I am complete in Christ

Knowing and believing your completeness in Jesus Christ is vital. This knowledge, provided in Colossians 2:10 (NKJV), is your identity in Christ. The verse states that you have been made complete in Him, referring to Christ. This is one of the many good news in the Bible that must be grasped wholeheartedly. It is the hope of the gospel, and we are encouraged not to shift away from it -Colossians 1:23.

You are complete in Christ not by your efforts but because all things hold together in Him Colossians 1:17; having the fullness of Deity in Him-Colossians 2:9. And all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom are hidden in Him- Colossians 2:3. This means in Christ, you are fulfilled. No more emptiness!

Jesus is more than sufficient

Just as today, some Christians act as if Jesus Christ is not enough. Some in Colossae doubted the sufficiency of Christ and, therefore, demanded rituals, including circumcision, as necessary additions. Their doubts led them to embrace some philosophies while strictly adhering to the traditions of men. Thus, they chose to follow men’s teachings instead of Christ’s. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote that letter as a warning and a reminder of the fullness of Christ. He cautions us against allowing anyone to rob us of our adequacy in Christ.

Faith, Forgiveness, and Victory

To better appreciate our completeness in Christ, let’s explore three essential elements provided in Colossians chapter 2. The first element is found in verses 11-12. We learn that in Christ, our circumcision is not made with hands but made by Christ. This means circumcision is by faith in Christ alone. We know that the Old Testament ritual of physical circumcision is useless unless one can obey the whole law perfectly. This is why Galatians 5:6 emphasizes that faith expressing itself in love is more important in Christ. We are complete in Christ through faith in Christ Jesus.

The second is found in verses 13-14. We were dead in sins until God made us alive in Christ by forgiving us of all our sins. We are, therefore, complete in Christ because we are alive in Christ and sin-free in Him. Verse 9 of Romans chapter 5 affirms this truth when it says that the blood of  Jesus justifies us. Praise God! It’s only Jesus Christ who can set you free from sin and also declare you debt-free. We are complete in Christ through the forgiveness of our sins.

The third element of our completeness in Christ is found in verse 15. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in Him.”  Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has gained victory over supernatural forces and evil agents working against us. We are winners because Jesus is a winner. We are, therefore, complete in Christ through victory over all evil powers and agents. What more can we ask for?

Dear Christian, Jesus did all the work, or He did nothing. It is not 95% of what Jesus did, plus 5% of what you add. I believe 100% that Jesus completed His assignment concerning my redemption, which is why I am complete in Him. Jesus is all-sufficient.!

Enjoy your identity in Christ by accepting your completeness in Him. And remember, it is in Christ Jesus that you are complete. Therefore, remain in Him-Colossians 2:6-7.

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I am a disciple

You may be known worldwide or have great riches, but never allow that to define you. Dear Christian, your identity is in Christ Jesus. Knowing who you are in Christ is not selfish; it is not boasting or pride. Knowing your identity in Christ is the confidence to stay focused on Christ -Hebrews 12:2 and to tell others about HIM. It makes you want to bring others on board so they can also enjoy a new identity in Christ.   

So, if you ask me who I am, my answer is simple: I am everything God says I am in His word. My identity in Christ helps me to reorient my priorities, purposes, and passions.

I am not just a child of God but a disciple of Christ.  A disciple is a follower and a learner, adhering to the teachings of the one they follow. Applied to Jesus Christ, a disciple follows and learns from the teachings of the Messiah- Luke 6:40. In John 8:31, Jesus told the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”

Some Pharisees were bold enough to announce that they were Moses’s disciples in John 9:28. I will, therefore, not hide my identity. I am not a disciple of Moses. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. In John 12:26, Jesus says, “Anyone who serves Him must follow Him.“ We are to follow Jesus Christ and not just anybody.

I understand what is expected of a disciple in  Matthew 28:18-20. I can go into all nations and make disciples by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ because I have been equipped in all dimensions- I have freedom in Christ-Galatians 5:1, I have been delivered from the power of darkness into the kingdom of Christ – Colossians 1:13, so, I am not under any curse or bondage. I have also been made righteous in Christ – 1 Corinthians 1:30, and I have been given the power to speak about Christ -Acts 1:8.

I want you to own your identity in Christ.

