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Tag: Forgiveness

  • Forgiving God (2) – By Femi Aribisala

    Forgiving God (2) – By Femi Aribisala

    “God has a purpose for every affliction He ordains”.

    Even though God is always justified in whatever He does, nevertheless, we must forgive God for whatever action He takes against us. It is in our best interests to do this. Jesus says: “Blessed is that man who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6).

    A lot of the time, when we are angry with God, we do not acknowledge this to ourselves. But our actions express fulsomely our displeasure. We stop going to church. We stop reading the Bible. We stop walking in the spirit and thereby fulfil the lusts of the flesh.

    We stop praying and spending time with God. We stop making melodies to God in our heart. Resentment against God can even sometimes send us into depression.

    Besides, when we are angry with God, we want to hurt God. We consciously or subconsciously do the things we know He does not like. Thereby, we sin against God and against our own souls.

    Judas Iscariot

    When we are angry with God, we grumble and complain about Him. We maintain that there is no benefit to godliness. The upshot of this is that we might end up denying God, just like Judas did.

    Judas bore a grudge against Jesus. Discipleship did not provide him with the dividends he anticipated. It did not make him wealthy, so he stole regularly from the common purse.

    His discontent reached a peak when he saw a woman “waste” an expensive perfume (worth a year’s salary) by pouring it in one go on Jesus’ head. He asked indignantly: “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5).

    John noted that Judas had no interest in the poor. If the perfume had been traded for cash, it would only have given him the opportunity to steal part of the money.

    Judas was so disgusted with this “waste.” that he apparently concluded that Jesus was not a good bet for financial enrichment. Therefore, immediately after this incident, he decided on the quicker and surer option of betraying Jesus for money.

    He went to the chief priests and said to them: “What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:15).

    God is responsible

    God accepts responsibility as the cause of our anger. He never denies responsibility for the afflictions we endure. The Bible declares that nothing happens without God’s say-so. He works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11).

    That means God is guilty. He is responsible for our adversities, even including those we bring on ourselves.

    Accordingly, God told me He was the One who sent robbers to waylay and shoot me. At the same time, He was also the One who saved me from the robbers He sent. He made sure they did not do more damage than He intended. So, the bullet they shot at me hit me in the leg and not in the chest.

    But one thing remains certain despite the afflictions God brings, He loves us with perfect love. He goes to great lengths to assure us of this in life and in the scriptures. Paul says:

    “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).

    We will never know exactly why God loves us this much. But Jesus coming down to earth to be beaten and to die for our sins is enough to remove any doubt that God loves us. Thus, the psalmist asks: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:4).

    But God does not butter us up so we can know He loves us and, therefore, love Him back. He expects us to love Him no matter what. He is glorified when we love Him despite our adversities. In any case, He is God, so, He reserves the right to treat us in whatever way He chooses. And He insists we must not grumble or complain.

    Jeremiah’s Lamentations.

    Nevertheless, a whole book in the Bible is devoted to complaining about God. In Lamentations, Jeremiah brings extensive charges against God. Among other things, he says:

    “(God) has turned His hand against me again and again, all day long. He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead. He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. And though I cry and shout, He has shut out my prayers.” (Lamentations 3:3-8).

    Nevertheless, he maintains that:

    “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So, it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:23-26).

    If we have truly forgiven someone, we will not complain again to anybody about what he did. The same principle applies to God. Complaints about God must be made directly to God, Do not make the mistake of complaining about God to someone else. God does not take kindly to this.

    David says: “I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before Him and tell Him all my troubles.” (Psalms 152:1-2).

    But those who complained about God to others were destroyed by the destroyer. (1 Corinthians 10:10).

    Atonement with man

    One of the most beautifully enigmatic passages in the Bible describes Jesus’ anguish at the tomb of Lazarus.  In the shortest verse in the Bible, it simply says: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).

    Why would Jesus weep at the grave of Lazarus when He planned to raise him from the dead?

    The truth is that God is hurt when His people are hurt. Isaiah says of God concerning Israel: “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them.” (Isaiah 63:9). Indeed, Isaiah prophesied that that Jesus would bear our griefs and carry our sorrows.

