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Why Should I - Adedayo O. Gabriel
Why Should I - Adedayo O. Gabriel
ISBN 978-978-986-267-2
Published by:
Blessed Life Press
Maiduguri, Borno State
Email: blessedlifebusinessnetwork@gmail.com
07033736964
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to Bro. Dare Festus, a friend whose lifestyle
makes me believe that living like Christ among the ungodly is
never an impossible mission. Thanks for your contagious Christ-
likeness everywhere you go.
To the body of Christ on earth, those who are heavenly conscious,
longing and panting for the dominance of godliness in this World
till our Lord Jesus Christ second coming.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My profound gratitude goes to my maker the author and the
finisher of my faith (Jesus Christ), who also is the source of life and
inspiration to me. I cherished the grace of God the father which has
been the basis of my understanding. May His name alone be
praised, Amen.
My gratitude goes to everyone who has contributed little or
immensely to the success of this work. A big thank you to my
lovely Faith (Mayowa), lovely Hope (Ojuolape), Samuel
Gbotoluwa, David and Bro Samson. Also, to the best parents on
earth, Elder and Mrs. Moses Adedayo, thanks for your
inexplicable love and supports.
The patent contributions of my spiritual parents cannot be over
emphasized. God bless you Sir and Ma Pastor Larayetan, Mummy
Falola and Pastor Gideon Ayanbiyi. To my fathers in the lord,
Pastor E.B olukomogbon (CAC Omuo DCC H/Q & Axis
Superintendent), Past. Samuel Olajugba (Maiduguri Zonal
superintendent), Pastor Isaac Oyeniran, Past. Olasunkanmi, Past.
Folorunso and Past. Noah. I say may God forever keeps you
worthy of His eternal glory.
My appreciation goes to my brother and best friend, Dare
Festus; the author of stepping above inferiority. I want to say a big
thank you to my eminent brother, a mentor and the servant leader
of RGGM, Bro. Balogun Stephen and to all RGGM members.
I also acknowledge with thanks the undying love from the best
campus fellowship while on campus, (CACCFKSU: ACHIEVERS
FAMILY). Kudos to Bro Joseph Opeyemi my sharp typist, my
appreciation also goes to all Borno State NCCF family house
members.
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FOREWORD
If someone showed up with a good smile and glib tongue and
told lies from morning to night— 'I'll preach sermons that will tell
you how you can get anything you want from God: More money,
the best wines . . . you name it'— you'd hire him on the spot as your
preacher! (Micah 2:11 MSG).
Pathetic right? But the above Scripture appears to be the
situation in most Christian gatherings today. Growing up as a
young believer, there are some sound biblical doctrines that we
were taught, and we imbibed, and they helped us a great deal in
getting rooted in the Word of Life. I looked around some religious
gatherings today and I can't but think and ask questions as to where
those scriptural doctrines have disappeared to from our pulpits.
It is sad to admit that the more Christianity expands, the more
many religious gatherings operate as business enterprises.
Founders get strategic in their plans for numerical church growth.
While that is not bad itself, it is a terrible thing to consider if it is
done at the expense of spiritual growth of the believers. I kept
asking myself how the early Apostles did it. You'll agree with me
that they focused on the most important things and God kept
adding to the Church. (Acts 2:42-47) But the Church seems to
have lost focus of her purpose, the typical Christian seems to have
lost the track of his identity.
Thank God for a book like this, at this right season that calls us
to remember that Christianity wasn't instituted to conform to the
modus operandi of this World. We were not discipled to follow the
World's pattern, but that the World through us may come to the true
knowledge of Christ. My concern is, this new generation thinks it's
okay to be saved yet lacking Christ-likeness in us. If that's true
(which it isn't), then it is fair to ask the people of Antioch what they
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Dedication
Acknowledgment
Foreword
Introduction
CHAPTER ONE
WHO ARE THE REPLICAS OF CHRIST? 1
In what perspective do people see the church? 2
_
The Origin of Christian as a Name 4
What does it take to be Christ replica? 9
What you ought to know as His replica. 16
The reality of Christian names and the newness
of life 17
CHAPTER TWO
WHATAND WHYYOU SHOULDN'T 24
CHAPTER THREE
WHY SHOULD I DEFY GOD'S TEMPLE?
The concept of Immorality 27
God's commands regarding sex? 27
Sex challenge in contemporary time 29
Mysteries behind sexual intercourse. 30
Why is God angry with moral dissipation? 33
Are you not a destroyer? Stop renting the temple's
veil! 36
What number would be your Rueben 37
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Why and how do people fall into sin of moral decadence and
fornication? 39
Antidotes to Immorality: 52
CHAPTER FOUR
WHY SHOULD I LOSE FOCUS ON GOD? 57
Things that divert Christians' attention 59
Desires for material wealth 59
What to eat 62
Storming period 63
Wrong and false teachings (doctrinal challenges) 66
Misplacement of the primacy in Christendom 71
CHAPTER FIVE
WHY SHOULD I FEAR? 76
Things that create fear in some Christians 77
Persecution/trials 77
Death 80
Your reputation or God's evaluation? 84
CHAPTER SIX
WHY SHOULD I BE ASHAMED OF THE
GOSPEL? 87
CHAPTER SEVEN
PASS YOUR PAST [P.Y.P] 92
CONCLUSION 96
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INTRODUCTION
F
or some years now I have been laden with concerns
for drastic depletion of the standard of the faith
handed down from the apostolic age to our
contemporary churches and fellowships (on
campuses). Any point in time I try to think of the practicability
aspect of the early churches in correlation with their progenies
(our modern churches), I always feel so sad and teary within, filled
with inexplicable spiritual agony and dissatisfaction in my spirit.
Then, questions that are so hard for me to answer flow intensely
through my heart.
