Sole Scriptura?

Is the Bible the only source of authority for Christian teachings? The answer is No! Now this post is by no means an another divisive opinion on faith. However, it's an opportunity to refer those who hold the Bible as the single only source of the teachings of Chris to same on the subject.

As a young Catholic I have had to defend my position that both the Bible and the sacred tradition are the bases for the teachings of Christ by referencing John 21:25 which basically says it was impossible to have written down all that Christ did. And believe me I didn't know this because I was a Bible packing dude in my younger days, on contrary I was far from it. It was one of the few things I was able to hold on to from early catechism classes.

One of the foundation of Protestantism is The Bible Alone - Sole Scriptura! That the Bible is the single source of our belief. Hence questioning the idea of the Pope and other catholic practices. But there isn't any verse that justifies that the Bible is the only authority for Christ teachings. References are usually made to 2 Timothy 3:16 to justify the position but the verse doesn't say only.

Another verse that most protestants refer to is Revelation 22:18-19 "18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  19And if any man shall take away from tuhe words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Now because this verses are at the end of the Bible, it usually assume that it refers to the entire Bible, but like other similar verses (Deuteronomy 4:2 and Proverbs 30:5-6) there only pertain to the respective books in context.

The book of Matthew 15 where Jesus condemns tradition tends to pop up in these discussions but the fact is that the condemnation by Jesus here is condemnation of human tradition.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 "15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." Lays this argument to rest. The view that the Bible is the sole compendium of Christian teaching is simply an assumption. And assumption that cannot be proven by the same Bible.

Lead Without Fear

Numerous traits define a leader, but courage and fearlessness standout. We are in a socio- political state where we always question the decisions of our leaders, especially when those policies seem brash and uncompromising.

I used to be active politically critical, but before the last elections in Nigeria, I had to restrain from calling out the leaders. My role at work made me realize that we are all leaders in one form or the other. Now, I'm not referring to social media connoted idea that you are a leader based on your Twitter or Instagram following or the even funnier versions of Whatsapp and BBM group admins. My reference is to the Divine position of a father or mother or the elevated positions in our offices or associations.

These are areas where we make decisions and mistakes. In exercising our powers in these roles, we make and influence decisions based on our convictions that there are the right move or most times the only move. In essence, whether you are the President of a Country or a Town Union President or Head of a Business Unit, we are all culpable.

Nevertheless, that is not exactly in the context of this post. Every leader ordained by God must despise fear! Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown. From Abraham to Moses, David, up to Jesus and the disciples, the rhetoric remains same in the Holy Bible.

In Deuteronomy 31 Against all odds, Moses encouraged Joshua to lead into the promise land without fear. That God will never be far from them.

As a leader, while you deal with criticism, errors, and choices hold firm to the tenets of God's Word in exercising submission, humility, faith prayer, and thanksgiving. You will never have reasons for fear. In the midst of all the madness going on around you, He's got you covered.

Fidelity to Christ

Fidelity to Christ

Secularism and humanism has given birth to a child named hedonism. The demands of the flesh is his rule of law. The use of conscience he has been criminalized and licentiousness has been given sway over intelligence, prudence and wisdom. The world has grown cold and indifferent to the groans of the spirit and the cry of conscience. Individualism has taken center stage and reason is laid to rest. Arrogance is where intelligence and reason should be, and evil is where mercy and compassion should have had sway. God has been placed in the doldrums and the ego of men has become their deity. Civil law has replaced theology and doctrine and courtrooms are the bastions of morality. The kingdom of God has been overthrown and kingdom of man has come. Repentance is treated like folktale, sin has been legalized and conscience is now a prisoner of the law.

Thus, in our present predicament, Christianity has limited movement in our society –its movements is restricted solely to the sanctuary – only for ritual purposes and must not challenge or question the rule of human laws –as irrational as such may seem to be – even when they are detrimental to the survival of the human race, the spirit of secularism and humanism is all that matters in our world today.

