The streets of the world’s major cities are usually very busy. They are crowded with different kinds of people from all walks of life. Looking at a typically very busy city like Lagos, Nigeria, it is very usual to find people of all ages and races. Some seem to be in a hurry - hustling and jostling as they go. Some quietly roam the street without any definite destination in mind. Some are very busy with their wares, work and trade, deeply consumed with the aim of making a substantial profit at the end of the day. While some are merely on-lookers, gazing on blankly without a definite focus. They find themselves on these busy streets without really knowing how they got there or what they are there for.
As it is with these aimless street wanderers, who keep moving without a definite stop-place in mind, so it is with many men, women, young boys and girls who live in the world without an understanding of why they are here. Many boys and girls fill our schools but not many of them know what they are in school for. Apart from knowing how to read and write, many do not know if the school serves any other purpose for them and their future.
“Why am I here?” Have you ever stopped, for once, to ask yourself this question? The reason for many failures in life, easy defeats, emptiness and lack of fulfilment in the lives of many people is because their lives are being lived without a definition of purpose. Many students spend six years or more in school and come out a failure because they have not been able to determine what they are actually living for and what they are set to achieve in life.
“Why am I here?” This is the question that distinguishes achievers from failures and mediocres. It is the factor that sets some people on the ivory tower of success, clad with honours and laurels and others on the lowest wrung of the ladder, not able to raise themselves from the dust and ashes of failure and defeat. It is the driving force that keeps the purposeful determined and tenacious; not ready to make a deal with discouragement, nor be stopped by obstacles.
All we have said so far is this: having a purpose for life.
As there are people who do not know what they are living for and why they are living, there are equally so many people who have a wrong understanding of why they are here and as such, are living for the wrong purpose. They think that self is the beginning and end of existence i.e, they live only for self - only considering how everything and everyone in life contribute towards achieving their selfish satisfaction. These people too find out that they are not fulfilled. Far from being fulfilled, happy and satisfied, they find out that all they have tried to acquire for themselves - the wealth, success, fame, power, etc., leave them empty, void and hunted. This is exactly how it is when we try to define and understand our purpose for life outside God. Lucifer tried and he ended defeated and eternally banished from glory (Isaiah 14:12-15). King Solomon thought he’s got it, but sadly exclaimed “...all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2 :1-11).
We cannot understand ourselves outside God. We cannot grasp the reason why we are here and live a happy, fulfilled life outside God. God created us and that, for a definite purpose. It is for this purpose we are alive and we must seek to fulfill.
“Even everyone that is called by my name: for I have CREATED him FOR MY GLORY, I have formed him; yea I have made him.... This people have I formed for myself: THEY SHALL SHOW FORTH MY PRAISE” (Isaiah 43:7,21).
We are created by God for His praise. That is, in life and in all that we do, the reason we are here is to praise God; show forth His praise.
“ Why am I here?” - The answer, to show forth His praise. It then means that everything about us should fulfill this purpose i.e praise God. Salvation through Christ prepares and makes us fit to fulfill this purpose.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (I Peter 2: 9).
Now, let’s translate this to our everyday work and life. “Why am I here?”- Answer: to show forth the praises of God .” What then will show the praises of God in my life?”
* A life of holiness and righteousness lived for everyone to see (Matthew 5:14 -16).
* A life of obedience and submission to God’s word and will (I Samuel 15:22).
* A life of success and excellence achieved and attained through hard work and faith in God. Failure in academic, life-career and work will not glorify God.
* A life lived for the good and benefit of others - a selfless outpouring life (Hebrews 13:16).
* A life lived in praise and adoration of the Lord in true worship (Hebrews 13:15) etc. We are therefore to channel all our resources, energies, abilities, gifts and talents towards achieving these goals.
Let your life and works praise God. That’s why you are here!
