A GENTILE WOMAN IS SAVED Keith Underhill

At the beginning of this article we repeat that there continues to be so much confusion about the subject of ‘conversion to Christ’. This is why we are studying Biblical accounts of conversions. So far we have looked at three accounts, those of the 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost, of Saul of Tarsus, and of Cornelius. We have seen the following elements:

• There is a period of preparation for receiving the gospel, shorter or longer, leading to conviction of sin.
  
• Conviction of sin comes through the preaching of the gospel of Christ.
  
• The response to the gospel is one of repentance and faith.
  Conversion to Christ is publicly confessed in baptism.
  In the case of Lydia in Acts 16:11-15 we will see the addition of one element which is most clearly developed in the account of her conversion. It is good there is this example of the conversion of a woman!
  
  1. GOD’S WORK IN THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA
  While everyone believes that God worked in the person of Christ, the conversion of a man is often regarded as the work of man. The account of Lydia, however, will clearly show us that conversion is totally impossible without God’s work. In Lydia it is all the more remarkable as she is another Gentile (like Cornelius) already devoutly attached to the Jewish faith, “a worshipper of God” (vv. 13-14).
  (1) God’s preparatory work of providence in bringing Paul to Lydia. Paul was specifically forbidden to preach in Asia and Bithynia (vv. 6-7), and through a vision was directed to Macedonia in Europe (vv. 9-10). So he arrived in the first great city of Philippi. Lydia was a business woman hundreds of kilometres away from her home in Asia Minor (v. 14). What is the explanation of this meeting in Philippi of two visitors to the town? God had purposed it, directing all events and times, as with Jesus and the Samaritan woman (see John 4). And when they met by the riverside it was the gospel that Paul was preaching.
  (2) God’s powerful work in the heart of Lydia as the gospel was preached. Very simply we read, “the Lord opened her heart” (v. 14). We obviously conclude that, before the Lord did this, her heart was closed, and especially to the message Paul was preaching. The ‘heart’ refers to the inner life of a person, as opposed to the outer life that can be observed (see Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7). Lydia’s whole inner life, her thoughts and desires, together with her conscience, could not be penetrated by the truth of God. What do the

Scriptures teach about the inner life of all people before conversion? Their minds are blind (2 Corinthians 4:4), their understanding is darkened (Ephesians 4:18, see Romans 3:11), their hearts are hard, they refuse to come to Christ because they are in love with this world (John 3:19). We are all like a house totally shut up and in darkness, with no godly inhabitants! Many of us can confess with the hymn-writer, ‘Once I was blind but now I see’, but only because the obstacle to seeing was overcome by the Lord Himself. God must ‘open the heart’, or in other words, give ‘a new heart, a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone’ (Ezekiel 36:25-26), give a ‘new birth’ (John 3:3, 5). It is God who does this and it is the only way by which anyone will be able to receive the message of the gospel that is preached.
Do you begin to see how confusing and unbiblical it is to tell people, ‘Open your heart to the word of the Lord’? It would be more reasonable to expect the leopard to change its spots, or the Ethiopian the colour of his skin (see Jeremiah 13:23). Scripture has become twisted because by nature we do not like the thought that we are totally dependent upon God in conversion as we are proud and therefore self-dependent. The fact is that evangelistic practice is based upon what we really believe; in this case upon an unbiblical teaching of the so-called ‘free-will’. This teaching is that anyone can open his heart to the Lord whenever he pleases, because the will is totally free. This lies behind the practice of ‘decisionism’, or the ‘Altar Call’, where people are told to make an outward response to the preaching. Decisionism makes the sinner free, and Christ becomes the beggar pleading for entrance into men’s hearts. You may be familiar with the pathetic picture of Christ outside the door of a person’s heart, desiring to enter, but the door can only be opened from the inside. On the contrary, the Bible makes the sinner the beggar, pleading for God to do what he knows he cannot himself do, and does not deserve, and resting on God’s freedom to what He pleases. Did the apostles Peter and Paul use ‘decisionism’ when they evangelized?
There is no evidence of this as they did not believe in ‘free-will’ (see Acts 13:48). Because decisionism is unbiblical it must have harmful results: it encourages many to think they are converted when they are not, for making a decision is not necessarily conversion; most who make decisions quickly fall away with the frequent result that their hearts are even harder (remember the seed falling on rocky ground in the parable of the sower). Brethren, because we are totally dependent upon the Lord to open the heart, let us pray expectantly and preach and witness vigorously in dependence upon Him (see 1 Corinthians 3:6-7). God employs the truth as a means of opening the heart.

