ELEMENTS OF FAMILY LIBERATION

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

ELEMENTS OF FAMILY LIBERATION

MAIN TEXT:

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written; cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”, (Galatians 3:13)

WRITERS QUOTE:

“Real freedom can only come where Jesus is real”

INTRODUCTION:

            The concept of “family liberation” is fast becoming a household concept, especially in societies where idol worship has prevailed over the years. Both proponents and exponents of this concept hold that families are trapped into curses as a result of an unbroken involvement in idol worship, as may have originated from the times of their forefathers. However, as biblical as the foregoing concept may be, it is important to correct an oversight which most believers have carried along over the years. To such believers, the sins of their forefathers constitute their setback(s), and as a result, family liberation becomes the point for freedom.

            Be it as it may, biblical emphasis shows that God punishes the children for the sin(s) of the fathers, to the third and fourth generation of those who hate him, but shows love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments (Exodus 20:5-6). The point here, and according to the Scripture citied, is that the non-believers (those who hate God) are punished or rather suffer curses as a result of the sins of their forefathers to third and fourth generation, (vs 5). Whereas, the believers (those who love God) are shown love, to a thousand generations, (vs 6). Therefore, to say that any believer suffers as a result of the sins or curses of the forefathers is not biblically sound.

HOW SINS OF THE FOREFATHERS CAN AFFECT A BELIEVER

             “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old hasgone, the new has come”, (2 Cor.5:17)

            By biblical standing, every believer is a prospect of the new covenant of God in Christ, free from curses and every entanglement of the old covenant, the law. However, since the believer is also a member of a natural family whose members may all not have received Christ, thus under the curses of the forefathers, it becomes obvious that such a believer would naturally share the burdens of his unbelieving relations who suffer as a result of the curses of the forefathers. For an example, the believer may be disturbed from time to time to make contributions to alleviate the sufferings of his unbelieving brothers and sisters who are yet under the curses of the forefathers. In view of this, the believer is affected by the curses of the forefathers, though not under the curses.

THE MISSING LINK IN FAMILY LIBERATION

 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”, (Ephesians 4:30)

            From every biblical indication, it is now obvious that the curses of the forefathers are never the portion of the believer who by believing and receiving Christ has endorsed his love for God. Nevertheless, there are other ways the believer (as well as the non-believer) can attract curses that can hinder his well-being. Pointedly, most believers suffer setbacks as a result of grieving the Holy Spirit. One grieves the Holy Spirit when one indulges in impurities like; bitterness, rage (violent uncontrollable anger) and anger, brawling (rough or noisy fighting) and slander (saying something untrue that harms a person’s reputation), etc (Eph.4:31).

            Furthermore, one who deliberately disobeys God’s Word or direct instruction, grieves the Holy Spirit, and in turn brings setback on oneself. For instance, one who receives a direct instruction or leading to do a specific work in God’s vineyard, grieves the Holy Spirit where one disobeys such a divine directive. This often brings about economic setback, sickness, misery and other forms of evil omens. Also, incomplete obedience as touching divine instruction grieves the Holy Spirit and causes devastating problems. The account of Saul’s life demonstrates the aforementioned,(see1 Samuel 15)

FAMILY LIBERATION AND WICKED PERSONS IN THE FAMILY

            The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him, (Proverb 21:10).

            In most cases, family woes are blamed on either the “curses of the forefather”, or that of the Holy Spirit. All the same, in today’s world, there is an increasing awareness of the activities of the wicked members of the family who cast demonic spells on fellow members of their family. To this end, fetish means are used to enforce misfortunes on both the unsuspecting believing and non-believing members of the family. In fact, this is one of the strongest sources of family and community woes in the world of today. By this, it becomes advisable that as one makes efforts in liberating oneself and other members of one’s family from the effects of the curses of the forefathers and more, one should not lose sight of the activities and presence of these undesirable elements in the family, who are agents of the devil. However, this not a call to pray that they die, (see Eph 6:12)

WHERE FAMILY LIBERATION IS NOT NEEDED

             “My father, it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”, (Matt. 26:39)