As shadow of days fades day after day and decade after
decade, the height at which destructive philosophical ideas and
ideals are eating up the potentials that thus distinguished the
church of Christ from the World is getting beyond minima. People
are well comforted when called with Christian names, though a
quantum of the expedient fruits of the Spirit that thus characterize
a man as the redeemed of the Lord is found missing in them. Many
are yet to realize that Christianity without the visibility of Christ-
likeness is mere religiosity.
The World around the church of Christ in our contemporary
time is heavily imprinting Worldliness on our churches' garments
and faces. Moreover, churches are becoming extremely worldly in
their practices. People are getting more sunken into the ocean of
confusion and therefore finding it extremely difficult to
differentiate between the church and the World. What we have
these days is much more of religiosity than the life of Christ
exemplified by those Christians in the early church. The question
here is, are you not part of the causes?
Enculturation of Christianity has been one of the reasons and
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In this age, many church leaders and fellow Christians are less
considerate about the divergence of the ungodly activities and
practices that are creeping into church. The business some
ministers are into nowadays is the calling of people to
church/service, not to salvation. All these I see as misplacement of
priority in the church (John9:4, 4:34).
Brethren, it's high time we stopped handling priority with
frivolity. One thing is certain; a servant that knows his master's
will and does it not shall be beaten with many stripes (Luke12:47).
None of God's words is fallible or can be said to wane out of
quality and relevance. 'The grass withers and the flowers fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Isaiah 40-8 KJV).
I strongly believe that the church of God is like a general
hospital or a psychiatric hospital. It is a place where diverse of
mental, physical and spiritual illnesses are expected to be brought
and addressed profoundly. But the moment a church allows more
of unchristian practices than believers' capacity in faith, there
comes catastrophe and greater trouble. The moment church
leaders welcome carnality (especially cultural beliefs and
westernization from members) with the thought of later
transformation, quick is the death of the standard of God in such a
church.
Without any iota of doubt, Churches that will not condone all
sorts of unchristian attitudes are often deserted and challenged
with unstable numerical strength, unlike all is welcomed churches
where there is daily increase but with low number of Kingdom's
candidates. Is this the purpose of the church of Christ?
Hypocrisy is becoming so extensive in this generation, many
leading factors in our present day churches often moderate their
deeds as a result of the environments they are, not because of what
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the life of Christ is demanding on them. For this reason and many
more, many pastors have backed-out of faith when there was no
one to critique them for doing any wrong. Also, many who were
once executive members while on campus have gone back to the
worst after their graduation. Why all these?
Firstly, it is obvious that many people practice faith to suit
others, so it is easier for them to fail God than man. Secondly, it has
been so because they do not exhibit other side of life (the real
them) while among brethren and probably they always ask: why
should I as a pastor, a bible teacher, a worker or as an executive, not
why should I as Christ's replica. Therefore, the moment they are
out of such environ (where there are brethren), they see no evil in
wallowing in any form of ungodliness.
Christianity is a hallowed World of the regenerated souls that
believe in Christ, not that of the hypocrites and impostors of faith.
It isn't just a religion but a way of life live after that of Christ. So, it
is high time we tirelessly retraced our feet back to the path that thus
differentiates the body of Christ from that of the corrupt World.
The only calling many Christians are yet to yield to is that same
call which God puts to the erred Israel in Jeremiah 6:16; 'a call to
seek the old path and work therein'.
On a norm, disciples supposed to have been named Christian at
the upper room considering the Pentecost experience that
occasioned the infilling of the Holy Spirit and spiritual display,
their steadiness in Christ-like attitudes engendered that name
years after the upper room experience. Nowadays we hardly can
differentiate faith practice from western cultures and mental
adoption. There is an abandonment of the old path and trespass of
the ancient landmark in many churches nowadays. The kind of
messages, songs, dances, greeting styles, events and practices of
the present age churches are partially different from that of the
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CHAPTER ONE
O
n a serious note, Christ's replicas are the Christians
who have the nature of God in Christ as defined and
expatiated in the book of Acts 11: 19-26. But, there is
'but' in ascertaining all who are confessing faith with their mouths
as Christ's replicates. The term 'Christian' was given to a certain
set of people after the ascension of Christ into heaven. Another
amazing fact about this is that, this name was not given by the
members of the same faith but by the pagans (the gentiles at
Antioch). It shows vividly that, they (the pagans) must have seen
something distinct in the then followers of Christ before naming
them such.
Christ's replica depicts the full resemblance of Christ in
actions and inactions. Christ's replicate is best replaced with some
of the names that preceded the advent of the global qualification
for Christ followers i.e. ―Christians‖. Among the preceding names
are: the Galileans, people of the Way, disciples etc. When a man is
attributed as Christ's replica/replicate, it was believed then that
such must have possessed all the innate potentials and qualities of
the Christ in person. If not in fullness, he/she must have been
proven to have at least 95% indisputable resemblance, not in
complexion or physical appearances but in implicit and explicit
life demonstration.
The only well-known gathering of the people who were called
Christians then was generally termed THE CHURCH(the mobile
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Church). With the look of things and happenings in this age, it's as
if people tend to contest or ague the fact that not all that are in the
church are truly Christ's replicas. This simply means that, either
believers have contaminated the master's rules or are deficient in
fulfilling them.
In what perspective do people see the church?
It is no controversial that the concepts of our modern churches
are being read by an every individual at different standpoints.
Therefore, it will be much intelligent to consider what people see
the church to be in our modern age and how some believers
significantly categorized the church members. A succinct
examination of these perspectives will reveal how you; 'I mean
you', are contributing to either of the perspectives. For this reason,
I have stated it earlier that there is 'but' in ascertaining all
Christians as the replicas of Christ. People have the belief that
there are:
General Christians
Born again (Christ replicas).
