Modern Reformer
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  • My Blog
    • Helping in Turkana
    • Iceland overview
    • Day 1 in Iceland
    • Photos from the Amsterdam Trip
    • Trip of a Lifetime
    • Our Journey
    • This World Stinks
    • The Elements Shall Melt
    • False Prophets- - AMEN!
    • Death of the Church
    • Who was the last prophet sent by God?
    • Write the Vision
    • Fast Food Christians
    • Jesus Wept
    • The Demise of the Protestant
    • Considering Memorial Day
    • Judas
    • The Downfall of a Civilization
    • Divine Business
    • A Futuristic Short Story
  • Questions
    • Prophecy >
      • What is the point of the "Great Tribulation" if all of the Christians will be raptured?
      • How Do We Prepare for the Great Tribulation?
      • Many preachers say Jesus is coming soon, while there are no clear signs of it. Is it a scare tactic to make people do what they want?
      • Is it true that the Bible says that no one goes to heaven until Jesus comes back?
      • What does the Bible say about Jesus' Second Coming?
      • When does the 2nd Resurrection Take Place?
      • How will Jehovah God save Israel when he brings all nations against it ?
      • When the kingdom of God is established, in what manner ( physically or ?? ) will everybody who obeys Jehovah God will become like Adam ( they will no longer be males and females but all males ) ??
      • Spiritually, What are we on the verge of?
      • When did the 70 years desolation spoken by Jeremiah begin?
      • What is meant by Rome being called the Antichrist?
      • In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?
      • What is the difference between the Babylonia that were mentioned in the Old Testament and the Babylonia that was mentioned in the book of Revelation?
      • What are the comparison of the verses Ps 83:1-8,Ez 38:7-16, Zech 14:2-3,and Rev 20:8-9--are they the same in meaning?
      • Of that Day and that Hour
      • How Will Jesus' Second Coming Happen?
      • Will the End Times Battle Be Fought With Weapons
      • Biblically speaking what will the world be like after Armageddon?
      • End Times and Sodom and Gomorrah?
      • At which trumpet will Michael and his angels boot Satan and his angels from heaven to earth?
      • When does/did Jesus Christ's reign as King of God's Kingdom start?
      • Is the Beast in Revelation the Antichrist?
      • Jesus Would Return as He Left?
      • What do you think Jesus meant that if God had not shortened those days, no flesh would survive?
      • What are You Looking Forward To?
      • Is This the Beginning of the Apocalypse?
      • What does Jesus Mean When He Says This?
      • Evidence of the Signs of the Times?
      • What will the Kingdom Accomplish?
      • How Will the Scoffers Feel when Jesus Comes?
      • What is the Significance of the Word "Presence."
      • Why Does My Mom Say We are in the Last Day?
      • What Exactly do People Think the Apocalypse is?
    • Doctrine >
      • Can a person worthy of Heaven be OK with others going to Hell?
      • Can the theory of "being born a sinner" and the theory of "age of accountability" exist at the same time? How and why?
      • According to the Bible, why is everyone born a sinner?
      • Do those don't hear about Jesus go to hell?
      • How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
      • Why does the Soul of the Dead Sinner need to be Oppressed?
      • What did Jesus mean when He said: The Way, the Truth, the Life?
      • Is the Fire of Hell Literal? Why?
      • Did Jesus Redeem Everyone? Is Everyone Saved?
      • If a baby or infant died ....he'll become an angel?
      • What is Biblical Faith?
      • Do You Believe in Hell?
      • Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism, which is more important?
      • Question on Death, Sleep, Resurrection?
      • What is the soul?
      • The Rapture
      • Is John the Baptist going to heaven?
    • General Questions >
      • How can the Gospel transform individuals and the society today?
      • Why are dogs not allowed in heaven according to the Bible?
      • Question about Islam and Christianity
      • Is a Person Who Hasn't Heard About Christianity a Sinner...?
      • Are Saints in Heaven Free...?
      • Question on John the Baptist
      • Thief on the Cross Question
      • Does the Bible has a mention about the secret societies like...?
      • Is the Garden of Eden still on earth (hidden from mankind ) ?
      • Does the Bible prove all other religions false?
      • Why do Muslims hate Jews ?
      • What do you think of the Interpretation of Gen. 2:17?
      • Did God Hate Esau from the Womb?
      • What is your opinion of the theological terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God?
      • ​Please can you explain Colossians 2:14-17, where it's says "do not let anyone judge you"?
      • What do you mean by Regeneration..?
      • Is it literally mean that Turkey is the seat of Satan?
      • I'm a Christian but I don't like to go to church...I pray and read my bible in the house....what the bible teaches about fellowship?
      • Abraham the father of Isaac and Ismael...he was Jew or Hebrew..?
      • I'm a believer. I pray that I might win in lottery,sweepstakes, casino...I won....is this a sin?
      • Please Explain Romans 10:9,10
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What is the Purpose of Satan?
      • Why would God do this? And then punish Israel for it?
      • Is the Roman Catholic Church a true church established by Jesus Christ?
      • What is Heaven Like?
      • How long (on average) does it take one to join your religion?
      • Is a judge performing his duties in a courtroom violating Jesus' command, "Do not judge"?
      • How is it that even the demons "knew Him to be the Christ." How did they know?
      • Who is Jesus claiming to be in John 8:24 and what does it mean to "die in your sins"?
      • Does the Bride of Christ have to die first?
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What about Holidays?
      • What is a Biblical Family?
      • How do We Treat Family Members Who Say They are Christians but Don't Acts Like It?
      • What is the Second Death?
      • Question on the Parable of the Two Sons
      • Christ came that we would have life abundantly correct?
      • Who is the Son of Perdition?
      • What are your thoughts on Psalm 137:9?
      • What is the difference between the DOOR in Rev 3:8 and the DOOR in Rev 3:20 ?
      • Out of the Seven Churches in Revelation, which would you say is the closet to your church?
      • What is the main message in the book of Amos, what value does it hold for today’s modern society?
      • Gospel of Thomas question:
      • Question on Tithing
      • Are some people never going to be resurrected from the dead?
      • Does God Love Unconditionally?
      • What Percentage of the Bible Do You Have to Know?
      • Do you keep the Sabbath?
      • Why was Man Excluded Because No Wedding Garment?
      • It is the Day of Atonement...Will you offer a prayer & agree in prayer for their salvation?
      • Did Noah Keep Bees in the Ark?
      • As the Pope's 9-letter surname, Bergoglio, has the word GOG bang in the middle of it, I wonder if biblical?
      • Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
      • What is the purpose of pigs?
      • Please explain how the meek inherit the earth?
      • Do You Know the Names of Jesus' Two Sheepfolds?
      • Is Jesus in His Human Body in Heaven?
  • Meditations of Joy
    • Overcoming Lack of Confidence to Connect and ‘Fit In’ Part 1
    • All Things in the Name of Jesus
    • The Treasured Life
    • Afflicted in Faithfulness
    • Making All Things New
    • Instinctive Trust
    • #721 Extracting the Precious from the Worthless
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism Part 1
    • Facing Change and the Unknown in Confidence
    • Glorify Thy Name in us, O LORD
    • Remembering Who We Are
    • Deliverance through Overwhelm
    • Finding Stability
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited)
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father Part 2
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father
    • The Expanse of Jesus Prayer
    • The Reality of the Joy Set Before Him
    • The Determination To Do His Will
    • Choosing the Will of the Father
    • He Sustains the Weary with a Word
    • I am willing
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40.27-31 my own Part 2
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40:27-31 my own
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 5
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 4
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 3
    • #698 Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1 A Dear Brother wrote out the main things he was learning in the past year. As I read them I realized that that the Lord was teaching me along similar lines. First he shared: 1. “God’s
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2Blog
    • Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times
    • Thriving in the house of God
