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Who do I marry? What work or profession must I take on? Where should I live? etc. are some of the legitimate questions Christians ask. Believers must seek to please God in all they do and hence these questions are commendable. However, these questions tend to be answered in ways that I believe are dangerous to believers. Many books, supposedly answering these questions inundate the shelves of Christian bookshops. One such title reads, “Are You Still Single? Prayers to Locate Your Divine Spouse.” These and many more are bestsellers because people are indeed looking for answers to life’s questions and somewhat these titles promise to offer them their answers. But are they the right answers?

As believers, God has given us his Word as the means by which we will please him and every other “How Tos” not faithful to Scripture are to be avoided. And many of these “How Tos” are indeed unfaithful to Scripture. The Old and New Testaments; that is the whole Bible has been given to us “to be the rule of faith and life.”¹ A rule, by dictionary definition, is “a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct over an area of people”. It is also “control of or dominion over an area or people” Following from this definition, the Word of God then becomes our explicit or understood regulations or principles governing our conduct. The word of God has control of or dominion over us. This simply a means Scripture has an overarching authority over the believer. If Scripture is the word of God (and it is), then we are to submit our whole lives to its obedience, for in the obedience of Scripture we obey God.  Everything we need to live lives pleasing to God is addressed in Scripture. Is this not an over-stretch you may ask? No, it is not. The Bible indeed has all the answers for our lives.

Perhaps one of the places in Scripture where Scripture testifies of itself is Psalm 119. In this Psalm, David speaks of all what the word of God does for the believer. He places a premium on the Word and in this Psalm, David celebrates the Word of God. The Word keeps us pure, he says. There are wondrous things in the Word to behold, he beckons. The Word is to be treasured above all riches, he admonishes. How relevant all these are to someone who wants to please God by his word! The question remaining unanswered so far is how the word of God gives us guidance. To this I turn to the Westminster Confession of Faith:

The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the word; and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be observed.²

There are two important things to be noted in the words of the confession in terms of knowing those things which please God and serve as a guide for our lives. Firstly, there are those things expressly set down in Scripture and secondly, there are those things by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture. In other words, there are things that are so plain in Scripture we don’t need second thoughts or opinions to obey them; and there are those things we cannot clearly see stated in Scripture but can know them as we study and apply Scripture.

I will describe this as moving from the known to the unknown: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29)

Expressly Set Down In Scripture

Whatever is expressly set down in Scripture simply indicates things that are clear and unambiguous. They are things that are revealed and ought to be obeyed. They are so plain it will take only disobedience not to see them. One of the characteristics of the Bible taught by the sixteenth-century Reformers is what they call perspicuity of Scripture. “What they mean by that technical term was the clarity of Scripture. They maintained that the Bible is basically clear and lucid. It is simple enough for any literate person to understand its basic message.”³ Of course, this doesn’t mean everything in Scripture can be easily understood. But at least, the very important things we need are explicit.

All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.⁴

One of the clear teachings of Scripture about our conduct as believers is in 1 Thess. 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” God demands nothing but a sanctified life; that is, a life separated from any form of ungodliness. The text actually goes on to list all that is in view here by our sanctification: “that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” (vv.4-7) The list here is not exhaustive, albeit it tells us clearly what God demands from us. It guides our conduct. The popular verse, Romans 12:1-2 is another place we see an explicit teaching of Scripture: “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”.

There are indeed many other teachings of Scripture on money, relationships, employment, marriage and any other thing we may call practical issues of life. We are to be good stewards of our finances. We are to love one another as ourselves. As Christians, we are to marry Christians and of course we are to marry from the opposite sex and not same sex. In matters of employment, we are to firstly work and work as unto God and not as to men. These are basics indeed and if we commit to obeying these, other areas of our lives would be less blurred.

