WE ARE THE “UNDO” PEOPLE
In early 1950’s, in my early toddler years, I started attending school for young children or A B C class known as Kin-der-garden. My school supply comprised dry white chalks, colored chalks and a flat piece of black plywood called slate. I used these items to write, draw and color things. My teachers used eraser or cleaner to wipe the black boards. It was easy to wipe off what one has written in error with your fist or sometimes with one’s school uniform; after all who cares then! The important lesson is to illustrate that we are prone to making mistakes. We can grow up. We can mature enough to be able to identify our mistakes and take initiative to do the right thing. There were visual teaching aids to develop basic life’s skills and social behavior by games and handicraft. There were few toys for game and learning, compared with what we have in our schools today.
As one graduates into class I and class 2, before Primary one, it was joy to drop slate and chalks, and begin with two exercise books (one for Arithmetic and the other for writing) and pencils with rubber eraser. You were able to write, erase and correct any mistakes you made with your eraser. During those ages, my grand parents taught me four important phrases or words: “thank you,” “I am sorry,” “please,” and “excuse me.” Little did I know these were phrases that will lead me through life. “Thank you” shows gratitude and appreciation; while “I am sorry” signifies regret to undo any wrong or misdeed you may have done; is also an attitude or manner of taking responsibility for your action. “Please” is used as in a polite request or to have the wish or to be agreeable to, etc. “Excuse me” means, to ask permission to leave, or make a way to pass or even to apologize or release from obligation, etc. These phrases/words are still relevant today.
In this era of globalization and development of communication technology, we are blessed with computers and its related software’s. On the dash board of any computer software, we see items like: File, Edit Insert, Format, and Tools, Save, Print and Undo (tying), just to mention but a few. “Do” is an action word and could mean to perform, complete, cause or deal with, etc. The prefix “un” indicates a reversal of action. By the word undo, it means it is a conscious acknowledgment that man makes mistakes and we could correct our mistakes, if we wish or notice them. We have the grace of God to undo whatever thing that we have done, as long as we have life and the opportunity to do so.
Long before the era of boards and chalks, writing pad (exercise books) and pencils with erasers, and the present undo function on the computers, God created mankind with freewill abilities to say and do right or whatever pleases him and be responsible for his actions. Studies reveal that a human being is made up of three great components: the body, the spirit and the soul; the soul consists of the mind or intellect, the will and the emotions. The body and the soul sum up what the bible calls the “flesh.” Communication is considered one of the dearest gifts of God to mankind. Our mouth speaks what we think, feel and want. Our mind informs our thinking, not necessarily what God thinks. Our will tells us what we want, which may be different from what God wants; while our emotion tells us what we feel, not what God feels.
The mouth can express praise, worship, love, gratitude, honor and many other positive good things. Since mankind lives a great deal by feeling, some times what and how we feel comes out in words and behavior that are negative and could be offensive or not pleasing to someone else or other people. Such words and actions express: mockery, pride, ego, distrust, greed, abuse and disrespect as well as other negative thinking, ideas or feelings. Little wonder the wise saying, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it” (Proverbs 18:21). Since human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 27); the image of purity and perfection without sin or wrongs and the spirit of God inside us react against negative thinking, images, behaviors or expressions. As we live, we have the opportunities to undo (say I am sorry or repent) what we’ve done wrong. We should not be surprised that people offend us most times and sometimes we offend other people. However, what we do with the offence is what matters to God. God is an ‘undoer’ (Ex. 32:10-14) and so must man be. Jesus taught, “………if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26). Indeed, forgiveness favors the offended than the offender. When you obey God, He opens your way and blesses you. “Be not wise in your own eyes ….” (Proverbs 3:7). As human beings, we should be willing to give and accept forgiveness; even when God forgives us, we still find it difficult to forgive ourselves.
Throughout the scripture, the word of God teaches us how to undo what one has done wrong either towards God, our Maker or to other human beings and of course animals. God instructed King Solomon, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Many Christians recite this verse in corporate worships and revivals but have their hearts shut against undo Spirit. Repentance or forgiveness is not one time thing. We should practice daily repentance and forgiveness.
From the genesis of life, mankind has sinned against God and one another. Apostle Paul put it vividly, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin destroys us but God gives eternal life (Rom. 6:23). No one can live up to God’s perfect way or meet God’s standards and we cannot save ourselves. Our only hope is to rely on faith in Jesus Christ. Each time God stretches His kindness and love, appealing to us to undo (turn from wicked way) and return to Him. God offers repentance and forgiveness (the two works together) as ways to undo our misdeeds and wrongs. Undo means to repent (not remorse) and forgive. When we heed to God’s appeal, He hears our prayers, forgive our misdeeds and heals our land. This simple remedy explains why we loose spiritual battles, experience disappointments, frustrations and demotions, have no power to speak to our mountains and of course are not forgiven.
When we repent, God erases our errors and restores us; favors us with a new start and repositions us for greatness. The Holy Spirit then will undo whatever our enemies have done or are planning to do; blots out every evil label or decree working against us, or our loved ones and helpers. He deletes evil handwritings of sorrow, losses, regrets and depression against us and rewrites our life’s story; restores and open doors of new things. Forgiven people can undo their misdeeds. Don’t delay or miss this choice today.
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at weefreeministries@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272. Web: www.weefreeministries.org; Phone: 832-881-3929 (c).