2. THE RESPONSE OF AN OPEN HEART
Here is the great question that will show what we believe about conversion. Does a sinner first believe, and then God opens his heart, or does God first open the heart and then as a result the sinner believes? The answer of the Bible is very clear, as in what happened to Lydia. She only ‘paid attention’ to the gospel message because the Lord opened her heart (see John 1:12-13, 1 John 5:1).
(1) Lydia paid attention to the gospel. When God opens anyone’s heart this is always the response. Some have the excuse that they cannot believe because God has not opened their heart. It is true that God must first open the heart, but nevertheless it is your solemn responsibility to respond to the gospel concerning Christ as the Saviour of sinners with repentance and faith. You may not use your closed heart as an excuse. A closed heart to the great truth of Christ only shows how wicked the heart is. How dependent on the Lord you are! At the same time this is so encouraging, because God is merciful and able to do what you are not able to do. Have you paid attention to the gospel? This is the real test of whether or not the Lord has worked in your heart.
(2) Lydia was baptized. In this way she showed her genuine submission to the Lord and her identification with the Lord’s servants. Have you observed the pattern? First conversion, then baptism (2:38,41, 9:18, 10:47-48). You are not converted by being baptized, but it is not Biblical to profess conversion to Christ and remain unbaptized. The same Lord who commanded you to receive the gospel, and you did, also commands you to be baptized. Do not pick and choose between His commands, obeying some now, but delaying to obey others. Your professed experience of conversion could be doubted if it does not lead you to obey God in everything. If you love your Lord and you are not ashamed of Him, then declare your love in baptism. Then go on further and show that you have paid attention to God’s word by being with His people and receiving more and more of that word (see 2:42). In this, note Lydia’s persistence, her refusal to take ‘No’ for an answer. God’s servants must stay with her so she can hear the word from them. Would that all who profess to be Christians have the same desires. For many once a week on a Sunday morning is sufficient. If this is you, ask yourself if the Lord has actually opened your heart.
Conversion is basically the work of the Lord. Ask yourself what mark is on you that shows without doubt that the Lord has been powerfully active in your life. Do not rest before God until you can answer with assurance. 

THE BLESSING OF REDEMPTION Keith Underhill

EPHESIANS 1:7

Governments are always setting goals. The Kenya Vision for 2030 is a vehicle for the transformation of the country into a rapidly industrialising and globally competitive middle income nation by the year 2030. It is not sufficient to set the goal; steps have been planned to achieve it. We ask, ‘What is the situation in Kenya now? What is needed to attain the goal?’ For example, in north Kenya the basic problem is infrastructure, so one of the first steps must be to build roads to develop trade. Similarly God has made His eternal plans, “before the foundation of the world”, and His goal is to adopt us as His children by making us to be holy and blameless before Him in love (1:4- 5). But it does not just happen because God says so, as one great obstacle must be cleared – sin. This is the blessing of redemption.

1. WE NEED TO BE REDEEMED FROM TRESPASSES
We cannot receive the full blessing of heavenly glory while we remain in our trespasses. Remember the wedding guest who did not have proper garment, and who was thrown out (Matthew 22:11-13). To ‘trespass’ literally means to fall from the proper path, God’s path. All are guilty and conscience testifies to this fact. That you are a trespasser may not be a big thing to you. You say you do not feel guilty, but nor does a driver over-speeding feel guilty until he sees a policeman! Peter did not feel guilty until he came face to face with Christ in the boat and the great catch of fish (Luke 5:8). Perhaps you say that none are free from trespasses... ‘but you do not do the really big evils like murder, and you do much good!’ Could you use these defences in court if you were accused of over-speeding? Could you defend yourself by claiming that most drivers over-speed, that you try to be courteous and that you have never been a drunk driver?
A trespass is not just something you do and perhaps regret, for it has serious consequences. You become guilty of breaking the law, you are liable to prosecution, then to condemnation, and finally to imprisonment. Now think of a terrorist who realizes he is doing wrong, and wants to change, and even is willing to surrender. But he will almost certainly be arrested and condemned, unless there is an assurance of pardon. God has said as the Judge, “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). So how will you escape? We are like Israel as slaves in Egypt; how could they possibly release themselves? But what if God promises pardon...?