    • Living the Divine Dimensions of Their Love
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 2
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 1
    • Dealing with ‘What If’ Part 1
    • Abiding in Their Love
    • Serving by Night
    • Serving By Night
    • Tenacious Love Part 2
    • Tenacious Love Part 1
    • Reverence for God is an Access to Wisdom and Confidence
    • The Practice of Praise
    • Separate the Precious from the Worthless
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 2
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 1
    • #676 Only One Thing is Necessary
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 2
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 1
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 2 In the Care of the Shepherd
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 1 in the Hands of the Potter
    • The Choice to Rejoice
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 3
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 2
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
    • Courage to Go Forward
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 3
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 1
    • The Holy Ground of Challenge
    • What We Remember, What We Forget
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 3
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 2
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 1
    • Paul’s focus in Prison: Part 6b Resurrection power Beyond Our Comprehension
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: In Awe of His Resurrection Power Part 6aBlog
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: Part 5a Never give up praying for one another!
    • Paul's focus in Prison: Part 4 Guarded!
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 3 Going forward with Passion
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison Part 1
    • LIVING Hope and Joy
    • Arms Wide Open
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited from 2017)
    • “Yet Thou art Holy”
    • Resolutely Going Forward
    • Passover Love
    • Praying for a Word to Give the Weary
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 2
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 1Blog
    • A Night Journey to Peace Part 2
    • A Night Journey to Peace
    • Trusting His Choices
    • Peace Amid the Storm
    • Love is Patient
    • Proving His Name to His Glory
    • Watching in Hope
    • Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
    • "Father Glorify Thy Name"--Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 3 (A roadblock to be aware of)
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 2 (Practical application)
    • Father, Glorify Thy Name
    • Finding His Joy
    • The Blessing of Over-and-Over-Testings
    • Redefining Our Perception of Rejection
    • The Source of all Encouragement
    • Casting our Care and Leaving it There
    • Setting our Face Like Flint
    • Accepting God’s Will for our Beloved Brethren
    • Our Home in Every Challenge: Seeing Beyond the Illusion
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Sure Proof of His Divine Provision
    • Some Lessons from David in Absalam's Rebellion and Unresolved Conflict
    • His Glory: Permission to Prune
    • His Glory: A Call to Re-focus
    • Trade in the Old Thinking for a New Song!
    • A Practical Look at the Armor of God
    • Resting in His Provision
    • His Perspective from the Heights, Borne on the Wings of the Eagle
    • What Would Jesus THINK?
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 2
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 1
    • The Joy of His Love Empowering us to Love Part 2
    • The Joy of Overcoming Irritation: Divine Love Empowering us to Love Part 1
    • The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Sending Portions!
    • Finding Joy Part 2b: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Eat and Drink!
    • Finding Joy Part 2a: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength
    • Finding Joy: The Joy Set Before Us Part 1
    • The Refuge of His Wise and Loving Power
    • Facing the Challenge in the Beauty of Holiness
    • Facing the Challenge with Praise, Prayer and Perspective
    • Enthroning Him upon our Praise
    • Yet You Are Holy
    • Yet You are Holy
    • Another Look at “Arise, Let us go hence”
    • “My Peace” When We Feel Alone
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 5
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 4
    • My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 3
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 2
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 1
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze of Love Part 2
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze
    • Trusting Enough to Get Out of the Boat
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting His Provision in the Process Part 2
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting that what He allows is GOOD.
    • He Knows What We Need, a Call to Praise Amid the Unknown!
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • The Creative Deliverance That Surrounds Us
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 4
    • #547 How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 3
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 2
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 1
    • Our Prayerful Song in the Midst of Whatever Happens
    • #543 What Brings Us Peace No Matter What Happens
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking Part 2
    • He Restores my Soul
    • “Look up and Let Go”
    • Nothing Shall Offend
    • Moment by Moment Deliverance from Fear
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance Part 2
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst Every Circumstance
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’ Part 2
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’
    • Run through the Open Door
    • Dwelling in ONE Master
    • Dwelling in His Shadow and Watching from the Wings
    • Dwelling in the Obedience of Christ
    • Overcoming Some Old Habits of Thought
    • Setting our Minds for Surrender Each Morning
    • Some of Peters Advice for Relationships in these Last Days
    • What Helps us to Accept Every Experience
    • His Leading through the Valley
    • Being His Valiant Warrior
    • Our Valiant Warrior
    • Living Deep-rooted Attachment in Christ
    • Keep on Sowing!
    • Surely the LORD is in the place
    • Red Sea Advice Part 4 The Red Sea Response
    • Red Sea Advice Part 3 The Red Sea Reaction
    • Red Sea Advice Part 2
    • Red Sea Advice Part 1
    • A Call to Peace
    • But Then on The Third Day
    • He Endured the Cross Part 3 Psalm 22 NIV
    • He Endured the Cross Psalm 22 Part 2
    • He Endured the Cross Part 1
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 3
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 1
    • The Yoke that Gives Us Rest
    • Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
    • Another Lesson in Making Room for Their Surpassing Power Through the Proper Use of our Limitations
    • The Posture of Waiting and Trust that Allows Him To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power 2
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • WE will get through this!
    • Delight to do His will
    • I Know the Plans I Have for You
    • But for a Moment
    • Wake me up, Lord
    • We are a Team!
    • When we feel alone
    • The One Next Step
    • Trusting the Love that Stabilizes Us Through Every Storm
    • Triumph Over Appearance
    • The Joy of His Abundance
    • Express Gratitude
    • Numbering our Days
    • Expressions of His Love
    • The Breadth of His Provision
    • His Faithfulness Behind Every Challenge
    • He Stands at the Door of our Hearts
    • Your Tender Mercies Give Me Life
    • The Craftsmanship of His Workmanship in us
    • With You Wherever You Go
    • Listening to His Voice Amid the Physical Challenge of Shingles
    • A Refuge Better than People Pleasing
    • My Prayer in the Morning
    • They Will Not Prevail
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • How To Be a Refuge Like Him
    • A Very Present Help in Trouble
    • How to be a Refuge Like Him
    • Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • On Which Side Will We Dwell?
    • The Light That Shines on Our Challenges
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 6
    • Plow My Thoughts
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 5
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 4
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 3
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 2
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts
    • Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression
    • Patient Waiting in the Face of Challenge
    • Our Expectation and Refuge in the Face of Fear
    • His Way of Escape
    • Healing the Root of Fear pt 2
    • Healing the Root of Fear
    • Weeding Day
    • Another Aspect of Wash Day!
    • Wash Day!
    • The Cup of Blessing Which We Bless