Taking cognizance of the emanation of the term 'Christian' we
may say that it was either as a result of a reckless or a moral thought
of the heathens/pagans that, the set of people acting and preaching
like Christ should be called Christians. So, the in-depth motive for
naming them such might be to ridicule the so called followers of
Christ or just to identify them literarily as His followers.
Nevertheless, the fact remains unabated that the adjective is the
most perfect term to qualify those who have abandoned all they
had for Christ sake. As a patriotic and non-patriotic citizen is
identified with his/her country name e.g. British, American,
Egyptian, and Israelite etc., so also many worshipers are identified
with Christ as Christians but Christ knows his own. Are you in
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The most sadden part of the story line was that; those who were
called the Priest of God (mediators between the Jews and God)
could not even recognize the High Priest (Jesus).
It is very possible for a pastor, president of a fellowship,
church executive even a bible study teacher not to be saved or
having the understanding of who Christ is. It is possible for you to
describe Jesus based on the Bible records and references, but it is
another thing entirely to express His feeling and mission
as
someone who has met with Him.
Jesus posed a question to His disciples in Matthew 16:13ff, He
said: ―who do men say that I Son of man am?‖ some of His
disciples said, John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the
prophets. Christ forwarded the same question to them that, ―….
But who say ye that I am?‖ Peter confessed Jesus being ―Christ‖
the Son of the living God. Who knows other contradicting
responses in the minds of other disciples? This name 'Christ' is that
name that has been given to Jesus above every other names
(Phil2:9-11).
DO YOU KNOW……?
Christ as God (John 10:30)
Christ as the VOICE of God (John1:1ff)
Christ as the Atoning Lamb (Isaiah53:3-10, 1Pet.2:24),
Christ as the Wisdom of God (1Cor1:24, Col 2:2,3,
Eph1:18),
Christ as the Power of God (1Cor1:24, Rom1:16),
Christ as the Light of the World(John 1:4-10, Gen.1:3,
John 14:6)
Christ as the expression of God's Love (John 3:16,
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1John3:16, Titus2:11)
Christ as the Saviour of the Universe (John 15:6, 3:16,)
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others too. 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.' (Phil.2:5-8 KJV)
All the aforementioned qualities stated in the verses of the
scripture are found in Christ. Paul therefore enjoined as many as
possible Philippians(Christians) who want to follow Christ to
admire, desire and acquire those qualities in Him.
The preceding statement under Paul's admonition: 'Let this
mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,' implies; there
should be no condition strong enough to hinder you from losing
your personal identities (natural or Adamic nature) for that of
Christ. Putting your life under His light yoke as he said is essential.
Thereafter, learn of Him (i.e. whatsoever you see him doing, do
exactly). This is the real and the best definition of Christianity I've
ever found. It is not a culture or just a religion as called by many. It
is a nature of God lost in Adam but now demonstrated by Jesus
Christ for us to see, believe and live.
Perhaps Paul would have become unstable in heart or
something else in His calling and ministerial assignment,
supposedly, he was too conscious of what might later become of
him in ministry having abandoned all. Yet anytime he remembers
his former life, he felt remorseful for all he had ever accomplished
outside Christ, he counted all as vague. This also should be your
request as it is my desire, to lose more of myself to get more of
Him.
What does the scripture says about His love and humility?
Though He was God he did not think of equality with God as
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God's will is, in setting your priority right and standing firmly in
the finished work of Christ.
Eleazar of Damascus must have been short of ration as he took
Brother Isaac on a journey to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor;
where Rebecca lives then. When he was offered what was needful
(i.e. food to eat) but not rightful in timing, he delightfully turned
the offer down. His priority was to get Rebecca for Isaac first, not
the meal. Do you have heaven as priority and as your drive in faith?
'You say I am allowed to do anything but not anything is good
for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything I must not
become a slave to anything (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:23(NLT)
From the above quoted verse, we are made to understand that
anyone who does anything that nature brings to his/her way is
nothing else but a slave to the nature. Among the stringent qualities
that qualify a man being born again is the self-discipline: ability to
restrict oneself from all pleasurable desires which thus conceive
evils and ungodliness, aftermath give birth to mysterious
lamentation.
Christians' civilization, courtship, marriage system, language,
focus, dressing and socialization have formats totally different
from that of the World. All these are the beauty of the new World of
the new people known as Christ people (Christians). Christians are
not expected to imitate the ungodly World in any case. Dualism (a
part in the World and other in God) is a crime (Rom.8:8).
Nature admits anything either good or bad. Whosoever
subjects his whims and caprice to the order of the nature cannot
please God, he is void of His love (1J ohn2:15, 16,
Gal6:8).Romans 8:6-7, James 4:4 and 1: 14, explicit the colossal
and unpredictable shame in conforming oneself to this World,
even after the confession of faith.
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crucifixion was to fulfill all that had been written concerning His
coming and missions in the books of the laws and the prophets.
“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with
equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with
the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the
wicked.' (Isaiah 11:4).
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he
was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4. Surely he hath borne
our grieves, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5. But he was wounded for
our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we
are healed (50:3-5). He said: “the father loves me because I
sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.” (John 10:17).
Do you know? If you are ignorant of the purpose of God for
your life you may find it difficult to pay the payable price for your
fulfillment. This also could make it more difficult for God to fulfill
His will through you. Consider the life of Saul (Paul) before his
encounter (Gal1:13ff, Acts 9:1-11)
It is essential and obligatory for all Christians to fashion their
lives in total conformity to that of Christ both in thick and dark
clouds. Christ's replicas are not expected to be fair weather
friends/disciples like the remaining ten apostles who fled the spot
of His arrest. If a man has not made his will nothing to that of God,
considered God's will as paramount and undeniable, his
fellowship will be founded on nothing else but on severe
misfortune. Our stewardship would only paid-off if our feet are
fitted in Christ's shoes. Also, after which our lives must have been
restructured and shaped in such a way that we portray the fullness
of Christ-likeness.