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Justification By Faith
Justification is the act of God’s grace through which one receives forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous before God through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. Having thus been cleared from every guilt of sin, the regenerated stands before God as though he had not sinned. Now totally forgiven and the sins forgotten, God looks at the redeemed as sinless. This is not on the basis of any personal merit but in the light of what Christ has accomplished for mankind by His substitutionary death on the cross of Calvary (Psalm 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:9; Acts 13 : 38 ).
In order to fully appreciate the benefits of salvation in Christ Jesus, the utter helplessness and hopelessness of man should be noted. Man, is incapable of personally providing a solution to his problem of sin or changing his eternal destiny of damnation (Isaiah 59:8). Hence, the need for justification becomes obvious.
To meet the standard of divine justice, the price of sin needed to be paid. Man lacked both the capacity and purity to afford this. It therefore required the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God without blemish to pay the necessary ransom with His blood for expiation (removal) of man’s sins.
It is instructive here to note that the nature of sin is not such that man could handle on his own or by the merit of his good works (Ephesians 2: 8,9). Just as circumcision cannot justify the Jew, nor water baptism the Gentile, so by the standard of God’s righteousness and holiness, church membership or confirmation does not suffice to justify any one. Only faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross can assure a penitent soul full justification by grace through faith in Jesus.
As have been outlined above, three aspects of the doctrinal question need be examined closely. These are, redemption by the blood of Christ, necessity of faith, and evidence of justification.
Adam and Eve, after eating the forbidden fruit, became spiritually dead and alienated from God and from the commonwealth of the Kingdom. This original sin spread to all the offspring of Adam - the whole human race. Man’s utter sinfulness and spiritual death also shows the insufficiency of man’s works and personal endeavour in gaining salvation, except he be born again (John 3:3). He needed a Messiah - one qualified, pure and of high integrity to meet the divine standard and thus satisfy God’s imperative judgment.
Christ therefore became the sin-bearer provided by God according to the Scriptures (Romans 3 : 25). “And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” ( 1 John 2:2; Acts 4: 12). And by Christ’s finished work of grace, solution was provided to the problem of sin to ensure man’s reconciliation with God ( Isaiah 44:22; Romans 5:9).
Although Christ’s atonement on the cross guarantees universal provision of salvation to all mankind, this can only be appropriated i.e. made one’s own through faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 4:2; 11:6). Once justified, the redeemed sinner no longer manifests the works of the flesh as mentioned in Galatians 5:19- 21, but now as a new creature, he shows forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In lifestyle, speech, conduct and disposition, the justified saint is more like Christ. Our practical life before men is a confirmation of the effect of our justification before God.
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The Christian Youth's Interest, Value & Tastes
When a youth truly repents and prays to God for forgiveness, believing that Jesus has borne all his guilt and has offered the penalty for his sins, a change takes place immediately. He is born again and becomes a new creature. “Old things are passed away and behold all things are become new.” ( II Corinthians 5: 17).
In a world of changing interest, value and taste, the christian youth is expected to live a life of non-conformity to the world. Believers are in the world but not of the world. Worldly inclination and interest pollute and defile. “And Dinah...went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem ...saw her he took her, and defiled her” (Genesis 34:1,2). She went out of the limit set by moral propriety, out of instruction, out of parental restriction, out of the Spirit’s control. Dinah went out of the path of understanding and the way of holiness. Before she left, she probably harboured strong but secret resentment for her parents for being too strict, old-fashioned, and prudish. She desired unlimited freedom. She would reach out for a good time and enjoy the days of her youth to the fullest. Her outing was a costly one. She lost her innocence and honour. She went to see the daughters of the land and became like them. She went out to behold, gaze at, learn, experience from the daughters of the land. She was more delighted in the company of the ungodly than in the fellowship of God’s elect. How like many youths who prefer parties, film shows and cybercafe to church meetings and programmes.
