Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts

The Ineffectual Gospel And The Potency Of Evil



Of all the perennial questions about God and His existence on the lips of unbelievers, these two seem not to have gotten sufficient answers as required: ‘Does God really care?’ ‘You say He is a loving and just God but why does He allow so much evil and corruption and wickedness in the world?’

You see, evil was never God’s invention from the beginning. “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good…” says Genesis 1:31. So where did the evil come from? Add letter ‘D’ to the word ‘evil’ and there you have where all the evil came from – The Devil.

But wasn’t he created by God Almighty? Doesn’t that mean God also created evil?

The concept of creation is such that, when a thing or an entity is created for a purpose, its very creation also confers on the thing or entity a tendency of being repurposed contrarily. That is why a household knife created to serve as a cooking utensil for chopping in the kitchen could as well become a tool for murder on the street.

So, if a thing such as a household knife created with and for a noble purpose could turn into an injurious weapon, what then can be said about a creature with the mind, intellect, image, and nature of God yet, possessing free will?

With the fall of man from the time of Adam and Eve, evil was born. It has misled and still misleads men and woman into acting against the will and plan of God for humanity. But God couldn’t be content beholding His precious creation treading on the path of destruction.

So, a sacrifice was required and a decision was made. And while evil permeated (even till now) the hearts of men to desecrate the world, God devised a flawless solution.

To proffer answers to the above questions unbelievers often ask: ‘Does God really care?’ Oh, certainly yes, He does care and very much. All along the troubled history and evolution of man, God has always presented Himself as a willing and able refuge in times of need (Psalm 46:1-2). In spite of our unfaithfulness and weaknesses, His faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; 100:5).

Sometimes, however, His way of caring comes in the form of chastisement. As was often the case of the children of Israel whenever they disobey God and embrace idolatry.

The fact is, when God chastises, it leaves one with an unforgettable experience of pain to always remind of not taking the popular self-destructive road that seemeth right unto man (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

Besides, in all candidness, what is genuine love without discipline? That is why “the Lord disciplines the ones He loves and He chastens everyone He accepts as His own” (Hebrews 12:5-11).

‘You say He is a loving and just God but why does He allow so much evil and corruption and wickedness in the world?’ Thousands of years ago, God answered this question Himself and has taken a commendable step for all eternity.

But because the ‘whole world is presently under the control of the evil one’, and the reign of the god of this world is yet unfulfilled, God’s palliative measure would at the moment appear ineffective. Still, its efficacy in the lives of those who have responded to God’s call cannot be overridden.

What then was and is this God’s palliative measure referred to? It is the GOSPEL and what it inevitably offers to this dying and perverse world is not a savior but ‘the Saviour’, JESUS CHRIST, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Image Cred: notashamedofthegospel.com
Let’s consider this for some seconds: if the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Christianity preaches is so potent enough to curb the outspread of evil we see in the world, why hasn’t there been revival across nations? Whereas, hate, injustice, and killings are daily on the rise and nothing seems to change.

What could be wrong? You ask, right? Here is a probable answer I have found.

While studying and meditating on my DCLM daily devotional for May 16, 2018, I came across an intriguing analogy I want to share with you.

A soap manufacturer, who was an unbeliever, walked along the road one day with a preacher of the gospel. The soap manufacturer said, ‘The gospel you preach has not done much good, for there is still a lot of wickedness in the world and a lot of wicked people too.’

The preacher made no reply until they passed a dirty little child, making mud pies in the gutter. Seizing his opportunity, the preacher said: ‘Soap has not done much good in the world, I see; for there is still much dirt and dirty people about.’

‘Oh, well,’ said the soap manufacturer, ‘soap is only useful when it is applied.’ ‘Exactly!’ said the preacher, ‘so it is with the gospel.’

The Gospel is as useful and effective as its acceptance and application. The moral, spiritual and physical condition of this world has turned from bad to worse (and heading to worst) not because the Gospel is ineffectual but because it is poorly preached and as such, it becomes unconvincing to accept as the liberating truth.

Worse still, is the saddening reality of professed believers who, either reluctantly or willfully accepted the Gospel, battle with the concept of total surrender of self to put on Christ. They wrestle with the idea of complete obedience to the Word of God (Gospel) and would rather adhere to the commandments that soothe their egos while ignoring the discomforting ones.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil….” (John 3:19-21). Unless mankind gets to the point where the works of the flesh are loathed, self and its esteem are insufficient, the pride of life becomes insignificant, a burning sensation to experience heaven arises within and the soul desires more out of life than just to exist, the Light of God will never be appreciated.

