When I began to pastor and people called me for prayers, I prayed for many people, especially unbelievers, without actually believing that God would answer them. And here was my reason: for many years I was given many reasons why God will not answer my prayers even as a believer. If there was sin in my life, God will not hear me. If I missed any tithe at-all, He will curse me. If I served only in one department when I could serve in more, He will withhold his blessings from me. If I did not win any soul at-all, then my blessings will be hanging. Though I attended regularly but if I missed any service, the blessings were present the day I was absent. If I did not fast and pray long hours, then I must definitely forget about His blessings.
So I reasoned thus: If God will not bless me because of all
of these, how then should he bless and answer my prayer for an unbeliever who
has no regard for Him and does none of these things. He does not go to church,
pays no tithe, obviously living in sin, and does not serve God at-all. I mean
how could He? So in the early days, when people called me for prayers, I will
try to convert them before praying for them. I reasoned that, at-least this
might make God look favorably towards them.
Secondly, since I was told that God will bless me materially
based on my service and commitment to Him, sometimes, I
wondered why it appeared some people who did not serve Him as much as I did had
these things more than I did. I had friends who were not as committed in church
as I was, but materially, they seemed to fair much better. Haven’t you wondered at this before?
Well,
let the truth set you free
I realized the following:
1.
Nobody was saved until Jesus died and rose from
the dead. Therefore, every blessing Jesus released and every miracle he poured
out was on unsaved people, and many of them were not working for Him. 100% of
all Jesus did were all gifts of grace --none of them qualified for it. It is
the blessings of God that leads to repentance. So today, I pray with full assurance
of faith whether they are ladies of the night I meet on the streets of Abuja or
whether he just offered to sell me drugs. I have laid my hands on a bouncer working in
front of a brothel and God healed him instantly. I can never forget how this muscle stern looking guy almost broke down in tears as he told me that his greatest desire is to serve God but didn't just know how. If they see the heart of God
towards them, they will run towards Him not away from Him.
2.
Because we have reduced Christianity to material
blessings, today, Christians are forced to compare themselves with unbelievers.
For many this is a huge blow to their faith. In reality, the blessings I have are far greater than all the wealth of the world combined
in one place. God has given me a right standing with Him and I have my place guaranteed
in eternity. And this has nothing to do with my work or service - they are 100% gift of grace. I am no longer under the dominion of the powers of darkness. I am
the righteousness of God in Christ and not under the dominion of sin. The
things that rule unbelievers does not rule my life. If you know who you are,
you will pity every unbeliever.
3.
I need not slave to produce material things like
they do. I realize that when I rest in His finished work, my needs are met. Rest
is not lack of activity, but when I work in confidence of success, I need not
panic, I need not steal, I need not take from anyone; rather my actions are a
blessing towards others.
4.
When it comes to working for God or serving God
as the terms are generally used, I do neither. I am not a servant, I am simply
a son who lives up to his responsibilities. The more I realize just how much He
loves me, the more I desire to live and do things that are very pleasing to
Him. I do not go out to evangelize because I need a mansion in heaven --that
will be cool too, but I do so, just because I enjoy telling people how much Jesus
loves them. And because I know that whatever evil they do or whatever lifestyle
they live is because they have not tasted His love.
The
conclusion:
When you were a child, depending on your
parents, you were either threatened with punishment or enticed with promise of goodies
for you to brush your teeth and to take your shower. But now that you are an
adult, you will fight for tooth paste and water to bath, if there was scarcity.
We have run our ministry without
intimidating, threatening, cajoling, forcing, or mandating anyone to give or do
anything – not even once. Why? We are committed to raising sons and daughters
unto God not slaves. If you truly know who you are, you will do what you are
supposed to do.
Remember to leave a comment or share your experience...
Remember to leave a comment or share your experience...
