“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.” – 1 Timothy 3:16

Right in the middle of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we come across a verse that forms the very basis of our Christian faith; and reveals who Jesus is and His ministry as a whole. Christians over the years have had various confessions of faith deeply steeped in the Bible that we affirm and believe. Such confessions include the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Divines, etc. Paul here emphasizes the importance of what we confess: “…great indeed, we confess…” he says. Historically, Christian confessions span the 1st Century Church till now. The essence of confessionalism, an important aspect of our way of worship, is to ensure distortions against truth are corrected. They are also to build a solid defence for what we believe. It is a tragedy to believe what you cannot defend.

In our opening passage, Paul says that what we confess “is the mystery of godliness.” This simply means that what already existed is no longer hidden but has now come to light. This suggests that the person we are confessing existed, was kept secret (or not fully revealed), and is now made known to us. The confession Paul is referring to is more of a Person than anything else, referring to none other than Jesus, who is God and is the uncreated, formerly hidden, and now revealed. This is a confession in defence of the deity of Christ Jesus as God (His person) and His ministry (His work). This is the very foundation of our Christian faith.

What is this mystery of godliness? “He was manifested in the flesh…” Clearly, this alludes to the incarnation, or the act of God taking on human form and living among us. John the Apostle clarifies this when he wrote, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ Throughout the ages, false teachers have attempted to cast doubt on Christ Jesus’ divinity. According to the Gnostics, anything made of flesh is evil, so God cannot indwell flesh. Others contend that Jesus cannot be both God and God’s equal. Simply put, without the incarnation of Christ Jesus—God taking on human form—there is no Christianity. Every Christian should thoroughly grapple with and understand this fundamental truth to defend their confession whenever needed. In the Apostle’s Creed we affirm that ‘He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.’ 

The second confessional statement in this verse, Paul writes, “…vindicated by the Spirit…” In other words, the innocence of Jesus was affirmed by the Spirit. What does it mean to be vindicated? This speaks to the fact that all the wrongful accusations that sinful men libelled him with in order to have him crucified and buried were proved false by the Spirit. In other words, by being raised again from death by the Spirit, he was exonerated from all the fraudulent charges brought against him. Thus, His resurrection proves His innocence, Hallelujah! And so, the Apostles’ Creed rightly affirms, “He was crucified and buried; on the third day, he rose again from the dead.’ Our Saviour did not remain in the grave; the Holy Spirit vindicated him by resurrecting Him from the dead.

Thirdly, Paul writes that Jesus was “seen by angels.” The day of his resurrection is implied here, when the angels appeared to the early believers and confirmed Jesus’ resurrection. We can also connect this to the moment of Jesus’ ascension when angels reassured the disciples that he would return to judge the living and the dead. The Christian confession of Jesus as having risen from the dead was corroborated by angels who testified and worship him eternally.

Fourthly, Jesus is “proclaimed among the nations.” Christians all over the world preach Christ as the central figure in salvation since the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit entered God’s Church, up until the present. The message of salvation is Jesus; the gospel of good news revolves around Jesus. That is the only message we have for the world. It is the duty of everyone who professes to be a Christian to spread the Word about Jesus and make him known. Paul says “we have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). There is no other message of hope and salvation than that of Jesus; He is the Savior of the world.

Fifthly, we accept that with our hearts we believe, and with our mouths, confession in the finished work of Christ Jesus is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus is “believed on in the world.” He is the solution to human depravity. The act of placing our faith in Christ Jesus moves a person from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Beloved Son of God. We acknowledge that we believe in God the Father as well as “in Jesus Christ His Son.”  It is believing in Christ Jesus that transforms and makes one a Christian.

 Finally, Christians believe that not only did Jesus resurrect from the grave, but he was “taken up in glory.” We affirm in the Apostles’ Creed that when He resurrected from the dead, ‘He ascended into heaven. And is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty…” This proves that all authority in heaven and on earth resides with Him. Jesus’ glorification confirms his authority over all.

In conclusion, confessions are a significant part of our worship and the defence of our beliefs. It behoves every Christian to rejoice in these truths and be prepared to make a defence whenever the occasion arises. Amen!

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“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd” – Luke 19:1-3

Since the year 2019, I have had an incredibly rare opportunity to carefully evaluate my Christian life. These moments of reflection were triggered when I was posted to work at our Nigeria office. The main goal of these reflections, while I was alone for a few months, was to determine the veracity of the Christianity I had been professing since 1998. In order to take a step back, think, and learn, I stepped out of active ministry. Being a minister with a busy schedule and taking part in church life here and there can make it hard to examine oneself objectively. During these times and recalling the past, I have questioned my motives, actions, and inactions severally. I remember crying out to God and literally crying for almost a week in 2022, asking Him to show me mercy.

