WILL THERE BE SEX IN HEAVEN?

Surely, there will be no sex in heaven. Jesus teaches that in heaven, we will all be spirits. We will all be like the angels of heaven which can't either be defined as male or female (Mathew 22:23-33). There will be no male or female; we will all be spirits, in the image of God. There will be no marriage and obviously no any such actions associated with marriage.

The primary purpose of sex on earth is to reproduce physical mortal bodies. In heaven, there is no need for sex so as to reproduce. There will not be these earthly physical mortal bodies in heaven.

However, there are some religions who are nursing the belief that there will be male and female in heaven and that sex will be there as it is here on earth. In fact they presume sex will be part of the rewards by God to whoever will have pleased Him. I must categorically say; this is a false belief with no any scriptural back up.

Having formerly been a Muslim, I have no choice but to say what I am going to say, and just the way it was taught to me. I was taught while still a young Muslim boy that when you die a Muslim, one of the rewards for dying a Muslim is to be given women who would present themselves to you when you need them. Such a belief would drive not only me but many of others to strive to be the Muslims that Allah wanted us to be. This is because nobody doubts how sweet and exciting sex can be. In fact, to Muslims, everything that is as sweet here on earth either to eat or practice is one of the rewards by Allah to those who closely follow after him. 

We were made to believe that just as the physical mortal person is here, so will he/she be in heaven and therefore all that that person enjoys or holds dear here on earth will equally be available to the same in heaven. The Muslim young men who set themselves ablaze today with the aim to die with or kill many others (non-believers in the Muslim faith, infidels), do it in the spirit that Allah will after all reward them with many sweet good things including virgin girls so as to thank them for the “good” job done. However though, just as I said before, all such is mere say with no evidenced proof.

Many other religions have strange beliefs; which I may not be able to mention one after the other, that are never founded. However though, the Christian Faith is very clear on such very topical issues. When we die, we have simply transformed into spirits, whether destined to hell or to heaven. There is no male or female spirit. There is therefore no mechanism of playing sex because it is an act that involves physical mortal bodies. In heaven, we will have put on heavenly bodies (1Corinthians 5:1-10), like the one Jesus put on when He ascended to heaven. Equally so, those who are destined to hell will put on the type of body which is suitable for hell fire.

Additionally, the rewards of being faithful believers and followers of Jesus CHRIST will not be as we envisage them here on earth. There may not actually be such rewards as we may presume (1 Corinthians 5:4), but one reward scripture states categorically is eternal life (Romans 6:23), what goes with it is only known to God almighty.

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GOD'S SERVICE IS NOT A RACE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER

The feeling that; I should dwarf others (ministers of God) is a hegemonic feeling whose source is nothing else but the evil pride. Such devilish pride ignites the human instinct of not only forcefully and selfishly wanting to appear greater than everyone, but also to seek to challenge the deity of the person of God Almighty.

Such a feeling creates false and void overconfidence. This feeling is only self destructive! For we are parts of the same body. Yet one part can't claim more importance than the other because each serves an equally important and unique function (1 Corinthians 12:12).

The devil was thrown out of heaven for empty pride of which it is; unfounded superiority and arrogance in substance (Isaiah 14:12-15), (Ezekiel 28:13-19), (Revelation 12:9). When man gave in to the devil, it meant having given in to the ways and the patterns of the devil for which he (the devil) had been thrown out of heaven (Genesis 3). For Satan is the father of all liars, deceivers, murderers, tempters, accusers, and all the rest of all evil (John 8:44). This instinct of humanism and hegemonic vengeance became very strong in each and every human ever to live (except for our Lord Jesus).

Lucifer is thrown out of heaven

For the devil harbored a feeling that he would compete and get ahead of God. After having failed, he seeks to set humans in the same race in which he (Satan) was defeated. And man will surely, just like the devil be defeated. It is nothing else but simply self destruction. But there is another chance for those who diligently turn to Jesus.