    Jesus came down from heaven to earth precisely to enter into our pains and anguish: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15).

    Indeed, the greatest expression of God’s identification with man in the Bible is Jesus’ repetition of the cry of David on the cross of Calvary: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46/Psalms 22:1).

    By this cry, God entered into the mainstream of the human experience.  God Himself cried out on man’s behalf for salvation and redemption. Man in Christ cried out to God in desperation, in confusion, and in disappointment. 

    “Why, if you are God; why, since you are God, are you allowing all this calamity to happen to us?”

    On the cross, God entered so completely into the human experience and validated human suffering. 

    Purpose for affliction

    Certainly, God has a purpose for every affliction He ordains. It is our responsibility to find out the purpose if possible, or to accept His purpose even when we do not know the reason behind it. Even in his lamentations, Jeremiah acknowledges that:

    “Though (God) causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” (Lamentations 3:32-33).

    Therefore, in our afflictions, we must not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5). We must continue to trust God. This is what makes Job so exemplary. Even in the bitterness of his soul, he maintains his commitment to God, saying: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15).

    Paul assures us that: “No temptation has overtaken (us) except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow (us) to be tempted beyond what (we) are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that (we) may be able to bear it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13).

    God told the devil: “You can deal with Job, but you cannot take his life.” (Job 2:6). God dealt severely with Assyria because it had no pity on Israel and wanted to afflict the Israelites beyond what God had in mind.

    Even though it is God Himself who orchestrates our afflictions, Zechariah reveals that those He uses to afflict us are in trouble. God will repay them: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.’” (Zechariah 2:8).

    The last word here belongs to Habakkuk’s doxology:

    “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

  • Buhari, governors’ casual pleas for forgiveness – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Buhari, governors’ casual pleas for forgiveness – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Who’s next among the 19 outgoing State Governors to plead for forgiveness for “knowingly or unknowingly stepping on toes” in the course of governance?

    Eighteen Governors of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto and Taraba will leave the stage on May 29 after eight years in office; joined by the Governor of Zamfara who failed re-election on March 18, 2023.

    While nine Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Nasarawa and Oyo won re-election for a second term; the eight Governors of Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Edo, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun were chosen at different off-season polls, and will accordingly leave office.

    Many of the Governors ruled like tin-gods that brook no opposition. But facing the exit door, they’re admitting – as human beings – their imperfection, and fallibility.

    Hanging their all-knowing attitude, the Governors of Benue, Ebonyi, Kano and Taraba have sought forgiveness from their residents, but without due accountability or show of genuine contrition for the sins they glibly want to atone for.

    A quick reminder though that the ask for absolution isn’t limited to the Governors. The Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, is the cheerleader.

    Even as he didn’t kickstart the season’s pleading episode, Buhari’s craving for pardon met with sharp rebukes from a traumatised citizenry his government has taken on a rollercoaster for several years.

    Like the Governors, Buhari merely wanted to fulfil all righteousness, without situating the wrongs and the affected – definitely not the few parading the narrow corridors of power, but majority of Nigerians that are out in the elements.

    Does Buhari’s plea for remission qualify as repentance for the socio-politoco-economic and security challenges most Nigerians have endured on his watch since 2015 that bear no recataloguing?

    Buhari’s petition for grace was at the 9th and last Eid-el-Fitr Sallah homage that residents of the Federal Capital Territory paid him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on April 21.

    Buhari told his guests, led by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, that he’d accepted Nigerians’ complaints and criticisms in good faith, as part of the leadership he prayed and asked from God.

    “God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all humans; if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me. All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me,” the President said.

    Certainly, Buhari’s speech was directed to a circle of privileged Nigerians, not the vast majority that had seen hell on earth, especially since late 2022 when government’s Naira redesign policy turned many into beggars.

    The Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele – on Buhari’s authority that defied a Supreme Court ruling for status quo ante – confiscated citizens’ hard-earned money in Bank accounts that they could only access by buying back a token amount of cash if available.

