Truth sets free

Tag: Sins

  • A People Pleaser Trait

    What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?
    Does it surprise you to see the weird traits?

    I happen to have shared many platforms with different people. And it’s certain that where people are, there you must find funny and weird personality traits and characters that becomes nuisance.

    When I find myself in a meeting or a group fellowship with a people pleaser person. I always feel for them especially seeing how they struggle to be seen. That’s not all,

    They get disappointed when not recognized publicly.

    They can do anything to make them visible – be in the limelight. I have seen people indulging in evil and sinful activities just to make themselves relevant and accepted by the current trends.

    They can use all they have to please people. I once heard from a “people pleaser person” who happen to be close to me saying that he had used all the resources he had to make a previous event colourful. I had seen this trait in him but this confession further confirmed to me that the event was not as the attendees thought but it was aimed to please them. What a sad outcome to someone working tirelessly to please people.

    Does this personality trait issue surprise me even if its a nuisance?

    No. It doesn’t surprise me at all. I am a believer in truth and the God’s truth says that man is fallen and from man comes nothing righteous but only evil and wickedness. The root problem is sin. You see this “people pleaser person in the above story”, instead of pleasing God alone, he is busy pleasing people and at the same time actively displeasing God. Which then lands him in more disappointment and adjact despair.

    Look dear reader, everyone has that personality trait that is a red flag to someone. Even me I know that I have a trait that people dislikes. One trait can be visible while some invisible. In simple terms. Everyone is guilty of sin. And sin manifest through these weird personality traits in different ways.

    Is there hope that personality traits will turn good and perfect?

    Yes. In Heaven. But for now as long as we are still living in this evil and fallen world. Sin will be there and weird personality traits will be there. The only difference is this; Those whom God has made alive with Christ and they have received the free gift of eternal life in Christ by faith, their sin have been washed away and they are being transformed day by day by the Spirit of God. Meaning their personality traits are also being transformed likewise. I am a witness of this, my character traits have changed because of the new nature I have  and spirit of God that works in me.

    But to those who are still outside Christ. They are still in sin bondage and their personality traits are still dark and will even be more darker. But there is hope, the bible say that if you call upon the name of the Lord you will be saved. And when God saves you, you will see a great transformation in all of your life.

  • The Three Crucial Events of Easter Season

    The Three Crucial Events of Easter Season

    What are the important and crucial events that marked Easter season? What was the outcome of Easter events?

    Today we dive in and think about the Easter season that was just concluded the other day. Many people celebrated this season in diverse ways depending majorly on which background one belongs to. Some were devoted to religious activities. Others saw it as a holiday, a time to rest and spend with their loved ones.

    Scholars and people of different walks of lives have given various lists of many events of Easter which we can’t be able to highlight all here. They argue that these events took place during Easter weekend. But what does the bible (the true word of God) say about this topic?

    The four gospel accounts; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, offer a clear chronology of many events of Easter season. (See Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, John 18-20). But the question is, what were the most important and crucial events in Easter season that shouldn’t be forgotten especially by Christians?

    Here are the three important events that marked Easter and play a crucial role in Christianity;

    1 – Jesus is arrested and crucified on the cross

    Gospel accounts records that Chief priests and the crowd accused Jesus of rebellion due to his teachings of the kingdom of God. So he was arrested and charged. He didn’t utter any word to defend himself. He agreed to go to the cross as it was the wish of the crowd. For they kept on shouting crucify him! Crucify him! (Luke 23:21). This made Barabbas to be released, but Jesus, who committed no offense, was crucified.

    They didn’t know that it was not only their wish for Jesus to die in that manner. It was also the will of God to crush Jesus on the cross. This event was foretold by prophet Isaiah (See Isaiah 53:10). Jesus’ death on the cross had to happen at all costs for the plan of God to be achieved. The plan of dealing with man’s rebellion and sins once and for all. And at noon, Jesus breathed his last to satisfy the demands of God (see Luke 23:46) and indeed he bore the sins of the world on that cross to deal with the power of sin forever. This transitioned him to the second event below.

    2 – Jesus is buried on the tomb

    It didn’t end at the cross; Jesus had to be buried in the tomb after dying painfully on the cross. And not just a tomb but the one made by the wicked (see Isaiah 53:9). God in turn provided a man by the name, Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus’ body. He did accordingly and laid Jesus’ body in the tomb (see Luke 23:50 – 53)

    The women who witnessed the burial event returned home hopeless. On the other hand, the king of Jews was also lying helpless in the Galilean tomb. It was certainly noticeable that followers of Jesus were in abject despair. For their master and leader is no longer with them. But he had to taste grave for the divine plan of God to come to pass. This takes us to the last event.