Paul in his letter to the Colossians 3:1-11 stands in sharp contrast to this type of philosophy and he challenges us to remember that as Christians we are called to transform the world and not vice-versa (Rom.12:2). However, if we are to live up to such tall challenges the beatitudes must be the foundation of our spirituality. We must be prepared to embrace suffering and imprisonment here on earth before we are able to embrace the kingdom of God as espoused by Christ in today’s gospel (Lk.6:20-26). In the end, only fidelity to Christ will make us heirs of God and coheirs with Christ.

O Lord, grant us the wisdom to know you in all your omnipotence, recognize the spleandour of your kingdom and the understanding to know that all things of the flesh are temporal but your kingdom endures forever. -  Jan St. Rose

PS: I  love this read! the article is a response to today's meditation on The Word Among Us. The article was written by Jan St. Rose and he couldn't have said it any better;

Hope you liked it. Stay Blessed!

The Reward for Those Who Obey God

God has never hidden His desire to abide and bless those who obey Him. To operate and live within the confines of God's commandment is not an easy endeavour. It is an action of constant sacrifice and perseverance.

Living above the standards of the world demands greater courage. We have to contend with a world where our movies and music are almost rated "R", where sodomy and homosexuality are celebrated and protected. Integrity is forsaken, corruption and violent skills are are criteria to attain political and leadership positions. Infidelity and fornication are the new cool.

Nevertheless, we must fight to be worthy of His blessings, which He makes clear in Psalms 128. God's reward for our obedience magnifies His love for us, desire to see us prosper and age gracefully.

God demands our obedience with promises that;

1.  We shall be happy
2. Our hustle will provide for our needs
3. We shall be prosperous
4. Our marriages shall be fruitful with children
5. Our nation will be blessed
6. We shall live to see our grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

May God grace be enough for us to be and remain in the precincts of His commands.

Happy New Month!

A Strategy When Temptation Comes

The initial intention was to title this article as "Fighting Temptations 101" just to reference David's guide to fighting temptations as captured in Psalms 101 and also because I had a deja vu on those introductory courses we had to take in our first year in the university.

Well, like David, we all need to come up with our own list of actions required to fight temptations. Make no mistake about it, temptation to sin is not an "If" but a "When" for each of us. But God in His abounding grace has promised us power to overcome in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Read up!

For there is no testimony if we don't go through the test! So like David, make your list today! I just made mine

Stay Blessed!

Thank God for His Faithfulness and Love

Lord, I'm so grateful for your faithfulness, for never leaving us when we blow it.

I know of nothing else in this world that creates greater security than realizing how faithful God's love is towards us even when (especially when) we make huge mistakes. 

It's true!

We can be confident we are loved regardless if we "get it right" or not because God's love for us is not based on how we perform or behave, but rather, based on who he is. It's his nature to love - and he loves us greatly!

When we understand this, and really let this piece of truth sink in to our hearts it liberates us from all kinds of guilt, shame and condemnation we may feel otherwise.

It also inspires us to love.

It inspires us to love God. It inspires us to love ourselves. It inspires us to love our neighbors. Heck! It even inspires us to love our enemies.

This kind of love is so transformative to our human hearts.

God, I'm so very, very grateful that you love us like you do, and that you never leave us even when we make huge blunders.

Blessings to you,

@NeilVermillion

God Works Great Things Even Through Small People

What a change takes place in your mind and imagination when it dawns on you that you are not the star of your own play, when it dawns on you that you are actually working for God and not vice versa. You are an employee in his company! That means that he sets up your job description, assigns you a salary, and determines your benefit package.

What a relief it is when it dawns on you that your earthly life is not the be-all and end-all. This is training time. God is using us as he needs us, and we often can't see our influence or roles clearly. Sometimes we serve his agenda by being strong, sometimes by being broken. Sometimes we serve his agenda by being famous as achievers and sometimes by "failing." What matters is to accept his guidance eagerly and accept his place and opportunities in life cheerfully.

Here is the bright hope that draws us on: "Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs" (Isaiah 61:7).

God always gets the last word. Even when you feel like a failure now, his last word is Winner!
#YouversionBible