    Many deaths were recorded across Nigeria from the resultant starvation, ailments and riots by aggrieved Nigerians over the haphazardly-implemented, and spectacularly-flopped policy sprung during a General Election.

    The situation is dicey, as the new and re-legal tendered banknotes remain scarce commodities.

    Buhari ought to utilise the sober moment the Sallah homage by Abuja residents presented, to show genuine penitence for the untold financial and economic crisis that his government imposed on long-suffering, and law-abiding citizens!

    The cases of Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and Darius Ishaku of Taraba may not be different from Buhari’s.

    They court exoneration devoid of admission of their particular sins against the people, and offer of commensurate restitution.

    Umahi, who heads to the Senate in the next dispensation beginning on May 29, admitted to workers in Abakaliki on May 1 Workers’ Day that he must have stepped on people’s toes in the discharge of his duties since 2015.

    “Let me formally thank our dear workers for their partnership, love, prayers and cooperation, these being eight years of my service to Ebonyi State,” Umahi said.

    “There is no doubt I stepped on toes and offended some. It was never intentional; it was the best I knew and for the good of our people. Please forgive.

    “As I bow out, I have forgiven all those who thought they offended me. May God bless our state, our workers and our people.”

    Ortom, who lost his Senate bid, told members of his constituency and campaign council in Makurdi on March 28 that, he might’ve offended some in his duties.

    “For those I might have offended in this journey of serving the state and our country, I seek their forgiveness, as I also forgive those who have offended me,” Ortom said.

    Stressing he’d always ensured equity, fairness, justice and the rule of law in execution of the mandate given to him by God through Benue people, Ortom said he’d be available and ready to carry out God’s mandate in the future.

    Ganduje, at a Ramadan lecture series at Al Furqan Juma’at Mosque in Nasarawa GRA, Kano, on April 17, sought clemency from those he said he’d pardoned for wrongs against him.

    Ganduje, citing the Mosque leader’s espousal that “forgiveness occupies a prime spot in our religion,” begged for mercy thus:

    “I’ve forgiven anyone, who at one time disparaged my person and my character for whatever reasons, and on my part, I equally beg or seek for your forgiveness for all that I’ve done wrong to you.

    “My tenure as governor of Kano state has come to an end, and this is a farewell greeting. I wish you all the best. For those who we have wronged, forgive us, on my part, I have forgiven those who wronged me no matter the weight of the offence.”

    Somehow, Ishaku, who failed his senatorial aspiration, displayed a semblance of remorse, as he begged for compassion at separate thanksgiving services at the Anglican Church Mayo Dasa, and secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter, both in Jalingo, the capital city.

    Kneeling before the congregation at the Anglican Church on April 23, Ishaku said it’s Biblical to openly apologise to people he might’ve offended carrying out his duties.

    His words: “As a leader who has led the state for almost eight years, it is likely that I might have offended so many people either knowingly or unknowingly in the course of discharging my duties as the Executive Governor.

    “Biblically, we are taught to forgive those who offend us. In this case, I am asking those I have offended to forgive me. I did this in the House of God, and if they did not forgive me, it is between them and God.”

    Urging Tarabans to let the spirit of peace, love and forgiveness guide their attitudes, actions and relations with their fellow people, Ishaku expressed appreciation to God for giving him the wisdom to serve the people effectively despite the challenges that confronted his administration.

    Buhari and the Governors claimed they’d worked for the good of the people.” If that were so, why would they seek pardon for undisclosed offences against Nigerians?

    As they exhibit a righteous indignation of, “I have forgiven those who wronged me,” Buhari and the Governors’ plea for mercy appears as a last attempt to play on the people’s intelligence. It’s farcical and an afterthought!

    Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Why is it so difficult to forgive?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Why is it so difficult to forgive?

    Read: PHILEMON: 8-22

    Meditation verse:

    “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account” (Philemon 1:18).

    To forgive is to pardon or cease to feel resentment against a person. True forgiveness entails acquitting the offender and treating him or her as we used to treat them before or even better. Paul the Apostle wrote a personal letter, during his first imprisonment in Rome to Philemon, a member of the Colossian church, pleading with him to forgive his slave, Onesimus who had stolen from him and absconded. Paul asked Philemon to accept him back as a brother in the faith, no longer as a slave. 

