2015 –LET’S MAKE IT A YEAR OF INCREASING FRUITFULNESS

Author REV. ALABA OBIRI

This past year has undoubtedly been quite eventful with developments of far reaching consequences in the health, spiritual and political lives of nations around the world. Many of these events are grave and unprecedented. As we transit into another year it is clear that the Church needs to make its impact felt much more given the fact that activities all around the world continue to be increasingly hostile to the pursuit of God and godly values. The irony though is that religious activities are growing in leaps and bounds so also are Christian religious activities and movements. It seems though that these heightened Christian activities are not making the expected impact and the growing hostility remains a challenge for the Church and for believers at large. This is a far cry from what Jesus Christ intended and set the Church up to be when He stated to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth…” Mat_5:13. From the start of this New Year, I am convinced more than ever that the Lord will have the Church arise in response to its call and begin to more positively impact its world to make a difference by easing the pain and emptiness in the lives of people, make new converts and win back many who have strayed away to its fold. 2015 will have to be our Year of Increasing Fruitfulness.

For a start, a sincere self-examination is in order. A relevant question to ask will be: How did we get here? For a concise answer, we need to look further into that statement that the Lord Jesus made, “…But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.” – Mat_5:13 (GNB). Regrettably, although the Church remains active and seemingly flourishing within our community it is having little or no effect on the morality and ethics of society. It seems to be degenerating to be more part of the problem than the solution. Looking closely, leadership in the Church cannot be exonerated as there seem to be more pursuit of selfish economic interests and pecuniary gain than imparting truth, righteousness and godly values. Because of this, attention seems to have been directed more towards raising local stars and building empires rather than reaching across the aisle to join hands with like minds to mount formidable attacks against the raging forces of wickedness set out to frustrate the Church in pursuit of its true calling. It is time to repent, awake from slumber and take back control from the forces of secularism and repudiation of godliness and begin to pursue the cause of God’s Kingdom not only within our local assemblies but reaching out to the marketplace and make positive impact as well.

We can still pick up the pieces starting with sincere penitence and humility and raising up the banner of prayer, purity, and the word of God in its undiluted version. Penitence and humility not for self justification or pointing fingers but acknowledging before the Lord that on our watch His work has not flourished as it should because we did not give it the attention that it deserves. Prayer, because it is key to having a turnaround which is needful in our present circumstances as Jesus Christ warned that some of these do not go out but by prayer and fasting. Praying is by no means a light or trivial exercise. It draws upon the whole nature of man engaging all the powers of man’s moral and spiritual nature. It reaches way up to touch the heart of God for mankind. We must pray if we want to see God intervene to bring about the change that we need in our communities. We must also not hesitate to boldly declare God’s word in its undiluted version because the word of God is truth and has the power to transform men and change lives. Paul the apostle had no hesitation to declare, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” – Rom_1:16. Not only must we not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, we should no more be apologetic of it either. It comes with God’s power and we must not leave that out of the equation for the power remains potent and relevant. It is for us to proclaim it, emphasize it and exhibit it given that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever. Regrettably, unlike the Apostles of old, many have today left the ministry of God’s word to serve tables and are busier competing on the platform of political relevance and setting aside the declaration of the power of the gospel. In declaring the gospel it is important that the Church does not ignore the physical needs in the lives of the people remembering that it was written of the Lord Himself that when he looked at the crowd He always had compassion on them and could not but minister to their physical needs so they could pay attention and properly receive the spiritual food that He offered them. Opportunities abound in our neighborhood to help in mentoring programs with children in apartment complexes, partnering with schools in our communities to contribute to proper development of students and engage in food assistance programs for the truly needy in the community. These activities are consistent with the message of the gospel although preaching the gospel must remain our primary task knowing that it is our instrument of change and impact for our community. Purity is another virtue that we must uphold and extol as we seek to impact our world and draw more people to the Lord. We must accept to be the custodian of purity and not allow it to go into extinction in our time as it seems to be heading. Purity is borne out of a life that is consecrated and our lives as followers of Christ are such that are to be wholly devoted to Him. To be consecrated is not just the setting of one’s self apart from sinful and wicked acts but it is also the separation from worldly, secular even if legitimate acts, if they are in conflict with God’s plans to holy living. It is the dedication of all that we have to God for His own specific use as well as separation from questionable activities so that the name of God is not brought into disrepute as a result of our own actions. We are well equipped to impact the world for Christ with the truth and power of His word as well as with genuine efforts to minister to the physical needs of the people in our communities. We should utilize the resources at our disposal more than ever before in this New Year to do the work of God and make greater impact that will lead to greater change in our society. It is as we do these that fruits will abound to us and such fruits will have a greater chance to remain.
Houston South Foursquare Church