Omo, Na Wetin You Carry?

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Buife, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme Repentance. You can learn more about Buife on are about page!

Omo, Na Wetin You Carry?

Ha! Yes, I had to use some pidgin English today. I'm from Nigeria where even the most learned ones (Queens English-wise) among us make a statement in pidgin at least once a day (the statistics? You have to come down here to see hear it for yourself *smiles*)

When I got the mail letting us know what september's theme will be, I was so pumped! I'm studying the book of Jonah with the beautiful ladies at www.hellomornings.com so it's natural that I would want to center my post around Jonah. But, you know God, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

In the new testament, we have this friend who was so passionate about seeing people repent other than Jesus. His name was John the Baptist. But more than seeing people troop in their numbers to his baptismal 'front', he wanted them to bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [to let their lives prove their change of heart]. (Matthew 3:8)

Amazing, right? Fruit that is consistent. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul talks about the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, the work which His presence within us accomplishes. And we know that one of Jesus' wise sayings was by their fruit, you shall know them. What am I getting at? What is repentance? I love how the amplified version puts John's words;

...And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. - Matthew 3:2.

There are people who say that for every sin we commit, we must pay for it__born again or not. I no longer subscribe to that. They cite Paul and his tribulations as an example and frankly, I allowed myself to believe that once and, all it got me was anger and depression--serious ones.

I know that the wages of sin is death but, once someone gives his/her life to Christ, the death of Christ (Who was without sin) covers the wages of sins of the new believer. Yes, we as Christians will suffer tribulations and go through trials but for the Lord's sakes, it's not a punishment for our repented sins; it's simply because the devil hates God and will do anything to sabotage His will (and since he'd never succeed, he'll at least work at hurting Him and that will mean, hurting us).

Jesus said the world will hate us and told us to note that it hated Him first. Have you given your life to Christ, repented of your sins; do not allow guilt to drown you in the sea of self-pity and depression. For

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. - I John 1:9, Amp.

Did you see that? He is just! He cannot require payment from you when Jesus has paid the whole debt. So, I ask again, omo, na wetin you carry? And that means, my friend, what are you carrying?

What debt have you allowed or are allowing the devil to impose on you? Don't you know that

Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He (Jesus) set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. - Colossians 2:14, Amp.

Do you see this? Whoever the Son of Man sets free is free indeed! Now, about that fruit that is consistent, what are some of things John prescribed? He said to think differently. Again, I'll borrow our friend's (Paul) words;

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. - Philippians 4:8, Amp.

I know the devil is a persistent liar; you know, you try to wade him off and he bounces right back with his dubious lies! But, we must be persistently resistant to his wiles. Listen, that guy is a lot of things of which the slickest yet (may seem minute but is actually his) greatest weapon is the fact that he is a liar. For him to successfully steal, kill and destroy, he must have succeeded in deceiving his victim. Don't let him, fix your mind on God's Truth. Give your load of guilt to Jesus and receive His peace. You deserve that. You know why? Jesus purchased it for you with His Blood, His life.

Omo, offload! *winks*