Deducing from Scripture by Good and Necessary Consequence

The Scriptures are to be studied and its lessons applied to our life. Any believer who doesn’t make the study of Scripture a part of their life will surely walk about not knowing what God requires of them in any sphere of life. All Scripture, Paul tells us, is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (1Timothy 3:16-17) If Scripture is profitable, then we are to study it and apply it to our lives. For example, studying Scripture will lead us to make a good choice of a marriage partner. God’s word has already laid down many things to look out for when one is considering marriage. As I mentioned earlier, first consideration for marriage is that a believer marries a believer of the opposite sex (this emphasis is important as marriage has taken on an unbiblical outlook). This is a non-negotiable and anything contrary to it is unbiblical. This is a general rule, but how does one narrow down to specifics? Well, if you find a Christian and you both love each other, nothing prevents you from marrying.

Many believers are postponing important life decisions because somehow they want to hear God speak to them. Well, God has spoken in Scripture (Heb. 1:-2), they are simply not listening. Stop postponing life decisions. Make decisions as long as they don’t violate what God has clearly revealed in Scripture.

Waiting for this will of direction is a mess. It is bad for your life, harmful to your sanctification, and allows too many Christians to be passive tinkers who strangely feel more spiritual the less they actually do⁵

I will conclude with the last part of the Confession which is very instructive: “according to the general rules of the word.” (1.6). Whatever decisions we must make should be guided by what Scripture clearly teaches and we will not go wrong. Let Scripture be your guide in your decision-making. Say with David “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Notes:

1. Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) (1.2)
2. WCF (1.6)
3. R.C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009), Kindle edition
4. WCF (1.7)
5. Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009), Kindle edition

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I wish you a happy new year and  welcome you into 2018. As we have entered a new year, perhaps one of the most important question on the minds of many believers especially would be “what is the will or purpose of God for my life in 2018?” It is the right question to be asking because the Bible teaches us to be careful how we live not as unwise but wise understanding what the will of God is.

As good as the question is we often don’t seek the answers in the right places. Over the next several days, many will be embarking on fasting programs and attending numerous prophetic meetings in order to hear God’s will for their lives in 2018 through their pastors. I do not mean to denigrate fasting and a pastor’s role in guiding the flock under their care. But I believe God has spoken loud and clear in his word.

We worship a communicating God. He has not left us to grope in the dark with tingling ears to hear what he will whisper to us through somebody else. His word is ancient yet ever true, and it is relevant for us today as it was for the first recipient of the word. God is more concerned about you finding his will than we are, that’s why he has spoken so clear and universally. Therefore if you want to know the will of God for your life in 2018, you don’t have to look any further than what he has revealed about himself in his timeless word. He has spoken about every area of your life and all you need to do is to understand what the will of the Lord is.

The will of God for your life in 2018 goes back to the garden, where God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). We were created by God for God, to be his image bearers in the world. Therefore God’s will for your life regardless of the year is to live in such a way that non-Christian will know who God is through you. You are to be an imitator of God as a beloved child (Ephesians 5:1).

What is God like? He has revealed that clearly in the Bible. He is good and all he does is worthy of approval (Luke 18:19). He is love – eternally giving himself to others (1 John 4:8). God is merciful, gracious and patient, he is good to those in distress and in misery, he is good to those who deserve only punishment, withholding that punishment over a period of time that they might find repentance (Exodus 34:6). The Bible also tells us God is holy. He is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his own honour (Isaiah 6:3). He is a God of peace not of confusion, his actions are characterized by peace not disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33). He is righteous and just, always acting in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right (Duet. 32:4). God is jealous for his divine glory and honour and seeks to protect it (Ex. 20:5). God is wrathful, he intensely hates all sin (Ex. 32:9-10). There are many more of God’s attributes we must understand and display as we devote ourselves to the study of His word.

However, imitating God is not a call to work out our own righteousness. It will take the power of God to live like God, He knows this that is why he has given us the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:11, Paul says “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” The primary role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is not for signs and wonders. He came to empower a life of daily faithfulness and obedience.