It is clear from a cursory examination of the Christian landscape in Ghana how many Christian beliefs and practices are not wholly sincere. Despite our claims of dominance, as evidenced by the most recent census, we have no godly works to back our numbers. We employ religious jargon in our conversations; we sound very Christian. The apparent biblical inscriptions on our vehicles are one of the notable things you see in Ghana on our roads. Permit me to say that our cars in Ghana have undergone the same “baptism and born again” process as we have. We are a religious people, but the question is whether our professed conversion and vocation are genuine or not.

What does it mean for Christ to be in you?

In John 3, we are introduced to a revered teacher of the law by the name of Nicodemus, who came to Jesus one fine evening in the waning hours of the day. This Pharisee affirmed that God was with Jesus because of the overt miracles that Jesus performed. Knowing Nicodemus’ true need, Jesus refused to follow him down that path. Instead, He addresses him in the face with a statement that sums up what it means to be a Christian: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. “That evening’s conversation produced the foundation for Christian formation. Jesus emphasized that it is through the workings of the Holy Spirit that one experiences the new birth.

I’ll make an effort to clarify what it means to be born again, simply and with reference to the Bible. It is important for us to understand that only God’s omnipotent act can bring about salvation or a person’s new birth. In other words, it is initiated by God, sustained, and perfectly completed by Him. According to Scripture, the person who receives salvation was chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). I wonder how one played a part in his/her salvation way before the world’s foundation was laid. In going through the born again process, the first is the choice (election) by God (The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit), regeneration, and then expressed confession in repentance and faith in Christ Jesus as Lord. One chosen by God through His grace experiences a change of heart through the work of the Holy Spirit’s conviction in regeneration, which is the new birth itself. Your heart is changed, and you become a new creature; the old is completely done away with, and one becomes totally new in heart. Literally, what this means is that, Christ Jesus makes His abode in you. You become the habitation of God, you literally carry God around wherever you find yourself. In fact, if regeneration has not yet occurred, one can sincerely follow the other steps (confession and faith in Christ Jesus) and still be lost – I don’t think altar calls convert people to Christianity. My main concern has been the fact that many people profess to have had a “born-again” experience, or to have the whole of Christ Jesus residing within them, but their actions are completely at odds with that confession. I find it incomprehensible to have Christ live in us and yet live consistently in unrepentant sin.

The Example of Zacchaeus.

In our focus scripture, we are introduced to a man named Zacchaeus. The Bible says he was a chief tax collector and wealthy. Tax collectors are described in biblical history as sinners. You’ll find it fascinating to learn that Zacchaeus’ name meant “pure” or “righteous.” He lived in direct opposition to what his name implied. I pause here to say that many in church or who identify with Christianity are just like Zacchaeus; they contradict the very essence of their Christian identity. Their claim to have a Christian identity is untrue.

The story’s main point is that Jesus sees him perched on a sycamore tree and tells him to descend because “I must stay at your house today,” Jesus said. Without a doubt, Zacchaeus’ intense desire to see Jesus was a means by which the Holy Spirit was transforming him into a new person. When he agreed to Jesus’ request to stay in his home, it was evident that He had actually experienced the Holy Spirit’s rebirth at that precise moment. In other words Christ Jesus made him His habitation.

While fellowshipping over bread and wine, we note how Zacchaeus took a stand and made this announcement: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” While others were criticizing him for being such a terrible sinner, he took a stand and made a choice that established his new identity in Christ Jesus. He didn’t care what people thought; all he needed to do was demonstrate his newly found faith in the Lord.

Beloved in the Lord, the life of Zacchaeus confirms one who experienced the new birth and instantly produced fruits consistent with his new identity. Zacchaeus was a man of strong convictions who insisted that he uphold the principles of his new identity despite what others may think. We have so many who profess Christianity but have no fruit to show after so many years of claiming the Christian identity. I believe it is time for us to examine ourselves to confirm whether we are in the faith or not. Those who, by their fruits, can clearly provethat they have not experienced regeneration can further seek God’s mercy.

There is an urgent need for us to examine the Christianity we profess in this country; this is an individual exercise. The one who has genuinely experienced the new birth can no longer live in unrepentant sins; the one who has genuinely experienced the new birth will certainly have some fruits to show for that claim. Which category do you fall into?