    • Our Abba Father
    • Accepting the Gift and Passing it On
    • Accepting the Gift of His Training
    • Open Our Eyes to See
    • The Breath of Forgiveness Part 2
    • The Breath of Forgiveness
    • Living Each Moment for Him
    • Diamonds in the Night
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 7
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 6
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 2
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 1
    • Faithful in the Hour Part 1
    • Delight in His Delight
    • The Beauty of Brokenness Surrendered to Him
    • How to Never Give up Part 2
    • How to Never Give UP part 1
    • Whatever We Do Part 2
    • Whatever We Do
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Tested by the Word of God
    • Waiting on the LORD
    • My Dad Road Sign
    • The Amazing Privilege of Being Coached by the Most High God
    • Casting Both Circles of Care Upon Him
    • The Heart of Deliverance
    • Say Amen!
    • Amen
    • Trusting Where He Leads
    • Made Strong to Listen
    • This is Who I AM
    • The Mindset of Deliverance
    • Strongholds
    • Your Love Has Conquered My Resistance
    • Our Stability Amid These Times and Seasons of Change
    • Precious in the Sight part 2
    • Precious in the Sight of the Lord
    • His Battle
    • Looking to Him
    • Proving Him Holy
    • Rejoice in the Road
    • The Divine Ectetera
    • Waking up to Hope in God in the Present Moment
    • Hiding His Word in Our Heart
    • The Power of Acceptance
    • The Power of Listening From His Love
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight (In Relationships)
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight Part 2
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight
    • The Past and Present Reality of Deliverance
    • Willing To Trust
    • Quieting the Noise So We Can Hear His Knock and Receive Feasting in Place of Empty Snacking
    • An Olive Tree in the House of God
    • Our Choice at Break of Day
    • From Accusation to Acclamation
    • The Pure Joy of What Is
    • Arise and Eat
    • Power Over the Pit
    • His Altar (The Dimensions of Love)
    • Living The Dimensions of Love
    • The Dimensions of Love
    • All My Springs are in You
    • Crucified with Christ--A Prayer
    • Psalm 22 on the Cross to the Ninth Hour
    • The Mind of Christ Revealed on the Cross Part 2
    • The Mind of Christ as Revealed on the Cross Part 1
    • Stop and Savor His View
    • The Final Hymn
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 3
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 2
    • Keeping the Power of the Father and the Son part 1
    • Father Glorify Thy Name
    • She Has Done What She Could
    • The Megaphone of God
    • Teach me to be an influence that honors You
    • Fill Me with Your Willingness and Skill
    • The Greatest Reality Amid any Overwelm
    • Seeing Something New
    • Trusting Him Anew
    • The Power of the Yoke of Jesus
    • How to be Humble
    • Building Faith to Prepare for Any Collision
    • Opening the Door of our Language to God
    • Safe in His Compassions
    • Who He Is in Every Experience
    • Continual Praise
    • Beside Still Waters
    • Faith and Hope in the Midst of Challenge
    • The Beauty of Flaw Wrapped in Perfection Revisited
    • Empowering Love
    • Discovering the Hidden Treasure
    • Thoroughly Known
    • Very Present Help
    • Not by Might
    • Under His Wings I Trust
    • Aiming at Eternity
    • What to Forget, What to Remember
    • Ready to Turn My Life Around for God
    • Triumph Over Circumstances--Don't Kill the Messenger
    • Waterlogged and Triumphant
    • Escape from Stress When We Don't Understand
    • Escape from Stress, Equipped with Hinds Feet
    • Surely the Lord is in the Place
    • Escape from Stress When We Fail part 2
    • Escaping from Stress When We Fail part 1
    • Escape From Stress When We don't Understand
    • From Stress to Peace Part 1
    • Step by Step Escape from Stress
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • Overcoming Illusion
    • The Blessing of Overwelm
    • Jesus is the Door
    • In Perfect Faithfulness
    • The Space to Choose
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • The Voice of our Risen Lord
    • Passover Perspectives: A Night of Watching
    • Passover Perspectives: The Protection of the Father in the Midst of the Cross
    • Passover Perspectives: The Deliverance that will Never Be Forgotten
    • Passover Perspectives: No Fear
    • Passover Perspective: The Far Reaching Power of His Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives: Living Unleavened
    • Passover Perspectives: Eating on the Run
    • Passover Perspectives: The Fires that Proved Him Faithful
    • Passover Perspectives: The Power of his Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives Exodus 12: The Keeping of the Lamb
    • Passover Perspectives: A collective celebration
    • Passover Perspectives: A New Beginning
    • A Prayer for God's Glory
    • Road Sign
    • The Beauty of Perfection
    • Every Hour
    • What will we put in the Relationship Box?
    • Discovering His Everlasting Love
    • His Timing and Strength in Every Phase of Life
    • Trusting Him in Every Valley
    • Trusting the One Who Pours the Cup
    • Smallest Beginning, Greatest Gift
    • Thoroughly Known, Thoroughly Pursued
    • Red Sea Rule #10
    • Red Sea Rule #9
    • Agreeing with God
    • Red Sear Rule #8
    • Red Sea Rule #7
    • Red Sea Rule #6
    • Red Sea Rule #5
    • Red Sea Rule 3 & 4
    • Red Sea Rules #2
    • Red Sea Rules--part 1
    • What Great Honor
    • What do you see?
    • The Power of a Living Faith
    • Awe for God in the Face of Fear
    • No Trial Will Ever Be Too Severe
    • The Work of the Gardener and the Architect
    • Wisdom Out of the Whirlwind
    • Hold On
    • Dwelling in Hope: The power of what we expect and believe
    • Conflict as a Call to Loving Action
    • Trusting His Infinite Wisdom
    • Emotion Management through The Power of Discretion
    • Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Loving New Part 2
    • Loving New
    • To Change the Paradigm
    • My Yoke is Easy, My Burden is Light
    • The Way of Escape
    • Equipped to Face Whatever Comes
    • Time to Trust part 3
    • Time to Trust part 2
    • A Time to Trust
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Wake Up New and See the Bigger Picture
    • Weeping and Finding
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • His Seamless Garment
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • Compelled by Love
    • Test of the Dream Part 3B
    • Test of the Dream --Part 3
    • Test of the Dream --Part 2
    • The Test of the Dream
    • The Love of God in Christ--part 2
    • The Love of God in Christ
    • Shedding Light on Discouragement
    • No More Re-Runs and No more Previews
    • No More Re-Runs
    • Triumph of Trust
    • With You Always, Day by Day
    • Triumph over Temptation
    • Step by Step
    • The Lord, My Confidence --part 2
    • The Lord, My Confidence--part 1
    • Seeking the Face of God and Christ
    • My Always Faithful God
    • The Answer to Overwhelm
    • Every Knee Shall Bow
    • Free to Experience the Intentions of God
    • Finding Bread at Midnight
    • Faithful Wounds
    • Battlefield Strategies
    • Take Time to Be Kind
    • Oh Magnify the Lord with Me by the Power of Thanksgiving
    • What do You Expect?
    • Unlikely Battlefield Strategies Part 2
    • The Miracle of Acceptance
    • Crisis Control
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • The Power of Pure Choice in Christ
    • Let the King of Glory In!
    • Whose Wall Do I Trust?
    • The Power of Thanksgiving
    • The Postures of Possiblities
    • If You Trust Me Let Go
    • Barefoot!
    • Holy Ground: Accepting the Mission
    • Holy ground: Facing the Fire
    • After the Battle
    • Accessable
    • Surrender in Awe and Wait in Joy
    • The Strength of our Spiritual Root System
    • Space to Trust
    • Full of Sap Part 3
    • Full of Sap Part 2
    • Full of Sap
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 3
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
    • Mind of Mature Persistance
    • Expect the Unexpected
    • Hearing Through the Ears of Jesus
    • Our Memorial Legacy: Keeping the Feast
    • Our Memorial Legacy
    • The Heart of the Father
    • The Cattle on a Thousand Hills
    • Patient with Process
    • He is Risen! Continue to Seek
    • Never Out-Numbered--Never Give Up!
    • Never Out-Numbered
    • Gathering Forces No Match For the Lord of the Harvest
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice – A Testimony
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice on the Cross
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 8
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 7
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 6
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 5
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 4
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SURA YA PILI


