YOU AND I; EVERYONE

Question A: David!! (An Unbeliever) Why did you beat your wife recklessly?

Answer: (sober tone) It was the handiwork of the devil.

Question B: Robin!!! (An Unbeliever) Why did you forge those documents?

Answer:  (Arrogantly speaking) You should know I wouldn't do that myself. Things happen! Anyways, the devil enticed me into it.

Question C: Abigail!!! (A Believer) Why did you blackmail your Pastor on sexual harassment?

Answer:  (weeping) The devil caused it. I pray he (Pastor) forgives me, even God.

Question D: Jerry!!! (A Believer) Why did you steal your boss' money?

Answer: (Confidently speaking) I yielded to the lust. I'm not totally responsible for it. My wife frustrated me to that point.

Question E: Jane!!! (A Believer) Why did you disobey your parents?

Answer:  (Remorseful) I accept my fault because I just decided to disobey.

Question F: Danielle!!! (A Believer) Why did you tear your friend naked?

Answer: (Repentantly responding) I know I'm to be blamed; no one or thing caused it. I don’t know how come I fell victim of that terrible act.

Here, we can see and reason the answers provided to the questions asked. I'm sure you, as a reader, will fall into one of those examples.

NOTE: While the first three: David, Robin, and Abigail blamed the devil, the fourth person: Jerry, shared the blames with a fellow human, and the last two: Jane, and Danielle received the blames to themselves only.

Worthy of note is that the first two: David and Robin are unbelievers (haven’t accepted Jesus Christ), while the remaining four on the other hand, are believers.

Let’s interpret the answers supplied to the questions asked. I’m sure we can aggravate the thoughts and feelings that gave rise to their respective individual answer as below:

A)   David, an unbeliever, casted the blame on the devil. Though, he seemed to be very sorry, and repentant for his act toward the wife. (Smiles) Indeed, there was a superior authority that took over him.

B)    Robin, also an unbeliever, vested the blames on satan. He sounded not sorry, unconcerned, and unrepented for forgery. He obviously could repeat the same some other time. He believed everything that happens is part of those things that ought to be, irrespective of him being a factor.

C)    Abigail, a believer, likewise to the first two unbelievers passed her blames to Lucifer, the serpent. (After all, Eve did the same). She seemed to feel very sorry for that trespass towards her pastor. Also, sounded like she won’t do that again.

D)   Jerry, a believer, bisected the fault between himself and his wife only. (I’m sure he remembered Adam did that too). However, he sounded unrepentant and so sure of himself. Like, is that little amount I took a big deal? He’s most likely to continually release himself to faults. Perhaps, he believes JESUS HAS DONE IT ALL. However, he also sounded like he could have prevented it.

E)    Jane, a believer, conceded to self acclaiming of blames, rather than tossing blames here and there for her abrupt disobedience. The lady was remorseful though. But note this; she said something, “I just disobeyed”, meaning the offence came as a result of her willingness, intentions, and choice-to-do. No luring from anyone.

F)    Danielle, a believer too, totally accepted the blames on herself. She seemed repented, sorry, and lost to herself. From her response, that act seemed to have evolved from an uncontrolled or untransformed mind, lack of qualitative discipline, partial ignorance e.t.c. Perhaps, it was a trial of her patience. But she failed!

DISCUSSION 1: WHO SHOULD BLAME THE DEVIL?

Basically, the truth is no one has ever blamed GOD for any evil. Not even the devil himself has anything in Him. He is ever righteous, and that’s why we will never ask “WHO SHOULD BLAME GOD?” WRONG!

Recap that the first three persons questioned blamed the devil: two unbelievers (David and Robin) and one believer (Abigail). Really! Do both categories have the right to blame the devil?

Let us consult the scriptures.

1) Father to Unbelievers

John 8:41-47 KJV

Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

[42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

[45] And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

[46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

[47] He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

2) Father to Believers.

Matthew 5:43-48 KJV

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

[46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

[47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others ? do not even the publicans so?

[48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Truly, we have seen that the father of the unbelievers is the DEVIL, and so, if they blame him for their actions, they are expressly right. But as for believer, having the spirit of God which guides him in all truth, is heretic when he blames the devil. Why? Because his father is God through the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is no evil in God. He is expected to behave same way as his father. After all, we know what the fruit of the spirit is.

Ephesians 5:1-10 KJV

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

[3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

[4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

[6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

[7] Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

One would then ask: Who is now to be blamed or responsible or queried (not condemned) when believer errs? The simple answer is SELF. Two things that have made believers misbehave are DISOBEDIENCE and IGNORACE.