2. CHRIST REDEEMS US THROUGH HIS BLOOD ALONE
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses”
‘Redemption’ is to set free from bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price. Like Israel, we are set free to belong to God and serve Him as a firstborn son (Exodus 4:22- 23). It is a very big idea involving all that happens to us to deal with our sins until we reach glory (1:14, 4:30). Here, just one aspect is brought forward, “the forgiveness of our trespasses”. To be redeemed means there is not condemnation, but release! A condemned traitor is pardoned from a life sentence; what a blessing! God Himself pardons us and says He has nothing at all against us to convict us (see Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 44:22, Micah 7:19).

How is this possible? The only answer is “in the Beloved” (v. 6), “through His blood” (v. 7, see Hebrews 9:22). There is no other way; it is the only way that actually redeems us. What if an Israelite, on the night of the Passover in Egypt, had laid out money, or signed a declaration to keep the law, but had not smeared the blood of the sacrificed lamb? The firstborn would have been slain as in all the dwellings of the Egyptians. It was only by the blood. On the Day of Atonement, one goat was offered as a sacrifice (Leviticus 16:15ff.), and another had the sin of the people of Israel confessed over it and was then sent away into wilderness never to return (vv. 20ff.). These two goats together beautifully illustrate that through the blood (death as a sacrifice) of Christ we are forever set free from our sins. What a cost! It shows how determined God was to redeem us from our sins!

Question: How do you know you are forgiven by God? There are many false answers to this question.
Answer 1 – ‘Because God is merciful’, some claim. God is truly merciful, and this mercy is seen above all in the giving of His Son. However, a problem remains: how can God forgive and remain just? The answer is in Romans 3:24-26.
Answer 2 – ‘Because I have repented’, others claim. Again, it is true that there is no forgiveness without repentance. But repentance by itself only opens you to judgment as you are confessing your sin which deserves to be punished.
Answer 3 – ‘The blood of Jesus Christ’- this is the only true answer. The song asks, ‘What can wash away my stain?’ and it gives the answer, ‘Nothing but the blood of Jesus’ (see also Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 5:9).

3. GOD REDEEMS US BY HIS GRACE ALONE
“According to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us”
Once again the grace of God is magnified as the only reason why such a blessing comes to anyone. Redemption, the forgiveness of our trespasses, is such a great blessing that it shows God’s grace is ‘rich’ and ‘lavish’ (or abounding).
Let us meditate on this blessing that it might cause us to rejoice.

• What did we deserve? Nothing good, only judgment from God, because God sees us as trespassers against His holy law. Are we better than Noah’s contemporaries? Or the Canaanites? If there is one thing God hates it is formal religion, hypocrisy, words without corresponding actions. Paul could never get over the fact that God had redeemed him (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Surely, all of us who are redeemed must ask, ‘Why me?’
  
• Who decided to send Christ for us? It was not any man who thought of this great plan but God. Remember it was the one and only Beloved Son whom God gave, whom He did not spare (Romans 8:32). As the plan of God, He gave freely out of pure love, and we cannot claim any merit. Christ was sent to do everything for us that we could not begin to do for ourselves.