    3 – Jesus is risen from the dead

    It didn’t take long as the accusers thought. That Jesus would stay under the earth forever. Gospel accounts record that after three days, he was no longer dead but risen. The messenger of the Lord confirms this news to the women who came to anoint the dead body. Although they received the news with fear, they were made to remember what Jesus said while he was alive.

    That he will suffer many things, be crucified and on the third day be raised from dead (see Luke 24:7-8). And to confirm that he had truly risen, Jesus appeared not only to Simon but also to many others including  the twelve disciples, more than five hundred brothers and sisters and to all the apostles (see 1 Corinthians 15:5-8)

    According to Luke 24:45-47, he told the disciples he had to be crucified and die on the cross. He also had to be buried and on the third day be raised from the dead as we have seen above. He added that because of the work accomplished through these three events, repentance for forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name. In summary, Jesus clearly confirms that the above three events were key. They were important in the plan of God of redeeming the lost world.

    Apostle Paul explains it in this way,

    For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures
    (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

    Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2a)

    He reminded this church about the events that Christ went through. These events formed the gospel that was preached to them and must be preached today. And this is the gospel that graciously brought them salvation.

    It is clear that the death of Jesus on the cross, burial and resurrection from the dead forms the center of the gospel. And in fact that must be the gospel message. This is the good news that must be preached everywhere and at any time. For without these three events and their accomplished work, there is no message of the gospel and Christianity as well.  For it is only the message of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, that has power of God to bring salvation.

    In conclusion, the Easter weekend or season reminds us of the crucial events that birthed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This gospel is the outcome of the many things that Christ went through.  And by this gospel alone, we are being saved. God’s goal was achieved through Jesus as he intended.
    Therefore, he is calling everyone to hold firmly this gospel, believe it and live according to its calling.

    Will you believe in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ in the cross, burial, and resurrection?

    Will you commit to hold firm this message and share with others?

    In case of any question, share with us in the comment section.

  • Should Christians continue to offer sacrifices and offerings for sins?

    Should Christians continue to offer sacrifices and offerings for sins?

    One day I was sitting in a certain Christian gathering in town. There was a preacher speaking about sacrifices and offerings to God’s people. I heard him say that there are certain curses that manifest today. They trouble people because of sins committed by forefathers. According to him, these sins and curses can only be cleansed by offering a sacrifice of animals. Another way is giving a certain high quantified offering in form of money or other specific possessions. God is to get these sacrifices through the man of God. Then they will be free from the said sins and curses. This reminded me of the Levites’ priesthood ministry.

    I know that you know that these kinds of teachings are in many places of worship today. In fact, even right now if you try to search online about this topic. You will be surprised to find some men persuading God’s people. They encourage them to continue giving specific items to receive God’s help through these offerings. Since these practices are found in Old Testament. This makes this topic debatable and controversial.

    To avoid unnecessary arguments and debates, let’s turn to God’s final word. The word of God is proven to be true and addresses every matter related to life and godliness. So, what does the Bible say about sacrifices and offerings practices in quest for sin forgiveness today? Should Christians be forced to continue in these practices?

    We start from Hebrews 10:10 and it reads, ‘‘and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.’’ This verse answers our question so clearly. As Christians, we don’t need to offer sacrifices anymore. Our Lord Jesus Christ has already given his body as a perfect sacrifice and offering. He did this once and for all according to the perfect will of God. And by that one sacrifice; death on the cross, we have forgiveness of sins. What does this mean?

    This means that we don’t need to offer sacrifices as it was done before the coming of Christ. But we need Christ and his work alone for our sins to be forgiven. Our holiness is anchored on Christ’s sacrifice alone and not man’s sacrifices. Perhaps, you are wondering why we don’t need sacrifices and offerings of animals’ blood or any other special offering for forgiveness of sins?

