Salvation – Reconcile UK

What manner of Love is this?

admin — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:01:58 +0000

This was the question on everyone’s lips when a man chose to lay down his life for the people. Some he knew, majority he didn’t. The question of if he would be loved back was never answered but he still did what he needed to do. It is true that he was born for that purpose but he also had the choice of opting out but he stayed. The reason given was that he loved, so we ask, what manner of Love is this?

The general saying about Love not being enough used to resonate with me so much. I mean we humans are dynamic, shaped by our individual experiences. Good or bad, there are lots of things Love wouldn’t cover right? But is this true? Is love really not enough? What is love? Why would Jesus come into the world to die for love?

To answer these questions we must understand why Jesus came and why death was necessary. We see in scriptures that Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45), we see also in the book of Luke 5:31- 32 that he came to call the sinners to repentance which raises more questions about why must a ransom be paid and why are we sinners that we would need redemption. So let’s get to that as well.

In the book of Genesis we see the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and that has had unavoidable consequences for every human since then. Adam sinned and for that reason as descendants we are born in sin (Psalm 51:5), are evil from our youth (Genesis 8:21), and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Therefore, death reigns over all because of this sin (Romans 5:12) as the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). The good news is that Roman 6:23 does not end with the proclamation of death but a promise of life, the second part of that verse says that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”, for God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

So therein lies the answer for Why would Jesus come into the world to die. There was sin with a death punishment, but then God in love gave his son to die so that when we believe and accept that, we step out of death into the newness of life- Eternal life (John 3:16). When we believe that he died for our sins we can participate in his resurrection and be born into a new life.

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”(Romans 10:10)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”(1 Corinthians 5:17)

Now I understand that my then definition of Love was shallow. Love isn’t the butterfly feeling I have on good days; that love definitely would not die for anyone so it’s flawed. The kind of love that God has for us that he gave his son Jesus to die for our sins is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.

Judging Love by this standard, It can be said that Love truly covers it all. God gave his son Jesus Christ to die for us because he loves us, and it was and will always be enough as that love covers the sins of all who believe, calling them out darkness into his marvelous light, reconciling them to himself (1 Peter 4:8, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:19)

Here is your invitation to embrace this Love in this season. As we celebrate Easter in remembrance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, step into that freedom today- believe in your heart, confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and be saved!

The Greatest Story Ever

admin — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:54:58 +0000

Have you ever heard the greatest story ever? No? Well, sit back and enjoy.

It was the year 2162 and the entire earth had been overrun by pollution of all kinds, living was difficult and life was hard. Asides the environmental collapse and the negative effects it brought on, there wasn’t any good news on the economic front either. You see, the whole word has been overrun with debt: every single person on earth owes the banks $1 trillion each! A debt too great for anyone to pay.

So you see, life and living was bleak.

However, one day, word started to spread about a Prince who seemed to have come out of nowhere, and was offering to pay the debts owed by every single person on earth.

The Prince had spoken with the courts and the Judge had ruled that by legal precedent, in order for a debt to be transferred from one person to another, the both people had to be related. What this meant was that although the Prince was willing to take on and pay the debts of every single human, His payment would only be valid if he had a family relation with the debtors.

So, the Prince made a deposit at the bank that was sufficient to cover everyone’s debt, and then sent word out saying: “I have seen that you have a debt too great for you to pay; but I have paid it all for you. All you have to do is allow my Father to adopt you into our family, and your debts would be wiped clean away”.

When the word spread around, many people laughed and mocked the Prince, questioning his intentions, questioning his capacity to pay off the debts, and even doubting that the Prince existed. Some others upon hearing the message, rushed to the Prince’s house to be adopted into His family; and truly the moment they signed and got adopted, their debts were wiped clean.

I have a question for you though; if you were one of the citizens of earth in this story, how would you respond? Would you reject the Prince’s sacrifice for you? Would you question his intentions or authority or capacity? Would you altogether call him a lie or fake news? Or would you joyfully accept His payment for you and live happily ever after in his family?

You see, this story isn’t fictional – it really did happen. Not in some distant future, not in some alternate universe, but in our very own world. We (you and I) are the citizens of earth in that story; and the good Prince is Jesus. You see, each of us humans owed a debt of sin that we could never pay on our own…but Jesus came to pay! And here’s the other part of the good news: all you have to do is to believe in Him (to believe that He is God, and that He paid the price for your salvation). How did He pay the price, you ask – it was through His death and resurrection: because you see, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

If you choose this day to accept Jesus and His payment for you, all you have to do is say the following prayer from your heart:

Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, I believe God sent you to pay for my sin with your blood. I believe you paid the price for me, and I receive your sacrifice for me. Today, I ask that You come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour, from this day till forever.