• How can we measure His grace? Do not measure it by your own character, but by God’s. There were two bothers, John & Richard: Richard the ‘lion-heart’ was away fighting but on his victorious return he found the treachery of his brother. Richard forgave John as was his practice, but John himself would never have done that. To redeem sinners by forgiving their trespasses is what you would expect God to do. Do not measure grace by your ideas of forgiveness for perhaps you say that there are certain things that you could never forgive. And do not say that how much you are forgiven depends on how much faith you have. That also limits God’s grace.
Has God freely and fully forgiven you? How then can you live as if you are still in a prison cell awaiting execution! You do not expect a prisoner to be happy who is only waiting for the noose to be tightened around his neck. But if the prison door is opened and he is set free, no words will be able to express his joy! Have you come as ‘miserable sinner’ under condemnation or as one knowing the grace of God in Jesus Christ? If there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, ought not the sinner himself to be joyful?
To you who have never asked for forgiveness, what are you waiting for?

• ü  Is it because you do not greatly feel your need? If not it makes your situation worse, as many go to doctor too late because their disease is too far advanced.
  
• ü  Is it because you are not sure if God will forgive you? If God forgave the criminal in his dying moments, if the prodigal son was forgiven, if Saul as chief of sinners was forgiven, if most wicked Manasseh was forgiven...; if God sent His only Son, that is proof enough of His absolute willingness to save any and all who come to Him.
  
• ü  Is it because you do not know what to tell God? Tell Him you know you are a trespasser, you deserve condemnation, but you are putting your trust in the blood of Christ. If you were pleading before an earthly judge you would know what to say. Forgiveness is a blessing you may have now in Christ. God is rich in grace. 
  

DEVOLUTION AND CHURCH GOVERNANCE John Muketha

On 4th March 2013, Kenya ushered in devolved governments created under the 2010 Constitution. One objective of devolution of government is to give powers of self – governance to the people and enhance their participation in the exercise of the powers of state and decision making. Devolution recognizes the right of the communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development. We may ask: what kind of governance is appropriate for the church? Church governance is about who should make decisions, what procedures should be followed, the kind of authority that characterizes those decisions or procedures, etc.

The church belongs to Christ as He declares in Matthew 16:18 – “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Christ as the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18) has delegated the governance of His church to the “Local Church” as the decision-making entity. Each local church is to be governed by a plurality of Elders who are charged with the responsibility of taking care of God’s church. (1 Timothy 3:5). Christ’s intention is for each church to be independent and be able to decide on all matters affecting its operation.

The idea of ‘denominations’ or a group of churches under one bishop (or archbishop) is foreign to the New Testament. Paul in Acts 20 addressed the elders of the Ephesian church - charging them to ‘pay careful attention to themselves and the flock in which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers and also to care for the church of God which He obtained with His own blood. John the Apostle was instructed by Christ to write to the Seven churches (Revelation1:4) and not to a denomination but to individual churches with their own unique differences.

Church leaders are variously referred in the New Testament as Elders, Overseers, Bishops, Pastors/Shepherds depicting the nature of their work as assigned to them by the Head of the Church, who is the Chief Shepherd. These Biblical elders/pastors are to protect, feed and lead the flock even as they desire to declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:28). Elders lead, direct, manage, and care for the flock of God in addition to helping in meeting the practical diverse needs of the flock. The overall function of the elders is the pastoral oversight of the local church.

The New Testament presents a consistent pattern regarding the local church government as a plurality of elders ruling the church as Christ’s under-shepherds. This was the pattern followed by Paul in Acts 14:23 – ‘And when they had appointed elders for them in every church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. It is quite evident that Christ the Head of the church rules His church through His under-shepherds – the elders-bishops-pastors whom He gives authority, and to them honour, submission and obedience is due. This authority does not imply superior standing before God since all Christians have equal access to God.

Hebrews 13:17 gives clear instructions regarding governance in the local church: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. God requires His people to willingly place themselves under the leadership, authority and accountability of Biblical elders and that with an attitude of great love and gratitude and honour for them. If your elders-pastors are faithful in their oversight, providing Scriptural counsel and responsible leadership, then God expects you to submit to them.