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CHAPTER TWO
1 Cor. 6:12:
'All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient; all
things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the
power of any' (KJV).
'Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that
it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I
thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims.'(MSG).
1Cor. 10:23:
'All things are lawful for me but not all things are helpful; all
things are lawful for me, but not all things edify' (NKJV)
'All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible],
but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are
lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and
edifying [to spiritual life]. (AMP)
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CHAPTER THREE
'All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not'
M any young and old, boys and girls, men and women
of the present age are habitually falling flat into
acts of immorality; falling victim of God's
domicile defilement as a result of over desirous for pleasures.
There is no other instigation than the fact that they failed to
question themselves when the desire rises within their hearts. They
failed to ask why would they do such evil against God just as
Joseph asked his master's wife.
THE CONCEPT OF IMMORALITY
Mind you, the concept of immorality as an act is not limited to
illegitimate sex, although this has been people's perception about
it. Immorality encompasses all actions done against the normality
of life. It's any unethical act committed by man. This is extended to
stealing, killing, backbiting, gossiping, reviling, hatred, pride,
abortion, fraud, plagiarism, malpractices, lying, prostitution,
adulatory, fornication, raping, beefing, grudges, seduction,
drunkenness etc. Your doubt must have been cleared whether you
are practicing immorality or not. Under this exposition a class of
immorality which is sexual immorality/ sodomy (fornication and
adulatory) will be expatiated.
GOD'S COMMANDS REGARDING SEX
'For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and
set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual
immorality; (1Thess. 4:3, AMP).
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unkempt act have the tendency of being rejected and dejected from
God's grace. 'if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy ;……'( 1Cor 3:17)
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The effect of this act spills across both the natural and spiritual life
of man.
NATURAL
When a man or woman is deep in illicit sexual intercourse
(illegal or ungodly sex), such a person's natural body is prone to
accommodate weak genes from the second party. Most time, the
affected genes are easily transfused. Also, what people called
STDs is part of the end results.
Unkempt intercourse brings about dissatisfaction after
marriage (it leads to sex addict). It is one of the reasons why
infidelity is so rampart in this present age marriages. Those who
are used to it may not be okay being a man of one wife or a woman
of a husband. Many polygamous and polyandry families you can
see outside there are not mainly because of late in child bearing or
financial challenges but lack of sexual satisfactions in marriage.
Marriage is never a solution to stopping this. Those who chose to
enjoy it to the fullest at single age are today victims of infidelity in
their marriages
SPIRITUAL
As it is in the natural aspect so it is in the spiritual. Sexual
Transmitted Diseases (STDs) as stated above also can be
contacted spiritually: Spiritual Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
Whatsoever that is transferred in the course of mating is as
powerful as blood. Many persons' blood and life have been
contaminated spiritually with ailment or spiritual abnormality and
yet does not seem to be obvious on their looks. The moment
anyone comes in contact with such (intercourse) there comes
deposition of spiritual problems and retardation.
Another spiritual consequence of this is 'the provocation of
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beyond the fact that you are created in His image, but His breath is
the reason why you live. If not for the Spirit of God in man, we all
would have become like those images molded, lifeless like logs of
wood and purposeless like molten garments.
It is an infallible proof that our bodies are containers
encompassing the presence of God and carriages of God's Spirit.
When a man or a woman fornicates, commits adultery or any other
sins, he/she is inadvertently inconveniencing God in His own
domicile. Flee fornication!
Every sin that a man commits is without the body, what know
ye not that your body is the temple of holy Ghost (the Spirit of
God) which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
own (1Cor6:18-19)'. 'Now the body is not for fornication but for
the Lord and the Lord for the body.' Note: This statement was
directed to the believers not the unbelievers at Corinth.
Among the qualities and attributes that make you a Christ
replica is the ability to control and mortify the power of flesh.
(Rom.8:12, Col.2:10-11, Eph4:22-23). When a man or a believer
falls into sin of impurity, things that are likely to transpire are:
Such may lose the source of his/her authority; such may be
manifesting intermittently in the same grace but as a borrowed
vessel and due to the gift of God that is without repentance, but
they are defenseless. The funniest part of this is that, after two –
five years of their rejection people will still salute them as men of
God. Don't forget, Saul was addressed as a king for 38years after
which he had been rejected by God in his first two years.
Many Christian brethren who have developed much interest
and passion for illegitimate sex often think that their forgiveness
(Grace) door is always open; perhaps they are saved by grace.
Mind you, this is a serious erroneous thought. Living in sin and
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Stop looking!
Christ replicas are not expected to be carried away by what
they see. Problem of falling becomes inevitable when you are too
desirous or fond of gazing at hills on sisters' and women's chest,
dazzling waist, and charming faces along the streets; in your
vicinity, churches and fellowships. Solomon says that beauty is
charm and it is vain. [There is power of death in it].
I was once a victim of this in my college days. It happened on
that fateful day during break period when I was watching my
classmates' ups and doings. All of a sudden, my attention was
captured by a female classmate because of her posture and my
heart desired her. Later I called the attention of another female
friend of her to woo her for me. As devil will have his way my
application did not enter file before I was called to resume duty
(proposition accepted that same day).
Those that devil have trapped with women would have
affirmed it to be anointing and grace as I thought it then. If it had
not been for God's mercy, I would have descended into
fornication; having my foot rooted in what I have vowed never to
dare. It was after the experience that I realized that roads to
ungodliness and destruction are always easy and swift. You might
thought yourself to be sharp or graced with women, you are not
sharp at all; you're already trapped.