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One of the difficult doctrines to wrap one’s head around is the doctrine of eternal security monikered as “Once Saved Always Saved”. The controversy around this doctrine is the misconception that maintaining good works doesn’t matter. One can live as they want; after all they are saved. This misconception showed up in a conversation with a friend, who on the basis of Titus 3:8 pointed to me that “Receiving salvation should also be coupled with maintaining good works”. The text reads:

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

You see, this friend holds a misconception that Once Saved Always Saved means a cavielier attitude towards grace. Now, it is important for all to understand that salvation is the complete work of God; It was initiated by God, and it will be sustained and brought to an end when we are glorified by God (Phil. 1:6; Jude 1:24). Many people seem to misunderstand the doctrine of works and perhaps Paul’s words “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12) has been erroneously interpreted by many to mean working to earn our salvation. It must be noted that works–good works– is always a consequence of the great work of salvation done by God in us. It is the fruit we show that we are saved and no believer worth their profession will think works can earn them their salvation.

Every regenerated child of God has or must have the longing and desire to live a holy life…if that is not the case that person we can argue is not genuinely born again. When you are truly saved by The Lord you are in a state of grace that will carry you through to the end of your life into glory. God is able to keep us to the end. This is an important element to understand the doctrine. Believers must work out their salvation not because of the fear of losing it but rather; because obedience is a hallmark of a regenerated life. Even what we call good works is initiated by the Holy Spirit who enables us to carry out those works and not us. There is no good in us but as scripture has said the Holy Spirit works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Now, picture the relationship between a parent and their child. Under what condition will that child cease to be a child of the parent? Will they ever disown a child because of disobedience?Will a parent who loves their child throw her out and take their family name off? Would you? If we as earthly parents will not disown our children because of disobedience, how much more our heavenly father? Ephesians 1:14 tells us our salvation is sealed by the Holy Spirit.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:11-14).

Those who are genuinely saved are those who bear fruits. There is always an evidence of the new birth in the life of the disciple of Christ Jesus. Fruit bearing follows along with being born again. It does not lead to the new birth but it stands with the believer after the new birth. “The Christian is Justified by faith alone but not faith that is alone” Luther said. Throughout scripture, the assurance of the believer’s security is outlined:

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭7:25-26‬).

Come to think of it, when the Sovereign God takes someone in His mighty hands the devil cannot take that person away from His hands. If Jesus died for us to be born again and for us to lose it then there is a problem. However, Scripture tells us “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8:1-2‬).

Once you are in Christ, there is no more condemnation. Your salvation is sealed.

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The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God”. Psalm 92:12-13, ESV

A cursory look at Christian programs on TV reveals a worrying trend in our churches. Almost every Christian channel one turns to has material prosperity as the content of its message. One wonders if the gospel is only about material prosperity. The teaching of the unadulterated word of God has been replaced by an undue emphasis on the “non-weightier matters”. While I am not against material prosperity, I believe true Christian prosperity — which is not limited to material blessing — is being rooted in the Word of The LORD.

We are still in the early days of the year, it is essential for us to reflect on our walk with God and seek to be grounded in our relationship with Him.

In this beautiful Psalm of thanks and praise to God, the Psalmist describes the righteous as flourishing like a palm tree and growing like a cedar in Lebanon (v.12). He continues in v. 13 by saying they are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.

What does the Psalmist mean by these Agricultural analogies?

In describing the believer’s life, the Psalmist uses terms that symbolizes growth and thriving. And he does so by using two of the toughest trees one could find. These trees have very unique properties that speaks volumes to the believers’ life. They both grow strong and firm in the ground. They can withstand harsh conditions without withering. Unlike the wicked, who are compared to grass that sprouts and withers, the righteous will flourish. Notable also is the longevity of the Palm and Cedar trees and their continuous bearing of fruits.

These analogies describes the life of a Christian in terms of growth, maturity, holiness, fruit bearing and eternal life. How sad we hardly hear about being planted–growth, maturity, holiness, and fruit bearing– on many pulpits.

How Can We Be Planted?

The most reliable source to keep us planted in the house of the Lord is the word of God. Growth and maturity in Christian living do not come by accident. They require deliberate effort and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The story of Joshua has much encouragement for us as we seek to be planted in God’s house. Joshua was given the mandate to lead God’s people to the promised  land. He accepted the task with much uncertainty and fear, having seen first hand the stubbornness of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses. But God reassured him and pointed him to His word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success’ (Joshua 1:8).

The command of God to Joshua in not allowing His Law to depart from his mouth, but to make it his whole life preoccupation is something that holds instruction for us. J. C Ryle, has said ‘the Bible is the true lantern for a dark and cloudy time, let us beware of travelling without its light’. There are many things that will seek to take our focus away from God each passing moment, but it is the Word of God that will stamp our persuasion in Christ Jesus.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church admonished them to “…keep the ordinances…”(1 Corinthians 11:2, KJV). He says to the Corinthian church as he does to us to hold fast the whole body of truth of the Gospel as has been delivered to us in the Bible.

A lot of false teachings abound that seek to take the focus away from Christ Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. It behooves us to keep the Word of God, to be planted in the house of God. Make the word “a lamp to [your] feet and a light to [your] path.(Psalm 119:105).

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