The Truth

The Truth Keith Underhill

We pray that issue 114 was a blessing to you and that you have been longing for 115 to be distributed. We hope that you did not put aside what you read with the objection that it was ‘too heavy’, that it was only concerned with ‘truth’ and not experience. If so, you will be disappointed with 115, for our great concern will always

be to bring you the truth as it is revealed in the Scriptures. It does demand concen- tration and thought, and often does not seem exciting. Sadly, many are interested in Christianity only because of what they hope to get out of it – they want to solve their immediate problems and feel good. This is one reason why many who call themselves Christians are not very interested in truth, and would find reading Grace & Truth boring. So we plead with you to keep seeking out the truth until you know it and are established in it. Why?

(1) The Gospel itself is truth. The Gospel is not about my feelings. It is not abstract philosophy. It is about Christ and historical events and their meaning – specifically His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corin-

thians 15:1-5). It is not enough just to

mention the Name of Jesus. Who is He? Why did He die? These are the truths the Gospel proclaims. And if the answers are not according to the Bible, then they are lies and not the Gospel. So the whole of the Christian faith is centred in truth.

(2) Salvation is by believing in the truth. John wrote to Christians who were being upset by false teachers, and he wanted them to have assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13). One of the marks of a person who has salvation is that he believes in the truth and does not follow the lie. Read very carefully 1 John 2:21-27, 4:1-6. You may have a very strong faith in some teaching, but if it is not the truth then you are deceived. For example, John writes that if you do not believe that Jesus has come from heaven in the flesh then you are not of God! 

3,000 Sinners Saved!

3,000 Sinners Saved! Keith Underhill

The profession, “I’m saved”, is a common one, and there is nothing more important than to be sure of one’s own salvation. Because it is so im- portant the devil loves to deceive people into thinking they are saved when they are not (see 1 Cor. 6:9, Gal. 6:7, 1 Jn. 1:8). We must carefully examine the Bible to understand what true salvation is. One way to do this is to examine the accounts in the Bible of those who were saved. We are going to take some examples from Acts, starting with the sinners in Jerusalem who were saved on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

This Day of Pentecost marks the beginning of the Christian church as we know it. The gift to the apostles of speaking in other tongues (languages) brought a great crowd together. Peter had the opportunity to preach (2:14-36). By way of response the crowd desperately asked, “What shall we do?” The inner workings of the Spirit that prompted the question and the two things they were told to do clearly inform us as to the nature of salvation.

SALVATION IS THROUGH CONVICTION OF SIN

Peter had been preaching that the very One they had recently clamoured for the Ro- mans to crucify was none other than “Lord and Christ” (v. 36). When they heard these words they felt an inner pain like a man that has been stabbed. Before, they had stead- fastly refused to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was their promised Messiah (Christ). But now it was clear to them that all their hopes of salvation rested in Him who they had killed. What anguish they felt! They were guilty of judicial murder – Jesus was in- nocent. They had committed blasphemy – they had denied His divine mission. Their act was treasonable – they had revolted against God in His Messenger. 

This conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:8-11). Until He works in our hearts we are not aware of our need, so we have no interest in a remedy. We may be sick without feeling it; but as soon as we feel it we look for the medicine! 

This conviction is not part of the saving change in a sinner, as not all who experience conviction are saved. Judas was convicted (Matt. 27:3-5). Jews resisted the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). There is a grief that does not lead to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Are you being convicted in your heart about your attitude to Christ? Of course you have not shouted “Crucify Him!” But at best you have paid Him only lip-service. He commands, “Follow Me”, and you would follow, but... ‘I am not willing to prejudice my education. Surely I cannot be expected to go through life with some corruption. I will get opposition from my family.’ You resolve it by performing some religious duties, but for the most part you live as if there was no Jesus Christ. May the Spirit convict you of your Christ-less life, the very One of whom God bore testimony, “This is My Beloved Son”, and on whom He set His approval by exalting Him to His right hand. You ask, How much strength of conviction is required? Enough to bring you to repentance and baptism. Conviction and guilty feelings are not enough. Herod heard John the Baptist gladly but never repented (Mk. 6:20). Felix was alarmed by Paul’s reasoning but never repented (Acts 24:24-25).

