Why do you do the good things you do?
Whether we like it or not, this is a question we will all have to answer one day. It is an unpopular question that probes for the motives behind our actions. The reverse is the case these days. People talk only about the actions (what has been done) – “Oh! He gave a million bucks to charity”; “She has been moving across the Arab nations preaching the gospel for the past 7 years”; “That pastor is so nice, he visits all his members every month”; “that couple is so loving, they are always working together to bless lives”; etc. But God has made his position clear – “… I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart” I Samuel 16:7 (GNB).
Beloved, God will not reward us based on the size of the work we did for him; he will reward us based on the size of the heart with which we worked with him. 1Corinthians 3:13 (GNB) says “And the quality of each person’s work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it”. I think a good question to ask here is – how does God measure quality?
Every week I try to compose an exhortation and send to subscribers of Christ Lifeline weekly devotional messages. I remember there was a week I did not feel like writing at all and I didn’t want to send any message. But it occurred to me that I have a reputation of posting messages on a weekly basis. I immediately composed a message and sent it. Guess what? I received numerous testimonies from people who were blessed by that message, but I knew afterwards that I was ranking very low in terms of quality. Why? My motivation for writing that week was just to sustain my reputation. I began to see more clearly why some pastors have said that on the Day of Judgment, many will be shocked.
Why do you do the good things you do? Is it to sustain your reputation; retain people’s attention; obtain worldly satisfaction; or to maintain an impression? Men may give kudos to the outward form, but God will look at the motivation behind the outward form. One key yardstick God will use to judge our works is elucidated in 1 Corinthians 13:3 (BBE) “And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me”. Hmm! The most arresting outward appearance without a corresponding inward compliance to the rule of Christ’s love is utterly useless.
Apostle Paul understood this principle when he said – “we are ruled by the love of Christ …” 2 Corinthians 5:14 (GNB). Beloved, let’s start checking our motives before we face eternity. Before we commence or continue racing on any “good lane”, let’s ask ourselves – what is my motive? Let the love of Christ be our motivation so that when our work is made manifest in the day of Christ, we will receive a reward.
– tope aladenusi
Once upon a time in Christendom, believers always talked about eternity. They were so engrossed in the truth that they were pilgrims in this world and would one day go to be with the Lord in heaven. At that time, it was common to see messages titled “heaven or hell?” Songs with lyrics like “it’s not an easy road, we are travelling to heaven” were common in our assemblies. Believers looked tattered, battered, and shattered like people who had been bruised in the tussles and struggles of this life. We were always reminded that we lived in the “end times” and the rapture could take place at any moment. This wave got to a crescendo towards year 2000 when it had been predicted that the world would end. But lo and behold, year 2000 came and passed without witnessing the return of Jesus Christ, and events in Christendom took another turn.
With very little or no talk about heaven, many of those who were once labelled as “battered” became ever ready to “gather the riches of the gentiles”. Many of us are now enlightened. We have expounded the word to others and taught them that salvation is a total package – that it did not only secure heaven for us; but it also brought prosperity, health, fulfilment, peace and a lot more good things. I’m not left out in this trend. I remember giving an exhortation in the university and saying things like: “you are not born again to fail again”; “you are not born again to be poor again”. Beloved, it is obvious that things have really changed. That is why it is now rare to hear the idiom “as poor as a church rat”. It is becoming increasingly difficult to associate poverty with Christianity. However, in a bid to correct the short-sightedness of some early believers, we have probably become even more narrow-minded.
How? We do not like to talk about heaven and hell anymore. When we preach to unbelievers, the major distinction between Christianity and the world that we present to them is that Jesus will also give them plenty wealth, but with peace of mind. No emphasis is usually placed on life after death. Some even say that heaven is now on earth, and there is no need to prepare to go anywhere. Let’s face it – when was the last time you heard or preached a message relating to the rapture or the second coming of Jesus Christ? Are we not only concentrating on how to amass wealth in this life? The bible says “If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world (I Corinthians 15:19 GNB).