Depraved youths today would raise no scruples at spending hours with worldly friends, playing games and watching movies. These same youths become impatient in the house of God. It was a desire to see the manners, customs and fashions of the land that landed her in trouble. She was entrapped through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. These are the allurements that many youths face daily in the school, at home and in the neighourhood. The fancies of the world sometimes catch the attention of heaven-bound pilgrims who need to be careful so as not to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
A christian youth is not of this world. The things which appeal to him now are all temporal and passing away. When the vain things that charm you are gone, where will you spend eternity? Our time on earth is short, eternity is endless like a sea without a bottom; an ocean without a shore. The riches, pleasures, amusements, recreations, merry-making which try to absorb all your heart will soon be over. Don’t hold them too tight, don’t make them your idols. You cannot keep them ; you must leave them.
The miracle of the new birth results in Spirit-transformed interest, values and taste. A constant fixing of our gaze by faith on Christ, the Crucified, makes the things of earth to grow dim in our minds and brings heaven closer. In every action, at home, in school, or in Church, look beyond time to eternal future. This is how to remain undefiled and spotless in this evil world.
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The Best Career For You
Whereas God has categorically condemned some vocations (Astrology, Prognosticacy, Necromancy, Prostitution, Metaphysics etc.), it is not all gainful vocations that an individual can engage in. It is very important to state that choosing a life career is not an end in itself but a means to an end. It is a significant component of man’s earthly and eternal purposes.
Thoughtful meditation makes one agree with the Westminster confession of faith ‘‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’’ This statement defines man’s earthly and eternal purposes respectively. God wants whatever profession or careers we choose to glorify Him. But how? You may ask. He knows what is best for us. He gives us the purpose for our existence on earth. Within this purpose are various sections of our lives (Spiritual, Social, Vocational, Marital etc.) that must work together to fulfil it. The fact is that, since God made us, He alone knows the best career for us in line with His purpose for our existence. It is therefore pertinent for us to seek His will for our lives and career.
God reveals His will to His children who have shown consistent obedience to His written will in the Bible. (Are you sure, you are a child of God? Settle this quickly. It is your passport to Divine guidance). This He does when we ask in prayer of faith through:
(1) The inner voice of His Spirit.
(2) Divinely inspired dream(s).
(3) Divine providential guidance.
(4) His audible voice.
You may need to align your perceived guidance in the light of your God given talent, aptitude and scriptural counsel.
It is noteworthy that, God’s guidance is in phases. He does not show you everything about your life all at once. But as you walk in the path He has chosen for you, He will eventually lead you to accomplish His purpose for your life. He has led many from vocations like trading, step by step till they became great industrialists. He has led many elementary school teachers step by step till they became University Dons. Don’t despise the day of small beginning, step by step, He will lead you up to who He wants you to be. Allow Him.
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Dear Counselor,
I had once been saved and sanctified but unfortunately, I have lost these experiences. Now I do things that I don’t use to do before.
For example, I no longer have respect for my uncle, no longer love reading Christian literatures but now enjoy worldly literatures like Mills and Boons. I found myself committing such sins as telling lies, backbiting, getting angry, using abusive language and entertaining filthy thoughts.
When my heart begins to be restless and I feel sorry for my sin, I pray but don’t seem to get any answer.
It’s like my heart is hardened. Maybe I have sinned against the Holy Spirit. If so, sir, please what can I do? Does that mean I am doomed for hell?
Yours in Christ
O. O.
Ondo State, Nigeria.
Dear student,
Calvary greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I need to thank God for your sincerity and openness in your letter. After going through this letter, one cannot but conclude without any fear of contradiction that the situation you described is a case of backsliding.
You have lost your first love. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, you need to be restored to that first love. Let me assure you that your case is not that of sinning against the Holy Spirit. Rather, God is ever willing and waiting to have you restored.
See the promise of God in Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings...”
In II Chronicles 7:14. “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven. And I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.” God’s promise for us is in Jeremiah 3:12-14; Matthew 1:15; Revelation 2:5.
Humble yourself and go to the Lord in simple and sincere prayer of repentance. I John: 1:9 assures that God will hear and answer prayer of repentance.
Believe God after prayer. Keep away from all objects or friends that will lead you into temptation. Read and meditate on the living word of God daily and begin a personal devotion and quiet time. Do not forsake the assembly of the brethren again. Know this that Jesus loves you and He is waiting with open hands to receive you.