This feeling is planted by Satan in and reminiscent of every human. But as ministers of God, more so as Christians, we must get over it. For if we think by competing for the top we are serving God, it is simply self deception. Such a minister only appears to serve God but they are surely serving the devil in substance. Yet God can use us greatly and mightily (Philippians 4:13).

We are called differently. Serving God should be about pointing to the fulfillment of God's purpose in one's lifetime. One's satisfaction therefore should not emanate from having been seen or appearing to be greater than the rest, but from the fact that we have pretty surpassed our physical limitations. 

Preacher of the word

In the Bible, there are Major Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. But there are also Minor Prophets such as; Hosea, Zechariah, Joel, Habakkuk etc. But to use the words; Major and Minor in reference is not to mean one prophesied more than the other in terms of substance. It is the volumes of writings that differ.

Yet all these books of prophesy are treated equally vital in terms of substance.  That is; all prophecy is vital. Whether in terms of volume one prophecy is bigger than the other, that is no issue. The fact remains that all prophecy is from God and each is but for a purpose. In this then, a Pastor and an Usher, each is but for a purpose that has to come to fruition.

It isn't therefore about the volume of work covered. It is not about appearing to be smaller or greater than. The lead factor is the substance of God's purpose, and the reward is given in the same spirit. On this account therefore, no one is appreciated by God for how much they have covered, but for how far God's purpose has been fulfilled in their lives (whatever the volume). 

The service of God is not about what position a person occupies. It does not matter if one is an Usher, Pastor, Elder, Evangelist, Apostle. Each of these is equally important in having the will of God fulfilled here on earth. If each of these faithfully stands in their positions, none is to be held in greater or lesser esteem by the Rewarder who is God. Even a perceived lay Christian will receive their reward in accordance despite not seeming to be anything and not holding any of the titles most craved for in Church.

Carnal minds breed such variances. Yet serving God effectively as we have mentioned above shouldn't be about how greater or lesser we appear to others, but how sure we are that we are doing exactly what God purposed us for and doing it willfully and faithfully.Every one is pretty important in the eyes of God.

If one asked such a question as; Of Moses and Elijah, who is greater than the other? Of Noah and Abraham, who is greater than the other? Of Jeremiah and Isaiah, who is greater than the other? What is your take? Are not they all great men of God? They are all known to be great men of God, but not in the sense that one appears to be greater than the other. It is in the sense that each stood steadfast in their calling.

In this fact, we (servants of God) are not simply to work to appear great, but to ensure that the purpose of God is fulfilled in our lives. For the calling of each of these men of God differed pretty much. Despite both of them being Prophets, how Jeremiah prophesied is no where similar to how Isaiah did prophesy.

Elijah calls fire from heaven

If you want to lead others, then serve them (Mark 10:41-43)! Jesus leads by serving to date (John 5:17). He was exemplary to us in every sense of it. He demonstrated this when He washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-17). Even then, many of us practice these things, but we lack the intent with which Jesus did so.

God has called us into ministry so that we can serve but not to be served. What we demand thereof, we ought not to because it never comes by demand. Respect, riches and power come to us by way of having been willful and faithful in the service that God has assigned to each one of us. The persona of ministry therefore must be the one to serve and not to be served. It is not a time for reward now, it is a time to serve. Let us serve selflessly. The Lord will reward us accordingly and in the sense that we have lived up to the purpose of the Creator.

NB To serve God is also be to love and obey Him.

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THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN THE VINE YARD

Jesus sought to use all sorts of language and gesture to make us understand Him and His mission. Upon this, He told the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). He wanted to reveal to us the mysteries and the dynamics of His Father's Kingdom.

