Discipleship Digest congratulates President Barrack Obama and all the citizens of the United States of America on our national birthday celebration. An anniversary is a time of reflection on the journey so far. We give thanks to God for the freedom and unity we enjoy as a country. We appreciate who we are as a people and those God has put in our ways. We celebrate the various uncommon achievements we have made and the unusual strives our gallant soldiers’ daily make, fighting to keep the freedom we enjoy. We are living in a season of undreamt changes and have to accept the challenges these bring. We reaffirm we are still God’s own country or does it just exist on our currency? We don’t seem to have forgotten the God who brought us to greatness or do we? Are we still holding to the ideals of our founding fathers? God bless America.
Discipleship Digest deliberates on the topic: Christianity Today: Has Christianity Failed? Nope, Nay and never!!! Her foundation is on Christ who never fails, but the practice of it has. Jesus is the incarnated son of God who came ….to serve and to give His life a ransom for many (Lk. 20:28). God stepped into history to rescue us from certain judgment. His son, Jesus Christ became human so that He could rescue humanity from sin once and for all (Heb.10:10). He did for us what we could not do for ourselves (Rom.5:6-11); Eph. 2:8-9). Apostle Paul defended his strong belief in Christian faith when he buttressed Christ resurrection, “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins……if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable or miserable” (1 Cor. 15:17-19).
All the writings in the scriptures support that fact and even today it’s same. Her followers have failed in obeying and emulating the Master while some practice the faith in their own selfish terms. Jesus was not a deceitful Phony. Evidence does support that He certainly wasn’t a charlatan, one who tricks people to get their money as in common with what obtains today in Churches. He was not portrayed as self-deceived or self interested. His words and actions do not reflect the behavior of a person who was mentally unstable or greedy. Jesus also did not preach a popular message or promised instant fame and fortune or considered himself wealthy in the world’s evaluation of prosperity or success.
Jesus established the Church, where both Jews and non-Jews were united by their faith in Him as the Savior-Messiah. The Church was founded on the credibility of Christ; His ability to keep His word and His resurrection. On the strength of these evidences, His disciples who were fearful and skeptical before they saw the risen Christ, sticked to their faith in Him. Through the centuries, the Church exists and grows (rather than demise) and sustains to confirm Jesus’ promise that nothing will be able to destroy it (Mt 16:28).It’s because of what Jesus did and promised that the gates of hell has not and can not prevail over the Church. Notwithstanding, some individuals and groups within the Church have not lived or followed the ideals and commands of Christ; others device by way of partial obedience or world system to introduce their own ideas and means of creating their wealth and supporting their financial pursuits; thereby exploiting and stagnating the sheep. Their behaviors give the impression that Christianity is weak or has failed. What has failed is not Christianity but the practice of it. Her followers have failed to take their faith seriously and adhere to the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even at that, Christianity cannot fail because what Jesus did on the Roman Cross can never be reversed or substituted. Christianity cannot fail because Christ never fails. It’s on the Rock of Ages that its foundation rests on. Christ defeated the world and death; rose victoriously, given all who believes in Him sure Victory (not defeat).
Over the years, Christianity has affected the society in a surprising way beyond our imaginations. It has brought more enlightenment through schools, has impelled mankind to fight hunger, sickness and suffering as well as prevention of famine and elimination of wars and war related inevitable problems. These have also impacted the establishment of educational and health institutions as well as humanitarian and Faith-based facilities. The powerful yet humbling movement named Christianity has changed human history, through the messages of forgiveness and renewals that God wrought in the hearts of persons, families and communities in countless places and numerous times. “Christianity is not a political or economic system yet it has profoundly affected all segments of society. ……..It sweep like tidal wave across the earth” Renewal and revival is possible when people come to Christ and put their faith on Him believing that He that has brought Jesus to life after His death on a Roman cross, shall do all things to those who believe in Him. “What good is a faith that doesn’t make impact on people’s life, a religion that doesn’t work in everyday situation? What good are beliefs that sound right in theory but don’t work in practice? (What does it make sense to believe in Christ?” By Martin R. De Haan 11) “Christianity fails, if it is not applicable to life on this earth” – Josh McDowell.
Christianity is neither weak nor passive; It’s neither moribund nor failed. It is a major movement of inward strength and power. Even when her principles may not make natural sense, you have to believe it to make it work. For similar reason Jesus confronted Nicodemus, a religious leader, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3: 3). This left Nicodemus with another type of feeling and he pondered loudly, if being born again meant another physical birth, a sort of reincarnation. Jesus explained to him that it is something beyond physical birth. Since man’s problem is spiritual dead and separation from God. Spiritual renewed by the Spirit of God is what we need to take away the dead. “A person who does not accept Christ’s claim’s is on death row awaiting God’s justice.”
Hopefully, our reflections this month shall provoke right thinking and strengthen your faith and those of your friends you forward it to. Do not forget, “it is by grace that we become Christians and it is by grace that we live the Christian life.” You are too blessed to be stressed. We thank those whose comments have improved our ways of serving you. We are always glad to hear from you. Kindly send the attached to at least 10 persons. God bless you and your loved ones. Join US to celebrate 4th of July, Independence Anniversary.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill Director of Affairs, Weefree Ministries
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