MAWAZO YA KISASA KUHUSU ASILI YA MWANADAMU

Sehemu ya Kwanza: Dhana Potovu Kuhusu Hali Halisi ya Kibinadamu

          Baada ya kutazama ukosefu wa uelevu uliopo kati ya Wakristo wa kidesturi kuhusu umuhimu wa imani halisi, kwa sasa tuangalie maoni hasi walionao Wakristo wengi kuhusu hali halisi ya kiroho ya kibinadamu. Hili ni swala ambalo wengi wanaosoma kitabu hiki wanaweza kuwa hawajatilia maanani sana. Ikiwa hiyo ndio hali kwako, basi, nakuuliza  uzingatie kwa makini yale yanayofuata. Maana hii ni mada muhimu sana. Ukweli wa somo hili uko ndani ya imani yote ya kweli.
Ni maoni yangu kwamba wengi wa Wakristo hupuuza, au wanakanusha au, angalau, hupunguza  utata kuhusu ni nini maana ya kuwa mwanadamu aliyeanguka. Wanaweza kukubali kuwa ulimwengu daima umejawa na uovu na mauovu na kwamba tabia za watu daima huelekea kwa tamaa na ubinafsi. Wanaweza pia kukubali kwamba matokeo ya ukweli huu ni kwamba katika kila kizazi tunaweza pata visa vingi vya ukandamizaji, ukatili, ukosefu wa uaminifu, wivu na vurugu. Vile vile wanaweza kukubali kuwa huwa tunatenda hivi hata tukiwa timamu.


         Mambo haya ni kweli; hatuyakatai. Yako wazi kiasi cha kutatanisha ni kwa nini wengi bado wanaamini kwamba kuna wema katika asili ya mwanadamu. Lakini ingawa ukweli unaweza kukubaliwa, chanzo cha ukweli huo bado kinaweza kukataliwa.

          Vitu hivi vinaweza zingatiwa kama shida ndogo ndogo au shida za mara kwa mara. Hayo maelezo mengine yanayotolewa hayaelezei uhakika wa mambo haya. Kiburi cha mwanadamu siku zote humkataza kuukabili ukweli. Hata wengi wa wale wanaodai kuwa ni Wakristo huwa wanafikiri kwamba mwanadamu kwa asili yake huwa mwema ila ni nguvu za majaribu tu humsukuma mbali na njia. Wanaamini kuwa dhambi na uovu ni maswala tofauti kabisa, na wala hayahusiki na sheria.

           Lakini Biblia inatuonyesha picha tofauti kabisa. Lugha ya maandiko matakatifu sio kwa watu wanaozimia moyoni. Maandiko yanatufundisha kwamba mwanadamu ni kiumbe aliyeasi, aliyeanguka kutoka kwa asili yake ya mwanzoni, aliyepotoka katika asili yake, mwovu wa fikira, aliyeegemea uovuni na wala sio katika wema, na aliyeathirika na dhambi hata mpaka kwenye msingi wa uhai wake. Ukweli kwamba hatutaki kukiri ukweli huu ni dhibitisho ya hali hio yao. Kama vile Milton alivyosema katika kitabu chake Paradise Lost.    

                Je! Unaona ni kwa kina gani?       
               Anguko hilo ni wa kutoka urefu gani1

                  Hebu tafakari juu ya uwezo wa ajabu wa akili ya mwanadamu. Tuna nguvu ya kubuni, kuuliza, kufanya uamuzi, kukumbuka yaliyopita, kufanya uamuzi kwa sasa na kufanya mpango wa siku zijazo. Kwa kutumia uwezo wa kufumbua mambo, hatuelewi kitu tu; bali pia tunaweza kukisifia, haswa ikiwa ni kitu kizuri chenye ubora wa maadili. Katika hisia, tunaouwezo wa kuogopa na kutumaini, uzoefu wa kufurahi na kuhuzunika, pia huruma na upendo. Na tukitaka, pia tunaweza kufanya kazi ngumu bila uoga wowote huku tukijitahidi kwa bidii. Kwa nguvu ya dhamiri yetu, tunaweza chunguza mawazo na hamu ya mioyo yetu na kutumia akili zetu kudhibiti tamaa zetu. Ama kweli sisi tu viumbe vya ajabu. Iwapo wageni toka ulimwengu mwingine wangetutazama, watastaajabia uwezo wetu wa kutumia fahamu hizi zote kuwa bora zaidi ya vile tunavyoweza kuwa. Wangefikiria kwamba muumbaji wetu angefurahi kwa mema yote ambayo tungechagua kufanya na sifa hizi za ajabu.     