    Forgiveness is an important Christian virtue because it is the key to your relationship with God. Mathew 6:14 states “for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”. God forgave you as a first step to restoring the broken relationship caused by the fall of Adam. His expectation is that you will do the same to others.

    Why then do we sometimes find it difficult to forgive others?

    • Ego: You feel your ego has been trampled upon by the offender and you desire to get even to redeem it.
    • Self-righteousness: Trusting in your own righteousness, you feel justified in your anger. The faithful older brother was angry towards his father for forgiving the prodigal son (Luke 15:25-30). 
    • Lack of love: When there is no love in your heart for the offender. The bible says love convers a multitude of sin and keeps no record of wrong.
    • Keeping records of wrong: You have forgiven the offender before and are reluctant to forgive a second time. 
    • The result of a vow: You have vowed inwards not to forgive the offender.

    The key to forgiving others continuously is to constantly remember how much you have been forgiven by God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Freedom in forgiveness (2)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Freedom in forgiveness (2)

    Read: PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

    Meditation verse:

    “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things  which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

    How do you begin your journey today towards forgiveness and wholeness?  

    Accept God’s forgiveness: When God forgives us, He wipes the slate clean and  remembers the offence no more. So, you must accept God’s forgiveness and  move on, else you will continually dwell in self-condemnation. That voice of  condemnation within you belongs to the devil. The bible calls him the ‘accuser  of brethren’. Resist him and he will leave you alone (James 4:7).  

    Forgive yourself: You must also forgive yourself before you can forgive others.  You must settle scores with yourself. Learn to pardon yourself for the very many  ways you may have messed up your life, you did not know any better. If you  knew it all, then you would be God. But you are not, you are human. You must  make peace with the old. With peace comes clarity, hope, and the inspiration to  dream again. The heart is a bucket of ideas and vision, but it must be guarded  with peace. With calmness, comes the ability to hear God’s voice.  

    Forgive yourself and Let God’s peace guard you out of the storms of  unforgiveness. If you persist in the storm, your dreams, vision, relationships and  even your health may be destroyed. When Jesus was preparing to leave His  disciples, He said “peace I leave with you, My peace I give you, not as the world  giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”  (John 14:27). On appearing to His disciples after His resurrection, again He said,  “peace be with you”. Peace is very important. 

    Forgive others: You must forgive others if you want God to forgive you. “And  forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Mathew 6:12). You are doing  yourself a favour by forgiving others. Forgiveness sets you free; it restores order  and wholeness within you. By forgiving them, you are opening your heart to  receive God’s blessings. Why not begin your journey towards forgiveness and  wholeness in this new month?

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Freedom in forgiveness (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Freedom in forgiveness (1)

    Read: Luke 13:10-17

    Meditation verse:

    “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things  which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

    Life would have happened to many of us by the time we hit midlife. Many of us  are carrying around the yoke of unforgiveness, self-condemnation, and guilt.  The woman with the spirit of infirmity was bent over and could not raise herself  up. Unforgiveness is an infirmity that can cause you to bend over. Being bent  over is a dangerous posture to adopt because you cannot see what is ahead of  you or above you. You only see what is beneath and what is beneath is the grave. 

    If you are bent over by the weight of unforgiveness because of what someone  did to you in the past? It is time to let go and straighten up.  

    One of the greatest healing balms of The Holy Spirit is “forgiveness”. Forgiveness  breaks the link between you and your past. With forgiveness comes freedom,  with forgiveness comes wholeness, with forgiveness, comes restoration and  resurrection of all things dead. Refuse to blame, choose to forgive. There is no  healing in playing the blaming game. Things that are covered do not heal fast.  Uncover the old wounds and let The Great physician heal you now. Jesus Christ  is here right now. Open to Him and allow Him to pour His healing oil on all those  wounds. Wounds caused by hurt, abuse, deceit, abandonment, betrayal,  adultery, divorce, failure or lack. He is the balm of Gilead.  

