Before we give an offering, the pastor will refer to the sayings of Jesus in Matt. 5:23-24,
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”Matthew 5:23-24, KJV
If you do that in any big cathedral today, I believe that the offering level will diminish drastically if people comply with this injunction.
Today offering is presented as if it is what will remove sin. The moment you drop your gift, your sins are forgiven! In fact, when next there is need to ordain a Pastor, you will be the next in line. How did we get here?
Can you find meekness in a lion? You cannot find a single fruit of the Holy Spirit in a lion. Jesus said, by their fruits, you shall know them (Matt 7:16). For the avoidance of doubt, there are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and temperance (Gal. 5:22-23). Can you find one of these in a lion? It doesn’t matter for how long you have been in the Lord, if you are following a wrong model, you will not get to being like Christ.
Leadership is for direction; if you miss the right direction, you will miss God. That was why Jesus came. The greatest leader that ever lived said, I am the way, the truth and life, no one comes to the Father, except by me (John 14:6). Truth does not beg the issue, truth is the answer. You miss it, that’s it! Jesus was very categorical about this. There was a leader of a popular sect who at the point of death told his followers that he does not know where he was going. Yet, billions of people are following him. If you follow a leader who does not know the way, it does not really make sense.
Young lady, don’t be desperate to get married. Never marry a man who cannot take you to God. It is better to remain single than to marry a man that will take you to hell fire. This is because when you get married, you have to submit to your husband. Men know how to extract submission. If you think you can marry him now and convert him later, you should be ready for a surprise. You cannot be wiser than God. Don’t be unequally yoked with an unbeliever and expect to make heaven. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! You cannot be doing your own stuff and proclaim that Jesus is Lord only when it suits you. If he is not the Lord in all, he cannot be the Lord at all!
TO BE CONTINUED.