The language that is being used is figurative yet intended to give a true picture and account of a matter. It is aimed to make a point clearer and easily understandable to the listeners. There are lots of lessons, though, we draw out of this parable among which are the following;

•     The Kingdom of God is open to all

•     Everybody is a potential child and servant of God

•     The Kingdom of God needs servants

•     God rewards on purpose not length of time or magnitude of worker

•     It is in God's power to reward

•     It reveals the human selfishness and the wish for self aggrandizement

The Kingdom of God is open to all

This parable, teaches us that no one is intended or targeted to be excluded from the Kingdom of God. The Pharisees on many occasions tried to own Jesus. They wanted to carry on with a classified society (Matthew 9:10-13). They wanted it that if Jesus was indeed the Son of God and the promised Messiah, then there was no room for Him (Jesus) to dine with what they regarded as sinners and outcasts. They nurtured a belief that Jesus was only to identify with the nobles, the senior clergy and the elite of society since He (Jesus) had claimed a certain class (having been the Son of God and the Messiah).

Yet such a notion would have made Jesus' mission meaningless. For Jesus says; ".....For I am not come to call the righteous but sinners unto repentance" (Matthew 9:13). Jesus had come to execute a duty, but not simply and selfishly claim a glory of some sort.

In this parable, sinners are represented by the idlers, while the earlier workers in the vineyard represent the Pharisees and whoever who assume or with a false perception of self righteousness. It is pretty a requirement for everyone to submit to Jesus Christ if to be assured of eternal life.

The lesson being that the earlier workers had wanted it that they exclude the Kingdom of heaven to the rest. But if other workers were to be welcomed, then they must be seen to be less important and of little significance. That is why they had advocated that the latter workers were to be paid less and with such, it would have satisfied their ego.

But in this parable, Jesus wants us to understand that His Kingdom is open to everyone and it is never classified or held in casts at all. Whoever comes to His Kingdom and at whatever time is pretty welcome. For what matters is not the availability but the purpose. There is a particular purpose for every individual in the Kingdom of God.

Everybody is a potential child and servant of God.

The laborers who were the first to be hired had falsely felt that by being the first to be hired, the project would be exclusive to them. They falsely believed that they should have had a say on who joins the workforce, when they are to join the workforce, and how they are to be paid. Rather they wanted to own the Master. They wanted to deny that everybody is a potential child and servant of God.

Their murmuring upon payment had been on the notion of false assumption of co-ownership (Matthew 20:10-11). Thus the owner of the vineyard noted and replied that it was in his powers to appoint, choose and determine who to pay what because he solely owned the vineyard. For we are all simply workers (Matthew 20:14-15). The Kingdom of God therefore is exclusive to none.

Additionally, much as one may crave for it that God's work is exclusive to them so as to promote their person, to the owner of the vineyard (God), it is not so. For to God, it is not about an individual person. God loves doing the work and thereby fulfilling the purpose. Every individual person has ambitions, and once I have achieved them (personal ambitions), I may have no more motivation in me to reach further than I have already gone. 

As an individual person, I may not care how much work is covered. I may not care if everywhere is reached because I am driven by personal interests which I may have already achieved. The evil element of self promotion is always at play.  This is the very reason that individuals crave for it that they dwarf everyone that is, no matter the cost. 

There are lots of types of work which do require lots of types of talents. And thus the implication that in order to have the work accomplished, it requires and involves a range of talents. Yet one individual can't possess all such talents which are required. Thus the owner of the vineyard reserves the powers to appoint as and when it is required whoever He wishes to because there is plenty of work. Thus to say; in the human eye and sense, the work may have been done, but with God, there is much, much work (Luke 10:1-3). So then, every Christian is a potential servant of God.

The work is God's. No one person owns it. No matter at whatever self perceived clerical level, we are all workers in someone else's vineyard and that is God. We are all simply workers and each worker will be rewarded not according to whatever position one may have occupied, but the purpose fulfilled (1Corinthians 3:5-9).

Workers in the vine yard

The Kingdom of God needs servants

As humans, the human instinct which is present in us will always drive us selfishly. For we tend to view the service of God in terms of gaining ourselves fame and riches. It is usually out of such selfish personal interests that we tend to wish to limit this precious work of God to oneself. We thus love to own it. Yet it never ends with one! 

There is always work in the house of God. Church leaders should therefore create allowance for Church members to serve God in their areas of calling. For there is still plenty of work in the house of God (Matthew 9:35-38). It is therefore about God's work being done, not self promotion. 