1 Peter 1:13-16,22-23 KJV

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

[14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

[16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

[22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

2 Corinthians 2:9-11 KJV

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

[10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it , for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

By Nature, No Man Is Good.

Matthew 19:16-17 KJV

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is , God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

So, that should also answer the thought of whom the father of an unbeliever is when he does good. You would say at least, unbelivers give alms, help the needy in their own capacity e.t.c. You must also be reminded that their father, the devil gives wealth, heals the sick, relieves the oppressed e.t.c. Does that in any way make him good or the son of God? NO!

Conclusively, David and Robin were both right blaming the devil. Whether or not they blame him, satan remains their Prince and Father. But Abigail was wrong, because believers have been raised above the devil through the resurrection of Christ Jesus and His sitting at the right hand of God in high places.

DISCUSSION 2: EXPECTED LIFE OF A BELIEVER.

Under this umbrella, we will pick the lives of (Believers) Abigail, Jerry, Jane, and Dianelle as case studies.

NOTE: We are not judging fault or comparing the weight of faults here. Just gazing at their lifestyles from the interpretations earlier read above.

The Life of Abigail.

As written above, Abigail was first of all heretic to blame the devil for her deed.

For her to be weeping, which we assumed to be true repentance of the act, and likely assurance that she wouldn’t repeat the same again, then it shows that she is approved of God as yet, a child. But, let her read these below.

1 John 1:9 KJV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Life of Jerry.

Yeah, Jerry didn’t feel remorseful about the stealing, perhaps he is of the opinion that more of such or other acts will surely resurface. Cutting portions of blame to his wife makes him very immature in Christian lifestyle. He, above all, sounded like one with the notions that:

1. Christ has paid for it all, and so he can’t help to bring forth the fruit of righteousness. Maybe Philipians 2:12-16 should be read.

Philippians 2:12-16 KJV

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

[14] Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

[15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

[16] Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

I must re-establish that we, as believers, have a lot of responsibilities to uphold. Paul talked about Obedience, Working out, and Holding forth the word of Life. You must study and meditate to do these. (James 1:22, Romans 2:13)

Jesus expects that we are not ignorant of God’s words. He stated “Have ye not read?” in these scriptures: Matthew 12:3,5, 19:4, 22:31, Mark 12:10, 12:26 and Luke 6:3 to demonstrate His interest in His people having fore knowledge.(2Peter 1:5, Hosea 4:6)

2. He cannot be perfect as God. Maybe Jerry has forgotten that he is no longer an unbeliever who can never be perfect.

Galatians 3:3 KJV

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Hebrews 10:14 KJV

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Matthew 5:48 KJV

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Romans 12:2 KJV

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

2 Timothy 3:17 KJV

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

[21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The essence of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is to bring the saints to perfection. We know Patience as one of the fruit.

James 1:4 KJV

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Therefore, if Jerry fails to understand these scriptures, he may be at the danger of himself.

The Life of Jane.

Jane’s case seemed simple but it’s actually a terrible one. Though sounded sorry aftermath, but the obvious body language was that she purposely committed disobedience after she must have been cleared or warned in her spirit.

Surely, all is forgivable, but should she continue in this habit, she may end up eating her own very flesh.

Hebrews 10:26-27 KJV

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

The Life of Danielle

Danielle in her own case was just simply overtaken in the fault. She was remorseful and seemed determined not to do that again by the help of the Holy Spirit. Who says she will not be forgiven? She seemed not to have any problem that may hinder the furtherance of her improving Christian life.

Maybe she will take these advices:

         i.          Constantly studying and living the word.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

       ii.          Permit the Holy Spirit to transform her.

Philippians 2:13 KJV

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Romans 12:2 KJV

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

[21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

QUESTIONS TO BELIEVERS:

·       Why should you do what you will be sorry for (Galatians 6:7-8)?

·       Why not flee or stay away from ungodly deeds at all cost (1Timothy 6:8-12, 2Timothy 2:22)?

·       Don’t you know that there is always an escape route provided at every critical situation (1Corinthians 10:13, 2Thessalonians 3:3)?

·       Will you continue this way, ever learning but never growing (2Timothy 3:7)?

·       Will you still continue to take advantage of the flesh to fulfill your lust (1Corinthians 15:50)?

·       Do you think weakness (as spoken by Jesus to Paul in 2corinthians 12:9) means submission to the flesh?

·       How long more will it take you to submit to the rule of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14, James 4:7)?

·       Do you think the Lord is no longer interested in your faithfulness after believing (1Corinthians 4:2, 17)?

Hallelujah!  

Jesus Reigns!

OLUDARE, Olumide Ayodeji

08067222088, 08028422499

Oludare_olumide@yahoo.com