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I am a child of God

This is a continuation of the series “I KNOW WHO I AM IN CHRIST”.
I know who I am in Jesus Christ and so I am inspired to walk boldly in my identity. I am a child of God – John 1:12 and I belong to the family of God -Ephesians 2:19. My status is confirmed in 1 John 5:1 which states that everyone who believes that Jesus is Christ is born of God.

I know who I am in Christ

Dear reader, you’ve been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ- Ephesians 2:8-9. Hallelujah! My question is: do you know who you are in Christ? Your identity is important, and you should not take it for granted. There is enormous comfort and security when we have the knowledge and an understanding of our identity in Christ.

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You are a new creation in Christ—2 Corinthians 5:17. This means you begin a fresh, clean page of your life in Christ. Knowing your identity helps you stand firm in every situation, good or bad, sweet or sour. We can enjoy our new life in Christ uninterrupted. It gives us the confidence to live in God’s will and to act in faith accordingly. Knowing your identity spares you the headache of being a crowd follower and a people-pleaser.

As Christians, we are not just followers of Christ. We are in fellowship with Christ.  Our identity is in Christ. The word of God says we are joined in one spirit with Christ- 1 Corinthians 6:17, 1 John 2:15. In Him,  we are complete -Colossians 2:10, reconciled to God- 2 Corinthians 5:18, children of God- John 1:12, and many more.

Because Jesus knows who He is, we must also know who we are in Him. Staying ignorant will deny you the rights and privileges you have in Christ. You become susceptible to deception and false doctrines.

One day, Jesus had a conversation with His disciples about identity because of its relevance (Matthew 13).

He asked, “Who do people say that I am?”  The second question was more specific: “Who do you say I am ?”

Jesus did not ask these questions because He had identity issues. Never! His identity is unquestionable. He is the beloved son of the living God. Satan and his demons know that, too. Scripture records that demons cried, “ You are the son of God” when they saw Jesus -Luke 4:41. Despite the knowledge, satan will still put the identity of Jesus to the test – Luke 4:1-13. Note that satan began two of the three temptations with the words, “If thou be the Son of God.” But  Jesus would show through the scriptures that He did not need to perform, He did not need to be popular, and did not need to possess all the riches of the kingdom of this world to prove his identity. Jesus Christ is the son of God, and that is it.

Dear Christian, knowing your true identity in Christ is one of the greatest defenses against temptation. It is your best weapon against agents whose activities are mainly directed at making you doubt who you are.

So, let’s stay informed about our identity in Christ through this new series titled  “ I know who I am in Christ Jesus.” Through the word of God and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will affirm our identity in Christ Jesus as we enjoy our lives in Him and walk in that truth.  

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Faith in God

“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”-1 Peter 1:7

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Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

“But without faith, it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe
that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”-Hebrews 11:6

Faith is an essential element in our new life in Christ. I call faith the heartbeat of a Christian. Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ relies
hugely on faith. Faith in God is the difference between those who believe in the existence and power of God and those who do not. Faith in Jesus Christ is also the difference between those who are saved and those who have not been saved.

Faith produces righteousness

Salvation is by Grace through faith- Ephesians 2:8-9. We receive eternal life through faith-John 3:16. We are justified and made righteous through
faith-Romans 3:22, 10:10 and we can continue to live in righteousness through faith-Romans 1:16-17. We also receive the Holy Spirit and all His gifts by faith- Galatians 3:2. Faith in God makes us world overcomers- 1 John 5:4. Faith is the key to accessing everything God has in store for you.  

 As important as faith is, it is often overlooked by many Christians. God says you can’t please Him if you don’t have faith. And Romans 14:23 says
“Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Both verses serve a strong caution. God is never pleased with the so-called right things that you do when you do them without faith. That should tell you how valuable faith is. Faith is more precious than gold in 1 Peter 1:7. It is a
treasure worth keeping and defending.

What is faith?

Let’s look at one of the definitions of faith by the Oxford Languages Dictionary. – “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” 

This definition indicates that people can have faith or trust in anything -living and non-living things, objects, and structures. People all over the
the world embraces some beliefs.