To examine peoples' reactions to things around them is part of
my strength. I can talk a bit on male and female concerns and
feelings for opposite sex at a look. I have seen a scenario whereby
young men were looking at a young lady and they were all
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salivating like a caged dog beside smoked fishes. Some would start
whistling like bush hunters just because of beauty, breast, laps and
buttocks that are congested with fat. People like this do not need
anybody to tempt them before falling flat into immorality. They
are already demoralized and have blocked up their hearts with
filthiness.
NOTE; Some Christian youths so much believe in this popular
saying: one must see what is hunting him/her before running.
Believe me, the application of this affirmation is not applicable to
all issues of life. The roaring of a lion in the forest chases
thousands of preys not its appearance alone. What am trying to fish
out here is that, you don't need to be sure of all evil colors before
you take an escape route. What the scripture says is that we should
flee. 'Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it]
in whatever form or whatever it may be' (1 Thess. 5:22AMP).
Perhaps Joseph would have fallen victim of sleeping with
Potiphar's wife had he waited to verify the plate number on her
chest or trying to prove self-resistance. He rather chose escape
route than considering the charming face and the benefits thereof.
You will agree with me that Potiphar's wife should be among the
most beautiful women in Egypt then. Joseph could flee because he
was not in the business of looking or admiring such offer before he
was later offered.
Most of the young and old men and women having intercourse
with their in-laws, raping under age children, having intercourse
with their sons and daughters, and having sexual affairs outside
wedlock is as a result of their burning look, intense affection
coupled with undisciplined thoughts. Therefore, when the demand
comes, it becomes irresistible to their natural body.
Guide your eyes and heart tightly brethren! Some of the devils
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No 2: Wandering Thought
Wandering thought is another factor instigating lost into
sexual immorality among brethren. When a Christian lacks or is
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All these ill mentalities are gotten mostly from the series of
movies.
Messages decoded from those ungodly movies thus promote
distrust and unnecessary suspicion in marriage. Any madness you
could ever see in any family or church today has its source or root
from media. Many youths have lost the consciousness of their
identity in Christ as a result of media and social media addiction.
There are many cases of the so called Christian sisters who
because of birth date celebration went naked on media just to have
thousands of unprofitable likes and comments. What a Media
Madness! Mind you, many had been led into the exile of
ungodliness due to what they have been seeing consecutively on
media.
Some of the said educative movies are just viruses that easily
corrupt man's heart and mentality. If a scene enlightens you, the
rest of it will create atmospheres that conflict good determination.
The worst you can do to yourself is to know how poor you are
emotionally; your body reactions and its immunity level, yet
trying to play safe with those ungodly movies. Flee!
The levels of our resistance to pleasures test varies. Doing it in
the way someone else does it may lead to falling into avoidable
mistakes. Getting addicted to some unethical movies is just like
toiling danger. They easily subdue your strength to withstand test
of craving for sex and masturbation even though you claimed
being a Christian. As it was then, so it is now. Holy Spirit will never
hold your organ or seal her private part when the urge comes; it is
never His duty but yours to abstain. How long will you continue
falling and weeping? “Flee from every appearance of evil
(1Timothy2:22 1Thess5:22). Wisdom is profitable to direct, if you
can't resist, flee! You don't hold/hug devil while rebuking him.
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ANTIDOTES TO IMMORALITY
There are two ways out of sin of sexual immoralities. The first
way I will call ―self-help means‖ and the second ―vertical help
means‖.
1. Self-Help
There are some helps which you have to render yourself.
Prayers is said to be a solution to all problems, but at times coupled
with actions proffers hastiest solutions. Don't get it wrong, it's not
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everything that God will force out of your hand without your
willingness to let go. You need to play a serious role as if God has
nothing to do. Among helps you will render yourself are:
Determine not to look
'All things are lawful but all are not expedient'
'I made a covenant with mine eyes; why
then should I think upon a maid? (Job
31:1KJV)._
Job said he had made a covenant with his eyes not to look with
lust at young woman. When you are used to looking you may get
lose to something else. The decision and ability not to behold such
as Job said lies in your hands; you are the architect of your sense
organs fortunes and misfortunes. There is a need to stop looking
unnecessarily. Don't go for the details of what you saw mistakenly
whether it is or not (falling and death lies in that).
First glimpse is not a sin because it might be accidental but a
second look makes the tank of your sin to overflow. Getting rid of
sexual desires entails you refraining yourself from deadly thought
and obliterating pleasure in watching nude movies, hearing of
unedifying sounds. You need to restrain yourself from admiring
anything that thus stimulate or arouse the like interest in you.
When you see behave as if you haven't, but when you felt you
have, just imagine the gravity of its penalty, by so doing your heart
may incline unto repentance instantly.
Stop Unnecessary Imagination
'Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flow
from it' (Prov. 4:23, NIV)
Out of heart comes every issues of life. What you feed your
heart with determines your body system reactions. The CPU
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people.
“Be not be so deceived and misled! Evil
companionships (communion,
associations) corrupt and deprave good
manners and morals and character”
(ICor.15:33).
2. Vertical Helps (From God - Man)
Permit me to say that God needs your help in helping you out
of your plight (corporation: Rev.3:20, 2Chr 7:14). It is your duty to
make your body available for sanctification so that God can have
unhindered access to your life. Availability of man eases
accessibility from God. Serious fasting and prayer kill lust faster
than anything else, it's just like herbicide on weeds. Commitment
to the Word of life enables one to maintain balance in total
abstinence.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking
heed thereto according to thy word, (Ps 119:9)”
Are you finding it so hectic to maintain your sanctification?