    In Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul said “Brethren, I do not count myself to  have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind  and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal  for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Realize that your past  does not necessarily determine or dictate your future. You cannot open a new  chapter of your life if you keep reliving the previous one. You cannot inhale new  fresh air until you exhale the old. Get rid of the old, there’s much more waiting  for you ahead. Happy New Month!

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • Aisha Buhari begs for forgiveness over hardship in Nigeria

    Aisha Buhari begs for forgiveness over hardship in Nigeria

    First Lady, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has apologised to Nigerians over the hardship in the country.

    She spoke today during the 62nd Independence Day Special Juma’at prayer and Public Lecture themed Shura: The Islamic Foundation of True Democracy at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja.

    “The regime might not have been a perfect one, but I want to seize this opportunity to seek forgiveness from the Ulamas and Nigerians in general. We all need to work together to achieve a better Nigeria,” Dr Buhari said.

    She urged Nigerians to pray for a peaceful transition of power in 2023, adding that citizens must unite to restore normalcy and peace in the most troubled parts of the country.

    According to her, “Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as you may be aware that this government is making its exit and perhaps witnessing the last anniversary of the regime, I ask Nigerians to pray for a successful election and transition programme.

    “The regime might not have been a perfect one, but I want to seize this opportunity to seek forgiveness from the Ulamas and Nigerians in general. We all need to work together to achieve a better Nigeria.

    “Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, it is also noticeable that our Naira is being evaluated and the foreign exchange rate has affected our economy causing a lot of hardship and difficulties in terms of education, health and other day-to-day activities of our citizens.”

    While lauding the efforts of security agencies in fighting terrorism, she said Nigerians “must unite and fight against security challenges.”

    “I’m particularly happy that our security agents have stood up to the challenges of security more than ever before. And at the moment, their efforts have been pushing the effects of banditry, kidnapping and many other ills in society.”

    “I commend the efforts of our gallant security men and women and I want to pray for more successes in their operations,” Buhari added.

    To compliment the government’s efforts toward citizens’ welfare, she said her office has put in place many programmes in areas such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, and engagement of youth and women to cushion the effects and provide alternatives.

    “I, through my Aisha Buhari and Future Assured Foundation, have put in place deliberate efforts and programmes focused on improving the quality of women, youth and children.

    “Through this effect, I have empowered many communities. I appreciate all my partners and collaborators, the wives of the governors, the wives of service chiefs, my associates, well-wishers, and international bodies, that is development partners, I thank them all.”

  • The blessing of forgiveness – By Femi Aribisala

    The blessing of forgiveness – By Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    “The greatest thing God has ever done for us is to forgive us our sins”.

    God made a promise to Abraham: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2).

    What exactly was the blessing the Lord promised Abraham? Was it that he would be rich in cattle and in lands and houses? If that was God’s intention, what would happen to the lands and houses after Abraham died? Abraham would have to relinquish them so they would stop being blessings to him.

    What difference would it make if God made Abraham’s name great after he died if Abraham does not have eternal life? What does it matter if Lagos is named after you, or if you are known as the father of the Nigerian nation, if you end up in hell? Jesus asks: “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 8:36).

    Blessing of forgiveness

    There has to be a more fundamental blessing that God had in mind for Abraham than silver, gold, cattle, lands, or property. What is that blessing? The blessing the Lord had in mind for Abraham was to make him sinless by forgiving him his sins. Peter reveals this to the Jews after the Pentecost:

    “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ To you first, God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” (Acts 3:25-26).

    God said to Abraham, in effect, the greatest way I can bless you is by delivering you from your sins. The best way I can bless you is by breaking the power of sin over your life. The best way I can bless you is by making you sinless. Thus: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1).

    Salvation from sin

    Many of the Old Testament Jews had their own concept of blessing. They were convinced the Messiah would come to establish an opulent society on earth. They believed when the Messiah comes, he would shower them with wealth, prosperity, and unending happiness. They thought he would give them all the world’s resources and positions of power. Many Christians are also schooled in these misconceptions.

