Internal and externa war

The Bible Calendar for 23rd September 2024.

1 Kings   15: 1–32

Jeremiah   26

Colossians  3: 5 — 4: 1

POINTS:

1. Internal and External War

2. Truth Is Hated

3. Everything as to God

1. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WAR:

War is an absence of peace between two or many people, communities, or nations. It can occur through hatred and fighting for something important, and it can be an internal or external war. An internal war is not easily fought because it is a war among people who share the same culture and beliefs, such as biological traits and covenants, such as tribal war and civil war, to mention a few. Since the separation occurred in Israel, the house of Solomon and Jeroboam had been in an internal war, which caused the loss of properties that their fathers had labored for; it got to the extent of inviting an external war against one another with the national resources that they supposed to use for the development of their Nations. Such is the situation of things in our nation, community, and families; some failed to settle their quarrels until they escalated and became family wars, tribal and civil wars just because of disagreement between two people. The irony of it is the existence of such internal war in the church even within the church leaders and denominations. Such war has been in some families for many years and transpired from one generation to another and within the siblings to their children. Meanwhile, Jesus taught us to love one another, which means to settle quarrels with anybody, not minding whether we are right or wrong because the only way out is to forgive ourselves and settle our differences. King Asah did well before God, but he was unable to remove the hatred and war between his family and Jeroboam, instead, he sent all the treasures in the temple and the palace to hire an external war against Jeroboam, though he achieved his aim of stopping Jeroboam from building a siege but what about the resources wasted and the later had effect, for it was an avenue to open doors for the enemies. When there is rancho within the Christians or ministers, they are also opening doors for the enemies to attack the church; the worst is that both will be praying against their enemies, and some will be praying evil to happen to their fellow brethren or Co-ministers.  Let’s be careful. Jesus is the prince of peace and left peace with us, and Paul called us to settle our quarrel with one another; if we can’t settle it one-on-one, we should involve others, and if we have yet to settle, we should involve the church. Please note that unsettled quarrels will not allow some to make heaven; be careful.

2. TRUTH IS HATED

From the beginning, after the fall of man, the truth has always been hated; people like those who will deceive them rather than those who will tell them the truth. Jeremiah told Judah the true prophecy from God, and they assembled to kill him if not the intervention of the palace security. And those who ganged up against him were not unbelievers but the Priest and the Prophets who were his colleagues. Can we call this to be the effect of envy or hatred? Why can’t these people inquire from God to know whether Jeremiah was saying the truth or not? There is still hatred among the ministers, elders, deacons, and anyone telling the truth in the church as it is in the world today. And this has silenced some people. While some are ready to face the consequences, some are named, and some are left unprompted in their offices and even in the church. But God vindicated Jeremiah as some elders went on memory lane to talk of some prophets that had prophecies similar to Jeremiah’s prophecy. People yielded to the message of some, and it was well with them, and some were killed for prophesying the truth; the words of God will remain forever. This is the reason why some prophets are not digging deep nowadays, some say it is confronted and some are attacked, some were lured to say the mind of the people instead of the mind of God, the prophet and all other ministers should learn from Jeremiah here as he said if you want to kill me go ahead but that is the words of God, and only the remedy is for the people to repent and change their attitude towards God. Anyone who values his life more than the ministry will not be able to say the truth, because anyone who says the truth should be ready for consequences that can be meted on him, but those that be truthful to the end shall be given the fruits of the tree of life; let’s be truthful to the end.

3.  EVERYTHING AS TO GOD

Christians should do everything as if they are doing it for God and attend to their husbands, wives, children, servants, and all the people as if it is for God; that is when we have the fulfillment of love towards God and our neighbors. Apostle Paul said all that we do should be done wholeheartedly as if it is for God, without expecting any reward from anybody. But as Christians, we need to demonstrate a free mind, humility, kindness, and forgiveness, and accommodate all people for the sake of Christ. We need to accept all Christians as one body without discrimination of tribe, culture, and tradition because Christ is all in all. This is telling us to accept all Christians as a small Christ, physical Jesus, as an ambassador of Christ, and with this, we will castigate the love of Christ on such person, the wife, husband, children, and servants will live as with Christ. None will think himself to be better or be self-centered in their dealing with one another. But there are discriminations in the church today as well as in Christian families; domineering, power tussle, and carefree attitudes are in the Christian homes of today, but Christ cannot be divided. We must harmonize our differences at home and in the church. Let’s forego our pride, let’s humble ourselves for the sake of the Lord, and may our home be like Paradise on earth in Jesus’ name.

Pastor M. O. Shodipe.

For question: 08056044717