Let’s look at how faith has been defined in the Bible -“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. 2 For by it, the elders obtained a good testimony. ” Hebrews 11:1-2

As defined in Hebrews 11:1, faith is not your faith in anybody or anything. It is not just any kind of belief.  It is faith in God. Faith originates
from God and is made available through His word -Romans 10:17. Faith draws a sinner to God. It is faith that identifies a particular group of people who are called “children of God.” Hebrews 12:2 reveals Jesus Christ as the author and founder of our faith.

Verse 2 of Hebrews 11 says that some old people obtained a good report because of their faith in God. The rest of Hebrews chapter 11 profiles each elder’s acts or faith in God that earned them the good report.  

Now, let’s take a closer look at Hebrews 11:1. The first part says faith is a substance. It’s not abstract, and it is not immaterial.  The substance
has to do with matter and tangible presence. Matter is anything that has weight and occupies space. Therefore, faith is believing in reality even if you don’t see or feel it.  

The second part says faith is evidence of things not seen. It is the certainty that they exist because what we believe is real; they just aren’t
seen. And that is why you can have hope in them. And by the way, hope that is seen is no longer hope according to Romans 8:24-25.  Therefore, faith is the evidence of real things, even if you do not see or feel them. Faith, as defined in Hebrews chapter 11, is belief and absolute confidence in the existing God. God is real; He just can’t be seen.

Faith is trust that produces obedience. You don’t see God, but you believe, trust, and obey Him. That is the import of the story of Abraham when he was willing and prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice in obedience to God-Hebrews 11:17-19

Faith, not doubt

Faith can be limited by the physical senses-what we see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, wanted to “see to
believe” when he was informed of the resurrection of Jesus. Later, Jesus would appear to the disciples and tell Thomas, “ Blessed are those
who have not seen but yet have believed “-John 20:29. What we have seen no longer requires faith.

Relying on the physical senses produces doubt. And anything that comes out of doubt does not please God. This is why a Christian must walk by faith and not by sight -2 Corinthians 5:7. God demonstrated that faith goes beyond sight when Romans 4:17 says, “God … called those things which be not as though they were.” Creation was made possible out of invisible things-Hebrews 11:3. Hallelujah!

So valuable is faith that Christians are encouraged to “fight” or contend for their faith. Jude 1:3. Jude was advising the early believers to guard their faith against ungodly people, and that advice is for you and me. John 1 verses 1 and 2 confirm the word is God. It is the word that produces our faith, and it is by faith that we believe it. Let’s keep our faith by keeping the word of God. Remember that your good report will be written based on your faith in God and nothing else.

Watch “GUARD YOUR FAITH “ and “FAITH NOT FEAR” with Patrick E Quainoo to learn more about faith.

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The 5Ws and H of praising God

“Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” –Psalm 150:6 (AMP)

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Let’s do a little bit of journalism today as I share with you what I learned in school years ago. It’s known as the Five Ws and H of News. The Five Ws and H constitute a formula for getting the complete story. Answers to the questions WHAT, WHO, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, and HOW are considered basic and necessary in information gathering. Every student journalist is familiar with this formula. It will help you write a catchy lead in a news story.

I could use so many scriptures in the Bible to explain why you must praise God, but I chose Psalm 150 because I discovered that the six-verse chapter goes beyond answering the question of why. Psalm 150 answers all five Ws and even the H. I believe this Psalm, titled “ A Psalm of Praise,” will spark a new desire in us to praise God always with a better understanding.

A Psalm of Praise.

150 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to [the abundance of] His greatness.

3 Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with tambourine and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.

5 Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
Praise Him with loud cymbals.-

6 Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)-  Psalm 150:1-6 (AMP)

WHAT?

Let’s see how the formula works. The whole chapter of Psalm 150, from verses 1 to 6, answers the question WHAT? What is the Scripture talking about? Praise, specifically praise to God. The six-verse chapter mentions praise 13 times, including praise God, praise the Lord, and praise Him.

WHO?

Verses 1 and 6 answer the question WHO. Who should be praised? The answer is God. Who should praise God? Everything that has breath. If you are breathing, then you are to praise God. That goes beyond human beings to include every living creature on the face of the earth.

WHERE?

WHERE should we praise God? Everywhere. We are to praise God in His sanctuary and His mighty heavens, according to verse 1. As a believer in Jesus Christ, God dwells in you; therefore, you can praise God wherever you are. We don’t have to wait to get to a building called “church.” We don’t have to wait for conferences. We can praise God in the garden, garage, or kitchen. I praise God a lot of the time when I’m taking a shower.

