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Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the message, the good news.

Philippians 1:27

In a world where it is so easy to tag people and give them sarcastic accolades (spiricoco for example), Apostle Paul in his letters to the people of Philippi admonished them to lead a life worthy of the gospel. It is so easy to call yourself a Christian, it is far too easy to shut down the internet with beautiful pictures of you in your sutana (all white), what would be appalling would be if you’re all just talks and no action, if you’re just concerned about how you look on the outside, how people perceive you and not intentionally leading lives WORTHY of being called a Christian or a Celestian.

Before I became an intentional Christian, I would do abnormal things and easily shrug it off as “nothing”. The perfect way I console myself is that “oh! I’m not the worst sinner there is, other people do far more worse things”. The day I had my encounter with Christ and a near-death experience, it was clear to me that there is more to the life we live on earth and we must conduct ourselves in manners that show reverence and humility to God, because our citizenship is not of this world.

Albeit, I am a citizen of Nigeria by physical birth but joint heirs with Christ the day I pledge to live in Him and be a new creation. You know how it is when a law abiding citizen follows through the rules and ordinances of the state. Spiritually, we are to be better! How? The word of God says “the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” Proverbs 15:3. This means that if we live unruly, as thugs, as prostitutes, as thieves, as hypocrites, as pagans and what not, then His eyes are watching and we will definitely account for it.

This period of lent is the perfect time for sober reflection of the words of Christ while He was on earth: His teachings, His suffering, His death, His ascension and resurrection.  Philippians 1:27, “whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”. This means either in want or in plenty, in sickness or in health, in the threshing season or the blooming season, in confusion or in clarity, in the days of pure joy or in times of grief, the word of God says “WHATEVER HAPPENS”, live in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ.

CCC Hymn 284 stanza 2

“The call is continuous, waste ye no precious time,

give cover to your soul, before time expire”.

CCC Hymn 284 stanza 2

The time to reflect on these things is now. The time to turn a new leaf is now. The time to do better is now. We are not assured of living tomorrow and if you sleep in the lord tomorrow, what are you going to account? What am I going to account? We cannot continue to live in sin and pray that grace abound. Let us turn our hearts back to God and lead lives worthy of the gospel we preach and stand for. Comparison is a thief of joy. Patience is a virtue. To wait for God’s perfect will is not wasteful. All of the seeds you are growing with tears, you will reap with joy. We only need to preserve a little longer. God loves you!

Author: Mary Odunayo

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