In John 14:26, Jesus promised his disciples “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Again in John 16:13, he told them, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come”. Jesus in these verses wasn’t talking about a subjective knowledge which comes through dreams and visions. No, the Holy Spirit after his coming inspired the word of God to be written, which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16 & 17).

God’s will for you in 2018 is living a life of faithful obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit. This will require a daily intake of his word and a life characterized by ceaseless prayers and seeking to reflect his character through your actions and proclaiming his goodness to those who do not know him. Paul’s instruction to the saints in Ephesus holds true for us: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Eph. 5:15-17).

And as you live this life of faithful obedience,  “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Happy New Year

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It seems like yesterday when we entered 2017, doesn’t it? All too soon we are in August—the eight month– leaving us with just four months to close 2017 should Christ tarry. As I ponder over this, I’m reminded of three experiences over the weekend which made a strong impression on me as to how fleeting life is.

Firstly, on Saturday, I visited my in-laws — my elder sister’s husband’s family— to express my condolences for the loss of a family member. On the day she died, she complained of body weakness and fever. She was sent to the hospital at midday and by evening she was gone. Then on Sunday evening, I attended a family dinner to commemorate the wedding of my brother-in-law. At the dinner, my father-in-law expressed shock when he saw our one year, eight months old boy. He still has memories of him as an infant since the last time he saw him; he said. Time does fly.

Earlier that Sunday, my wife and my father-in-law had travelled to Ho for a naming ceremony in the morning. The day before the journey, I had vehemently protested against her driving for the journey. The truth is that, I was scared of her driving especially since that was her first time on that road and also because of the numerous fatal accidents that had been recorded on that road. At the back of my mind, anything could happen, including death. After a long discussion, I finally gave in and reluctantly agreed for her to drive. They took the journey and thanks to God returned safely.

In these experiences, we are confronted with the truths about two life events — birth and death. Once we are born, we will die. And death comes unannounced. This reality must shape how we spend our pilgrimage on earth. Moses prayed a prayer in Psalm 90 which came to mind while I pondered through these events over the weekend. And I will want us to together examine this prayer and make it our prayer:

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12)

The Eternity Of God

The Israelites have have been wandering in the wilderness enroute to the Promised land since they set off from Egypt. A lot has happened during these times.  In verses 1-11 of Psalm 90, Moses acknowledged God’s hand and presence in their sojourning all these years. He says in v.1 that “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” This is an affirmation of God as the Israelites’ very existence. Indeed God is the Creator to whom we owe our lives. Without him; we are doomed. It is appropriate therefore that we look to God for direction.

Moses’ prayer was an invitation to God to teach them the way of life. It was a prayer of dependence on God. God created us and until we have learnt to depend on him, we will forever live a self-destructive life. It was St Augustine, in his Confessions who said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” What place has God in your life? Are you living to please yourself or you acknowledge there is a God who made you and you live to please him?

Life Is Fleeting

Life is short. We are not here to stay forever (Heb.9:27). We are on borrowed time. Human life is so fragile; like leaves, today we are, tomorrow we are gone: “You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers” (Ps.90:5). Moses, not oblivious of humanity’s frailty prayed God to give them wisdom to number their days. This is a prayer not to be wasteful of the few days humankind has on earth. Our days are limited and we must not lose sight of this. Every passing day brings us close to eternity.

Be Wise

Wisdom is the right application of the knowledge we possess. When we pray for God to teach us to number our days; we are in effect praying for wisdom. We see this clearly in Moses’ prayer: “that we may get a heart of wisdom”. Proverbs 90:10 tells us “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Do you fear God? Do you have a relationship with him or you are only living your life to please your self? Repent and turn to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and a restored relationship with God. This my dear friend is the wisest decision you can make and you ought not wait a second longer. Christ is near. Call on him.

In the New Testament, James tells us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God. ” He didn’t stop at that; he assured us that that prayer would be answered: [God] gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5). Paul in his letter to the Ephesians admonished them saying “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph.5:15-16 KJV).

Your life is not your own. You are accountable to God who made you. How are you living in this temporal life? Is it for God or for self?

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