Additionally, everybody has a role to play in the Kingdom of God. There should never be idlers (Matthew 20:3). And the work should not only be limited to the Church but should be extended elsewhere in form of outreaches so as to bring everyone to the fold of the Church. For the Kingdom of God has to be extended anywhere and everywhere, and that is the primary goal and should be the driving force.

God rewards on purpose not length of time or magnitude of worker

The first laborers in the vine yard did not complain on having fulfilled their purpose while others had failed. No. For their complaint was on the length of the time worked and the magnitude of work or the distance covered. Yet having worked longer than the rest, or having covered a wider distance does not tell about the fulfillment of the purpose.

If the first laborers had complained on having been exceptional in the work done, then that would have counted. Yet even to be exceptional is not a matter to be determined by the laborers.  Whether exceptional or not, it is a matter to the Master and owner of the vineyard.

Every time we engage in anything, we must first understand what the purpose is. Reward therefore is on fulfilling the purpose not seeming to have done much. Rather than to mind who has come late, you should instead mind if you have lived to the purpose of God in your life. It adds nothing if another worker fails. Yet it adds much if each one us is a winner.

It is in God's power to or not to and how to reward

Avoid doing anything in the name of God but with the intention to please people. For people can only appreciate, but they can't reward. God only is the rewarder and He decides how to reward depending on the purpose fulfilled (Colossians 3:23-24), (Romans 2:6). For God who appoints is the same who rewards. Your efforts therefore should be to be approved of God not men.

Payment time

Additionally, we also learn that serving God is surely rewarded. It doesn’t require to bargain with God about payment for the work to be done (like Peter tried to) (Matthew 19:27). For He surely rewards for the task accomplished. As that, the last shall be first and the first shall be last. This is not that that is how it is to be, but God loves a person who is focused on accomplishing a purpose rather than to be a busy body (Matthew 20:16).

It reveals the human selfishness and the wish for self aggrandizement

The first laborers based their complaint not on having been paid less than agreed, but on the selfish and greedy desire to seem to earn more than their colleagues who had come later. This simply reveals the human instinct which drives everyone to forcefully place themselves above the rest. How we wish to dot ourselves everywhere! For they had chosen to mind other laborers' case in place of theirs. 

Mind if you have accomplished your task than to seek to be seen everywhere. Rather negotiate for better reward (if you believe so) than to mind how much a fellow worker has been rewarded. Be satisfied to have fulfilled your task than to seek to down weigh other workers' reward or having had them fail. Rather than to mind how the rest have failed to accomplish their task, mind if you have indeed accomplished yours and have indeed done so how you have been commissioned.

In conclusive terms, we can envisage how loving, interesting and mesmerizing it can be to serve the Lord. For to earn a contract with God is not based on anything that is. For it is not about stature, biological relationship, individual perceived abilities, money, social status, or whatever. 

God chooses whoever He pleases. He could appoint people who are literally outcasts. People who do not literally seem to be of any value. The workers who had been hired earlier had assessed the whole matter in the human sense. Yet God works a whole lot differently.

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OKUTEGEERA ENJIRI YA YESU

Waliwo ebintu bisatu Katonda byatuwa. Ebintu ebyo bikulu nnyo mu kuyamba Omuntu okutuukiriza obusobozi obuli muye. Ebintu ebyo byebino; Amagezi, Okumanya, n’ Okutegeera (Kuva 31:3, 35:31).

Amagezi kye ki?

Okusinziira ku byawandiikibwa, amagezi bwebulungi bwekikolwa oba okusalawo mu nkwanaganya  y’enkozesa y’obumanyirivu, okumanya, n’okusalawo obulungi (1Basekabaka 3:16-28).

Amagezi ga vaawa? Yobu yabuuza (Yobu 28:20).

Ebyawandiikibwa bitutegeeza nti; mukutya Mukama, amagezi mwegasookera (Engero 9:10), (Zabuli 111:10).

Bwetweyongera okunonyereza mu byawandiikibwa, Yesu ye magezi ga Katonda (1Bakolinso 1:24, 30).