             Kwa bahati mbaya, sote tunajua kuwa mambo hayawi hivyo. Hebu tazama jinsi tunavyotumia nguvu hizi. Rejelea tu hapo awali kidogo ukatazame taswira kuu ya historia ya wanadamu. Je! tunaona nini? Tunachoona ni kwamba kusudi maalum la mwanadamu limebatilishwa. Tamanio la wanadamu limepotoshwa. Hasira, wivu, chuki na kulipiza kisasi huinua vichwa vyao mbovu. Tumekuwa watumwa wa asili zetu za chini na inaonekana kuwa hatuwezi kufanya vyema!

          Historia inathibitisha misiba hii ya asili ya wanadamu. Ustaarabu wa jadi haukuwa na sifa nzuri. Kinyume chake, hata tamaduni zilizoendelea zaidi zilifunikwa kwa giza la maadili. Tunapata ushirikina, ukosefu wa hisia za asili, ukatili wa kupindukia, ukandamizaji usio na huruma na ukatili mkubwa kila mahali tunapotazama. Hatuoni adabu na maadili zikitawala popote. Kwa maneno ya Paulo, “Basi Mungu aliwaacha katika tamaa za mioyo yao, waufuate uchafu, hata wakavunjiana heshima miili yao '' (Rom1:24).

   Na hata tukigeuza macho yetu tuanze kutazama hali ya kisasa, tunapata hali ni hiyo hiyo. Mwanahistoria mmoja akaelezea juu ya Marekani kwa njia ifuatayo:

      Ni uwanja wa kiburi, na uzembe, na ubinafsi, na ujanja na ukatili; kamili ya kisasi ambacho hakuna kitu kinachoweza kukomesha, kwa ukali ambao hakuna kitu kinachoweza kutuliza; hisia nzuri zaidi ya asili ni geni kwao. Wanaonekana hawawezi kupendana upendo wa ndoa, au kupenda wazazi, au heshima za kifamilia, au uhusiano nzuri wa kijamii; ikijumuishwa pia na hali yao ya upotovu, pamoja na tabia mbovu nyingi za udhaifu wa jamii iliyochafuliwa. Namna wanavyowadhulumu mateka waliochukuliwa vitani, wanavyokusanya miili yao na kuisherekea, baada ya kuwatesa vibaya sana na kuwauwa; yote hayo yanajulikana wazi, na haina haja kurudia simulizi hiyo ya tabia hio mbovu ya chukizo. Na wala hakuna sifa zozote za kupendeza zinazoweza kufuta picha hii mbaya, isipokuwa uhodari, na uvumilivu, na bidii kwa ustawi wa jamii yao ndogo, ikiwa wema huo wa mwisho, uliotekelezwa na kuelekezwa kama ilivyofaa, unaweza kufikiriwa kuwa unastahili kupongezwa.2

                  Hata katika mataifa yenye ustaarabu zaidi tunaona ukweli wa asili ya wanadamu walioanguka. Katika baadhi ya mataifa haya, ushawishi wa Kikristo umeweka viwango juu zaidi kuliko ile tunayoelewa kuwa ni mataifa kafiri. Kwa jumla, ushawishi wa Kikristo katika mataifa umeboresha tabia na starehe za jamii, haswa kuhusu maskini na wanyonge, ambao wamekuwa wakipewa umakinifu wa pekee na wale wanaodai imani ya Kikristo. Ushawishi huu umesababisha baraka nyingi kwa watu wengi ingawa watu hao wanakataa ukweli wa Biblia na hawakubali mamlaka yake. Lakini hata katika mataifa hayo ambayo yameshawishiwa na imani ya Biblia, tunaona mifano mingi ya udhalimu wa kibinadamu.

                   Asili kamili ya mwanadamu inapofichuliwa katika hali ambapo ushawishi wa Kikristo ulikwisha shamiri, udhalimu huwa dhahiri zaidi. Sheria na dhamiri ya jamii kama hizo huundwa ili kudhibiti nguvu hizi za asili ya uwanadamu. Sheria hizi zikiondolewa au kukiukwa, tunaona uhalifu mbaya zaidi ukitekelezwa mchana peupe hata bila aibu.

                  Unapozingatia mafundisho ya kiBiblia juu ya maadili bora na utiifu wa mafundisho ya Kristo pamoja na ukweli kwamba siku moja tutatoa hesabu kwa matendo yetu, inashangaza kwamba tumewezakupiga hatua kidogo tu sana katika fadhila. Bado tunaonyesha sifa zinazohusishwa na jamii zisizo na habari; hivyo ni kusema ustawi hufanya moyo kuwa ngumu, nguvu na mamlaka zaidi kupindukia daima hutumika vibaya, tabia mbaya huchipuka tu zenyewe, ila fadhila, ikiwa inapatikana hata kidogo, ni kazi ya polepole na ngumu. Hata wana maadili hawafanyi kile wanachohubiri. Inaonekana kuwa ni sheria kwamba watu wako tayari kuteseka kutokana na athari mbaya za uovu kuliko kuchukua fursa za baraka za kuishi maisha ya utiifu wa Kikristo.

                  Iwapo twatafuta ushahidi zaidi kuhusu asili ya mwanadamu aliyeanguka, hatuhitaji kutazama mbali zaidi kuliko watoto wetu wenyewe. Hata wazazi wenye kanuni kali za Kikristo wanaweza kushuhudia jinsi ilivyo ngumu kujaribu kurekebisha watoto wetu wanapotukengeusha kwa mtazamo na matendo.

Mfano mwingine zaidi wa upotovu ni jinsi tunavyoweza kuchukua ukweli wa Biblia na kuitumia kwa njia mbaya. Kristo hudunishwa wakati wale wanaotumia jina lake wanalitumia kama udhuru wa ukatili au kutesa. Lazima tuwe waangalifu kiasi cha kuweza kutofautisha baina ya bidii iliyopotoka  na kujitolea Kiukristo wa kweli. Historia inatoa mifano mingi sana ya watu waliojiita Wakristo lakini kwa kweli hawakuwa na upendo na fadhili za Kristo. Ni kana kwamba dawa inayoponya imegeuka na kuwa sumu ya kuua. Inasikitisha sana kwamba sisi ambao tunajitambulisha kama wafuasi wa Yesu, sisi ambao tuna heri ya kufunuliwa Neno la Mungu, sisi ambao tumefunuliwa ukweli wa asili ya Mungu, sisi ambao tunadai kwamba "ndani yake tunaishi na tunasonga mbele na "(Matendo 17:28), sisi ambao tunakubali upaji wake na baraka katika maisha yetu, na ambao tumekubali msamaha unaotolewa kupitia kifo cha Kristo msalabani, husahau mamlaka yake juu ya maisha yetu na kuwa baridi na kutomjali katika mioyo yetu.3