    However, Jesus confounded all vain expectations. As far as God is concerned, the greatest blessing he can give man is deliverance from the grip of sin through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the angel said to Joseph: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21).

    So let me repeat my earlier submission here. What is the greatest thing God has ever done and will ever do for man? The greatest thing God has ever done for us is to forgive us our sins.

    God’s greatest work

    God spoke creation into existence. Within seven days, he created the heavens, the earth, and all living beings. But salvation was entirely different. Salvation could not be established by merely saying: “Let there be salvation.”

    God had to wait for over four thousand years. And then he had to come down to earth personally in human form through the womb of a woman. Then he had to be crucified, to die and then be raised from the dead. Without a doubt, salvation is the greatest and most complex work of God known to man.

    Therefore, David does not say “blessed is the man who is made the king of Israel.” He says: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2).

    Let me be even more categorical here. There is only one way by which God truly blesses a man: by forgiving him his sins. Without the forgiveness of sins, all other so-called blessings are baseless and practically useless.

    You want to see a man who is blessed, don’t ask what kind of house he has. Don’t ask for his wife and children. Don’t ask him what kind of job he has. Don’t ask him how much he has in his bank account. Don’t even ask him about his health. Ask him if his sins are forgiven. If his sins are not forgiven, every other thing is a waste of time.

    Key of the kingdom

    It is the forgiveness of sins that ushers a man into the things of God. It is the forgiveness of sins that brings the precious Holy Spirit. It is the forgiveness of sins that reconciles man back to God. It is the forgiveness of sins that makes it possible for man to inherit eternal life.

    If a man has all the wealth in the world but his sins are not forgiven, he is a poor man indeed. All his wealth is going to end with his death, and then he faces an afterlife of poverty, pain, and anguish.

    Every blessing has its foundation in the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, everything a believer does should have its mainspring in the fact that his sins are forgiven. It must be the basis and foundation of all action in the life of a believer. It is tragic that this truth is little understood even among Christians.

    The Bible reveals that God is love. But what does this mean in practical terms? For God so loved that he gave. (John 3:16). The first thing he gave was Jesus. The second thing he gave was forgiveness. The third thing he gave was eternal life.

    Forgive to live

    If the greatest thing God does for us is to forgive us our sins through Christ Jesus, then the greatest thing we can do for others is to forgive them their sins. It is more difficult to forgive than to give. It is so much easier to give money than to forgive others. We can give under duress. We can give even though we don’t want to. But we cannot forgive by force. We can only forgive from the heart. And we cannot truly give unless we forgive.

    Jesus says the extent of our love of God is a function of our appreciation of the forgiveness of our sins. Indeed, the extent of our understanding of the Christian faith is determined by our understanding of the centrality of the forgiveness of sins. Simon, the Pharisee did not understand this, therefore he despised the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with precious ointment and washed his feet with her hair.

    Jesus said to him: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:47-48).

  • TRENDING VIDEO: Baba Ijesha pleads for forgiveness for defiling 14-year old girl

    TRENDING VIDEO: Baba Ijesha pleads for forgiveness for defiling 14-year old girl

    Shock and surprise was expressed on social media when the video of popular Nollywood actor Olarenwaju James better known as Baba Ijesha on Thursday was shared by Iyabo Ojo in which he was captured apologizing for defiling a 14-year-old girl.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, has said that there was substantial evidence against the actor as he was caught in the act on Closed Circuit Television.

    In the video currently trending on social media, Baba Ijesha was filmed apologizing to Princess comedienne, who is the foster mother of the 14-year old girl.

     

    He said :”I am sorry, I won’t do it again.Please forgive me.I know I have done something wrong.I have stopped saying it’s the devil, please forgive me.You don’t deserve it, I don’t know what came over me, please forgive me.If you want to take me along, just let me kill myself”.

    The video has sparked different responses from Nigerian celebrities.

    Media personality, Do2tun said:” GAME OVER!!!! If you comment under this and say otherwise. GOD WILL PUNISH YOU!!!”.