WHEN?

When should we praise God? Anytime and every time. Verse 6 specifically calls on everything that has breath to praise the Lord. To have breath is to be alive. Therefore, every second, minute, and hour you are alive is a good time to praise God. The dead cannot praise. No! There is no breath in them. It’s only the living who can. Let’s praise God as long as we can breathe.  

WHY?

Let’s now answer WHY. Why should I praise God? Verse 2 teaches us to praise God for his acts of power and His surpassing greatness. Some people think that praise must be a response to what happens. If good things happen to them, they will automatically praise God, but if bad things happen, there will be no place for praise. That is not what the word of God teaches us. The focus of praise here is God, not us. That means praising God in every circumstance. Praise God when emotions have been affected. Praise God when in trouble. In prison, Paul and Silas sang praises unto God-Acts 16:25 (KJV), and when they were thrown into the fire, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with one voice praised and glorified God-Daniel 3:51

Praise must be a lifestyle, not a duty, just like thanksgiving.

HOW?

With all five Ws answered, let’s look at the only H, HOW. How should one praise God? The answer is in verses 3 to 5. We are to praise God with every instrument that can give a good sound- trumpets, harps, tambourines, drums, clapping, and dancing. Yes! Praise God through dance. The Bible records David dancing before the Lord with all his might -2 Samuel 6:14  

I can confidently write that Psalm 150 is a complete journalistic report on praising God. Hallelujah! It qualifies for a headline. Symbolically, it is also the last psalm.

Praise is an expression of gratitude and respect toward God, usually in songs. It’s a powerful way to rejoice in the Lord and a great tool for dealing with negative vibes. I believe that when we allow praise to abound, problems will become afterthoughts.

God is no longer requiring any sacrifice for sin because of Jesus Christ. But you can continually give to God, the “sacrifice of praise” -Hebrews 13:15 David said the praise of God will continually be in his mouth-Psalm 34:1 You should praise God, believing in your heart that God indeed inhabits the praises of His people -Psalm 22:3 (KJV)

So, don’t wait until you reach heaven; praise God now!

Recommended Videos: “PRAISE FOR GOD’S PROMISES “ with Patrick  E Quainoo on our YouTube Channel

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Why you must be thankful always

 But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, -2 Timothy 3:1-2 (NKJV) (Emphasis mine)

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Scripture says that in the last days, perilous times will come, and that will produce in men certain ungodly traits, including ungratefulness. Perilous connotes trouble, difficulty, risky, dangerous, or stressful situations. The havoc and uncertainties of COVID-19 have caused a lot of fear and stress.

“Thank you ” will be difficult for men to say because they have become lovers of themselves. They will appreciate nothing, allowing selfishness to get in the way of acknowledging God.  

To be thankful is to be grateful or to be appreciative.

The Bible, our manual for living, is loaded with verses that command us to be thankful always. But one may ask, ” Why should I be thankful?” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 answers this question.

“ in everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”-1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)

Give thanks, not in some things or a few things but in everything, for it is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 5:17 admonishes us to understand God’s will. We often interpret God’s will for our lives as some big, mystical plan we’re constantly searching for when that will has been provided in His word. All that is required of us is to obey.  

What should we be thankful for?

Thankfulness is usually in response to a gift or a good act. However, for the believer in Christ Jesus, thankfulness should not be limited to only gifts and good acts. We are to be grateful for all things, good or bad. That sounds impossible to do in bad circumstances. God is not asking us to pretend but to trust Him in the most difficult situations because all things work together for good -Romans 8:28. Giving thanks in all things is, therefore, a demonstration of faith or trust in God at all times. Thankfulness must become a lifestyle, not a duty or an obligation.  

We must be grateful to God for everything about life, godliness, and precious promises – 2 Peter1 :3-4. The more we know God, the more we would appreciate Him. We will be more thankful when we become aware of the good things He has given us. And as we reflect on the goodies, let’s not forget our greatest gift from God, Jesus Christ, and our salvation through Him. In Colossians 1:12, Apostle Paul admonishes the believers to give “joyful thanks” to God for their salvation.