It is pleasant to know that redemption gave us freely everything we need to have a good life on earth; but it is pitiable if we do not understand that we are strangers in this world and a better life awaits us in heaven. The greater part of our new life will be spent in heaven and we should be wise enough to know not to major in the minors. “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cosy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul” (I Peter 2:11 MSG). Learn to always keep your destination in mind as you pass through this world. Prepare for eternity!
– tope aladenusi
Hardly far was His walk
When He met a companion owing
But a farthing compared to his debt
Strangulating was His hold
despite pleas for Mercy
“Never!” he bellowed
“YOU MUST PAY BACK!”
time was sought
but “never!” came the hasty response
For He had forgotten the master’s care
All be paid was his claim
Not a part but all
not most but all
not many but all
Never to leave till he had
paid the least farthing
Aching the master’s heart felt
For How could love be repaid so
How could one forgiven so much
yet render such in return.
Do you have aught against your brother or does he have against you? Remember Christ’s love for us. While unlovable, weak and without strength he chose to love. Let us also so love one another with a heart large enough to forgive the vilest of offenses.
– Dr bolaji akanni
One of the biggest dangers in thinking that we are righteous in God’s sight just because of our good works is explained in Ezekiel 33:12 (KJVA) – “…the righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression …” It is indeed dangerous grounds! As long as we believe we have right standing with God based on our own righteousness, then a little slip would be enough to sweep our feet off the ground. But what if we did not make any mistake and got things right 100%? Then we would be facing the door of Isaiah 64:6 which has these words inscribed on it – “… all our righteousness are as filthy rags”.
However, if we were determined not to get frustrated; like I did several years ago; and made a U-turn from that door, then we would be favoured to find another door labelled John 10:9. On this door, Jesus Christ has boldly inscribed the following letterings: “I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture”. Hallelujah! I’m sure one of the pastures you would find after entering this door is the joy that will envelope your life when you understand – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” – II Corinthians 5:21
Yes! Just because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we possess the kind of righteousness that could previously be attributed to God alone. If you could look into all believers’ spirits right now, you would appreciate how righteous God is. God’s righteousness was given to us as a gift when we got saved. Nevertheless, this is not the major point I want to make today. For those of us who have come to understand this truth, how have we been running with it?
There’s a sad turn of events in the church of Jesus today. In time past, many believers did not understand the concept of God’s righteousness. However, you could see their zeal for God. They went about doing good works and exhibiting fruit that attracted men to Christ even though they could fit perfectly in the way Apostle Paul described the Israelites in Romans 10:2 – “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge”.
Today, knowledge has come and we would expect that believers would be described as having “a zeal of God, according to knowledge”. However, many of us have embraced knowledge and have thrown away our zeal. The days of waking up at night to pray is over. Bible study is history. Evangelism is almost extinct practice. Materialism is the order of the day. It is getting increasingly difficult to differentiate believers from unbelievers.
Beloved, let’s get back on track. Our knowledge is not meant to erode our zeal. Titus 2:14 says Jesus … gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Have you really been purified by Jesus Christ? Then keep your zeal alive!
– tope aladenusi
(Revelation 2: 4,5)
They raised their arms, swaying in tandem with the praise; I gnashed my teeth in despair.
They supped in the same table with Him; I ate the crumbs from their feast.
They beheld His glory; I couldn’t see past the veil on my face.
They jumped in joy; I mourned in sorrow.
What had happened to me?
I decided to quit.
The exit door was huge, but old. I could see the stain from the palm of the last man that used it. The mark was still fresh. How many had left through this door? How many came back? The story goes that it is easy to leave but very difficult to come back.
Heart hitting hard on my ribs, I grabbed the handle. A click, a hilarious shout! I retracted my hand and looked back. A beautiful young woman just came in through the small entrance door. I shook my head in shame. Such was the hilarious welcome-shout when I first entered the kingdom. Then, I was enjoying everything – the music, the worship, the fellowship. What had happened to me?