            Often than noticed, the wave of family liberation casts blind spot on stakeholders. They seem to suffer from what may be termed “doctrine eclipse” and so, play down on vital biblical teachings, like, “trial of faith”, “temptation” and “divine training”. It is often in the plan of God that His people be tried to demonstrate their qualification or otherwise for the Crown of Life, (James 1:12). Equally, God’s Word admonishes that one endures hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, (2 Timothy 2:3). More often too, God channels his people into lack, disappointment, poverty and more, as way of preparing them for the work of the kingdom. Under such situations, family liberation exercise(s) becomes meaningless, as no one can change God’s divine order. What one needs to do in the above instances is to patiently and prayerfully wait until one crosses what may be figuratively termed one’s “Red sea” or “wilderness training” after which one is blessed.

LIBERATING FAMILY MEMBERS FROM CURSES

            “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying “I gave birth to him in pain”. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory. Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain” and God granted his request”, (1Chronicles 4:9-10)

            “Curses of the forefathers” carry the woes of economic setbacks and failures, barrenness and fruitlessness, mental retardation and physical abnormalities, short life span and all forms of demonic domination. Idol worship which gives birth to “curses of the forefathers” equally gives Satan authority over one’s life, family and generations. The unbelievers are in the exclusive list of these problems. This is not to say that believers do not suffer similar problems. They do, but similarly, “curses of the Holy Spirit” can result in untimely death, hindrances, barrenness, restlessness, disappointments, demotions, frustrations and more. Both believers and non-believers can be pulled into these problems where they put up attitudes that grieve the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, “spells of misfortunes” as are often projected by wicked persons in the family can equally bring about untimely death through accidents and witchcraft. It can as well enforce poverty and misery, miscarriages and marriage problems, possession and obsession, as well as hindrances and frustrations. On this note, and based on the evidences in the infallible Word of God, the writer re-echoes that the Great God of Heaven and Earth, the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is very much willing to forgive, save and set free from every bondage. Like in the case of Jabez, he will grant one’s request if one takes concrete steps to:

i)          REPENT: Sin is the root-cause of all forms of curses, and also what gives right to demonic powers over one’s life. Therefore, where the problem of sin is not first tackled in any liberation effort, no curse(s) is removed or broken. Most family liberation operatives play down on this vital point in family liberation, for obvious and negative reasons. However, it is important to note by the Word of God that, “no repentance, no liberation”. I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (even in your Family curses and spells), (Luke 13:3)

ii)         CALL: The fundamental preparation for family liberation is the repentance of those who need the liberation. This is followed by a well organized and formidable prayer forum, where God is called upon for rescue. The organizers of the said prayer forum should uncompromisingly consider the spiritual undertone that marks such an exercise. As such, pre-fasting and praying cells will be a welcome front to ensure an adequate tackling of every stronghold “And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me”, (Psalm 50 vs 15).

iii)         SUSTAIN: The point of sustenance is a very vital point in liberation exercise. It is one thing to obtain something that is worthwhile, and another thing to keep or sustain it. Experience and testimonies in God’s Word show that many who were once liberated from satanic yokes are back to bondage as a result of laxity. Therefore, for one who is liberated to continue in one’s freedom, the point of holy living is very important, “when an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left. When it arrives and finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked that itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first”, (Matthew 12:43-45). BE WARNED                                 

PLEASING GOD IN GOVERNMENT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

PLEASING GOD IN GOVERNMENT

MAIN TEXT:

---“One who rules over men must be just ruling in the fear of God” (II Samuel 23:3)

WRITERS QUOTE:

Government exists for the good of the people, and God can only be pleased, when this is the hearty objective of any government.

INTRODUCTION:

            In about A.D 57, the Apostle Paul, in a revelative insight highlights on the sovereignty of God over every government of the world (Romans 13:1) This Christian treatise enforces the fact that, it does not matter who occupies a given government, or runs its affairs, nor does it matter the time and reign of such a government, one absolute truth is that God has been (past) and is (present) and will remain (future) the King over every government of the world (Psalm 22:28). This implies that every human occupant of any government regardless of time and type is, and remains a delegate of the King of Heaven, and of course, must without fail, render account to God, (Roman 14:12) Therefore, for any government functionary of any age, to escape God’s condemnable indictment, such a functionary must as a matter of commitment perform government duties in the fear of God.

