3 CATEGORIES OF CHRISTIANS

There are 3 categories of Christians I know said Mrs Odujoko as she leaned forward on her seat and stared into Anna’s eyes. The first category are the Christians who have the map to God tied around their neck. The map was given to them by parents, pastors or even friends. This map to God symbolizes Gods word. They just wear the map around their neck like a necklace. They don’t know how to read or use the map. They think having it in their possession is all that is to it. But that is certainly not true. Salvation cannot be inherited from a father to child, the fact you were born a Christian doesn’t mean you are saved and it doesn’t guarantee a close relationship with God.

You see as Christians we need a map to direct us to God and that map is the word of God. The map could also be lessons about God taught to us by our parents or pastors. It could also be pamphlets or writings about Gods word. Having possession of them doesn’t bring God into our heart. “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Deuteronomy 8:3.

The second category are the Christians who have just half of the map without even knowing it is not complete. They do not know that the knowledge they have isn’t complete and they go searching for God in the wrong places. They see Christianity as a religion with rules and regulations to be adhered to strictly. Christianity is more than just a religion. It is a relationship. It is a religion given to us by our loving father Jesus to be enjoyed, an avenue where we can experience him and partake in the saving grace provided for us. These Christians see God as a Government. A Government where citizens who don’t obey rules and don’t pay taxes are locked up. Their sight of God has been crippled because they do not understand the amazing relationship God wants to have with us. They have not heard and have not seen and so they fall deep into their emptiness everyday out of self-guilt and striving for self-righteousness. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:17.

The third category are the Christians who have the full map to God. They understand the map and they know how to use it. To them, Christianity is more than a religion, it is a relationship. It is a relationship with their heavenly father. Through the scriptures they get closer to God. They talk to him and they listen to him. His amazing love overshadows them daily. They live in this world but they are not of this world and that’s why daily challenges do not get them down. Their Christian life is like a love affair, an affair between them and their maker. Blessed are these Christians for their hearts belong to God. “If you abide in my word then you are true disciple of me, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:31-32.

Which category do you fall under Anna? Mrs Odujoko asked. A startled Anna looked up without a word to utter. Her silence answered the question.

Written by Ikechi Sharon and Edited Adejugba Adeola

A SUDDEN GLORY

….. Having the Glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal  (Rev. 21:11)

Anna stood by the door of Mrs Odujoko’s office, she checked the time she was thirty minutes late for her appointment. Anna was a corper in a small towm in Oyo state. She was caught by the pastor sleeping in church during the sermon and her punishment was to visit the church councellor for the next two weeks. This woman will start asking me if I have a boyfriend said Anna, her wahala is too much, with that her scary eyes. Finally she knocked on the door twice and opened it. Good afternoon ma said Anna. Come in and have your sit Anna, I have been expecting you said Mrs Odujoko. You are Thirty minutes late she said. I am sorry ma said Anna, I had to invigilate an exam in school and they finished late. So you can lie like this Anna thought to herself you that you were gisting with Fola in School.

Mrs Odujoko was scribbling some things down on her notepad she didn’t even look at Anna. Five minutes had gone by and the office was still silent. Anna noticed a book on the table written by Sharon Jaynes. Who does Sharon Jaynes do? asked Anna. She didn’t think before asking the question she just wanted to break the silence. She pinched herself for asking a dumb question. Sharon Jaynes equips women to live fully and freely said Mrs Odujoko. The book is about the things Christian women go through she continued. These women have their normal devotions and prayers every day, go to work, church bible studies but they still have this ache for more of Jesus. They feel empty. They feel Jesus wants more from them but they don’t know what's called the Glory ache. There is a reason Christians have the glory ache. Have you experienced it before asked Mrs Odujoko.

Haa, me im just a normal Christian o said Anna. Im not into the bible like that so I've not reached that stage. I don’t even understand what you are talking about said Anna. Mrs Odujoko leaned back in her chair and stared at Anna for some seconds. Have you ever experienced Gods glory asked Mrs Odujoko. I mean have you experienced a personal miracle from God and you just knew God was trying to show you something. Not really said Anna, like I said ma im just a normal Christian and..  Okay Anna I understand Mrs odujoko cut in. She handed the book on the table over to Anna, read this book our next appointment is on Wednesday. Thank you ma said Anna as she got up to leave, ma you haven’t told me why Christians have the glory ache she asked. Mrs odujoko was scribbling something in her notepad again. On Wednesday I will tell you she said.

Anna left the office and boarded a bike to the corpers lodge. Mi o mo be o, said the okada man as he rode off. I will direct you said Anna, take the next turn on your right she said. The okada man slowed donw to turn right without checking the side mirror. Immediately there was a loud horn from behind that almost deafened her. She looked back to see a trailer right behind her. If she had stretched out her hand she could have touched the trailer. The okada man quickly turned right as passers by gave him the insult of his life. Anna had a lump in her throat she could not talk as she got down from the okada to walk into the lodge. I could have died Anna said to herself. That trailer could have crushed us.God saved me today. So God took his time to save an ordinary Christian like me. He has indeed showed me his glory. I have experienced what Mrs odujoko said. I need to read this book she gave me she said as she entered her room. Beaming with smiles for the Glory of God overwhelmed her.

Written by Ikechi Sharon and Edited by Adejugba Adeola. 

REJOICE IN THE LORD.

Anna closed her bible and looked up, she didn’t understand. It was so clear and yet confusing. Why did God make the bible so complex if he wanted us to read to understand, she said to herself. Anna had started studying her bible since her first visit to the church counselor and since her first encounter of Gods glory.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labour off the olives shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the field and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Is it possible for one to go through so many difficulties and challenges and still say “I will rejoice in the Lord”. When there are bills to pay, a dying child, a degree to finish, no money, no food, no love. These challenges could make anyone go crazy. Yet Habakkuk says that even in the midst of these challenges he will rejoice in the Lord and praise the God of his salvation.

Wow! He must have been a tough guy Anna said to herself. She remembered how she lost her aunt to a heart disease and how she grieved. It wouldn’t have been possible for her to rejoice in the Lord and give him the glory during that period. The pain was just too much. The anger was unbearable. She was angry with God and with everyone around her. Angry at God for not saving her aunty who had three children to take care of.

How do these Christians do it? She said aloud. How does God expect us to do it? Doesn’t he know how painful some situations can be? How does he expect us to hold back the tears and praise him. A good example is Mrs odujoko, she has been married for 6 years without a child, yet she still looks very happy. She comes to church early, carries out duties in church and even volunteered to be the church counselor. I wonder how she manages to stay so happy. Anna looked at her phone it was 6pm, she had to fetch water before it got very dark.

Written by Ikechi Sharon and Edited by Adejugba Adeola.