Be grateful to God for your life and every ability. Learn to appreciate the little things and moments in your life. And let’s not forget to thank those around us—our spouses, children, relatives, friends, co-workers, and many others who help us in various ways.

Allowing the worries and rush of life to overwhelm you is a pathway to ingratitude. You focus so much on your needs and wants that you fail to see the present abundance. Instead of thanking God for carrying you through that trouble, you usually allow that problem to steal your joy away, leaving you to complain and be resentful.

Aside from personal issues getting in the way of gratitude, the world, through various mediums, has created an environment of fear. We are greeted with bad news and grim predictions that affect our emotions and general perspectives. We become anxious.

But that is not how God wants us to live, according to Philippians 4:6    

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.”–Philippians 4:6 (AMP)

We are commanded never to be anxious. Rather, we should give thanks in prayer while making our requests known to God, who is our provider. To be anxious is to worry. To worry is to allow your mind to dwell on the difficulties and troubles which can affect your health. Today, choose to see the good in the bad.

You can do this by allowing the peace of God to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus -Philippians 4:7   

In some countries including the USA, a day has been set aside purposely to give thanks known as “Thanksgiving Day“. It is observed once a year. For a Christian, however, every day is a Thanksgiving Day because we are to “give thanks always and for everything ” – Ephesians 5:20.

Recommended Videos: “FAITH SHOWS GRATITUDE” & “GIVE THANKS TO GOD” with Patrick E Quainoo on our YouTube Channel

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Audio: The sword of the Spirit

” And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ….”-Ephesians 6:17

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I want to draw our attention to the importance of the word of God in our faith life. The word of God is God -John 1:1. It is the source of our faith –“ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”– Romans 10:17.

The process of salvation begins when you hear the word of God. The word then produces faith in you-. The faith you have is used to accept the gift of salvation. You cannot be saved without faith because salvation is not by grace alone. Your salvation is a combination of Grace and Faith. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith”-Ephesians 2:8-9. You became born- again through the word of God. -1 Peter 1:23

Your new life in Christ ( your faith life ) must continually be sustained with the word of God. This means the word of God must be in you and become alive in you. Everything you need to discover about yourself is in the word of God. It contains all the promises God has for you. The word is one of the means through which God speaks to you. Jesus says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you”-John 15:7.  In First Peter 2:2, the word of God is the milk you need for your growth in Christ. The word of God is the lamp that will guide your feet and the light that will brighten your path -Psalm 119:105. It is profitable for every area of your life Timothy 3:16-17.

We discover in Ephesians chapter 6 that the word of God is the sword of the Holy Spirit. It is the sixth piece of armor that Paul talks about as he details the whole armor of God. Paul admonishes Christians to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the wiles of the devil- Ephesians 6:11. Take note that it is the schemes, strategies, and deceits of the devil that you need to fight against with your full armor. All the weapons mentioned are undoubtedly vital for defense. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, is the only weapon that is both defensive and offensive. It is sharper than any double-edged sword – Hebrews 4:12. It is the word that endures forever -1 Peter 1:25

Jesus Christ used the same weapon, the word of God, to dismiss the devil in Matthew chapter 4. Jesus thus demonstrated how valuable it is to be well-grounded in the Word of God.

Shouting and screaming “fire” at an all-night service or an early morning prayer session without knowing the word of God will not help you. The right knowledge and application of the word of God will let satan walk away.  He may leave to return at another time just as he did to Jesus Christ in Luke 4:13, but as long as you are abiding in the word and the word is abiding in you, you will not fall prey to any of his schemes.  

Never replace the word of God with anything. It is the ultimate tool you need to survive all the potholes and dark and slippery places in this troubling world. The Bible, which means the “book of books,” contains the word of God, and it is the best book to read.

Don’t keep a sword without knowing its worth and usage. Master the art of using it. This is why Jesus Christ has given us another teacher in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ values teaching and learning. He was a teacher during His ministry here on earth. And He wants us to learn from the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Depend on the Holy Spirit, and He will lead you into all truth as you meditate on the word of God, The sword you always need.

I recommend you watch “READ THE WORD TO HEAR GOD” by Patrick E Quainoo on our YouTube Channel.

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Balance your passion with knowledge

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I’m excited to talk about passion this week because I write these “Teaching and Learning Articles” with a passion. I desire to write as I’m led by the Holy Spirit to boost someone’s spiritual growth.  