What happened to my zeal to serve the Lord at all times? What happened to my passion to please the king in all circumstances? What happened to my desire to do His will at all cost? Ashamed of remembering where I had fallen, I quickly grabbed the door handle and turned it hard. Then, everything became dead silent. No more worship, no more music – I was dumb-dead to everything happening inside.
A tap at my back and I turned. Standing behind was a man in white apparel.
“Why do you want to go?”
His countenance was full of care as He asked. His warm smile proved wrong my belief that nobody cared any longer about me in the kingdom.
“I’m no more useful here.” I kindly told Him.
He looked at me with pity. “It’s very cold outside,” He warned. “If you leave, you might not make it back. Stay with us. We love you.”
Me? Those pleading and caring words hit me hard. Am I still loved the way I am? I couldn’t believe it. Shaking terribly, my hands slipped off the door-handle and I fell down on my knees. With tears running down my cheeks,
I promised the King of kings that I would return to my first love.
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Rev. 2:4,5)
– okenna igbokwe
“But how shall He pay back?” the judges asked
For He cannot repay
“How ever did he even come about such huge debt?”
asked others
Never did they realise
debt begets debt
Once in, he could only sink deeper
Having naught to pay
His head price was calculated
amounting to a mere speck
in his huge sea of debt
His wife’s head included
still his debt hung
including his children to the scales till the 4th generation
didn’t tip the scale his way
Surely he shall never have to pay
Concluded the master
“Let him be sold all the same” shouted the judges
He, His wife and His children
Then cried he
“Master be patient
For I shall pay”
Ridiculed the master felt
Even 40 lifetimes could not repay his debt
In Compassion however
the master in love forgave
Not a part but all
Not most but all
Not many but all
Now Free was He
No longer a debtor
But free to live
free to live indeed
His job still in place
– Dr bolaji akanni
| “And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ …” Galatians 2:16 (NLT)
If you approached an average believer and said to him: “we become right with God by faith in Jesus Christ and never by doing what the law commands”, he would probably nod his head in agreement. But if you repeated the same statement by emphasizing on “the law”, for instance – “we become right with God by faith in Jesus Christ and never by doing the commandments in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, etc.,” you can be sure that he would not take it lightly with you and may even conclude that you are backslidden. This goes a long way to show that most of us do not really know the implication of what we claim to believe.
What gives you the assurance that God will answer your prayers? What keeps you going in your Christian race hoping that one day you will be with the Lord? What gives you the confidence that God’s blessings will be resident and manifest in your life? What makes you think the devil is under your feet? What drives you away from sin to absolute surrender to the almighty God? What makes you think you are still saved? For many of us, it is simply because we have been able to live by a set of standards. But Apostle Paul was quick to make us reason simply by stating that “… if we could be saved by keeping the law, then there was no need for Christ to die.” Galatians 2:21 (NLT)
The requirement for becoming righteous by keeping the law is expressly stated in Galatians 3:10 (MSG) – “Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law.” Yes! There are only two possible scores you can have – 100% or 0%. Do we even know every detail of the law, not to talk of keeping it? Then why do we brag and think we exist in God’s inner circle because we have not lied, not killed, paid tithes or prayed thrice a day?
Am I saying you should carry on in sin? God forbid! I only want you to see the importance of launching from the right platform. In this new dispensation, if we always think we are getting God’s approval only because of what we have been able to do, then I am tempted to say we have not really started true Christianity. But I think a better way to put it is that “we are attempting to launch from a platform where we are bound to crash”. It’s like a plane trying to use the desert land as its runway for take-off.