Though the god of this world has blinded the minds of many so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ… (2 Corinthians 4:4), all glory to God that the Advocate (Holy Spirit) has come to prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment… and redirecting the lost back to the Shepherd of their souls (John 16:7-11; 1 Peter 2:25).

Oh, can you now see what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God? Having sent His only begotten Son to destroy the works of the Devil and to reconcile us back to Himself, it behooves on us to show gratitude by our unwavering faith in Him and by loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind. And this we can evidently do by keeping His Word and commandments (See: 1 John 3:1-3, 8; Colossians 1:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Luke 10:27; John 14:15).


So, you see now that while evil remains potent in the world, the Gospel of Christ is not in any way ineffectual by any standards. People have only failed to accept and apply it in their lives. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 1:16-17).

Finally, brethren, let the world delight in evil and the children of God be true to their calling in Christ. Let those who are unjust continue and let those who are filthy be filthy still; let the righteous persevere and the holy, be holy still.

It is certain that soon, all men shall face the judgment seat of Christ and He shall give to every man according as his work shall be - whether it is good or evil (See: Revelations 22:11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:5-11).

Let those with ears hear and those with eyes see, that they may know what will become of everyone when the trumpet shall sound.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

*** Written by Michael Olajubu alias Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***



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Christianity Under Attack, The Church Undefeated



It is unarguably true that Christianity, in recent times, is under fierce attack. What was once fit for theatrics in the cinemas has found its way to the church and while the pulpit is mute, the pew is pleased.

Pastors commit adultery with church members or their choristers; a church leader who reveals the secrets of members while ‘communicating with God’ through a mobile phone; praise section gone astray with choirs demonstrating bizarre dance moves and sensual waist jiggling to exalt something or someone but not God.

And here you have it: Christianity lays bare at the altar of infamy? God forbids!

Who then do we worship? What have we believed? Certainly, not the Gospel of Christ that tells us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and desire no friendship with the world… (Titus 2:11-12; James 4:4).

Evidently, by their fruits you know them (Matthew 7:15-20) – disguised in elegant apparels with eloquent speeches that rouses emotions, cheered by a credulous congregation – ambassadors of anarchy whose sole ministry is to glorify all that is ignoble.

To admit perplexity to such prevalent despondency in human disposition and monstrosity that has crept into the church would amount to sheer sarcasm. It was foretold that in the last days:

“Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:10-12).

People will be lovers of themselves… ungrateful, unholy… without self-control, brutal… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). And to such people, we are to have nothing to do with them.

What baffles, however, is the depth and pace at which Christians sink in a spiritual quagmire and the heightened level of influence the world wields on the ‘CHURCH’ that now takes an unrecognizable shape against the purpose and plan of God and of Christ, its Head.

What then can one say about these things? Nothing more than what the Scriptures say: these are signs of the last days and “there is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof, are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25; 14:12).

This appalling reality saddens, knowing that such tolerance in the church waters down the authenticity of believers’ creed (but not the Gospel of Christ), and portrays Christians as hypocrites in the eyes of the unregenerate world that seeks justification to malign our conviction in the work of the Cross.

Hence, the earnestness lies on every genuine, born-again believer of Christ to stand and live for and by the truth; contending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3).

Louder than ever is the call for due diligence in our commitment and devotion to God so the testimonies of our faith amount not to falsehood.

And we are to be neither weary nor slack in faith, knowing that “the truth of the Gospel may for a time be cast down in the street and be kept under in a measure… yet, extinguished it cannot be since He who is the Truth has said, that ‘heaven and earth shall pass away, but that His Words shall not pass away’” – John Wycliffe.

Though Christianity is under attack within and without, the true Church of God is undefeated. The gate of hell cannot prevail. No, certainly, it never can prevail.

Therefore beloved brethren, keep watch and be not of this world because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (Matthew 24:42).

Keep watch and hold on to your confession till the very end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Continue in the words of Christ which is the Truth, and the truth shall indeed set you free (John 8:30-32).

*** Written by Michael Olajubu alias Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***


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Speak A Word




Speak a word, a loving word for Jesus,
Everywhere you go;
Tell poor sinners how He died to save them
From eternal woe.

Speak a word for Jesus, speak it quickly,
Swiftly glides the time away,…
Daily tell the wondrous story of the Master’s glory,
Speak a loving word today.

Speak a word, a tender word for Jesus,
To the sin-sick soul;
Tell him Christ, who came to save the vilest,
Waits to make him whole.

Speak a word, a warning word for Jesus,
Speak it day by day,
Strive to lead some weak and wandering brother
In the narrow way.


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