I believe we all have a passion for something. Romans chapter 10 talks about a group of people who also have a passion. We will discuss them later in this article.  

 So, what is passion?

Passion is a strong feeling about something or someone or excitement for something you do now or for something you aspire to do in the future.  

Webster’s English Dictionary defines passion as “extreme, compelling emotion or intense emotional drive.”

I see passion as a strong feeling from one’s heart and soul. Passion is also associated with love. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, died for the whole world out of passion.

Passion makes you want to go the extra mile when nobody wants to. It drives you to do what you do. It is the desire to take on amazing yet difficult challenges. Sometimes, one may never know they are passionate about something until they start it.

I can talk about passion all day because I pursued my television career out of passion. Without that, I could not have remained in that profession for over a decade because the salary was nothing to boast about. Aside from money, the environment was sometimes hostile.  

Passion was why I would wake up at 4:30 AM to be on air at 6 AM for the morning show and get home some days as late as midnight because I also had to anchor the late-night news. I spent the early years of my career life on such a tight and often stressful schedule without a car. This means I was commuting by public transport or relying on friends and colleagues for a ride.

Therefore, I have concluded that excitement and satisfaction are the rewards for passion, while money and other benefits become secondary.

Synonyms of Passion

The word passion can replace synonyms, including zeal, enthusiasm, eagerness, and desire. Therefore, depending on your Bible translation, you may not see passion but one of the alternative words.

I want you to know that having a passion is not a bad thing at all. The Bible admonishes us in Romans 12:11 never to lag in passion or zeal and encourages us to lead with zeal in verse 8. While passion is not a bad thing, the things that drive your passion may need to be reviewed. You can have a passion for good things or have a passion for bad things that you’re probably unaware of.

For example, Apostle Paul once had a passion for persecuting. The Bible records that before his conversion, Paul, then known as Saul, had a passion for persecuting believers – Philippians 3:6. What a passion to have!  It is captured in 1 Corinthians 15:9 that Paul (then Saul) persecuted the church out of his passion. What caught my attention is in 1 Timothy 1:13 when Paul, talking out of regret, says he acted out of ignorance and unbelief. He was ignorant about the faith he was passionately persecuting.

This brings me to two important questions: What do you have a passion for? And is your passion accompanied by knowledge or by ignorance?   

Many people today look back with regret after investing time, money, and energy into projects that have failed because they followed their passion wrongly and had little or no knowledge about many things.

“Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble.”-Proverbs 19:2 (NET)

I want you to know that passion must be balanced with knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 19, verse 2 teaches us to combine passion, enthusiasm, or desire with knowledge. The verse specifically states that enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.

So, how does one get knowledge?

In Hosea 4:6, God says, “His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Let me put it this way: ignorance leads to destruction. But take note that the people lacked knowledge not because knowledge was not available; they lacked knowledge because they rejected knowledge. 

As a believer in Christ Jesus, the right knowledge you need to pursue your passion comes from the word of God. The secret is to rely on the Holy Spirit living in you for help with understanding. Scripture says it is the Holy Spirit who reveals the deep things of God -1 Cor 2:10. The Holy Spirit is your teacher -John 14:26. The verse says the Holy Spirit will teach you ALL THINGS, not some things or a few things. The Holy Spirit is always teaching, but have you always been present in His class? Without the Holy Spirit, the Bible may remain just another storybook.

Today, information is easily accessible because of search engines. When necessary, pursue further education. Enroll in a short course. Develop an interest in reading. Also, speak to people who have some experience in the field that you are interested in, as advised in Proverbs 12:15.

Passion with ignorance?

Now, let’s focus on Romans chapter 10. Apostle Paul calls out the Jews who have a passion/ enthusiasm/ zeal for God yet lack the right knowledge about God. Paul says he bears witness to their passion. That should tell you that their passion for God is not hidden. Yet they were not saved. Being ignorant about the righteousness of God, they sought their righteousness. These Jews do not know that salvation is by faith in Christ Jesus-Romans 10:9-10 and that the same faith in Christ Jesus produces righteousness -Romans 3:22, Romans 5:17. The Jews do all manner of good things out of their passion for God and try to earn righteousness by their good works.