SALVATION IS THROUGH REPENTANCE

Peter’s authoritative response is simple and clear. What must they do having been convicted? “Repent and be baptized” (v. 38). Repentance is often neglected in to- day’s preaching about salvation. It has never been a popular message. More people will follow a message that Jesus is there to fulfil all felt needs, than a message that speaks about dealing with sin. Repentance was the message of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2), of Jesus (Matt. 4:17), of the apostles (Acts 20:21). Repentance is nothing less than a total change of thinking resulting in a change of direction of life from sin towards God:

• Specifically. Like a volcano sin usually erupts in one particular place. The type of sin depends upon character and upbringing. For those in Jerusalem it was the sin of crucifying Christ. What is your sin? It maybe public such as an immoral relationship, habitual lying, corruption, disobedience to parents. It may be more secret being clouded by an outwardly respectable life, such as pride and self-trust or a love of money. Whatever it is it must be repented of. This is how John the Baptist preached repentance (Lk. 3:7-14). Paul refers to his specific sins (1 Tim. 1:13). Strive to see the evil in your sin, forsake it, and turn to God. In Christ’s name you will be for- given and receive the Holy Spirit to enable you in the fight (Acts 2:38).
• Generally. Repentance is turning from all sin, anything God calls sin, in order to follow Christ. It is a confession before a thrice holy God that your whole life is sin- ful from the depth of your inner being to all your actions (see Gen. 6:5, Ps. 51:5, Jer. 17:9, Matt. 15:18-19). You have done nothing good, so that every aspect of life must be brought into submission to Christ and His will. Christ becomes your light, your shepherd, your very centre. The basic change is that now Jesus Christ is your Saviour and Lord. Do not wait for repentance to come to you from ‘somewhere’. It is your responsibility. God has commanded you to repent. “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (v. 40), the world of unbelievers.

SALVATION IS THROUGH BAPTISM

Before you reject this as heretical, it is Peter himself who puts baptism together with repentance, forgiveness and the receiving of the Holy Spirit (v. 38). It is not that forgiveness and receiving the Spirit happen at baptism; rather that a professed repentance that does not lead to baptism

is perhaps insincere. There are 2 lines

of evidence:

1. The Bible constantly teaches that forgiveness goes with repentance and not baptism (Mk. 1:4, Lk. 17:3-4, 24:47, Acts 5:31, 8:22, 26:18, Jas. 5:15, 1 Jn. 1:9).
2. Baptism does not automatically lead to salvation. Simon was baptized but was not saved (Acts 8:9-24). Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31, Rom. 10:13-14, 1 Cor. 1:21, Eph. 2:8).
3. If you have repented why have you not been baptized according to the command of Christ and example of the early Christians? The baptized person declares, ‘I have turned my back on my old life, and I am now a new person in Christ’. The New Testament knows nothing about an ‘unbaptized Christian’. Peter proclaimed, “Be baptized every one of you” who repents. The 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost all heeded that command and were baptized (v. 41). Possibly you have been ignorant of this until you have read what has been written. Perhaps you have been putting it off. But do not refuse. Surely there is a legitimate question as to whether you are genuinely saved if you are not willing to submit to baptism. What other commands of Christ, who you say is your Lord, will you not be willing to submit to? No, let it be your greatest privilege to identify in baptism with your despised Lord. How pow- erful was the word of God on that day. Let us have renewed confidence and pray it will be again in our day, that we will witness multitudes being baptized. 

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Imitating Christ’s Humility Sakwa Buliba

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a serv- ant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8).

If you asked parents what character traits they would like their children to display in life, you’ll certainly hear something like: “praised by others, aggres- sive, self-reliant, self-confident, having self-esteem and ability to manipulate others for personal profit.....” This pictures the nature of the society we  live in, particularly when we consider that Christians are no different in aspiring to be always on top of others, using others, receiv- ing praise and seeking self-exaltation more often at the expense of others with lesser means.

