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I have a Christian friend who happens to be a jail bird and was virtually whisked out of his country in order to escape the death sentence passed on him about some years ago when he became a Christian. This young man lost his education, his business and was disowned by his family. In all, he’s defied the persecutions and setbacks he’s faced and today, he’s a missionary who has trained other missionaries and he’s a senior staff at a reputable trading firm in another country. He has no University diploma, yet speaks five international languages, English inclusive.
I was quite stunned at his achievements despite all the odds. In my excitement I decided to ask him how he’s made it thus far, so I did. The answer he gave me was the more startling. He told me of a semi-literate Filipino missionary who came to his country. This missionary had a very poor command of English language. He had very meager earnings. In all, there was nothing physically or materially spectacular about him. My friend who hails from a relatively successful family hated the missionary for his lowly status. He did his best to resist the missionary’s advances to no avail. The more he tried to defy the missionary the more he saw the missionary’s overwhelming display of love and contentment. The missionary’s disposition made him to ponder over his life. He was overwhelmed by the fact that a man who lived in a very hostile community and had little or no material resources could display a high sense of contentment and confidence in what he believed. The love and life of Jesus in the missionary overwhelmed my friend. He became a Christian and the rest is history.
As my friend narrated his encounter with the missionary I understood better what it means to be a Christian. The entire ethos of Christianity is encapsulated in one phrase “Godliness with contentment is great gain (1Tim.6:6)”. The Apostles of Jesus made so much impact, because they understood this principle by spending so much time with Jesus. In their poor educational status and lack of professional certificates, they communicated about the Excellency of God to the awe of the aristocrats of their time (Acts.4:13). The book of Acts of the Apostles gives so many remarkable testimonies of how mighty works were done by ordinary and hitherto disenfranchised people. I’m mostly struck by this verse “In such ways it became evident that the Word of the Master was now sovereign and prevailed in Ephesus” (Acts 19:20 MSG).
Our Christianity is only effective to the extent we know Christ. The semi-literate Filipino and the poorly educated Apostles took advantage of their knowledge of Christ and they recorded remarkable results.
My admonition today is that we stay our life wholly and absolutely with Christ. Learn Christ. If we spend our time daily to give ourselves wholly unto him we’ll be remarkable in all we do. Our approach to the issues of life will be awesome and we’ll be fruitful in all areas of our life.
“Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.” (Gal.2:20-21 MSG).
“Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.” (1Tim.4:15-16 MSG)
Emeka Ofia |