     

    Angela Okorie wrote:” Just imagine nonsense, God bless u @iyaboojofespris why do people always blame devil for their evil actions”.

    Nigerian dancer, Donflexx said:” His Confession is very disturbing to even know that a full grown ass sane man thought to do this to a minor TUFIAKWA!!”.

     

     

     

  • Kukah hits hard again: Nigerian elites rush to Saudi, Jerusalem for forgiveness after looting treasury dry

    Kukah hits hard again: Nigerian elites rush to Saudi, Jerusalem for forgiveness after looting treasury dry

    Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Mathew Kukah has again taken a swipe at Nigerian leaders accusing them of rushing to ‘holy land’ for forgiveness after looting the nation’s resources dry.

    Recall that the outspoken cleric in his Christmas Day Message slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari’s admnistration of insecurity and nepotism.

    In Tuesday’s sermon at the funeral mass for Archbishop Peter Yariyock Jatau, the pioneer indigenous Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Kaduna, Rev. Kukah spoke against corruption in government.

    He described Nigeria as a “wasteland” and “a nation at war with itself”.

    Referring to the reaction to his Christmas message, Rev. Kukah said he would not keep quiet when things are going wrong.

    In the sermon titled: ‘A nation in search of its soul, the Bishop said: “The duty and responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. The Priest is a watchman, one whose duty is to watch over the city and to raise his voice whenever he sights danger. He calls on those who lead to remain faithful to their duties.”

    “Today, our dear nation is like the proverbial farmer searching for his black goat. He has to do it with a sense of urgency because darkness is setting in as the sun quickly recedes. Our nation has become one huge waste land, huge debris of the deceit, lies, treachery, double dealing and duplicity.

    “Nigerian politics has become a huge trojan horse, a hoax, a hall of guile and dissimulation. The levels of frustration are rising by the day and we can see all this in the rise in domestic violence and intercommunal conflicts. A combination of all these has turned us unto a nation at war with itself.

    “Nigerians complain that the country is full of Churches and Mosques and they cannot find the values of these religions in everyday life. We sin at home by stealing the nation’s resources but we seek repentance and forgiveness in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem in the guise of lesser or higher pilgrimages.

    “Our duty is to reject the notion of corrupt governments that somehow, the Lord has not provided for every society. When they call for us to tighten our belts because there is recession, that oil prices have fallen, that there are problems with balance of payments and so on.

    “The Priest at the duty post must say what he can see, namely, that when those who preside over the affairs issue a bad check, it must be resisted, that when they pretend that the society faces bankruptcy, or that there are insufficient funds, we must reject these and insist on the equitable use of the resources for the common good of all.

    “We make money from abandoning projects duly paid for by governments which have adopted Contractocracy as a governance mechanism. We are allowing others to use our money to develop their own infrastructure. Our elites all assembled in Dubai for Christmas and also to welcome the new year.

    “As virtue recedes into the sunset in our country, there is an urgent need for us to pause and take stock of what is required to save our country,” Kukah said.

    The Cleric who took time to speak about the achievements to the late Archbishop Jatau, said the late clergyman took over the mantle of leadership, raised the bar and by sheer diplomatic efficiency and sought to forge and strengthen a viable relationship between Church and State.

    “So, tonight, our prayers for him is similar to that issued by Cardinal Ratzinger at the funeral of the late Pope John Paul 11 when he said: Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Like Stephen, may the gates of heaven stand erect till you have passed through.”

  • Forgiveness is Incomplete without Justice, By Stephen Ojapah MSP

    Forgiveness is Incomplete without Justice, By Stephen Ojapah MSP

    STEPHEN OJAPAH MSP

    In the Catholic tradition, the entire scripture is divided into three liturgical years or cycles: A, B and C. A Catholic who goes through the cycle, may actually end reading the whole bible with much ease. The daily bible readings are universal in their selection within the liturgical setting that no priest or preacher can alter it. This universal system as designed by the Church shows the supremacy of the Word of God over every one of us. Sometimes this system of reading the entire Bible makes me want to skip some verses or chapters of the bible if I would have my way. One of such passages is found in the last part of Mathew, chapter 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? (Mathew 5:43-47).