Seek God in fasting and serious prayers for supernatural help to
restrain your members from demanding for any form of
adulteration. Fasting and prayer enables God having easy access
to shift your desire from that which is evil, also, it naturally
reduces the level of your body hormones pro-activeness and
attractiveness to lust.
Man's 100% effort in subduing the work of the flesh without God's
intervention will be less productive. Paul attested to this when he
cried out and said: ―O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver
me from the body of this death?” God gives the power to will and
do his good pleasure. Get supernatural strength to annihilate
natural evil desires, by strength shall no man prevail. Stop saying
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CHAPTER FOUR
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to detach you from God's will. If you are truly anticipating the
second coming of Jesus Christ, you must be well determined and
watchful because many lives have been wasted by some less
significant factors as a result of their negligence.
The World is speedily developing and there are thousands of
new discoveries by the scientist which are creating confusion and
misleading many souls. Our World is becoming so technologically
inclined to the point that some biblical facts are subjected to
experimental evaluation to determine their authenticity. There are
people in faith in this generation who as a result of one challenge or
the other left the cross and become irrelevant in the Kingdom's
matter. Also, some ministers (false teachers) are shifting people's
attention from the home above to the things of this World. Heresy
is striking here and there because people in the church are no more
feeding on the Word of Life. All these are indications to the end
time and the confirmations of words spoken by Christ even Paul in
2Tim2:1ff.....
It has been written that many will claim being the Christ.
People will be fooled by false teachings, even the so called elects if
not sensitive.
'Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or
there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch
that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I
have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you,
Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret
chambers; believe it not.'
Sometimes life may present you below your demands, your
experience may contrariwise your earnest expectation, and the
necessity of faith may take you out of your comfort zone to a state
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of losing self for the cross. In all life experiences God is standing
like a teacher, he's awaiting your performance to know your
growth level. Many things that we are surrounded with are just like
the cloud of witnesses, failure to see God above all is failure to
stand above all. Believe me, in trials and temptations we live our
faith. One of the mottos of faith is: 'what shall then separate me
from the love of God?' this should be you drive in all situations.
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Wife for money ritual. Any man without the fear of God in
getting riches is the worst and the most miserable of all mankind.
Have you not read?
“As the partridge sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not so he
that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst
of his days and at his end shall be fool” (Jer. 17:11).
All these misfortunes are awaiting people who are too
desperate about materials wealth, why should you then?
Remember that, godliness with contentment is great gain
(Prov.15:16, 16:8).
What to eat
The chief problem of some Christians is their bellies. Some,
their belly is their eternity. Many have vandalized their
relationship with God, deceived and distracted from focusing on
God via their anxiousness about delicacies of this World. Young
and old are falling out of the track because of what to eat and what
they will put on. You ought to know, the lives of Christ true
servants are more than scrumptious meat and their bodies are more
than raiment. If so be it, why should you?
Daniel knew the danger and venoms embedded in flexing and
merry in king's meat. So he hastened the refutation of the royal
order that would have made him lose focus on or forget Yahweh
(Daniel 1: 8-9). The young prophet died miserably because of his
stomach, Esau lost his integrity and right because of food
(Gen.25:29-34), Elimelech and his family lost divine protection as
they migrated to the land of Moab because of food (Ruth1:1-5). In
this contemporary World of ours, we have numerous ways of
classifying king's meat which many Christians have been
contaminated with.
Many Christians are entombing the truth as a result of presents or
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gifts they are receiving from the people whom the truths are meant
for. Some pastors are inclined to reshape messages while on the
pulpit when some personalities are in the church services. The
major cause of this is nothing else but because of what to eat.
The life patterns of the ministers of Christ gospel should not be a
reminiscence of the false prophets who prophesied false victory to
Ahab even when they knew the looming havoc. Some ministers
have turned professional prophets who prophesy to earn their
living. Some who are called to be pastors, an evangelist and
teachers have left their callings for another lucrative office.
Because of what to eat and possessions, many have turned to
prophetic ministers and Apostle God must speak.
Note: Anything that you indulge yourself in that gives you
pleasures and satisfactions but saddens God's heart is your king's
meat. It is meant to extinguish the fire upon your altar.
Storming Period
Storming period is not a time to be worried but a time to
concentrate on God's saving grace. To everyone born of woman
there is a certain period of challenge which always appears as a
testing period; a period to know how well is our faith consolidated
in God whom we are serving. Storming period is that moment in
every individual's life when helps and hopes appeared to be
unreachable, a period in which you cried aloud for help but just to
discover that your voice has been lowered to the grave. It is a time
which you find yourself hapless in-between devil and deep sea. It
is that moment when all fortunes seem to have been ruined.
Nevertheless, don't be too troubled to the point of outrunning God,
never fail to hear that mild voice saying; my grace is sufficient for
thee: for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.
Your storming period may be relentless pursuit of dreamt
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765years plus. What God needs most from you is unbroken trust.
Never give up when you make a request and it seems as if there
is a delay in response. Whenever prayers remained unanswered,
either of the below listed factors is likely to have occasioned that.
Failure from the one who prayed (the effects of sin)
Misalignment with appointed time.
Misalignment with divine plan. (Not all that appear right to
man is good for man, (Prov.16:25).
It is good for you to grow to the point of knowing that
unpleasant situations and experiences are never God's desires for
you, but in all your challenges God is bringing an end that will
speak of his glory.
Job never knew the plan of God over his predicament then, this
man so much confides himself in God, knowing that He (God) has
power to keep and deliver. The three Hebrews had gathered
capacity in God, they were so courageous to the point that they
were fully ready to lose their lives if God would not deliver them
from the furnace. In whatever situation I find myself I always have
this confidence that, such is serving a purpose in my life journey,
having the assurance that God is at work in such a situation.