    Here are few reasons from the bible that will help us understand why we should not continue in the practices of sacrifices and offerings;

    • Sacrifices and offerings of men makes Christians guilty of their sins every time they engaged in the practices

    We read Hebrews 10: 1– 3, ‘‘the law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming – not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never by the sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once and for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins”

    The writer is showing here clearly. Old covenant worshippers felt guilty any time they went to offer their yearly sacrifices. It was a yearly reminder of their sins and that made it impossible to clear their guilt towards sins. Whenever Christians offers sacrifices or special offerings to eliminate a sin or curse, they engage in a futile exercise. They will not do it once. Instead, it will be done repeatedly. In the process, these people will always be reminded of their sins. They will find themselves in bondage of guilt. They will put all their efforts to continue in these things. Nevertheless, the bible says these actions are impossible to take away sins, Hebrews 10:4.

    Good news is that when Christ came. He offered himself as a sacrifice once and for all. It will not be repeated again. If we put our confidence and trust in him, our sins are forgiven. Our consciences are cleansed from the guilt of sins. Hebrews 9:14. This why a Christian must not find himself/herself in these practices in the name of seeking God’s cleansing. For it will not help you. In this age and age to come, God looks at the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross alone. It is not the sacrifice of man’s possessions that forgives sins. This takes us to the second reason.

    • Sacrifices and offerings like animals, possessions etc. does not please God

    Hebrews 10:5-6 reads, ‘‘Therefore when Christ came into the world, he said sacrifices and offerings you did not desire but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sins offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ”Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, my God.’’
    The writer confirms what Christ himself testified. Those sacrifices and offerings of men God did not want. But God prepared Christ’s body in order for him to offer as a perfect sacrifice. God wanted Christ’s sacrifice once and for all, and through that one time sacrifice, God was greatly pleased and contented. God’s demands were satisfied as a result.

    This means that no matter how much a person can do his best to please God through sacrifices and offering. It will be utterly impossible. For God has graciously provided his own divine means of pleasing Him. It is through his son alone. Only Jesus Christ was capable of doing the will of God. That’s why God esteems him more than anything else. Through his willingness to go to the cross to satisfy the demands of God and please Him. God has in turn established a better covenant with better promises through him. What exactly does this new covenant entail, and what are these better promises? This takes us to the last point why we should not continue with sacrifices and offerings today.

    • Sacrifices and offerings of animals were anchored in the first covenant which its promises are inferior to the new covenant

    The Lord Almighty declared through Jeremiah the prophet in Jeremiah 31:31-34 about his plan to establish a new covenant. This covenant came with better promises. He had found fault with the first covenant particularly with the people who were co-players in the covenant. The priest and people could no longer bring their sacrifices and offerings as required by the law. This made God to decide to seek another solution because he wanted to have a relationship with his people.

    He then established a new covenant with Jesus Christ as the mediator. Man and his sacrifices and offerings are no longer a means to reach God. This makes the first covenant obsolete in favor of the new covenant we are in today. Thus Old Testament must not be read alone. It should be read in light of the accomplished work of Christ in the new covenant.

    In this new era, it’s not what we can do but it’s all about what God has done through Christ. Am moved by the words of Jeremiah which talks about the in depth look of this new covenant. Indeed, we have all the reasons to end any inferior practices like sacrifices and sin offerings. We should put our complete trust in the promises God has given through his son Jesus Christ. God has assured that he will put his laws in the mind of his people. He will forgive all their wickedness and will not remember their sins any more. What great promises we have in Christ! That we are no longer needed to bring sacrifices and offerings to priests so that they can offer on our behalf, Hebrews 10:18. Instead forgiveness of our sins is anchored in Christ’s sacrifice he did once and for all.

    Perhaps you think that some sins and curses must require sacrifice to be broken. Or you may have been told the same thing. Remember what we have seen; our sure help is in Christ and not sacrifices and offering. Run to him. He died as a ransom for those that are called in order for them to be free from the sins committed. This is so that they may receive the promised eternal inheritance, Hebrews 9:15.

    In conclusion, it is clear that God in Christ has established a better way for forgiveness of sins. It is only through the one time sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ’s body on the cross. It’s the sacrifice that clears the conscience from guilt of sins. It’s the Lord’s sacrifice alone that pleased God once and for all. Its Jesus Christ’s sacrifice that makes us partakers of the better promises of the new covenant.

    We must put our complete trust and hope in this already given sacrifice of Christ for our forgiveness of sins. Otherwise, we will revert to other meaningless, inferior practices like sacrifices and offerings that are propagated by a few individuals pursuing their selfish gains. The choice is yours to obey God’s word as revealed in Christ. My plea is that you obey him and his word so that you don’t subject Jesus Christ to public disgrace.