Embracing Eternal Life: Isioma’s Salvation Story

admin — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 18:18:14 +0000

The salvation stories series unfolds the depth of God’s love for us. In each interview, we witness the distinct ways in which God reaches out to meet us where we are, embracing us with open arms and awaiting our acceptance. In this particular interview, Isoma shares her personal salvation story, emphasising the significance of God’s constant pursuit and the gentle direction of the Holy Spirit in her journey from a conservative childhood to a university breakthrough in this interview. Isioma is an outspoken supporter of active evangelism and encourages believers to pray for the courage to share their faith, emphasising the need of both speaking and living Christ in today’s world.

Interviewer: Hello, Can you tell us more about yourself?

Isioma: Hi! My name is Isioma, lover of good vibes ! Actually, I’m a lover of God, his people, family, community, good food and great conversations. In my day life I work as a media planner and buyer.

Interviewer: Can you tell us more about your salvation journey?

Isioma: Hmmm.. my salvation journey is quite unconventional, I never really had those big experiences or that day or one moment, as most people tend to have. It has always been a journey of God’s continuous pursuit of me. I was born into a traditional “Christian” Nigerian family, so I went to Church as you do to avoid trouble. Then in secondary school (high school), I had my first confrontation with what I believed and I remember starting to feel the need to really seek God (It may also have been to being in a military boarding house where you had no choice but to cleave to the cross for survival) either ways, I sought God and found Jesus somewhere along the line. University was my final come to Jesus moment, for some reason I was always surrounded with women whose hearts were on fire for Jesus, so from my Day 1 on campus, I was invited to fellowship and despite my attempt to run away from God (because no parental control or boarding house ordeal, I was about to go see for myself what this world life was about). However, God dragged me by my edges through these women, many of them I unfortunately don’t have contact with anymore, but once again something grew inside me again that’s never died really, I knew in my spirit that I had to come, I gave my life to God publicly and finally in year 2 and God has been working with and on me on this eternal journey.

Interviewer: What was your life like before you accepted Christ?

Isioma: My life before Christ is a blurred mix to be honest, what I can say though is, in the seasons of my life I failed to acknowledge Christ for whatever reason, I can describe life in one word Empty.

Interviewer: What has been the most exciting part of your christian walk so far?

Isioma: I believe it’s the gentle leadership of the Holy Spirit, it’s like nothing ever! He leads beside still waters, he leads to green pastures, he corrects, comforts, provides wisdom, gives clarity, and sometimes he just listens and comes alongside! What an incredible gift!

Interviewer: Do you think active evangelism is super important? If Yes, why?

Isioma: Yes, it’s as important to speak Christ as it’s important to live Christ. It’s not one or the other, it’s not something we get to decide if we want to, First, it’s an instruction from Christ Jesus to us saints, go into the world. Secondly, if one truly believes the gospel, that Jesus is the only and one way to God, if one absolutely takes that as the truth, one can’t remain silent about it, it must be said, it must be seen, it must be lived.

Interviewer: What advice would you give believers who have not started to actively evangelise?

Isioma: I’ll say pray about it, a year ago I wrote in my prayer journal that I’ll love to evangelise. Fast forward today, and I’m part of Reconcile. A simple prayer goes a long way

Interviewer: Any last words for all believers?

Isioma: Love God but also fear God (i.e not fear that drives one away from dread, but fear that makes one come closer in surrender knowing God is indeed GOD)

Am I truly forgiven?

admin — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:15:10 +0000

First and foremost, let us delve into the question: How do we, as Christians, receive forgiveness?
We attain forgiveness through faith and repentance. Jesus Himself declares, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). As Christians, we receive forgiveness when we acknowledge our sins, sincerely turn away from them, and place our trust in Jesus. This truth is widely known among believers.

When we experience forgiveness, God, in His mercy, pays our debt and sets us free from the dire consequences of our sins (Eph. 4:32; Col. 2:13, 3:13).

It’s important to understand that God’s forgiveness towards us is a gracious act where He chooses not to hold our sins against us. However, this doesn’t mean He ignores sin. God is perfectly just and righteous, so He cannot simply overlook sin, as it would compromise His character.
Indeed, God’s righteousness is an expression of His love. If He were to refrain from punishing sin, He would cease to be loving, as the opposite of wrath is not love, but apathy. God is not a distant figure showering kindness without regard for justice. He is the holy Creator of the universe. It’s crucial to understand that God cannot suspend justice any more than He can cease to be God.

This then compels us to ask a deeply moving question: How does God, with His unwavering justice, offer forgiveness to those who turn away from their wrongdoing? Am I truly forgiven? The Bible reveals that God achieves this through the sacrificial atonement of His Son (Rom. 3:24). In essence, Jesus, the Son of God, takes upon Himself the burden of our sins, appeases God’s wrath, and graciously pardons the repentant heart. As Luther passionately explains, “Christ stands in our place, carrying the weight of our sins…He is the eternal answer to our wrongdoing, bringing reconciliation between us and God the Father” (Luther, 1959).
Moreover, the forgiveness bestowed upon believers through Christ is all-encompassing. In Him, God no longer holds their transgressions against them (Rom. 4:8). Every trace of sin is addressed. Through Christ, their wrongdoings are completely covered (Ps. 32:1). Their trespasses are eradicated, cast far away to the utmost reaches of the earth (Ps. 103:12).