Today, we have such passionate but ignorant people in our midst. They are present in churches, and some occupy leadership roles that mislead the whole congregation. They have a passion for God, but their passion is not driven by a true knowledge of God and what He expects from us. The missing link in their passion for God is faith or absolute trust and confidence in Jesus Christ.

Such people like to boast about their good deeds and religious activities, thinking their works save them and make them righteous. In John 6:29, Jesus says to believe in Him.

There would have been no need for the Savior if we could all become righteous by our effort. I want you to understand that we are accepted as righteous in the sight of God on account of what Jesus did -2 Cor 5:21.

Go all out and pursue your passion, but remember to balance it with the right knowledge and understanding so you don’t look back with regret.

You can learn more about passion in my four-part series  “PASSION” on our YouTube Channel.

Send all your comments or questions to mailto:pqgm29@gmail.com

Your love donation will help us reach many more people through the Gospel of Christ.

What must I do to inherit Eternal Life ?

(LISTEN TO AUDIO VERSION)

Eternal life is an important subject today, just as it was during the physical presence days of Jesus Christ on earth.

On different occasions, Jesus was asked the same question on how to inherit eternal life by a rich young ruler (Luke 18:18) and a conniving lawyer (Luke 10:25).

In John chapter 5, Jesus exposes the unbelieving Jews when He tells them, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life” -(John 5:39.

Dear reader and listener, searching, examining, or studying the scriptures is not eternal life. Similarly, moral living, attending church regularly, or performing many good deeds are encouraging but do not earn you eternal life.

So, If you’re also asking the same question, “How do I get eternal life?” the only answer I have for you is: “Have faith in Jesus Christ“- (John 3:15,16).

Faith or belief in Jesus Christ saves you and activates your new life in Christ (Ephesians 2:8, John 14:6). Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and your salvation package from God includes eternal life.

I want you to know that faith in Jesus Christ is and remains the only genuine path to eternal life! This is how John puts it: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12 )

All who put their faith in Christ Jesus are saved! They can begin to live their everlasting or eternal life in Christ right now – (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

What is Eternal Life?

Eternal life is a gift from God- (Romans 6:23). It is the guaranteed assurance that other faiths don’t have and can’t give you.

The truth is, no one ceases to exist when they die. You will live forever, either rejoicing in heaven or gnashing your teeth in hell. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke chapter 16, we read that both men died, yet both men continued to live: Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom and the rich man in hell, being tormented.

Eternal life is, therefore, more than just life after death. It is a brand new life in Jesus Christ. It is knowing your God.-(John 17:3).

John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Like the rich young ruler in Mark chapter 10, some people have placed their faith in their status and material possessions. They have, therefore, walked away from Jesus Christ. Others also refuse to hear anything about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which produces faith. Scripture says the faith you need for salvation comes from hearing God’s word -(Romans 10:17).

Aside from being denied life, verse 36 of John chapter 3 says the wrath of God abides with those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, if you accept and believe in Jesus Christ, you have eternal life. Jesus embraces you immediately. This means you experience and enjoy God daily while looking forward to heaven someday. Eternal life is your current possession.

In Revelation 3:20, we see Jesus’ willingness to have a relationship with us. He says that when you hear His voice and invite Him in, He will dine with and be with you. That’s a promised friendship!

This is what makes eternal life a relationship between God and man. John confirms that eternal life is not a thing or a theory but a relationship with a Personality- (1 John 1:1, 2, 3).

Eternal life is an interactive relationship in which you speak to God in prayer through Jesus Christ, and He speaks to you through His word and His Holy Spirit.

I invite you to accept Jesus Christ this minute by confessing Him as your Lord and Savior. Believe God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved! – (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:30,31).

Salvation entitles you to live in heaven someday, but that does not mean sitting idle and waiting for that day.

Enjoy your eternal relationship with God through Christ on earth, as in heaven. Begin to tell others about your new relationship with Christ to attract them.

I recommend you watch “ETERNAL LIFE” and “THE NEW YOU IN CHRIST”  by Patrick E Quainoo on our YouTube Channel.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPiXV8Jp2DM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR48puk4nvY

Let me hear from you. Send all your comments or questions to mailto:pqgm29@gmail.com

Your love donation will help us to reach many more people with the Gospel of Christ.