the very time it matters most. There’s nothing to be afraid of. The strength of God is always there to see us through this kind of situations and deliver us.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mt 10:28(NKJV)

And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness…
Acts 4:29

The disciples didn’t even ask for their persecution to come to an end when threatened, they asked for courage to continue!

2. Grace. It takes only the grace of God in our hearts to maintain a right attitude in the face of persecution. What if they murdered your husband, and killed your baby? I can’t even attempt to answer the numerous what ifs. Only the grace of God can?

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mt 5:44(NKJV)

Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1Pet 2:23(NKJV) [Peter talking about Jesus]

Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1Pet 3:9(NKJV)

see also 1Cor 4:12, Rom 12:14. I know that this things may appear easier said, but God will not require from us what He hasn’t given us a capacity for. Let Stephen be our example who prayed for his attackers even as they stoned him to death, Our Lord Jesus did the same.

We must never be tempted to retaliate or plot revenge, our hearts are no place for malice. I fully understand and accept self defence and protection of loved ones, within a man/woman’s capacity, in a warring situation, as a dignified and legitimate instinct. But even at that, we Christians will never fight out of sheer malice. In the Jos massacres, we hear that some alleged Christians, schemed and perpetrated reprisal attacks against their muslim counterparts. I shrink from sounding insensitive, but if they were Christians indeed, this should never have been possible. We do not wrestle flesh and blood, be they religious extremists or not. We should leave justice to God and those He has given that authority by law.

3. Reliance on the Holy Spirit. We must always remember a point I made earlier, every case of persecution is an unconventional and uncommon opportunity to witness about the gospel. Countless testimonies abound of persecutors who got convicted of their sins through the witness of a person they persecuted and Repented. This is a work we can’t arrange, but which we can rely on the Holy Spirit to do for us. Sometimes we don’t even have to speak a word, the fruit of the Spirit is itself the voice of the Holy Spirit.

But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Mk 13:11(NKJV)

Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.
1Pet 3:1-2(RSV)

Identifying with the persecuted

It breaks my heart sometimes when I hear how Christians, especially southerners in Nigeria talk about Christians being murdered  by religious extremists in the north. Some actually are convinced that God will never allow His children to be killed by infidels, and dare to believe that all the Christian victims couldn’t have been really saved. What nonsense!

I was in a worship service at Sokoto State one Sunday morning, during one of the weekends of crisis in Jos, when someone rose up to share her testimony. “I am happy to be in God’s presence this morning, many people are dying in Jos right now, but thank God we’re in His presence .” She said. Did she assume that those dying in Jos were not believers or that they where not in God’s presence or did I just misunderstand her? Well my point is believers generally find it hard or don’t know how to identify with their fellow believers suffering elsewhere, so long as they are not involved and this ought not to be so.

Chosing to ignore or be ignorant of the plight of suffering Christian’s around us is a sin many of us are guilty of, especially in Africa. The bible says “if one part suffers the whole part suffers with it….” “…mourn with those who mourn…”. Since the inception of crisis in Jos, for instance, thousands of Churches and houses of Christians have been destroyed, hundreds of church leaders and other Christians have been murdered, hundreds of thousands of people at one point or the other where displaced, how many churches in the west and south, or even from the neighboring Northern states rallied round them for support. We mostly turn the other way and leave it for the good samaritans (UNICEF, RED CROSS and Government). Yet, ministries all the way from the US like, open doors, also International Christian Concern, etc, played major roles. Whatever happened to “charity begins at home”.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Mat 25:37-40(RSV)

One thing we can always do for persecuted Christians is to pray for them. But how can we pray effectual prayer when we are not interested in being informed. So we must also be interested. Read, ask, visit, find out, reach out. When you reach out to a suffering Christian, you reach out to Christ and you touch His soul, the bible confirms these. Most persecuted people mostly request more of prayers, they need to be spiritually strengthened by our prayers, as well as, they need out material ministrations. We need to always let them know they are not alone in their suffering, but that we suffer with them too.

Conclusion

We live in the age of Human Rights, wherein the bible doctrine on Christian persecution may seem annoying or insufferable. Many of us wish to avoid the subject altogether, but the bible says so much and scarcely leaves anything in doubt about Godly suffering, if we’ld receive it. Persecution is still a current and very much relevant issue confronting millions of Christians today. Persecution doesn’t have to be allowed to destroy or disorientate the church. Persecution can actually help deepen the believers focus on eternity. Persecution has been seen to many times strengthen the church and fuel the furtherance of the gospel. Christians tempered with persecution tend to be less self centered, they most times have a deeper hunger for God and His word and have a deeper commitment to serve. Check out the growth of the church in China, the place with the highest number of persecuted Christians, if you doubt this one.