Joseph had visions about his greatness, yet he experienced
tempest on his way to fulfilling destiny. David while he was
exposed to wilds never knew something greater lies ahead.
Jephthah also experienced storming period before he was called
upon as a defender. Storming period at time is a making period
against unforeseen challenges ahead us in life.
There is one serious malady (physical and spiritual
impatience) common to many Christians, this every believer must
address with full forces of faith. Patience has a lot to do in the
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course of our race, if not, over hasting will engender our mischief
and falling from the grace of the Father. Challenges propelled
Saul, he outran God and his kingdom was ruined. Never allow
what you are passing through to push you ahead of God. He who
outruns God will surely run to meet God with a regret certificate.
Wrong and false Teachings (Doctrinal challenges)
It is becoming too frightening and mournful as many within
Christendom are struggling stressfully with denominational
doctrines. Church attention in this generation is gradually shifting
from the person of Christ to countless standards placed on
congregations by some of our fathers in faith. How I wish we all
can stand a tabernacle to avert the contingencies of doctrinal
chaos. Many are at the verge of quitting faith as a result of doctrinal
controversies. The bone of contention in the Christendom has
been; which denomination's doctrine is right for gaining eternity?
The fact remains that church doctrines will never be an
entrance permit to \the cloud not to even mention Heavenly
Father's home. Your encounter with Christ (the truth) inside
BIBLE which is expressed as: Basic Instruction Before Leaving
Earth (BIBLE) will give you the only standardized doctrines that
can set you free, and show you right path to Life. Why should you
be confused?
There are countless denominations within Christianity with
different ideologies and doctrines which are now the sources of the
interdenominational doctrinal problems. Diversity in the
teachings but uniformity in the set goal (Heaven) of these
denominations is orchestrating much confusions which are the
wounds in my bones and many other believers as well.
As said earlier, doctrine is not bad as a church standard or
mode of practice if not for its prioritization above the message of
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habit to stand in-gap for the general body of Christ in the place of
personal prayer it shows that you're yet matured; you are nothing
else but a religious Christian.
Wrong doctrines have wronged the unanimity of the churches
on Earth, we get to identify people out of our individuals' church
doctrines as sinners. The mentality of personal church doctrine
standardization has fully affected our focus to the point that we
hardly can associate with fellow believers from other
denominations. In as much that they don't do what your church
holds as doctrine, they are nothing to you but sinners. Mind you, in
the beginning it was not so. The fact to be noted here is that,
damnation is ever looming over those who have strayed from the
foundation laid by Christ. It has been said, for other foundation can
no man lay aside from that of Christ Jesus (1Cor3:11).
Remember that, all who gave self-formulated doctrines
precedence over the divine and apostolic doctrines should be
prepared for the heaviness of God's wrath.
'As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any
other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed (Gal.1:9)'
The central theme of evangelism and church (Christ) has been
misplaced by many Christians, it is therefore easier for people to
preach church doctrines on evangelism field than Christ crucified.
What is common to many preachers in this generation is to turn
sinners' hearts to self and personal church, not to Christ again.
Some only seek to steal believers in other churches rather than
winning the souls of the countless hell-bound outside there. This
also is contributing to the low outputs of the work of evangelism. I
strongly believe that, if you and I will set aside church game and
revisit the life of Christ the problem of church persecution and
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CHAPTER FIVE
O
ne of the enormous gifts and potentials Christ has
given to believers to manifest in is courage and sound
mind. We often become like Peter and the other
disciples on the day of Christ's arrest and trials when our hearts are
engulfed or preoccupied with the fear of confessing faith. The
spirit of fear is an associate of bondage.
Christ has never released the gift of fear upon us neither has he
taught us to fear the power of the evil World and circumstances
which are all encompassing. What he has taught us is to dread the
one (God) who has power to kill both the spirit of the oppressors
and the oppressed. (Luke 12:4). Fear kills desires, precludes
attempts and aborts success.
Temptation and challenges are inevitable in the journey of
faith, aftermath comes promotion and confutation of all the
allegations levied against our confession. In this World you shall
have tribulation, but be of good cheer says Jesus Christ. Paul in his
Epistle to Timothy said “ye and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12).
Sons of God are the chosen people, they are to live as the heirs
of the kingdom and take charge in their domains. The day a man
have personal conviction that he is a son of God and not just a
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child that day he's been given power to oversee territory. But as
long as a man remains under the control and power of Worldly fear,
he is barred from exercising authority and fulfilling the will of
God. This type of fear is a sin.
Among the qualities that attest to our joint heirs with Christ in
authority is boldness/sound mind and Love. ―For ye have not
received the spirit of bondage again to fear'; but ye have received
the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba father. The spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.‖
A clearer understanding of the above quoted verse will
prevents you from having negative thought or conclusion
concerning challenges in the journey of faith. Life in Christ is a
life that is open to some undeniable tasks and different
experiences. In whatsoever you experience in the course of
Christian race whether it be negative or positive there is a purpose
for such. Our trials and afflictions are to bring honour to God.
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welcome; our belief and our confession are prone to criticism and
condemnation. Looking at this from a vantage point, Christ the
forerunner of Christians faith had suffered persecution leaving us
examples to emulate (2 peter 2:21-25). Jesus had made known to
whoever that will be his follower that such must bears his/her cross
and follow His steps without any compromise or fear.
There are certain infallible facts about faith and persecution
which you as a believer must consistently take cognizance of,
these are also applicable to our present days' experiences in faith.
