EMPHASIS ON DEATH THAN LIFE

I came across this article on our website (June 2013 edition of the Spirit's Voice) and decided to post it on my blog; with no doubt in my heart that it will surely bless you!

This is not far from the incident that took place in the Temple at Jerusalem during the earthly ministry of Jesus; how He literally forced out ungodly practice from God’s House (Mt 21:12; Jn 2:15).

 For the Church to remain accessible and acceptable to God, it is supposed to follow every detailed biblical instruction. Believers are never what we are when we do things that are not according to injunctions spelt out in God’s Word; the Bible. Below are some of the things God’s people had fallen short of compliance;

1. Emphasis on DEATH than LIFE: Our Master Jesus came that we may have life both abundant and eternal, contrary to Satan’s suggestions, the architect of all theft, sorrows, pain and death. (Jn 10:10). Our Lord, the very One we all claim to follow, did not bury the dead, but raised them that were dead. And He instructed His disciples, including the present day church; “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.(Mt 10:8) Take a close look at the examples of the dead raised in the Bible:

Women had their dead raised – Heb 11:35; The son of the widow of Zarephath 1Ki 17:17-23; The Shunammite woman’s son 2Ki 4:32-37; The young man laid in Elisha’s grave 2Ki 13:21; The widow’s son Luke 7:12-15; Jairus’ daughter Luke 8:49-55; Lazarus John 11:43-44; Dorcas Acts 9:37-40; Eutychus Acts 20:9-12. -Nave’s Topics

There is still in Scripture an account of someone who was called by Jesus to follow Him, but sought an excuse to go and bury his father. “Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:59-50). 

In other words, Jesus meant that those who are engaged in His affairs should not be involved in burying the dead; but should insist to follow Him and learn the secret or mysteries of the kingdom of God; operating in His nature; performing signs and wonders; or functioning in the scope of faith and Holy Spirit’s power (1Cor 12:7-10). 

This must sound as an affront and bizarre to the erring ministers whose ordination is only meant to officiate in burials, marriages and other ceremonial rites; which never formed part of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. 

The question that follows is, “Whose ministry are you imitating?” Why should Christians pay so much homage to funerals; making long vehicle convoys to burial scenes, instate of getting more serious about evangelism? 

When shall we see large gatherings; many people trooping for soul winning; saving lives than the ungodly preoccupation with death?! 

Another aspect of death celebration is the advertisement of caskets by the road sides. If the ungodly society approved of this evil, should the church permit or agree with members engaged in this terrible enterprise? Let us preach salvation, let’s save lives.