DEVELOPING A GOVERNMENT OF STABILITY IN A COUNTRY

“By justice a king gives country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down (Proverb 29:4)

Uchegbu (1995), renders that the word government refers to a group of people who are in power and actually ruling a country. In a broader sense, he stresses that the word also refers to the whole machinery or system through which a country is ruled. Obviously, government involves a number of people that function as a whole. Three organs are designated, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. By function, the Executive enforces the laws, while the legislature makes the laws, as the Judiciary interprets the laws and recommended punishment to offenders. These functions make for the stability and smooth administration of a given state or country. Nevertheless the absence of justice in any government breeds instability. By a way of definition justice means fairness to all. By this, nepotism, tribalism and despotism are out of place. Equally bribery, greed and avarice are never allowed to survive. Only a government that possesses such qualities can really please God, and in turn brings stability in a country.

BECOMING AN EXECUTIVE THAT PLEASES GOD IN GOVERNMENT

“Kings take pleasure in honest lips, they value a man who speaks the truth”, (Proverbs 16:13)   

            Structurally, the Chief Executive (president, governor, chairman, etc) heads the executive arm of government. Empowered by the law, he chooses members of his cabinet (ministers, commissioners, special    assistants/advisers etc) who head the various government ministries linked-up with the already established civil service, which harbor government officials referred to as “civil servants” These carry out the day-to-day work of the government. In the set-up also are the law enforcement agencies, the Police and Armed Forces, which maintain law and order and the defense of a country against external aggression. All these are under the supervision and control of the Chief Executive and make the executive function of a government effective for the services it renders to the people of a given state or country. With foregoing in mind, it becomes important to note from the cited Scripture that good leaders delight in honesty and desire to appoint or recruit people of like manner into the government they lead. John Chacha (1988) well observed that “a good leader lives up to his reputation” and demonstrates a life of honesty and integrity. This affirms that, for any head of a government or law enforcement agent(s) to please God while in office, such an individual(s) must refrain from extortion, bribery, cheating, false accusation, embezzlement, deceit etc., as these vices are against the principle of honesty which a good leader should possess and take pleasure in (Proverb 16:13), (Luke 3:7-14)   

MAKING LAWS IN THE LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, and those who issue oppressive decrees to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people”, (Isaiah 10:1)

Well noted, the legislature is that arm of government that makes laws for a given state or country. Bills through which laws are enacted are sometimes sponsored by the executive and at times by members of the Legislature or by well-meaning citizens of a state or country and law making aims at promoting the welfare of the citizens. The exercise ensures that law which promote living standards are put in place, whereas, obnoxious ones are legislatively put out of constitution. Not only that a good legislature makes laws, it ensures the control of public expenditure, approval of appointments, control of the executive among other things, as a way of making sure that everything is done constitutionally. However, the fact that some law makers make unjust laws cannot be denied. God’s word as cited, shows that unjust laws attract woes to those who make them. Oppressive decrees that deprive the poor of their rights are never treated with levity in the sight of God. In fact, common knowledge shows that most law makers succumb to gratification against good laws. Most sponsors of bills lobby to see obnoxious bills passed into law. On the account of the aforestated, it becomes imperative to note that law makers who swindle or exhibit double-dealing, falsehood, fraud and other forms of unrighteous behaviour in the law making process can never please God in the legislative arm of government, and finally will not find a place in the Kingdom of God, (see 1Cornthians 6:9-10)

ADMINISTERING JUSTICE IN THE MANNER THAT PLEASES GOD

Do not pervert justice or show partiality, and do not accept a bribe for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise (Deuteronomy 16:19)

Uchegbu (1995), states that the judiciary is the courts and all processes of administration of justice in a country by all instrument(s) are the concern of this institution. This is the place, where every mis-treated, mis-applied, mis-handled, mis-represented or mis-managed person seeks redress. It is equally the last resort of the common man who seeks redress of injustices meted out against him. All law courts, all judges and other presiding personnel, the judicial tribunals, as well as, the judicial process, make up the institutions involved. Biblically speaking and based on the Scripture cited, it becomes manifest that God watches with great displeasure as people are denied justice. He sees with contempt as judges and other judicial personnel pervert justice and show partiality in the administration of justice. Bribery and corruption have become the common characteristics of the judicial personnel of today. The exhibition of these negative tendencies invokes the wrath of God on culprits, and cannot please God anywhere they are found in the judiciary system. Therefore, let it be noted that those who pervert justice, show partiality, take or give bribes or get involved in any other forms of judicial malpractices in the process of administering justice, will one day give account to God (see Romans 14:11-12)

