REFLECTION ON MY BIRTHDAY

For some strange reason I usually get very excited like a child and adrenaline mounts in the days leading to an important or worth noting occasion (i.e. graduation, ordination, birthday, anniversary etc) and it then suddenly drops on the actual day of the occasion. I am yet to know or understand why. So today is my birthday and though I was pestering friends about it such that I gave them a birthday wish list!!! (It is okay dream). I woke up this morning and the childlike excitement was gone and if anything the day has sobered me somewhat.

A lady asked me how old I was and she mocked that she was twice my age upon hearing that I was turning a mere 27 years. “THAT MEANS YOU HAVE MORE YEARS TO ACCOUNT FOR” was my quick and sharp response. That was the end of our mocking battle, and I had the last word! But I later got to think about my words. I am actually going to give an account for 27 solid years! That’s 236520 hours to account for. The more sobering thought is who I will give an account to, an all knowing, all wise, ever present God. He not only knows what I have done and said in every second of my 27 years on earth but he also knows my thoughts and intents of my heart, whatever a man sows that he shall reap. He has known my underlining motivates behind every action, including service for him. Every time I fooled people he was aware, every time I basked in people’s praise and stole his glory he knew, he knew and discerned every word of gossip and slander, every discontent attitude, every hypocritical action, and every time I lived for self. I can only say like the prophet Isaiah “woe is me for I am undone”.

To whom much is given much is required and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. These were the words of Jesus in Luke 12. Clearly the one with 50 years has more to account for compared to the one with 10 years. But they all give an account. At this point my thoughts go back to the master gives these years. The sovereign Lord graciously bestows time on whom he chooses.  And with the time he also gives the grace (enablement) to help us on our pilgrimage on earth. He has given us his word to be a light to feet and a lamp on our path, it guides and directs. And has given us a purpose for our existence- to live for him, that means everything I do must be done to the glory of God and I should find joy and satisfaction in pleasing an glorifying Him. To do anything for my glory is to dethrone the master- that is an act of treason. To do anything apart from the glory of God is reject the very essence of my existence.

I thank God for entrusting me with the 27 years on earth and giving me the grace to reach where I am and do all the things I have done. And though I am totally unworthy and underserving, he is still patient with me and his love is steadfast and his mercies are new every morning. I do not know how long I have left on this earth, but my prayer my aim is that I may be a faithful steward of my time on earth. That I may hear those glorious words “well done good and faithful servant”!

Lord lift me up and let me stand by faith on heaven table land. A higher plain where love and joy and light abound, Lord plant my feet on higher ground. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

There are a number of one another passages in the New Testament that I believe should be a litmus test of our relationships as believers. These one another commands are important in at least three ways. (1) They us that believers belong to one another. (2) Our relationships should go deeper than meeting for church services. (3) Those with capacity are under divine obligation to help those in lack. The first “one another” passage I want to look at is found in John 13:34 the love one another passage.  Love is the trademark of Christianity! If we fail here, we have failed everywhere.

It is striking that this is called a new commandment, how can loving one another be a new command? Surely they people must have loved each other before this? In fact John talks a lot about this “new” but old command (1 John 2:8-10, 3:23, 2 John 5). It is in the sense of Christian love being at a higher level, i.e. not “as you love yourself” but “as I have loved you”, i.e. self-sacrificing love. True Christian love is unconditional and sacrificial. No wonder the Lord gives it as a command! One may ask should love be commanded. YES! And the reason is simple; this is not referring to feelings as to action – principled action.

Now granted due to the vagueness of the word “love” today, it’s true meaning has been marred especially by sensual, lustful and shallow romantic songs, movies and soap operas that simply emphasis one’s feelings. That is not what Jesus has in mind when he says, “Love one another”. And in this context neither is He is referring to brotherly affection or a sentimental attachment (although there is nothing wrong with that). Rather, he is referring to a purposeful social or moral love as a matter of principle or call of duty. So, how or what you feel is an irrelevant question instead the right question should be “what ought to be done in this particular case?” what is required of me? Etc. It is a genuine commitment to the welfare of others whether they deserve or not. And the standard for Love is the Lord himself. We should love like He did, to the point of dying for the brethren! What a standard!

The Lord then tells us why this is important when he says “by this the world will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” Love is the hallmark of Christianity, it is what distinguishes Christianity from the world. While Worldly institutions are characterised by hatred, jealousy, gossip, slander, suspicions, malice, envy, etc. The Christian church should be the exact opposite- a group of people who selflessly love each other. Christ says from our love people will see our Christ likeness. It is not in the loudness of our singing or the zeal with which we seek to win souls, but by our love. Those who are privileged in any way will make sure they use their privileges for the welfare of those who are deprived. This is how we are to know if we are truly saved (1 John 3:14). This is also how fellow Christians will know us, by our love for them.

When Jesus left his church on earth, he wanted to make sure that had love as its uniting force. Is that what is keeping us together? Do you love other believers? Do you go out of your way to love- Unconditional and sacrificial love? To the point that you are willing to die for them! Do you want to know a disciple of Christ? Look at how they love others. Do you want to know a healthy and biblical church? Look at how they love each other! Love is the trademark of Christianity!!!