Sin – The Powerful Slave Trader and Driver

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Bode Ososami

Sin is a powerful slave trader and driver; it conquers the high and the low. It conquers the mighty and even the wise. It conquers those who make and possess great weapons, the defenceless, the fortified, the vulnerable, the rich and the poor. No one is spared from its conquest. Its trademark is to bring its trapped prisoners or slaves into ruin. What is surprising is that it does not need to fire a single shot, yet it brings all its captives into subjection and utter destruction. Sin has a subtle method that most do not detect until too late. It does not oppose its prey; instead, it takes sides with its prey until they are taken as its prisoners. Sin does not respect seasons…it thrives in all economic cycles… during booms and the worst recessions. It has different baits for different positions, issues, levels and scenarios. It manipulates cultures and academia with ease…none can withstand its onslaught.

Sin will conquer great military generals and presidents with fear, hatred, anger and ambition as they go pursuing conquests that only lead them to a Christ-less eternity. Other mighty generals, fine brilliant officers and political leaders will be conquered by women or worse teenage boys … sent speedily to hell. Others considered by many as great will so routinely be conquered by alcohol consumption and drugs …these being their specially assigned slave masters.

Sin has no regard for anyone. Sin is smarter than the most intelligent professor or scientist and wiser than our wisest and most brilliant men and women. The great commanders and builders of mighty empires have been known to succumb so easily. Celebrities acclaimed worldwide did not stand a chance when faced by sin – conquered by lusts for shoes, handbags and clothes. Medical doctors have been conquered by smoking; business men so easily defeated by greed and strife. Satan has his prisoners of war. He conquers by fair words and friendship and an array of pleasant baits. Our pleasure is its primary and chief target.

Some celebrities – so talented and gifted – yet easily conquered by sex, alcohol, drugs and other sources of momentary pleasure. Others are defeated by fashion and a decadent culture…so many chained by vanity. Great minds and academics are slain so easily…as they loose all their wisdom to its baits. Others have fallen to pride. Even great business and academic consultants and thought leaders are not spared. On the issue of sin, they must seek consultation to survive its audacious attacks. Sin is not afraid of the church…indeed it loves to invade the church. The church is the only place with the cure for sin through our Lord Jesus – yet sin is bold to ravage the church…dragging millions to hell. It is as comfortable on the pulpit as in the darkest coven…it fears no bishop, senior pastor or prayer leader.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a sect that was very strict. He was a ruler of the Jews, the special people of God. Yet he knew he was caught in the web of sin. He prayed long prayers, gave money to the poor…yet still captured by sin. Nicodemus ran to Jesus…the only one who can address sin.

Bishops, pastors, evangelists are not exempted. Sin does not respect titles or accolades…be it an archbishop or a pope or a Church Leader… large denominations, small and mega-churches do not scare him. All these mean nothing to sin. There are specially fashioned baits for them.

John 3[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus offers a heart transplant. All who desire to be free from the clutches of sin must come to Jesus. He would remove the nature that loves to sin and plant His own nature. Romans 3:23Romans 3:23
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

WP-Bible plugin declares that all have been conquered by sin, but the gift of God is eternal life…and the wages of sin is death.

Death means a separation from God – a Christ-less eternity in hell… a future of unimaginable horror. The best news is that salvation is free…why don’t you swallow your pride and acknowledge your sin that imprisons you and accept that you cannot save yourself. Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you and He will, no matter how long you have been captured. You could have committed murder, or be involved in the occult. Jesus will still receive and deliver you.

The Lord Jesus took captivity captive and set the captives free. He captured Satan; He not only set us free from Satan’s clutches but also makes us family members, brothers and sisters of the Prince of Peace. Jesus does not conquer us by force but by love and our voluntary surrender. We are promoted to heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. It is not the will of God that the recession or the best of times should cause you to perish but that you be saved. May God have mercy on us all. Do pray this prayer if you will.

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me. I have been enslaved by sin. I believe your Son Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary, shed His precious blood so that my sins can be forgiven. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you for saving me in Jesus Name. Amen.

Bode Ososami releases his 3rd book in early December –The Majesty of God.This book delves into the glory of God and takes a glimpse into the majestic throne room to reveal a greatness that is often misrepresented due to limitation of words to describe the indescribable or completely obscured by deliberate attempts to introduce God as the old comical wise man high up somewhere – weary, exhausted and increasingly outwitted by the modern mind.