                  Labda ushuhuda bora kuhusu upotovu huu utatoka kwa wale ambao wanajitolea kwake Kristo kwa mioyo yao yote. Wanaweza shuhudia jinsi ilivyo ngumu kupigana na asili yao iliyoanguka wanapojaribu kuishi maisha ya uadilifu. Watakuambia kuwa kwa kutazama maisha yao wenyewe na jinsi akili zao zinavyofanya kazi, wamegundua hakika ya jinsi roho ya mwanadamu ilivyopotoka. Dhamira hii inazidi kukua kila siku. Watakuambia jinsi wanavyofanya vibaya katika imani yao, jinsi matamanio yao yamejawa na ubinafsi, na jinsi walivyodhaifu na walegefu wa moyo katika kujaribu kufanya jambo sahihi. Watakubali na kukiri kwamba mafundisho ya Kibiblia kuhusu asili hizi mbili za mwanadamu zinazopingana yamethibitika kuwa kweli katika maisha yao. Kwa maneno ya Paulo, "Nina hamu ya kufanya yaliyo mema, lakini siwezi kuyatimiza" (Warumi7: 18). Jinsi tu mtu alivyosema, hata hali ya kiroho tunayo pia imechafuliwa na asili yetu. Hatuna chochote cha kujivunia. Kinyume chake, inabidi kila wakati Mungu kwa neema avumilie makosa yetu na kwa rehema asamehe dhambi zetu.

                  Hii ndio hali halisi ya kiroho ya mwanadamu. Hakika ya maelezo na mkazo wake inaweza kuwa tofauti katika kila kisa, lakini kanuni za msingi zinabaki kuwa kweli. Tangu jadi au hata sasa, historia ya mwanadamu imekuwa rekodi wazi ya udhalimu wa kibinadamu. Huo ndio ukweli mchungu.

                  Tunapotazama uwezo ulio wa ajabu tunao sisi wanadamu, na kuulinganisha na yale tumewezakukamilisha nao, huwa ni ngumu kuelezea. Ni ngumu kupata maelezo ya kuridhisha. Maelezo ya pekee yanaonekana kuwa ni kwa kuwa mwanadamu amepoteza uhusiano wake na Mungu, basi kuna jambo la kimsingi linalokosa au lililombaya na kila mtu aliyezaliwa katika ulimwengu huu. Na matokeo yake ni kwamba, ijapo tuna uwezo wa kusema “La!” kwa tamaa ndogo ndogo, lakini tamaa hio bado imekuwa na nguvu ya kutosha kutuzidi hamu ya kufanya haki.

                  Tabia hii imesababisha upinzani katika asili yetu iliyoanguka tusijekujua ukweli juu ya Mungu. Wala hatutaki kujua kwamba kuna Mungu awekaye vigezo na matarajio ya maadili kwetu. Kadiri tunavyozidi kutenda dhambi, ndivyo ukweli huu unazidi kushamiri. Tumefungwa pingu za uovu ambazo zinatuzuia kutenda wema na kumtafuta Mungu. Kadri tunavyozama katika upumbavu huu, ndivyo tunavyokosakuelewa ukweli, na ndivyo moyo inazidi kuwa ngumu kumwitikia Mungu. Fikra zetu na dhamiri yetu mbovu zimepotoshwa hivi kwamba zinaongezea tu shida kwa kusababisha udanganyifu wa haki. Badala ya kuugua juu ya hali halisi ya maisha yetu, kwa kweli tunafikiria kila kitu kiko sawa nasi.

                  Hivi ndivyo dhambi hufanya kazi. Ni kweli kwamba kuna udhalilishaji zaidi au kidogo inayopatikana kati ya watu. Ni wazi kwamba wengine wanaishi utumwani. Ilhali wengine huonekana kuwa wameshinda shida hizo. Lakini ukweli unabaki kuwa hata ijapo haionekani kwa mtazamo wa nje wa mtu, lakini hio ndio hali ya kweli ya mioyo yetu sisi sote.
                  Ukweli huu umeenea sana hivi kwamba maelezo yake ya pekee lazima yatie nanga katika kasoro fulani ya hali ya kibinadamu. Kwa maana kutokukamilika huku ndiko kutaonekana kuwa ni maelezo ya kipekee ambayo yanaweza kuwajibikia ukweli huo. Huo sio tu uvumi bali ni ukweli ulio dhahiri ambao umedhibitishwa jinsi Bwana Isaac Newton alivyothibitisha nadharia zake za kisayansi kupitia majaribio na uchunguzi wa ukweli. Ndio nadharia ya kipekee ya asili ya mwanadamu ambao inaingiana na ushahidi wote.

                  Katika hatua hii, ni muhimu kugeuka na kuacha kutafuta visababu dhahiri au kufuatilia uchunguzi wa aina fulani, ili kuweza kuona kile Biblia inasema kuhusu hali hii. Biblia imejaa taarifa nyingi kuhusu asili ya mwanadamu aliyeanguka. Karibu katika kila ukurasa wa kitabu hicho tunapata thibitisho wa fundisho hili. Tunasoma maandiko kama vile, "Mawazo ya moyo wa mwanadamu ni maovu tangu ujana wake '' [Mwa. 8,21,]. "Je! Mwanadamu ni kitu gani, hata akawa safi?  Huyo aliyezaliwa na mwanamke,  hata awe na haki? '' [Ayubu 15,14]. Warumi Mlango wa 3 inasema kwamba wote wamefanya dhambi na wamepotea. Hakuna hata mtu mmoja mwenye haki. Tunaweza kuendelea na kuendelea: '' Moyo huwa mdanganyifu kuliko vitu vyote, na  zaidi ya tiba. Nani awezaye kuujua? '' [Jer. 17: 9]. "Kwa kweli nilikuwa mdhambi tangu kuzaliwa, mdhambi tangu mamangu alipochukua mimba '' [Zab. 51, 5]. Kama Paulo, tunapaswa kulia, "Ole wangu, maskini mimi! Ni nani atakayeniokoa na mwili huu wa mauti? '' [Rom. 7:24]. Haishangazi kwamba Biblia husema kwamba mabadiliko kamili kwa asili ya mwanadamu inahitajika iwapotutaishi jinsi ambavyo Mungu alitukusudia tuishi.
Sehemu ya Pili: Dhana Potovu Kuhusu Uovu

