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
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*
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Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24