THEME: FROM THE DRUDGERY OF FATE TO THE LIBERTY OF THE CHRIST-REDEMPTION STORY 

It has been stated that the world is a stage in which all men are but actors. This implies that life is no more than acting. We act out a part, our part, some part, their part consciously or unconsciously, for who, what purpose and end only to leave the stage by choice or design, by circumstances, fate or by destiny but on the whole outside our control. This means that man otherwise created in the image and love of God but fallen from glory has become a helpless and powerless being subject to forces totally out of his control. 

The truth is that man who has gone forth to seek power, self-determination, free and autonomous behavior from the Creator has now fallen total prey to a state, law, and abiding reality of the wrath of God. He has become captive to fatal life, total “non- negotiable” existence. The Bible describes it as a state of futility. The Creator has not only determined everything. He is in ultimate control of the powers, times, seasons, and boundaries of human existence and life. Yes, God the Creator is the full owner and controller of the world. 

This has made life for man the actor a mapped out, pre-determined and circumscribed affair. His spirit, existence and exit are out of his hands.  Man’s entry, powers, and virtues, acts, environment, contributions and exit in life are but a shadow, a fleeting thing that pops up but soon out of sight. We neither know fully, nor have we power and time to determine by ourselves the part we play, the times and seasons, with whom and where we act out our part and when we exit. 

The Bible gives a hint here when it states in Psalm 90 (verses 3-10):  

“You turn man to destruction, and say ‘Return, O children of men……….’ You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep……. For we have been consumed by Your anger…. For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh……. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” 

By the way, if man is but shooting gene of a mammal what a pitiable thing he is indeed. Life for animals is completely circumscribed, a closed shop out of control. There is no avenue for bargains. And there is no one to bargain with in any way. But man, creation of God, has opportunity not only for bargain and escape with the Creator. There is opportunity also for life eternally ordered, lived, expressed, and enjoyed in the joy, knowledge, grace, glory, and presence of the Creator.  

Moses, the Psalmist (in Psalm 90), recognized a divine opportunity. He saw that man could ‘bargain’ for an exit from a life defined by shadows, sorrow, and the weary sigh of mortality. His bargain with the Creator went this way, “Who knows the power of thine anger? So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Let thy work appear to thy servants, and thy glory to their children and establish the work of our hands for us.” 

Moses was given opportunity to witness the reality, presence, works, and glory of the Lord. He witnessed the moving hand of God in wrath and judgment, in compassion and mercy, in redemption, and mighty works. So, he realized and understood that there is opportunity for escape, for peace, meaningful and fulfilling life. Divine redemption he discovered can bring total escape from the anguish and drudgery of the circuitous, “play-acting” life.  

The Bible reveals in this connection that it is for this cause Christ Jesus came, to reconcile the world with the Creator and bring peace, life, light, and liberty. Christ has come to deliver man from sin, death, and Satan, to redeem him from the fallen nature and human powerlessness and to usher him into victory and glory in a new life of the full eternal Divine nature not image or shadow thereof. This is the Christ Human Redemption Mission Story. Christ has come to save, redeem, and impart Divine graces, love, authority, power, and holiness for the New Life in an equally newly redeemed, reconstructed world. Christ has come to establish a new world of heavenly peace and life of righteousness, joy, hope, and glory into the world.  

All peoples, all nations that reject this offer of peace, life, and liberty, righteousness, joy, hope, and glory from, through and with the Creator through Christ abide and remain in the life of sin and death, anguish, sorrow, and sigh under the wrath and anger of the Creator where Satan, evil spirits, and wicked men pry into, prey upon, terrorize and take tribes, peoples, and nations captive. 

Christ has come to open wide for all peoples, tribes, and nations the heavenly doors that He made Moses open for Israel. The tribes of the offshoot of Jacob, the son of Isaac, son of Abraham to all men, all the nations, the other offshoot of the root of Abraham, Ishmael and Esau included.  

The vision of the Creator for the world through The Son given, Christ Jesus the Lord is peace on earth and goodwill towards men. Jesus sealed this with His own blood and His word on the Cross “It is finished.” 

Today, despites the spread of the Good News of peace and life, love, joy, hope, and glory, power, victory, and fulfillment in the world of peace and goodwill, the world has rather turned into greater darkness, consternation, and death, wars and rumours of wars, travail and tribulation with political and economic crises in nations, environmental hazards, the complexity of disease and sickness of body, soul and spirit of men, women and children. Nations are bewildered, frustrated, depressed, and desolate. The souls of many nations are indeed sick and overcome with anguish. Nations and peoples are flooded with political strife, economic uncertainties and poverty, and with children out of control in a global cultural melting port, social disorder and desolation.   

As the Bible puts it, everywhere there is shaking, shaking in the heavens and shaking on earth. No nation, no people are safe and secure except those who know and are in abiding connection with Christ Jesus and through Him enjoy renewed true worship and relationship with God the Father. 

No nation is secure except those in an abiding connection with Christ. I appeal strongly to the chiefs, elders, politicians, and intellectuals of Ghana: Be wary. Be extremely careful about the rejection of God, the knowledge of Him and faith in Jesus Christ as you manage the affairs this nation.  

April 28, 2009