                  Iwapo taswira ambayo Biblia hutupa kuhusu hali ya asili ya mwanadamu aliyeanguka sio mbaya ya kutosha, basi twahitaji pia kutazama jinsi shughuli za mapepo zinaendelea moyoni mwa mwanadamu aliyeanguka. Katika Biblia, Shetani anaitwa "mkuu wa ulimwengu huu" (Yohana 12: 31). Sasa hili ni eneo moja ambalo hutofautisha Ukristo wa kidesturi na imani halisi ya Biblia.  Hata katika mataifa yanayodai kuamini katika Biblia, fundisho la uwepo na shughuli za shetani hukataliwa karibu kila pembe. Mara nyingi watu huvumilia Baadhi ya yale Biblia inafundisha, hata ijapo hio haijathibitishwa. Lakini suala la utu mbaya ni jambo lingine tofauti kabisa. Linachukuliwa kama hekaya za zama za kale. Tunapewa dhana kwamba ni somo ambalo mtu yeyote aliyeelimika huacha kuamini; kama vile ushirikina ambao unahusishwa na mizimu, uchawi na mapepo, ambayo inachukuliwa ni kama masalio ya nyakati za kutoelewa. Ni kweli kwamba fundisho hili la Kibiblia limepotoshwa sana. Wengine wanaimani mbovu ya kwamba taswira ya Shetani na marafiki wake kama vile wanyama wa kiroho wenye pembe na mikia ipo katika Biblia. Ama kweli kuzidi mwiongoni mwa waumini, wanaohusishwa na mawakala hawa, huwa ndio risasi inayodhoofisha ukweli wao.

                  Kwa hivyo, hii ni mada ambayo watu wanaweza kupuuza au kukejeli. Lakini hii inaonekana kuwa tofauti hasa kwa kuzingatia ukweli kwamba tunatambua uwepo wa watu waovu, waliopotoka katika fikira zao na matendo yao, ambao mara nyingi hufanikiwa kuwasawishi wanadamu wenzao kutenda dhambi na uovu. Mbona basi haishangazi kwamba kunauwezekano wa kuwa na viumbe vya kiroho vya aina hizi ambavyo huwajaribu watu kutenda dhambi? Ni hio dhana tu ambao watu wameshikilia kwamba viumbe vile haviwezi kuweko ndiyo inawazuia kuona mkengeuko katika msimamo wao. Hawaamini katu kile kinachofundishwa na Biblia kuhusu jambo hili.

                  Kwa wale ambao wanaamini, hili ni swala nyeti. Linatuwezesha kutambua ni katika vita gani hivyo tunashiriki. Tunao dosari ndani yetu na vile vile nje tunajaribiwa. Je! Tunao tumaini lolote? Tunaposoma kwa mara ya kwanza yale Biblia inasema juu ya Mungu, inafanya hali yetu kuonekana tu isiyokuwa na tumaini lolote. Tunaambiwa kwamba hatuwezi kumficha Mungu chochote. Anajua tunachofanya, na anajua hata na yale tunayofikiria. Anajua yaliyo mioyoni mwetu. Anaona hata na giza la ndani kabisa.

                  Pamoja na hayo ongezea yale ambayo Biblia inasema kuhusu hukumu ya Mungu na yale tunajifunza kutokana na tendo lake la kuwalipiza kisasi wana wa Israeli. Kuanzia Sodoma na Gomora hadi Ninawi na Babeli, tunamwona Mungu akihukumu dhambi ya mwanadamu. Hata ingawa tunafahamu machache juu ya wema wa Mungu, lakini ile mifano tunayosoma lazima itusababishie wasiwasi kufuatia kushindwa kwetu kuishi kulingana na maagizo aliotoa Mungu.  Na je!

Tutafanya je na vifungu kama hizi?-
Kwa kuwa nimeita, nanyi mkakataa;
Nimeunyosha mkono wangu, asiangalie mtu;
Bali mmebatilisha ushauri langu, wala hamkutaka maonyo yangu;
Mimi name nitacheka siku ya msiba wenu;
Nitadhihaki hofu yenu ifikapo;
Hofu yenu ifikapo kama tufani,
Na msiba wenu ufikapo kama kisulisuli,
Dhiki na taabu zitakapowafikia.
Ndipo watakaponiita, lakini sitaitika;
Watanitafuta kwa bidi, wasinione. Kwa kuwa walichukia maarifa,
Wala hawakuchagua kumcha
BWANA. (Mithali 1: 24-29).
Kusema kwamba hii ni lugha nzito haitoshi. Sio kwamba Biblia inahitaji uthibitisho, lakini ulimwengu unaotuzunguka unaonyesha wazi kwamba kuna aina ya kupanda na kuvuna ambayo inathibitisha kwamba kupuuza yale ambayo Biblia inafundisha kuna asili yake ya uharibifu. Dhambi ina matokeo. Tunaona matokeo hayo kote karibu nasi.

                  Na ikiwa yote haya ni kweli, basi yatupasa kufanya nini?  Kunao tumaini lolote? Je! Hukumu ndio itakua hatima yetu pekee? Kwa shukrani, kuna tumaini. Tunapokuja kutambua hali halisi ya maisha yetu, tunakua tayari kabisa kuthamini kile ambacho Mungu amefanya ili kutuokoa kutokana na nafsi zetu. Ni muhimu kwamba tuchukue kwa uzito asili yetu ya wanadamu walioanguka. Bila ufahamu na utambuzi huu, hatutakuwa na msingi wa kutosha ambao unaweza kujenga imani halisi. Hili sio swala la maneno matupu tu ya kitheolojia; lakini ni suala la vitendo. Wakati hatuchukui shida yetu kwa uzito, hatutafuti suluhisho ambayo Mungu hutoa na kiwango cha ukweli na nguvu ambayo hali yetu ya kweli inahitaji. Ikiwa hatuelewi jinsi sisi tu wagonjwa sana, hatutafuti tiba kwa bidii inayohitajika. Na iwapo twaugua kidogo, tunachukua aspirini. Lakini iwapo hali yetu ni maututi, twafuata tiba kwa shauku kabisa. Sasa tiba hiyo sio ya kulazimishwa kwetu; bali ni ofa imetolewa kwetu.4

                  Ni faida kubwa kuelewa jinsi tunavyo kasoro. Hutusaidia kuondoa udanganyifu na ukawaida wa kiroho. Ni kutokupenda uwazi na uaminifu tu ndio kunaweza tuzuia kuhitimisha kwamba sababu na uzoefu zinatuambia kwamba yale ambayo Biblia inasema kutuhusu ni kweli. Hatuna udhuru iwapo tutabaki kuyakataa.