Matthew Owojaiye who co-authored this article is Chairman — Northern States (of Nigeria) Christian Elders Forum — NOSCEF, oversees the Food for the Total Man Ministry — The Jesus Embassy : 3, Broadcasting Road, P.O.Box 5127, Kaduna, Nigeria.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

God bless you…Also enjoy this message on ” Making Disciples” by Gbile Akanni

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Is the Church Full of Hypocrites? by R.C. Sproul

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Bode Ososami

About thirty years ago, my close friend and colleague, Archie Parrish, who at that time led the Evangelism Explosion (EE) program in Fort Lauderdale, came to me with a request. He indicated that on the thousands of evangelistic visits the EE teams made, they kept a record of responses people made to discussions of the gospel. They collated the most frequent questions and objections people raised about the Christian faith and grouped these inquiries or objections into the ten most frequently encountered. Dr. Parrish asked if I would write a book answering those objections for evangelists to use in their outreach. That effort resulted in my book Objections Answered, now called Reason to Believe. Among the top ten objections raised was the objection that the church is filled with hypocrites. At that point in time, Dr. D. James Kennedy responded to this objection by replying, “Well, there’s always room for one more.” He cautioned people that if they found a perfect church, they ought not to join it, since that would ruin it.

The term hypocrite came from the world of Greek drama. It was used to describe the masks that the players used to dramatize certain roles. Even today, the theatre is symbolized by the twin masks of comedy and tragedy. In antiquity, certain players played more than one role, and they indicated their role by holding a mask in front of their face. That’s the origin of the concept of hypocrisy.

But the charge that the church is full of hypocrites is manifestly false. Though no Christian achieves the full measure of sanctification in this life, that we all struggle with ongoing sin does not justly yield the verdict of hypocrisy. A hypocrite is someone who does things he claims he does not do. Outside observers of the Christian church see people who profess to be Christians and observe that they sin. Since they see sin in the lives of Christians, they rush to the judgment that therefore these people are hypocrites. If a person claims to be without sin and then demonstrates sin, surely that person is a hypocrite. But for a Christian simply to demonstrate that he is a sinner does not convict him of hypocrisy.

The inverted logic goes something like this: All hypocrites are sinners. John is a sinner; therefore, John is a hypocrite. Anyone who knows the laws of logic knows that this syllogism is not valid. If we would simply change the charge from “the church is full of hypocrites” to “the church is full of sinners,” we would be quick to plead guilty. The church is the only institution I know of that requires an admission of being a sinner in order to be a member. The church is filled with sinners because the church is the place where sinners who confess their sins come to find redemption from their sins. So in this sense, simply because the church is filled with sinners does not justify the conclusion that the church is filled with hypocrites. Again, all hypocrisy is sin, but not all sin is the sin of hypocrisy.

When we look at the problem of hypocrisy in the New Testament era, we see it most clearly displayed in the lives of those who claimed to be the most righteous. The Pharisees were a group of people who by definition saw themselves as separated from the normal sinfulness of the masses. They began well, seeking a life of devoted godliness and submission to the law of God. However, when their behavior failed to reach their ideals, they began to engage in pretense. They pretended they were more righteous than they were. They gave an outward facade of righteousness, which merely served to conceal a radical corruption in their lives.

Though the church is not filled with hypocrites, there is no denying that hypocrisy is a sin that is not limited or restricted to New Testament Pharisees. It is a sin with which Christians must grapple. A high standard of spiritual and righteous behavior has been set for the church. We often are embarrassed by our failures to reach these high goals and are inclined to pretend that we have reached a higher plateau of righteousness than we’ve actually attained. When we do that, we put on the mask of the hypocrite and come under the judgment of God for that particular sin. When we find ourselves enmeshed in this type of pretense, an alarm bell should go off in our brains that we need to rush back to the cross and to Christ and to understand where our true righteousness resides. We have to find in Christ, not a mask that conceals our face, but an entire wardrobe of clothing, which is His righteousness. Indeed, it is only under the guise of the righteousness of Christ, received by faith, that any of us can ever have a hope of standing before a holy God. To wear the garments of Christ in faith is not an act of hypocrisy. It is an act of redemption.

Dr. R.C. Sproul is founder and president of Ligonier Ministries and president of Ligonier Academy. He is the author of the expositional commentaries on Romans and John.

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Narnia – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader : Chronicles of Deception

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Bode Ososami

It seems comical for lack of aptitude to apprehend the literary “Christian” master C.S. Lewis – even as we stampede theatres to watch the next Christmas holiday “Money Spinner” milking (in the same genre as Harry Potter and Christmas Carol) the occult fantasy cow – supposedly packaged as Christian allegory to transfixed congregations. My prediction that this will be another chartbuster does not qualify me as a prophet.

Clive Staples Lewis was born in Ireland, the younger of two sons who claimed to have been converted to Christianity in 1931 and was, as he put it: “A very ordinary layman of The Church of England.” Undoubtedly a literary genius who authored 40-plus exceptional books which included poems, novels, children’s books, science fiction, theology, literary criticisms, educational philosophy, and an autobiography.