In His earthly life and specifically at the Cross; we meet our Lord Jesus manifesting godly humility in all His character. We see in Him poverty of spirit, meekness, pa- tience, lowliness of mind, soul-abasement, self-depreciation. In the Gospel of John, we have the inner life of Christ laid bare regarding His relation to the Father, the motives and power by which He acts: “The Son can do nothing of his own accord” (Jn. 5:19,30; 6:38; 8:28); “I do not seek my own glory” (Jn. 5:41; 8:50); “My teaching is not mine” (Jn. 7:16; 14:10, 24); “I have not come of my own accord” (Jn. 7:28; 8:42). This is the message Christ displayed before the disciples, who were preoccu- pied with debates of who should be greatest in the kingdom.

1. The very God becomes man

“...Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped....” (v. 6).

For the sake of His enemies, He leaves the realms of heaven to come and dwell on earth. He accepts to be born in an animal’s feeding trough, of a woman, breath- ing human oxygen, getting tempted (Heb. 4:15), feeling sorrowful (Matt. 26:37-39), mourning (Jn. 11:35), thirsting, becoming hungry, tired and sleepy (Lk 14:1; Matt. 8:24). Instead of holding onto His Godhead and evading human suffering, He vol- untarily chose to undergo all the pain and humiliation in order to secure the eternal welfare of His enemies: the sinners.

2. The very Master becomes a servant

....“but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant...” (v. 7)

Jesus cautioned His disciples against taking any place before God or man except that of a servant, clearly demonstrated by the Master washing their feet (Jn. 13:5, Lk. 22:27). Although He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, our gracious Savior delighted not in the praise of men. He pleased not Himself and made Himself of no reputation despite the glory that He had with the Father from the creation of the world. Christ would continually deny Himself in order to minister to others. He would be patient under venomous insults. He would think more of godly beggars than of worldly kings. With no home to call His own and getting His upkeep from alms, He mingled with beggars and rendered service to all as though He was not the Master (Lk. 9:58; Matt. 20:28; Lk. 22:27).

3. The giver of life succumbs to death

...“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (v. 8).

Think of how many cripples Jesus enabled to walk, how many blind whose eyes He opened, how many terminally ill he healed by word of His mouth, how many dead He called forth from death to life. Mockers and scoffers sarcastically urged Him to come down from the Cross, if indeed He was the Son of God. Others told Him to save Himself as He saved others. Yet He willingly gave up His spirit and died at the Cross for the sake of sinners, including those who nailed Him on the Cross.

4. Christians’ attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus......” (v. 5)

The question is often asked, “How can we count others better than ourselves when we can see that they are below us in knowledge, natural gifts, wisdom and in their walk with God?” The question itself is sufficient evidence that we indeed esteem ourselves above others. We should rather be wondering how Christ Jesus would count us, worth- less sinners as we are, better than Himself to the point of dying for us when He knew that we were but rebels, blind, deaf, lost, bound and dead in sin and trespasses! If a righteous Man can die for His tormentors and His enemies, who are we?

He taught, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). Jesus’ attitude was that of counting Himself the servant of men. He never for a moment thought of seeking His honor or exercising His enormous power to annihilate His enemies. He lived a life yielded to God to work through Him. He teaches us that our role is to yield to God in perfect resignation and dependence, in full consent to be and to do nothing of ourselves. Our gracious Lord urges us to learn of Him! Learning of Him implies an actual increasing conformity to the like- ness of Christ. It means a crucifying of self. He teaches a sinking every moment into deep humility and a rise every moment into recognition of Christ as our all in all.

A Christian needs to desire lowliness of mind, to esteem others more than himself. He will see more evil in his own heart than in any other person around him. He feels his utter unworthiness and sinfulness in the sight of God’s holiness every day. A Christian understands when Abraham says, “I am but dust and ashes”(Gen. 18:27), he is ready to say with Jacob, “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of stead- fast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant” (Gen. 32:10), he is willing to cry with David, “I am a worm” (Ps. 22:6), he would willingly confess with Job, “I am of small account” (Job 40:4), proclaim with Isaiah, “I am a man of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:5) and exclaim with Peter, “I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk. 5:8) and with Paul, “I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle”, “I am the foremost of sinners” (1 Cor. 15:9; I Tim. 1:15). 

