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 1st 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.”