In conclusion, Aguda (1992), well noted that in our native culture, our cooking is done on a tripod support of stones or other non-combustible materials of about equal height and weight. In like manner, our modern political democratic arrangements are hinged upon a tripod consisting of the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. Any weakness in or malfunctioning of any one of these pillars invariably leads to a malfunctioning of the whole system and this can bring about a complete collapse of the whole system”. This highlights the basic reason why the gospel project touches on every arm of government. It considers that any spiritual or moral decay in any of the arms of government would adversely affect the other. By this, therefore, it becomes advisable that those in government and those intending to get involved should genuinely repent (Acts 3:19), receive Jesus (John 1:12) and serve in the fear of God (Proverb 8:13). This is the only way to escape the damnation of the Throne of Judgment (see Revelation 20:11:15)

SHOW YOUR LIGHT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

SHOW YOUR LIGHT

MAIN TEXT:

 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:18)

WRITER QUOTES:

 ‘Godly example is the most effective way of telling the world about Christ’.

INTRODUCTION

        Genuine Christians bear the light of good works. This is because they are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for such works, (Eph. 2:10). As light bearers, Christians should lead the way in every facet of human enterprise and endeavour. This implies that Christians should radiate God’s moral light in whatever they do. Where this is lacking, it becomes evident that the light in such Christians has been eclipsed. So;

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Nigeria requires the Christian light if she is to make progress in her anti-corruption crusade. Globally, the country faces an intense image crisis which portrays her in bad light. One may be accused of parochialism where one becomes blunt in shifting every blame on lack of the Christian light in the lives of the citizens. This is because not every citizen of Nigeria is a Christian. But, the truth of the matter is that the Christian is said to be the light of the world”, (Matthew 5:14). And so, should not let;

i)      bribery and corruption eclipse the Christian light in the life of the nation;

ii)      ethnic and religious conflicts to cast shadow of disunity on the Nigerian world;

iii)     bitterness and rancor to brush aside the light of the brotherhood of all men in the country, etc. Let it also be known that the expression, “let your light so shine” simply implies that the flag of the Christian virtue must be hoisted in the Christian life to out-shine every human vice.

LET YOUR LIGHT PRODUCE GOOD WORKS

        People need to see one’s good works so as to be convinced that there exists the Christian light in one’s life. However, there is need for caution to avoid taking spurious works for good ones. Good works are based on sound moral considerations, whereas, spurious ones are often aimed at deceiving the unsuspecting public. Evidences abound in Nigeria and the world over, where purported “good works” were later found fraudulent. Therefore, it becomes important to note that a;

i)      ritualist who kills for money making, but renders “false helps” to the family members of his victim is not producing good works, but in fraudulent activity;     

ii)      politician who renders “false helps” to the electorate as a way of securing a mandate is not producing good works, but, in fraudulent activity;

iii)     church member who is in active Christian activities as a way of deceiving people into believing he is genuine is not producing good works, but fraudulent, etc.  

        Having noted the above, it is important to stress that the “good works” that find support in the Bible are those done in line with God’s holiness principle.

LET YOUR LIGHT GIVE GOD THE GLORY

        The Christian light does not aim at “self-glory” but aims at rendering every service to the glory of God. Thus, the Bible states, “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven, (Matthew 5:16). In view of the aforestated, the obvious contrast comes to play when;

i)      praise singing focuses on government functionaries for certain good works, instead of giving God glory for raising such individuals;

ii)      gifted pastors are praised for the marvelous works of the Lord, instead of giving God glory for his grace.

iii)     people work to achieve “self-glory”, instead of doing all to the glory of God, etc.

In conclusion, be informed that Jesus is, and remains the only source of God’s light. One who ignores Him remains in darkness (John 8:12). LET JESUS REIGN IN YOU.