    One of the most difficult challenges for me as a Pastor is preaching about forgiveness in this time of our national tragedy and grief in the wake of incessant violence. I would like to share this personal experience in order to make my point. It is about a misunderstanding between me and one of my domestic staff who was not measuring up in his work description. On one occasion, I did not respond to greetings and pleasantries from him. One day he attended Mass and the readings were about forgiveness. So he decided to do something funny and dramatic. As I was about to start preaching he stood up from the back seat and walked to the front seat so that he could look directly at me while I gave the homily. After the Mass I inquired from him why he distracted the church with his movement. His answer was this: “I needed to be sure if I would be included in the forgiveness that you would be preaching about.”

    The standard set by Jesus is undoubtedly lofty but not unreasonable or unreachable. Its difficulty rather lies in application with regard to specific circumstances. The recent eruption of violence and killings in some villages in Kebbi State, is one of such circumstances. The villages in question are: Kwangirawa, Kangon Madaci; Awala; Munhaye; Unguwan Baba; Rokuwa, Danlayi, Danhayi, Mange, Unguwan Dansanda; Bankami; Unguwan Yara and Yanmaitaba. They were attacked by the blood-tasty herdsmen between 10 and 15 August, during which the villains displaced over 314 families and killed over 46 people (CAN, Kebbi Chapter).

    The International Organization for Peace Building and Social Justice in its mid-year report, came to this conclusion: “The systematic killings of Christians in Nigeria especially in the north, should not be regarded as an inconsequential matter, rather it is a threat that has been proven from statistical reports. These are coordinated and strategically executed attacks that serve larger agenda of domination, land-grabbing and ethnic cleansing, among others. For over a decade, the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have topped the chart of atrocities and crimes committed in Nigeria, especially in the Northeast. However, the activities of Fulani herdsmen, bandits gunmen, and unknown gunmen as termed in the media gained prominence because more people were killed and kidnapped during attacks on villages. The attacks were mostly on Christian-dominated villages in Kaduna and Muslim settlements in Zamfara and Katsina; where farms, crops and food storage were deliberately destroyed. Many of the victims have been displaced from their home communities and are now living as refugees in several internally displaced person’s (IDP) camps.”

    In all of these mayhems and destruction, Kaduna State stands out as the place where most of the atrocities are carried out with impunity. It has become the state where the malicious acts of the Fulani have give rise to five big IDP camps alongside the smaller ones. A vast number of villages have been attacked and abandoned entirely. In kajuru Local government villages like Idanu; Tudun Doko, Dutsen Gora, Unguwan Guza, Bakin Kogi, Itisi, Araha1, Araha2, Unguwan Tanko, Udu, Ungwan Goshi, Unguwan Dantata, Maigizo were attacked between 20 and 23 May, 2020. Those villages have since remained deserted of their former inhabitants. In the past eight months about 2,538 persons have been killed, 802 kidnapped while about 487 persons have been injured. A total of 123 villages have been overrun by local terrorists in Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna and Kebbi states (PSJ Data Team). The list is endless.

    When all is said and done, it must be acknowledged that while forgiveness is most desirable, it cannot, however, be achieved without justice. As Everett L. Worthington (a La Salette missionary in the US), once asserted, forgiveness and justice go together: “Forgiving changed our emotional experience, but it did not affect our desire for seeing the perpetrator caught and brought to trial. Justice often actually works to promote, not undermine forgiveness. Isn’t it easier to forgive a convicted and punished criminal than someone who gets off scot-free? When we are harmed, we experience a sense of injustice. This is called the “injustice gap.” The bigger the injustice gap, the harder an offense is to forgive, and the stronger the negative emotions are. If the offender does anything to help balance the books, the injustice gap is narrower and forgiveness is easier.” For all the communities left homeless and in peril right now, forgiveness in itself will not insufficient without justice.

    Fr Stephen Ojapah is a priest of the Missionary Society of St Paul. He is equally the director for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, a member of IDFP. He is also a KAICIID Fellow. (omeizaojapah85@gmail.com