WHO ARE YOU?

A group of students in a class were asked to say their names, after they did, the teacher asked why their name is what it is and not any other, one of the students answered correctly by stating that it is as result of their parents. Likewise, we get our names as children of God from God our father.

A parent is usually associated with a particular set of attributes, when a child of such parent exhibits this kind of attribute, he/she is said to be a true son or daughter of their father. For God our father, there are characteristics with which He is known. Some of such attributes include righteousness, doing the right thing at all times, love, giving, faithfulness, sincerity, holiness and kindness.

In order to belong to this family of God and enjoy the privileges as Children of God, we must exhibit the attributes of our Father – God. And if we do, the benefits that accrue to the Children of God will not elude us.

Other privileges includes belonging to the family of God (we will no longer be outcasts or bastards, but Children of God with all its accrued benefits), we will have a heart at rest (when we do what our father wants, our conscience will not judge us anymore but we will have serenity, and divine calmness within) and we will have a clear conscience (sin will no longer weigh us down, feelings of guilt and condemnation will all be gone.

God is the owner and controller of everything that was made, He owns the whole world and everything therein. If we ask of Him anything as His children, He will not hesitate to give them to us. All we need to do is believe in the power in the name of Jesus Christ and pray in that power.

Thus the big question is, are we children of God or bastards? Do we exhibit the attribute of the Children of God or are we just deceiving ourselves?

How Useful is your gift to God, Yourself and the Society?

Everyone that smokes that I asked why they do it, would always answer that they don’t have a

particular reason for it. They just do it. When they don’t smoke for some time, they feel something

is missing or like they are forgetting something. Despite knowing the consequences, they do it all the

same. Same goes for those who indulge in drunkenness.

Smoking may be lawful in many countries, likewise alcoholic drinks but the big question is: is it

expedient or beneficial? (1 Corinthians 6:12). Many sins grow out of a natural need that either has

been corrupted or carried to excess. Often the deed itself may not be sinful if kept within the proper

boundaries. For instance, sexual relations are not sinful between married couples, but outside of

marriage relationship, such activity is adultery. Eating is a necessary action. But taken to extreme, it

becomes gluttony (a sin).

All the things God made is for our use, we are to put them to good use, for our good and His glory.

Underutilizations or over use of any of these would amount to sin. We are to develop self-control in

order to be able to abstain from sin of overuse. If we are brought under the power of any behaviour,

we will not be able to serve God as He desires.

The health, positions, academic exploits, wealth, proficiency in multiple languages, beauty, strength,

intellect, power, ability, etc. With which we are endowed are for our good and to serve the Will of

God. If we accept that all our resources are a gift from God, then we must also consider how we use

our abilities. We should enjoy the benefits accrued from these resources and abilities that God has

given us as well embrace the responsibilities that comes with it.

The interesting thing about this is that God does not anticipate more than He knows we can handle.

He doesn’t require us to produce the same result as someone else, nor are we expected to have the

same abilities as others; we are simply asked to do our very best with what we have. the bottom

line is that we are presented with equal opportunities not equal gifts, if we are faithful with our gift, we will hear Him declare “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) else He will call us

“Wicked and Lazy servant”. The choice is ours!