Beloved, let’s get back on the right track and ensure we always launch from the platform of grace. If you have trusted in your efforts in the past, go to God in prayer with a heart of repentance. Live an excellent and holy life not because you want to be right with God, but because you are already right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. – tope aladenusi |
| “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified”. Hebrews 10:14
Ten years after I became born again, I still found it difficult coming to terms with the verse above. I read it like I did to many other verses of scripture that tells me who I am in Christ; my preconceived ideas preoccupied my mind such that these powerful verses meant nothing to me. My theology just couldn’t stand it. I knew that a person born again is also someone who has been sanctified by God (I Corinthians 6:11). I agreed that Jesus’ sacrifice was done once and for all. But, the part that says “he made me perfect …. forever” was just too much for me. I could stand the word “perfect”, but the word “forever” was like a terrible uppercut.
Perfect forever? The bible says “YES!” but my perception said “NO!”. What about the sin of yesterday? What about that pastor’s story that you heard 3 years ago? What about that movie you watched early this year? What about …. ? And many questions kept coming to choke this revelation. And as it always happened, I stopped looking at the verse and continued analyzing my perceptions. Before long, I returned to zero level again.
But thanks be unto God, who opened up many other scriptures to me. I wish you could understand the thrill that rubbed my spine when I appreciated 1st Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever”.
My mistake then became obvious. I wanted to conceptualize being made perfect forever based on my deeds, but the bible says it is based on His seed. His seed cannot be corrupted; no amount of external imperfection can affect its state. It is simply “incorruptible”. Also, the seed lives forever. It therefore makes sense to say that the incorruptible and forever living seed gave birth to creatures of its kind; a breed of believers who are perfected forever. Hallelujah!
Where does this leave us? “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Hebrews 10:23. Let us make our deeds to be constantly influenced by His seed. Let the thrust of our perfect being be felt by our doings. Let what people see on the outside be similar to what God sees on our inside.
– tope aladenusi |
(I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
In a life full of challenges
Bread to eat, water to drink
Early we wake, late we retire
In all these, never forget you are made to fly
Too many decisions to take
Family to please, friends to appease
Our loyalty is sought everywhere
Nonetheless, you never can tell the time we fly
Enjoyment and pleasure we yearn
Enjoy today for tomorrow we die
Better watch your weight
As you eat and drink, never be too heavy to fly
Trials and temptations abound
We run, they pursue
But He is able to deliver
Flee today, you gonna fly one day
He promised to come back
With the voice of the archangel
We shall meet the Lord in the air
Oh, what a wonderful day we fly
– okenna igbokwe
| Apostle Paul once said “Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us” (2 Cor. 10:13 NLT). Think about his statement. Why should he make “staying within God’s plan” his goal? It appears to me that there are a whole lot of goodies attached to staying in God’s plan. It is as though if this aspect of his life is taken care of, every other thing will fall into place.
Why didn’t he say “my goal is to carve out the best plan for myself”? It is obvious that Paul knew something about “staying in God’s plan” which we should also know about. Today, believers are wishing to see good fruits in their lives, but their roots are not attached to God’s plan. And just like an average plant, the fruits are mainly dependent on the soil and nutrients the roots are constantly interacting with.
Some of the things believers are chasing around (miracles, marriage, prosperity, health, progress, etc) are things that should radiate effortlessly from our lives through the unfolding of God’s plan. If only we learn to stay in God’s plan, we would realize that many of our so called successes are already outdated or will soon get outdated. While we want to start celebrating today’s breakthrough, another mega one shows up and makes the former one insignificant. We will just find ourselves in an unending victory parade.
Many of us know this and that is why we pray “Lord, let your will and purpose come to pass in my life”. But it goes beyond mouthing some prayers. You have to ensure you live by some key “staying principles” as far as God’s plan is concerned.
Join us as we discuss this life updating topic at the World Outreach Convention 2009 (WoC ’09) slated for Abuja, Nigeria.
When: Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 by 11am Where: Unity Hall, Reiz Continental Hotel, Plot 779, Cadastral Zone AO, Central Business Area, Abuja. Enquiries: +234-8726126, +234-8082462670, info@christlifeline.org
Come and update your life! Remember to invite others.
– tope aladenusi |