I did see the trailer of “Narnia – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” and with admittedly limited research/listening to related interviews and previews … the broad nice message of goodness over evil seemed inadequate to dispel my reservations. The strong inclination to spread the gospel of salvation by avoiding consecration and marketing the appeal of its other noble themes while also denying the Spirit is not new. What is novel (to me) is the deliberate heavy infusion of undisguised anti-Christian elements and bold sorcery…even as many leverage this unwholesome package for acclaim and perhaps many “converts”. Others, bored with simple exercises of devotion, engage in the dangerous pastime of uncovering hidden treasures in the vault of Holy Scriptures with spades of magic and shovels of mythology and spiritism…and foolishly expect no adverse consequence. A quote from C.S. Lewis …”I have the deepest respect for Pagan myths, still more for myths in the Holy Scriptures” (Problem of Pain, p.71)||pagebreak||

What does the Bible say about fascination with the occult, fantasy, magic, paganism and other relatives in this family?

Acts 16[16] And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: [17] The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. [18] And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Many “Christian” leaders will say anything that sells Christ however indirectly is good – Paul disagrees. A good message/theme, the pointing out of Paul’s mission of salvation by this self-deceived damsel did not obscure the greater truth that only Paul could discern (despite the veil of fair words) that she spoke out of a polluted cistern.

Exodus 22[18] Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Deuteronomy [10] There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, [11] Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. [12] For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Isaiah 5[20] Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Acts 8[9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. [11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Galatians 5[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these ; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

Truly many say The Chronicles, which have been in continuous publication since 1954 and have sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages, is innocent marvellous entertainment …expecting more lucid arguments and references to prove otherwise that this film, rife with demonic imagery and occult paganism, is wicked and unhelpful to build true faith. If it is a marvel at all it is a commercial one. More accurately it is a piece in the agenda to captivate the next generation away from genuine biblical traditions by confusing magic with miracles and the Christian supernatural with occult fantasy/dark spiritism.

John 9[40] And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? [41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Discerning elders who see folly and blindness and act boldly on it by shunning this film and not encouraging their children to see it or be sucked into the flurry of related artefacts soon to be pushed in the market to indoctrinate innocent souls into witchcraft … will turn many back to a different path of deliverance. We need the elders to speak. Others will however say …we already see…leave us alone…also on a different voyage. … only to reap through their children the coming harvest of a dreadful seed. We can of course ignore these intolerant “narrow-minded” warnings preferring to deal with the fruit of future deviant teen behaviour and strange desires and fancies. You can watch the trailer below…and come to your conclusions.

2 Corinthians 6[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

A Prayer of David in Psalm 17[11] They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; [12] Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. [13] Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: [14] From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure : they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. [15] As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Open our eyes, O Lord, give us discernment and save your children. Amen

(Originally posted in The Christian Post).

Bode

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The African Dream and “fake” wealth

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Bode Ososami

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/7196941" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.vimeo.com']);">http://www.vimeo.com/7196941</a>

I recently saw the (pls click following links if not showing) video embedded above and read the article “Did Jesus wear designer clothes” in Christianity today on certain developments in the “African “ Church. Quite interesting reading… indeed so true in many regards. Many commented on the linkage in African expressions of worship and the natural appeal of the prosperity gospel to cultural traditions and rituals of seeking to know and manage the future against evil forces etc .

When the missionaries brought the gospel to Africa…it did transform lives and new older converts sent their many wives packing while the younger saints married and couples stuck together – divorce was almost completely unheard of in the body of Christ and certainly not amongst leadership … even though polygamy was very rife in our old traditions. We learnt from our fathers and much older brothers that the true gospel indeed has power to change lives or it can not be the true gospel. But soon … they became too old-fashioned for us.

More recently, fresh imports of “Christianity-lite” via American televangelism ( with highly effective fund raising calls and magical entertainment) raged unstoppably through the networks like a fiery fire…at a time when vulnerable impoverished peoples with no social safety-nets seeking hope against socio-political oppression were immediately inevitably attracted to the new “solutions” and soon became outstanding disciples…and clones of these televangelists could be seen developing all over the continent…propagating churches with the “marketing” strategies of their mentors…and ofcourse this all played to the script of the enemy of the true church.

The disciples and ardent followership of these “modern” missions are now maturing and the seed sown is bearing the fruit it must…

Matthew 7[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

But the counterfeit only proves the existence of a magnificent jewel of great value…a forged “mona lisa” testifies to the beauty of the original…All this suggests there is some masterpiece that must be faked. Christ is the masterpiece and He reigns. Seeking the true God is indeed worth it…Go for the original. He has true riches.

Luke 16 [11] If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches ?

Bode

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