As you respond to the love God, your life will never remain the same. You will be set on fire of revival and you will be fully restored in Jesus name.
Yours in Christ,
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My name is M. O. O. E. I am a member of Deeper Life Bible Church, Dopemu group, Old Alimosho. I am a student of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, Oyo state.
I want to testify to the goodness and mercy of the Almighty God upon my life.
On the 6th of March 2003, I traveled to my school purposely to check if the strike has been called off. On my way back I boarded a bus at Ojoo motor park, Ibadan. After praying, I was charting with a lady corper when suddenly I heard a loud noise that made me shout “Jesus have mercy on me !” That was all I knew until on the 17th of March when my younger sister visited, then I realized I was in the General Hospital. I was told my mother was preparing for the House Fellowship when a woman walked in to tell her that I was involved in a near fatal accident and that I had been hospitalized for four days. In fact, my mother had been expecting me back for about four days and had sent prayer request to the Church concerning me.
My mother told me she, at first, found it very difficult to recognize me at the hospital. She was told that I was the only one that survived in the bus which had eighteen passengers including the driver and that as nobody had walked in to ask of me , they were about going on the television to announce that people should come to my aid to supply all I would need for survival. But before they could do this, a stranger walked into the hospital, asked for all that I needed and provided them without giving his name.
It was discovered from the x-ray taken that many things went wrong and that my skull was fractured. I was placed on bed for twelve weeks without getting up but there was no improvement. I was later moved to a specialist hospital . The doctor, after taking my x-ray confirmed the same thing and said that it was only God that could help in my case. I was then placed on wheel chair.
Challenged by the statement of the doctor, brethren intensified their prayers for me. On one particular night at about 2.00 am, an angel of God visited me and laid his hand on my leg, robbed it and performed many operations on it. He then ordered me to sit up, jump, dance and walk.
From another x-ray, it was discovered that everything had returned to normal. The doctor and all the hospital staff were amazed to see the miracle God had performed in my life. I was immediately discharged but was given walking stick which I used but finally dropped on the 15th of May 2003. Praise the Lord !
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William Carey (Father of Modern Mission)
Born in 1761, William was the son of a weaver, a village school teacher. He was brought up in the Anglican Church but he got converted when he was invited by a friend to an independence service.
As a boy, he loved fun, sight-seeing and tree-climbing. While climbing trees, he would reach a very a great height, most often dangerous points in the trees. This became the hidden quality that later influenced his life.
After his conversion, his interest shifted to language learning. So, he started learning to read Greek, French, Dutch, Latin and Hebrew languages. This also became the backbone of his mission work later in life.
His concern for souls was revealed in his frequent discussions with ministers about the need to take the gospel to the unsaved heathens. He seemed to know about the value of souls more than most famous preachers of his time. In one of his famous messages, quoting from Isaiah 54:2, he urged the people to “expect great things from God and attempt great things for God”.
In 1793, he set out for India on mission. There, he was faced with great hardship and difficult time, but the persevering attitude he had developed as a tree-climber sustained his interest in mission work. He had no convert until 1802 when he had two Hindu men won to Christ. In 1803, he baptized twenty-five Indians, and by 1825, he had won over seven hundred men and women to Christ.
The need for a Bible in Indian language made him to devote his time to translation work. He translated the New Testament into Bengali language in 1801. He translated some portions of the Bible into thirty-four different languages.
Carey’s work among the Indians brought to an end some barbaric customs such as killing of infants, child prostitution and sati - the practice of burning a widow alive on the day of her husband’s funeral.
Carey came to be known as the ‘Father of Modern Mission’ because he was the author of missionary ideas and philosophy by which future missions were to be guided and because his works stirred many missionary societies into action.
Challenge:
Why are you here on earth? Why are you in the Kingdom of God? See the answers of Jesus and Esther to similar questions in Mark 1:38 and Esther 4:13-16. What talents do you have? Develop them for God’s use.