Among these irrefutable facts are; till earth will be no more, good
will forever be the opposite of evil, light the opposite of darkness,
World the enemy of The Word (Jesus). So persecution will forever
be faith contemporary until Christ's second coming. '….In this
World you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer…' (John
16:33, Matt5:10-12)_ _ _ _
Correlation; Christian faith is a faith that antagonizes
Worldliness, working earnestly to reform it via condemnation and
commendation of some acts, habits and manners exhibited in it.
Perhaps those people in the World will be remorseful and amend
their ways.
Christianity is a religion that was once under heavy
persecution from 33C.E.-313C.E till Emperor Constantine was
converted who as well aided its legalization in 313C.E. Emperor
Nero attempted eradicating believers by subjecting them to severe
persecution in 64AD. The most severe of all was between 303AD
to early 313AD before Edict of Milan in 313AD. Within that
period of heavy persecution, gathering of church Christian was
forbidden, Christian churches were ordered to be destroyed,
Christian clergies were arrested and people were forced into
sacrificing to gods.
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Risking our lives does not mean that we should endanger our
lives aimlessly; it is a demand to go into the work of faith which the
only constant and anticipated end is either life or death. The risk to
be taken must not be lost for safety. Consider the life of Christ in
John 11:10 and Paul in Act 21:10 -14, you are not exempted, this
also is part of your reasonable services. In 155AD Bishop
Polycarp 84years old believer was martyred because he would not
deny his faith. Many with the same belief in Christ were severely
tortured 22years after the execution of Bishop Polycarp (177AD),
in all these people were earnestly contending for their faith.
Paul was aware of the evil awaiting him in Jerusalem while he
was at Caesarea. He neither doubted the prophet nor his revelation,
he knew it was an obvious one, yet Paul chose to be manhandled
and not that alone, but also to be killed for Christ sake.
Without any iota of doubt, our leaders are more familiar with
the account of Christ's and His disciples' sufferings and
martyrdom, also the necessity of those accounts to all believers.
My question is how many ministers of God can exercise this, not to
talk of their followers. Though they most time preach it but can't
live it.
Stories like Christians persecution these days get church
members into confusion as to whether some of those records in the
Bible were fictions or non-fiction. This is because people have
seen and heard similar cases where the leaders of some churches
took the best escape route rather than defending faith. Whenever a
leader takes the first risk, it triggers such interest in the followers.
Look at Christ-like leadership: Acts 1:1; '… of all that Jesus began
both to do and teach.'
NOTE: Paul was not declared on that mission to Jerusalem by
Holy Spirit in the general assembly, but he had considered that as
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It wasn't normal for Isaiah to walk naked for good three years.
Isaiah20:2-3
It wasn't normal for Jeremiah declaring the impending doom on
Judah even when he knew the consequence of such on himself.
Jer26,
It wasn't normal for Ezekiel to have kept to himself the loss of his
wife because it was symbolic representation of God's intension to
teach his people (Israelites) lesson of forthcoming doom and how
pitiful their condition would be without sympathy or empathy from
anyone.
It wasn't normal for Michal to have divulged the doom over Ahab
even when he knew the consequence of doing such. 1king22:17.
You can't be conscious of good name and at the same time
maintain good conscience in this perverse generation. Death is not
the end of life, longevity of life is meant for you on earth when you
have done the necessity that sets memorable record of you, also in
eternity if you had strived rightly.
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CHAPTER SIX
C
hristianity is not a religion of discomfiture
nevertheless to be Christ followers exposes us to
challenges which are not meant to annihilate our faith
in any wise. In all our experiences in the journey of faith we're
expected to prove our reproaches as channels to glorifying our
God.
If the comprehensive account of Jesus' experiences in His
earthly ministry is to be given without cooking the scripture, we
would surely come to the understanding of the fact that shame,
humiliation and disrepute experiences would not be undervalued
or given a less look. Christ took shame for fame because of who He
was and why He came to humanity. For you to be fulfilled while
maintaining good behavior in a corrupt World you must not be too
conscious of condemnation and commendation from the majority.
When the purpose of life is not well defined and missions are
not goals oriented mishandling of the right opportunity for
mundane will become a normal way of living. There are things you
just have to sidestep so as to step above barriers into pure service
before God, if not, unnecessary experiences in the race of faith will
become a great hindrance to your growth.
Some other things that instigate shame are: over cautiousness
of the past and present days' mistakes and poor knowledge of the
Holy Scripture. These have made many Christians awaiting
candidates of endless shame and despitefulness. Why should you
be ashamed of the past and the present days' embarrassment from
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CHAPTER SEVEN
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CONCLUSION
The simple question from the genesis of this book has been: as
a Christ's replica, why should I! That is, it's not expedient of
those who have confessed Christ as their personal Lord and savior
to live a pretentious and carefree life (life of self will, self-control
and self-evaluation). It is essentially demanded that we lose
ourselves to gain Christ and fully live by his standard.
“But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and
unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): the Lord knows those
who are his, and, Let everyone who names (himself by) the name
of the lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it” (2Tim
2:29 AMP).
During the reign of Alexander the Great (336 – 323BC), he
(Alexander) was notified of a coward soldier among his Army. In
the course of questioning the coward soldier, Alexander the Great
asked, 'what is your name'? The man replied: ―Alexander sir!‖
Alexander the Great asked the young man the same question again
till it was third time and the young man in total dismay repeatedly
answered, 'Alexander Sir! The scene was like a drama stage, it
really baffles Alexander the Great that someone sharing name with
him could be as fainthearted and phobic as such. In fury Alexander
the great reached out to his sword, pointing it at the young man and
he said ―is either you change your name to something else or you
change your characters.‖
If a mere man like Alexander could have said this to defend the
dignity and affluence of himself being known by the same name, it
is therefore a lesson to all believers that as many who claimed
being Christians but full of unchristian characters, demonstrations
and the likes should either change their characters or stop being
called Christian. You should know that, there is repercussion for
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