THE ULTIMATE TEST

I received salvation in the beginning of my third year in college. I was lost and confused. I was just another ‘Christian’.Going to church was enough commitment to Godly matters. Devil had taken advantage of me for quite some time. I finally surrendered everything and made a personal commitment to honor God. I was ushered well to the fellowship of brethren and I started studying the word of God.

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I began getting new revelations whenever I read the word. God was speaking to me through scriptures. The most amazing thing I found in salvation is peace, my heart was in absolute peace. Nothing mattered to me other than hearing from the Lord. The life in salvation was far much better than when I was not born again and the most important thing is that I became a child of God. (I have inheritance from the father)

My friends and I had done all manner of evil things in the name of celebrating/enjoying our youth or in quest to satisfy our desires. We took alcohol, smoked and even did all sort of immoral stuff. It is sad that at that time I had not realized that I was bought at a price and I ought to honor God with my body as it is stated in 1 Corinthians chapter 6. I came to understand that Jesus died so that I can be acquitted and made worth again before God.In 1^st Corinthians 6:20, Paul writes,

“For you were bought at a price;therefore honor God with your body and in your spirit which are God’s.”

Almost a year after my salvation, I was doing well in faith and everything was smooth to me. A friend of mine and I, attended a burial of one of my lecturer’s Step mother. After the day’s activities it was now evening and we needed rest. We were tired. The host who is not only my lecturer but also my close friend came to show us a place to rest. Before we could rest he inquired the type of drinks we would love to take. 

My friend said he would be fine with a bottle of wine. Then it was my turn to give my order. I looked around, No one knew me, A voice told me ‘you used to take alcohol, why are you afraid, no one will see you’as I thought about which way to follow, I remembered that God was still present to see what I would do. I requested for a Fruit juice. To be honest that was an ultimate test to me but God led me through. I remember reading 1 Corinthian 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

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I was not the first person to face such a test. In the book “Prisoner of Hope” McFETRIDGE recounts of his ultimate test in prison as a new believer. He indicates that his friend and cellmate come with a pornographic magazine. McFETRIDGE badly yearned to see it because he was addicted to pornography before he received salvation. It disturbed him so badly that he had to request the cellmate to take it away. He overcame the test but it moved him as he describes on his book.

Great men of God have undergone severe test to affirm their faith. We find many examples in the bible. I will mention a few. Jesus although was the son of God also faced temptation. He was tempted by the devil after fasting for forty days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus was very well equipped with the word and faith. He faced boldly all the temptations subjected to him by the devil and he come out bravely having conquered all the temptations.

In Job Chapter 1 verse 8 onward, we come across Job. God referred to him as blameless and upright man whom God did not compare to any man. Job the servant of God underwent severe temptations that I cannot tell how many people today can withstand. Job lost everything that he had but still stood firm for God.

At some point Job received news that his sons and daughter were dead. His response amazes me. He tore his clothes and fell down to worship God. Acts1:20

“Then job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.”

To me, this was the greatest show of obedience, Faith and Trust to God by Job. His wife later persuades him to curse God and then die but he remains faithful to God. Job 2:9

“Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 

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Job did not give up on God because he knew very well that He was serving a sovereign God. It is normal for us to face challenges and trials. When these temptations comes our way, we should understand that they are meant to make us strong and better in the Lord. We have to be strong and able to stand by Gods standards.

James writes in chapter 1:2-4

“2, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must furnish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. 12, blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

WHY DO WE GO TO CHURCH?

It’s early in the morning as I prepare to leave for Church.  I am very conscious of time for I do not want to miss a seat inside the church. Where I fellowship when you are late by ten minutes you cannot get a seat.  So my desire is not only to secure a seat but also to be able to concentrate, listen and actively participate in the service. Its 6:30am when I leave my room. On the way I can see brethren walking fast. No one wants to be late for the church service. Why are we going to church in first place? I can’t speak for everyone but know why I am going to church. Am sure we want to Praise, Worship, seek God and finally listen from Him.

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I walk past many people because I am faster than many of my fellow pedestrians. By 6:50am Am in church and fortunately I have a seat. If you thought I had come early you are wrong. My seat is in the middle of the church. Meaning that all the seats after me had been secured. The intersession is going on and am getting ready for the church service. I have neighbors, a lady on the right and a gentleman in the left. The service starts and we are all worshiping. We all concentrate. Some are carried by the worship and others are praying. Within no time am also immersed in prayer.

The following sessions go on well until the speaker is introduced. As he starts the sermon am very keen and deep within me I feel the urge to hear from God. I am listening to each and every word that comes from his mouth.  I am jotting down the important points and the key verses for reference. The speaker decides to make the session interactive, or so I thought. The man of God tells us to say hi to our neighbors. I turn left and said “hi” to my neighbor. This take him by surprise. He did not hear what the speaker had said. As he struggles to inquire what had been said, I peep on his phone and I can see that the Facebook account is open and he was probably chatting with his “friends”.

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 I thought about it but I could not understand. He later tells me that the preacher was boring and he was trying to keep himself busy. It’s very unfortunate that we can waste our time to go church and fail to get a portion of the bread of life. Why would I remain in church if am not concentrating to what is going on?  May be it’s because psalms 84:10 tells me that a day in God’s court is worth a thousand days elsewhere. It’s quite a wise decision to be found in God's Court but it’s more prudent to be found actively in the same court. If not so, I would not only be wasting my time but also being hypocritical.

I remember a few months ago, I met a friend after a fellowship. Since we follow the same route to our resident, we walked together. Feeling encouraged and inspired, I started sharing with her how the sermon was powerful. To my surprise she informed me that she did not hear even a word of it. She had slept immediately the speaker got on the pulpit because the speaker was “boring”. I could not understand.

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My friends are just a representation of many people whom I think do not attach a lot of concern and meaning to attending church service. It’s very critical for us to understand why we go to church. The core reason for fellowship is spiritual growth. We also have time for our prayer and listening to the word of God and most importantly honoring the Sabbath as God Himself did.