Through the embrace of Christ’s grace, God no longer recalls their past offenses; they fade into oblivion. Through Christ, the penalty is paid, and those who were once burdened with guilt and shame are declared innocent. This divine forgiveness liberates them from the heavy chains they once carried. It is vast and freely given, echoing the timeless words of Newton, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.”
Most importantly, God’s forgiveness extends to everyone, regardless of their identity or past actions. As Volf eloquently states, “No one is too wicked to be forgiven by God, and Christ’s sacrifice encompasses all” (Volf, 2005). This includes individuals from all walks of life – the drug dealer and the gentle elderly woman, the thief and the dedicated social worker, the devout believer and the skeptic, the oppressor and the oppressed.

The offer of divine forgiveness precedes our repentance. The concept of unconditional election reminds us that God chooses sinners before the world began, not based on their merits, worthiness, or even their willingness to repent, but solely by His boundless grace and sovereignty.
In truth, the audacity of the gospel lies in the fact that God loved us even when we were entrenched in our sinful state (Rom. 5:8). Therefore, the gospel is a joyous proclamation because it is freely offered to all, regardless of their identity or actions.
Through His death and resurrection, we are made righteous, saved and purified by the precious blood of Jesus.

Intentionally Chosen: Adesewa’s Journey to Salvation and Faith

admin — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 20:50:10 +0000

In this heartfelt interview, we dive into Adesewa’s salvation journey, a story that beautifully portrays God’s intentionality in calling her to Himself. From a works-based and self-righteous life to discovering the profound love of God, Adesewa shares her transformation, the excitement of her Christian walk, and the significance of active evangelism in her faith.

Interviewer: Hello, Can you tell us more about yourself?

Adesewa: Hello, my name is Sewa. I am a lover of people and I really enjoy forming authentic connections with people around me. I like to find out what drives people, their experiences and how that has shaped their ideology and who they are today – perhaps in another life I would have made an excellent psychologist, but for now, I am a current PhD student in Cancer Sciences.

Interviewer: Can you tell us more about your salvation journey?

Adesewa: My salvation journey is one that portrays God’s intentionality in calling me to Himself. I was brought up in a Christian family, I knew of God but I really did not know Him for myself. I initially had the belief that my salvation was based on my parents’ faith, and then later the faith of people around me, simply put, I was a Christian because that was all I was exposed to. I tried to maintain the works-based religion and I was failing in every aspect- I was always the person in church every 2-3 weeks “rededicating” their life to God.

I cannot remember the exact day I became saved, but I remember just being tired of trying to earn my salvation and I prayed (by myself in my room) to God that I was done trying and I needed his help to know, and to love Him. A few Sundays after, there was an announcement for a baptism service in my church after the service and I publicly professed my faith in Christ and I got baptised! The scripture my Pastor had the time had spoken over me during my baptism was Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”.

Interviewer: What was your life like before you accepted Christ?

Adesewa: Life before Christ was one filled with a works-based and self-righteousness. I would constantly strive to earn God love and forgiveness whilst being caught up in repetitive cycles of unending sin, particularly the subtler sins. I would seek after everything but God to satisfy my desires and needs. In a sense, I was my own God.

Interviewer: What has been the most exciting part of your christian walk so far?

Adesewa: The most exciting part – okay I have two. First, coming to the realisation that God actually wants to reveal Himself to me , and he desires for me to know him intimately. This is really profound to me because this is the same God who holds the whole universe, he is mindful of me- yes mind blowing! Second exciting part is my faith community- I have been stretched, encouraged and found joy within the various faith groups, either my church , bible study groups or just being around of christians. It has been a good reminder of what eternity in fellowship would look like and that in itself makes me excited.

Interviewer: Do you think active evangelism is super important? If Yes, why?

Adesewa: Yes, I think active evangelism is important in the sense that we get to share about the good news of Christ, that Christ died for sinners and he is the answer to the deepest desires and longings we all have. A lot of people are searching for answers and have a void in their lives in which they turn to other vices to fill, I like to think about active evangelism as being the solution to this. Most importantly, it is important because Christ encouraged us to do so. We are to teach the word of God with the promise that God will be with us till the very end.

Interviewer: What advice would you give believers who have not started to actively evangelise?

Adesewa: The one advice I would give is don’t overthink it- you will be surprised how much people are actually willing to engage in a conversation about God and are seeking for Him. Often it seems like we are alone during this path of evangelism but as mentioned above, we can hold on to God’s promises that he will be with us through everything step of the way.

Interviewer: Any last words for all believers?

Adesewa: Be encouraged and filled with hope- Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”.