God’s Design for the Family

God’s Design for the Family John Muketha
Throughout the world, families are disintegrating with divorce, immo- rality, homosexuality, and adultery. Physical and emotional abuse, sin- gle parenthood, disobedient children and abortion are becoming the order of the day. When a society upholds the family and family life it will be morally preserved. However, the neglect of the family unit coupled with permissive sinful influences results in moral decadence in society.
God’s design for the family is clearly spelt out in His Word, the Bible. In the book of Genesis, it is evident that the family was God’s initiative at creation. God created man and woman and established marriage and the family relationship on which every society is built. Genesis 2:18-25 is God’s blueprint that provides guidelines to a fulfill- ing marriage relationship. The family, and not the government, or even the church, is God’s first human institution. This demonstrates the great importance that mar- riage and family holds in the sight of God. No wonder this institution is subjected to serious attacks by the devil and the world more than the institutions of govern- ment and the church. We can safely conclude that the society is only as strong as the families that make it up. This also applies to other human institutions like the church.

Today the family is under attack. In the West, about half of marriages end in divorce. We have single parent families while others cohabit without any marriage whatsoever. Mar- riage infidelity and sexual activity before marriage all take their toll on the family. Homo- sexuality is the most recent of the devil’s attacks on God’s first institution as some seek recognition of same sex marriage. This clearly is an abomination in the sight of God (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26, 27), which all boils down to nothing more than human rebellion against God. God in His wisdom established the home for the protection of the human race.

God has much to say concerning the sanctity of marriage. The Word of God be- gins with a marriage (Gen. 2:18-25) and also closes with a marriage (Rev. 19:7). The very first miracle that the Lord Jesus Christ performed in His ministry was at a wed- ding (Jn. 2:1-11). The LORD God himself said, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Gen. 2:18) God also tells us that if a man finds a wife he finds a good thing and obtains God’s favor or grace (Prov. 18:22). This shows the great delight and blessing which the Lord bestows upon those who enter into a marriage relationship (Ps. 128).

When a man and a woman come together in marriage they become one flesh (Gen. 2:24). God’s perfect design for marriage is one man and one woman for life. This is the natural order of creation as established by God. Christ said that from the very beginning it was one male and one female (Matt. 19:3-7). We were not meant to have multiple wives. Neither is it God’s will for two men to make a marriage or for two women. They will never fulfill the purpose which God assigned to Adam and Eve then, and husbands and wives today. God’s plan for marriage is that there would be no divorce. God takes marriage seriously and so should we and not seek to break marriages apart (Matt. 19:3-9; Mk. 10:2-12). God’s design for the family is clearly spelt out in His Word, the Bible. In the book of Genesis, it is evident that the family was God’s initiative at creation. God created man and woman and estab- lished marriage and the family relationship

on which every society is built. Gen. 2:18-25 is God’s blueprint that provides guidelines to a fulfilling marriage relationship. The family, and not the government, or even the church is God’s first human institution.

This demonstrates the great importance that marriage and family holds in the sight of God (Hebrews 13:4). As a young man hoping to get married one day, are you looking up to the Lord to provide a companion comparable to you? As a lady looking forward to marriage, put your trust in the Lord to provide the man with whom you will share the rest of your life.

It is only in the security and stability of the home that children can be properly nur- tured and prepared for life in order to be able to carry the torch to the next genera- tion (Exodus 20:12). As parents, what kind of examples are we to our children? Are we truly faithful to our spouses? The home is the first school where our children will learn how to love and care for their spouses. As a husband, you should love your wife even as Christ loved the Church. Love, cherish and nourish her as you love yourself so that your son will learn to love and cherish his wife in the next generation. You are also setting the standard for the kind of husband your daughter expects when her time for marriage comes. As a mother, you are by your life teaching your daughter how she should treat her husband when that time comes. You are also setting the standard for the kind of wife your son expects when his time for marriage comes.

Sin messed up the first family. We fail in many ways because we inherited the sinful na- ture from our first parents. It is in Christ alone that our sins can be cleansed so that we are able to fulfill God’s design for the family. We must pray for our families, that each member comes to know and love the Lord, and that Christ may truly be the Head of the home and the unseen Guest at every meal and silent Listener in every conversation.