Ladi's Musings

The Justice of Mercy (Reloaded) In the previous article, we dealt with the subject of Justice as it related to mercy. We studied how that it took the mercy of God and the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ to pay for the sins of all the ungodly. We discussed the effect of Adam's sin on humanity and how it is that the people of the world became ungodly because of his act. We also learnt how that we have become not only justified (free from blame) in Christ but we have also become sanctified (unable to sin) in Christ. This was achieved solely by our belief in the cross and not by any works of goodness that we have done. This is not to say that works of goodness are not essential, only that they cannot buy us salvation because the sin of Adam is not a debt that we can pay; only Christ being the second Adam could pay it, and indeed, he paid it. However receiving this gift of salvation comes by believing. Also, the fact that we have received salvation doesn't mean ultimately that...

The Justice of Mercy (Expanded) Last week we began discussing the subject of mercy as it relates to Justice. We looked at the scripture Romans 4:5 "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." We agreed that it was a bit odd that a just God would justify (make free of blame) the ungodly. On further study, we realized that the ungodly became ungodly because of the sin of one man, Adam. Therefore, since it was no fault of the ungodly that they became ungodly, then it makes sense or it is just that they are saved from the burden of sin. Here enters Jesus Christ, who was and is and is to come. Loved by God before the foundation of the world and thus is no better candidate to act as the second Adam to pay the price of the sin of the first Adam. Still, it was a very great act of sacrifice. God died that man could be saved: for it is written, the word was God and Jesus Christ is the word in human suit. If ...

The Justice of Mercy The work of salvation begins by the Justification of the ungodly. Romans 4: 4  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 'Worketh not' here doesn't mean unemployed (on a lighter note), it means that a person that doesn't do the works of the law to make himself righteous before God. This is the lesson Jesus was teaching the man that came to ask Him: What shall I do that I might inherit eternal life? Mark 10: 17  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defrau...

Good day friends, On Sunday, I was opportune to partake in a Joy festival along with other members of Covenant Christian Center and others. It was hosted by Pastor Poju Oyemade and Minister Nathaniel Bassey. Pastor Wole Adesanya (Leader of Covenant Connect) and the Covenant Christian Center Choir opened the festival of thanks giving. It was a time of congregational praise as preached by the Senior Pastor. One of the scriptures he used in preaching was: Psalm 52: 9  God, I will always thank you for the things that you have done. As I stand before godly people, I will proclaim that you are good (OR, the many good things you have done for us). Psalm 89: 1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. There are many things we can give thanks to God for, as the popular song goes, 'a thousand tongues would not be enough' to praise God. Amongst the many reasons to praise, I am awed the most by one singular rea...

PEACE WITHIN I tweeted this recently "ONE NATION bound in FREEDOM, PEACE AND UNITY." The 'heroes past' of this Nation had the right idea. TOGETHER FREEDOM FOR ALL PEACE IN ALL Say no to all forms of strife. And yes to working together to get this Nation working. I believe in our UNITY. We are the 'heroes today' Peace within is a topic that I find interesting. I was priviledged to be able to access a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) titled: "A Long Walk of Peace - towards a culture of prevention. Here are a few excerpts from the book: "While Peace keeping efforts produces peace in conflict areas. Peace building efforts are designed deliberately to ensure the continuity of peace. Peace building is the construction of a new environment to avoid the breakdown of peaceful conditions and prevent a reoccurrence of crisis, recognizing that "only sustained cooperative work to deal with u...

The Rejoicing Heart! Is it really possible to know the depth of God's love for us? Personally, God reveals or does certain things for me and at that moment, I am so excited and full of rejoicing at the love God has for me. And then a few days later, it would seem like that excitement has cooled off. I still know God loves me but it doesn't produce the kind of rejoicing as before. Have you ever experienced this before? I hope I am not the only one who had experienced this...lol Rejoicing, is very important. Apostle Paul in writing to the Phillipians said: Phillipians 4: 4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord always. Wait! did he just say always? How can one achieve this? What would make any one rejoice even when faced with certain circumstances that are not ... exciting? Always mean that regardless of time or event or circumstance; we have to continually have a heart that is rejoicing, full of joy. Let's look at another translation,...

SERVICE: EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE Father, I thank you for I asked and you have accepted this service (writing) to you through humanity. Paul wrote to Philemon, a man he described as a brother, dear friend and co-worker: Philemon verse 4  I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7  For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Philemon must have been a very generous man. Paul described him as one who 'we have great joy and consolation in thy love'. The saints all across the territory recognises Philemon as a great man of love. But His Love was not only in words but in deeds. IJn 3: 18  My little children, let us not love in word, ...

Justice and The Labour of Love. Caveat: Pleases note that this article is only an opinion and it refers to no one. Biblical examples are used to explain the points. Some of the thoughts are from what I have learnt from teachers. This article is also an amendment of an earlier article. Apologies for any grievances caused by the article: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10210039358846784&id=1420833901 So someone says this Labour of Love you talk about is not realistic. This is my response If for instance a person is in a physically abusive marriage, (this shall not be so in the life of any reader in Jesus name. Amen) it is wise for that person to leave the company of the abusive spouse, so that the person doesn’t get killed. However, what the aggrieved spouse does after separation may be key to saving the marriage and even birthing new promises of God in that family. The response should be in love – forgiving and forgetting the actions of the guilty spouse. This i...

Another look at service. Luke I7: 7 - 10 Think about this. You have a servant that is ploughing. Or you have a servant that is taking *care of your sheep. When he comes in from his work, you would not say to him, “Sit down and eat" It is easy to read this message and say Jesus is encouraging some form of slavery. Actually, the type of government at the time of Jesus was Monarchial. The royals were in authority and had slaves who they owned. And Jesus used the reality of that time to explain the concept of service to God. In today's time, except a person is forcefully subjected which is illegal no one is a slave. The world works by the barter system, which is exchanging service for money and the Kingdom system, which is sowing and reaping. That means at this time Jesus may explain the parable in a different way: This is my opinion: 7 Think about this. You have a staff whom you have paid or agreed to pay a certain sum for certain work hours that is ploughing. Or you have...