                  Hatupaswi kubaliana tu na ufahamu huu,  bali pia ni lazima tuhisi ukweli huo kwa kuipitia maishani. Tunapoona karibu nasi athari ya kutokuchukulia ukweli huu kwa umuhimu unaofaa, na kupitia ukali wake maishani mwetu, tunakuwa na msimamo dhabiti wa kusonga mbele katika maendeleo yetu ya kiroho. Na vile vile tutakuwa na mtazamo tofauti kwa wale ambao dhahiri wanapambana katika maeneo ambayo labda tunaweza kuwa na shida kisiri. Siku kwa siku ufahamu wa hali yetu utatusaidia kukua kiroho.

Sehemu ya tatu: Makataa ya Kweli Hizi

                   Pamoja na hayo yote yaliyosemwa, bado hatujakabili shida yetu kuu: Kiburi haipendi kuwa mnyenyekevu. Wakati ukweli unamkabili, mtu mwenye kiburi hujaribu kumlaumu Mungu. Lakini kando na yote, kuna hoja huja kwamba, ni nani aliyetuumba? Sasa mtu mwenye kiburi atafikiri kwamba hii, kwa njia fulani, humwondolea hatia ya dhambi. Anafikiria kwamba Mungu hatamhitaji kuwajibikia vigezo ambavyo yeye, kwa asili yake, anadai kuwa hawezi kuzishika. Sasa hoja ya mizunguko isioeleweka wa namna hii haina maana.

                  Tukichunguza hoja hii wakati wasioamini wanaitumia, tunapata mambo mengine tofauti. Hata ijapo tutawaonyesha dosari kwenye fikira zao, bado haimaanishi kwamba watakuwa wazi kwa ujumbe wa Biblia. Ikiwa tunaweza tu kuwashirikisha wake hawa na waume hawa katika mazungumzo ya kweli, tunaweza kuwa na nafasi nzuri ya kuwasiliana kwa kutumia hoja thabiti kwa manufaa ya imani ya Kikristo ambayo hata wasomi zaidi wamethibitisha. Iwapo tutaweza kuelezea Ukristo kisawasawa, basi dhana pingamizi ya hapo awali itakuwa athari ndogo katika maoni yao.

                  Anza na mambo ya kimsingi kabla ya kupanda kiwango cha kujaribu kuelezea mawazo ya Mungu isiyowezekana kuelezea. Ni maoni yangu kwamba hii ndiyo njia bora ya kuwafikia wale ambao hawajaamini. Ni muhimu kujua kwamba ninazungumzia kurasa hizi kwa wale ambao tiyari wanadai wamekumbatia imani ya Kikristo. Kwa wale ambao wanakubali wema na haki ya Mungu na hali asili ya mwanadamu, mwisho huo sio kisingizio cha kutosha kuelezea dhambi za mwanadamu. Tunawajibu, hatuna udhuru.

                  Biblia inasema wazi kuwa dhambi haiwezi kulaumiwa kwa jinsi Mungu alivyotuumba. "Unapojaribiwa, hakuna mtu anayepaswa kusema, 'Mungu ananijaribu' '(Yakobo 1:13). Mungu anataka tuafikiliane na dhambi zetu na tugundue suluhisho Alilotoa ambalo linaweza kutuokoa kutoka kwa hukumu.

Tunaporuhusu tabia zetu na kuifanya kwa kuegemea theolojia, tunaweka hatua dhabiti ya msiba. Sote tunawajibika: Asili yetu iliyoanguka sio udhuru. Tunawajibika: Mungu sio wa kulaumiwa. Hatia tunao na tunastahili hukumu. Mafundisho mengine yoyote hayo hupunguza na inakanusha umuhimu wa ukweli wa msalaba wa Kristo. Yote tisa, kumi ni kwamba: Hali yetu ya asili ni dhaifu na imeanguka na majaribu yetu ni mengi; Mungu ni Mtakatifu kabisa, lakini Yeye hutoa msamaha, neema na uwezeshaji kwa wale ambao ni waaminifu kwake na wako tayari kutubu.

                  Hii inaweza kuwa si rahisi kuelewa. Maisha ni nini? Siri za anga za juu zinatosha kutukumbusha juu ya upungufu wetu na kufanya unyenyekevu ndani yetu. Je! Inashangaza kwamba hatuwezi kuelewa kikamilifu huyu Mungu asiye na kipimo? Na ingawa mambo kadhaa juu ya imani ya Kikristo ni ngumu kuelewa, kweli za kimsingi ziko wazi. Mambo mengine Mungu amefunua; ila mengine yamebaki kuwa siri. Hivyo tuangalie yale tunayojua, sio yale ambayo hatuwezi kuelewa.

                  Kwa sisi ambao tumejua kuwa maisha inatuanda kwa umilele, tunapata wakati mgumu kuelewa mtu ambaye anaendelea kutawaliwa na ujanja ndogo ndogo na kiburi huku akipuuza habari yote njema ya Yesu Kristo. Ni kama kuja mbele ya hakimu mahakamani kwa mastaka ya hatia ilio wazi unao na hapo,jaji anapo kupa njia ya kuzuia adhabu, unageuka na kujaribu kumlaumu jaji kwa kile kilichotendeka. Hiyo itakuwa upumbavu kupindukia! Tunapozingatia yote haya, tunakuja kufahamu kile alichoandika John Milton:

Je! Ni nini bora zaidi tunaweza kufanya, kuliko kusujudu mbele yake kwa heshima; na kukiri kwa unyenyekevu makosa yetu, na kuomba msameha; Kwa machozi inayomwagika ardhini, na kwa kuugua kwa
Mara kwa mara, inayotoka ndani ya mioyo uliovunjika, kama ishara ya kuuzunika kusiyozimika , na unyenyekevu wa kudhalilisha? 5
 
 
 
 
Vidokezo
1. John Milton, Paradise Lost, bk. 1, mistari 91-92

2. Wilberforce hapa ananukuu Historia ya William Robertson ya Amerika. Itakumbukwa kwamba Waingereza hawakuwa wanapenda Amerika kwa wakati huu. Mnamo 1797, mwaka wa kuchapishwa kwa kitabu cha Wilberforce, George Washington alikuwa anamaliza kipindi chake cha pili kama rais na Mfalme George III alikuwa bado kwenye kiti cha enzi cha England. Wilberforce mwenyewe alikuwa amepinga upinzani wa England dhidi ya koloni na alikuwa rafiki ya Wamarekani wengi, pamoja na Benjamin Franklin.

3. Wilberforce hapa anataja mifano katika historia ambapo uovu mkubwa umefanywa kwa jina la Kristo. Labda alikuwa akifikiria hafla kama mauaji ya wanawake wasio na hatia na watoto wakati wa Vita vya Makumbusho au uovu wa uchunguzi wa mahojiano, ambapo wahasiriwa wengi waliteswa kikatili na kuuawa kwa jina la Kristo.

4. Wilberforce huhariri maneno haya katika maandishi ya asili.

5. Milton, Paradise Lost, bk. 10, 1086-92.
 
 
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