WordToday

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8b Each year I find it perplexing that even those who do not consider themselves true followers of Christ celebrate Christmas. And they probably do it with more pomp than those who live by the commands of Christ. In any celebration or commemoration it is only a fool who participates without knowing the real reason behind the event. A wise man does a little research before lending his time and largesse to a holy day he doesn't fully understand. Only then can he appreciate the solemnity with which true believers carry the day.   It seems to me that the excessive carousing and binging around Christmas is testimony to man's ignorance on the things of God. Few stop to ask themselves; why Christmas? A Sunday school class might probably respond that Christmas is when we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. To which I would pose the question; why is Christmas important? Christmas is not a spec...

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 1:27 As I came across this verse, I reminisced about my college days and especially about the C.U. (Christian Union). All who were bona fide members subscribed to an unwritten code of conduct which was only enforced when an infraction was suspected. And so it was that we were not under any circumstances allowed to go clubbing or drinking or engaging in anything that might be construed as worldly. Secular music was out of the question as were movies. Though I do recall sneaking out with some girls to catch dramatized comedies at the Alliance Française or epic movies in the CBD.  In one memorable event, I recall bumping into a livid C.U. chairman on a cold, miserable campus night. I soon learnt he was mad at a group of C.U. members who had gone for an evening dinner with one of the student clubs. After dinner one thing led to another and soon everyone was on the dancing floor. The C.U. members havi...

Grace for many means freedom to do many things as they deem fit. It also means quick relief from guilt-inducing sinful acts. Grace is a bit like Panadol for quick relief from pain. “In the presence of God, there is joy. Even when you sin ” so says the FB post. My own judgement is that people who reason like this have either; Not studied the New Testament scripture keenly enough or Misjudged the character of God How so you may say? Read on if you enjoy a good debate. We start from the popular maxim; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!” This is gleaned from Hebrews 13:8. Many who triumphantly decree (yes, I hear nowadays people ‘decree and declare’) this scripture sometimes do not pause to ponder its deeper implications. To say that Jesus is the same yesterday and today and into the unseen future simply means, well what it says; Jesus does not change! He does not change in the sense that; He does not get any wiser-f...