PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD
BEWARE OF THE RELIGION
OF THE GENTILES
BIBLE TEXT:
“A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision
merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and
circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the SPIRIT...” {Rom. 2:28-29}.
INTRODUCTION:
Every nation of the world, apart from
Israel, which is the heart of the Jewish nation, by the verdict of GOD’S WORD,
is a Gentile Nation. And, by the same token, every born again believer, from
Jewish or Gentile nation, is classified
a Spiritual Jew, as every non-born again believer from Gentile or Jewish nation
is a Spiritual Gentile, which implies that a Natural Jew can be a Spiritual
Gentile, as a Natural Gentile can be a spiritual Jew.
However, since this Gospel Message centres
on the Religion of the Gentiles, it becomes vital to point to the biblical
truth that, both the born again Gentiles, who are biblically referred to as the
Spiritual Jews, and the born-again Jews have the same characteristics, by
virtue of the indwelling SPIRIT of GOD, who inspires godly conduct in them, as
the non-born again Jews who, scripturally are spiritual Gentiles and their
natural Gentile counter-parts have the same traits, by dint of the unbroken
nature of sin, which is the force behind their ungodly behaviour and drive for
materialism, which JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR cautions against,
when HE says;... “do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat” or what shall we
drink?” or what shall we wear?” {For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek”} for your HEAVENLY FATHER knows that you have need of all these things,”
{Matt. 6:31-32}.
But, who does JESUS refer to as the
Gentiles?
Mr. Anxiety reacts;
Brother Truth:
When JESUS pictures certain people as
Gentiles, He really points to people of every nation of the world, who are not
of
Jewish descent.
Mr. Anxiety:
What is the implication of one, being
born a Gentile?:
Brother Truth:
The basic implication of one being
born a Gentile, is that before the coming of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED
SAVIOUR , everyone born outside the Jewish descent was considered a heathen,
for the simple fact that, they were not part of the covenant of the GOD of
Israel, who is the ONLY TRUE
and LIVING GOD.
Mr. Anxiety:
Now that JESUS CHRIST Has come and
died for the sins
of mankind, what is the position of
the Gentiles in
the SIGHT of GOD?
Brother Truth:
The death and resurrection of JESUS
CHRIST brought all those who believe in HIM together, wether Jew or Gentile, as
those in HIM can no longer be tagged heathens, since HE is now the only POINT
of DIVINE COVENANT, as well as the only WAY to GOD, {John 14:6}
Mr. Anxiety:
What are the basic characteristics of
the Gentiles who have not believed in the Gospel of CHRIST?
Brother Truth:
The Gentiles who have not committed
themselves to CHRIST and HIS Gospel are characteristically religious, but lack
the power of love for GOD. They approach the LORD in worship for what they wish
to get from HIM and not for intimacy or relationship.
Mr. Anxiety:
What are the major things that inform
the worship of the Gentiles who have no committed faith in CHRIST?
Brother Truth:
The major things that draw a Gentile
worshiper, who is not committed to CHRIST are the material things they wish to
receive from GOD, and these include; what to eat, what to drink and what to
wear, which JESUS cited as their main drive in
worship, {Matt. 6:31-32}. Are you affected by this material crave?
Mr. Anxiety:
Definitely, yes! But, what is wrong
in asking GOD
for HIS material blessings?
Brother Truth:
There is nothing wrong in asking God
for material blessings, but there is everything wrong when the basic reason in
worship is for such blessings, since the desired material blessing
willautomatically become the object of worship in the heart of the worshiper,
instead of GOD, which, by implication is idol worship.
Mr. Anxiety:
What, then, is the remedy?
Brother Truth:
The remedy is simply based on the
admonition of our LORD and LOVING BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, which urges us
to avoid being driven by the passion for material things,“but rather seek first
the KINGDOM of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things will be given to
us,
{Matt. 6:33}.
Mr. Anxiety:
But, it is not easy to relinquish the
forces of materialism.
Brother Truth:
By human strength, no-one can
overcome the powers of materialism, but with GOD all things are possible. And,
bear in mind that, it is by the GRACE of GOD that one who believes is saved,
through faith- and this is not from oneself, it is the GIFT of GOD, so that no
one can boast”,{Eph. 2:8}
In conclusion, please note that, “if only for this
life we have hope in CHRIST; we are to be pitied more than all men” 1 Cor.
15:19}, as this pictures the lifestyle of the non-born again Jews and Gentiles,
who see CHRIST as a means to their material goals, since they are often in
church services and other religious campaigns to ask GOD for political, social
and economic blessings, without thinking of
life after death. To this end, the Holy Scripture asks... “What shall it
profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark
8:36}. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!
This tract is GOD’S
MESSAGE and property in your hands.
Don’t destroy it, read
and pass it on.
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to help print us more of this tract, for soul winning, for CHRIST JESUS our
LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR is welcomed through UBA Acc. No. 200353589
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