We once employed the services of a protocol officer who assisted employees in our organization with processing our international travels. However, he had never travelled outside his country of origin. This guy was very good at his job. When you tell him you want to travel to a particular country, he would immediately reel off all the visa requirements for that country. Sometimes, he would even tell you the best route to fly, possible challenges you may encounter, and the peculiarities of the people of that country. One day I was so impressed by his depth of knowledge that I asked him which countries he had visited. His response was “sir, forget that thing; this is my work”.
As I pondered about this protocol guy recently, I realized he seemed to demonstrate a trend in Christendom today. Many so called Christians are like this protocol officer; they can tell you details about heaven but they may never get there. This is because they may have discussed their understanding of the visa requirements to heaven with others, but they have never really met the requirements themselves.
Some decades ago, it was common for believers to show a movie titled “burning hell” as a tool for evangelism. That movie tries to depict the horrors of hell and if you ever watched that movie, you may “give your life to Christ” about 10 times in 10 minutes. In many cases after the movie is shown, what we call “altar call” was made, and without any knowledge of the gospel, many responded to the call. If the fear of what was seen in a movie is the only motivation for seeking salvation, we miss out on the real offer of God’s gift of eternal life through Christ.
There was also another trend where God was described as an angry God that was bringing judgment upon all those who were not believers, and this fear made many to recite some prayers after a preacher. But that is not the visa to heaven. Some preachers even went further to describe all the terrible sins that people commit and after their message, they ask – if you want to repent from these sins, come out and say “this prayer” after me. But beloved, repentance and salvation are two different things. You can repent from an evil way and not be saved, the same way a chronic murderer can decide to quit murder, but that doesn’t make him a believer. Although repentance is expected to be visible in your life after salvation.
So what is salvation – the only visa to heaven, and how do you obtain it?
You come to a loving God through his son – Jesus Christ; you appreciate that salvation is a gift from God and not something you attain by any good works; You openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Thus, you instantly receive the gift of God’s life and Holy Spirit in your spirit. It is “faith alone by grace alone, in Christ alone” that qualifies you for heaven. If this does not correspond with your salvation experience, please take time to make things right today, so you are not disappointed on the day of rapture. Jesus’ offer of eternal life is to be received with gratitude for His love, and there is no fear in love.
Tope Aladenusi.
If you are not saved or not sure about your salvation, please contact us at christlifeline@gmail.com, and one of our counselors will respond to schedule a conversation with you.
| And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with [you]. 1 Corinthians 9:20-23
Jesus is not coming to walk the face of the earth again. But praise God, He is still here – in you. People need not look for Him anymore for He is evidently displayed in you. Is he?
The brevity of the question bellies the utmost importance it connotes. Is Christ seen in your everyday life? Is he heard in your private conversations/is he perceived in your presence? Is he felt in your touch? Is he tasted in your attitude? Is Christ the reason for your living? Are you ready to say “not the I but the You in me”? Are folks readily introduced to the overwhelming grace of God? Are you forward to let known the reason of the hope in you?
You may likely be anxious about how your message will be received. But let these words of the apostle Paul be to you an encouragement:
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:23-24
– Gideon Gbeja |
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Quite recently there was a new government sworn into power in Nigeria. Naturally there was a renewed sense of change and some glimmer of hope, albeit quite alloyed with mixed feelings based on experiences garnered from irascible past governments. Even at that, there’s a general phenomenon with Humans. Irrespective of how good a government has been, there’s always a belief that better can be done. I wholly buy into this thought as well, because we live in an imperfect world where change is constant.
We all very well participate in the undulations of this particular thought motion of renewed expectancy. Everybody loves to have some level of progression in some way. For professionals and paid employees, they expect renewed terms of service and better pay packages when they hear that a new board has taken over the affairs of the firm they work for, even when the former board was great. For sports lovers, they want their teams to win all the available laurels year in year out and in style as well. For students, there’s always an expectation that academic facilities, student welfare and standards will be improved whilst tuition rates are sustained at a previous rate or even reduced by a new administration. The list is endless. The facts established show that a form of government rules our thoughts, anticipations and actions in life.
Whilst I ruminated on our acts and expectations based on different forms of governments that rule our daily decisions, my conscious mind was stung by the illumination in Isaiah 9:6. It says “A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (God’s Word Version). Ironically this verse is mostly quoted at Christmas day services, but in real sense, it is the mantra that should govern Christianity. This verse clearly defines Jesus, His authority and unmatchable nature. It says, “the government” not “a government”, which in effect means every authority in Heaven and earth. It says “Wonderful Counselor”, which in effect means that His counsel and ideas can’t be matched by any known or unknown authority. He’s infallible by every standard ever and will ever be. It says “Mighty God and Everlasting Father”, describing His Imperial divinity and everlasting durability. It says “Prince of Peace”, which means that he that relies on Him is safe and sound. With all these qualifications He is truly matchless. None has ever been and will ever be described this way (Rev.1:8).
Given the quality of the personality described in Isaiah 9:6, it’s logical to conclude that allowing Jesus govern all aspects of our life will put us on the best pedestal for success. Any decision that does not emanate from your sense of completeness in Christ is totally against the will of God, because God has given us all we need in Christ (Col.2:10, 2Pet.2.3-4). We need to allow Jesus govern our lives, because He’s the owner (1Cor.6:19-20). He paid the price we should have paid, He’s the governor (Rom.5:6 & 12-15, Rom.6:23). Allow Him rule and you’ll be fruitful in all your ways.
“She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mat.1:21)
“My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:19)
Emeka Ofia |
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with [you]. 1 Corinthians 9:20-23
Jesus is not coming to walk the face of the earth again. But praise God, He is still here – in you. People need not look for Him anymore for He is evidently displayed in you.
Is he?
The brevity of the question bellies the utmost importance it connotes. Is Christ seen in your everyday life? Is he heard in your private conversations/is he perceived in your presence? Is he felt in your touch? Is he tasted in your attitude? Is Christ the reason for your living? Are you ready to say “not the I but the You in me”? Are folks readily introduced to the overwhelming grace of God? Are you forward to let known the reason of the hope in you?
You may likely be anxious about how your message will be received. But let these words of the apostle Paul be to you an encouragement.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:23-24
– gideon gbeja