Okumanya kye ki?

Okumanya kiyinza okunyonyolwa nga ekituufu, ekikakasiddwa, mu ntegeera eyengeri emu, era nga tekikubaganyizibwako birowoozo. Ekyokulabirako; gamba nga okuba nti Yesu Mwana wa Katonda, kale oba nga okugamba nti Katonda ye yatonda byonna, era byonna yabifuga.

Okumanya kikulu nnyo era ebyawandiikibwa bitutegeeza nti Omuntu bwataba na kumanya, kimuleetera okubula (Koseya 4:6).

Obutaba na Magezi, Okumanya, n’ Okutegeera bye bituleetera okulemererwa okujayo obusobozi obutulimu (buli Muntu alina obusobozi mu ye Katonda bweyamutekamu). Kale ebintu bino ebisatu bikulu mu kuyamba Omuntu yenna okujayo obusobozi obumulimu.

Ebyawandiikibwa bitutegeeza nti amagezi gatuukirira na kutegeera (Engero 4:7). Kale kwekugamba nti; ebintu bino ebisatu (Amagezi, Okumanya, n’ Okutegeera) bitambulira wamu. Era no ne kabaka Suleiman bweyasaba Mukama, teyamusaba magezi goka, wabula yamusaba n’okutegeera (1Basekabaka 3:9, 11, 12, 4:29).

Naye mu kino, twaagala okunyonyoka mu ngeri eyenjawulo ekigambo kino eky’Okutegeera na biki ebikigenderako.

Okutegeera kuvaawa? Yobu yabuuza (Yobu 28:20)

Okutegeera kujja na kufumitiriza wamu n’okubikulirwa. Ate Mukama yatulungamya eri okubikulirwa. Katonda yalungamya Yokaana agende ku kizinga kye Patimo olwo no alyoke amubikulire ebintu ebitayinza kulabibwa na maaso ga mubiri. Olwo no Mukama namulagira awandiike ekitabo kya Kubikulirwa (Kubikulirwa 1:10).

Abantu bangi tetulina kutegeera, Kyoka ng’ate ekisinga okuba ekyakabi, tetukiriza kulungamizibwa. Singa Yokaana teyakiriza Katonda kumulungamya kugenda ku kizinga Patimo, kakaano singa si ye muwandiisi we kitabo kya Kubikuklirwa.

Era obutategeera bwaffe bumanyiddwa ne Mukama waffe Yesu Kristo (Mattayo 22:29). Olwokuba nti twagala nnyo okusigala nga tetumanyi, tulowooza nga singa tukiriza nga tetutegeera, nti olwo tuba tuwanguddwa. Era kino kitukuumira mu butategeera obwoluberera. No lwensonga eyo, Okutegeera tekujja nakola bukozi kintu, wabula nga tukirizza Mukama natulungamya mu kubo ery’okutegeera.

Ebyawandiikibwa bitukakasa nti Okutegeera kikulu nnyo nti era Omuntu yenna ateekwa Okutegeera. Kwekugamba nti mu buli kintu kyetukola, tutekeedwa okukakasa nga tukitegedde.

Bwokola ekintu kyona kyototegeera, oba kyotayagala kutegeera, ogenda kulemererwa. Ate no era, bwoba ng'omalirizza okukitegeera, oteekwa okumanyisa  abalala, oba banno ekyo ggwe kyotegedde nabo basobole okukitegeera obulungi.

Nekemiya yakakasiza ddala nti buli Muntu gweyali akola naye omulimu gwa Mukama yali ategeera bulungi kyebaali bakola (Nekemiya 10:28). Kiba kibi nnyo era kyandireeta na kabenje singa Omuntu akola ekintu abalala oba banne kyebatategeera. Ggwe olaba ne Mukama waffe Yesu Kristo bweyagya bwati, kyeyasokerako, kwekwenyonyolako kiki kyeyali, na ki ekyaali kimuleese ( Luka 4:18).

Katonda omuyinza webintu byonna (era nga Ye yeka y'Entandikwa era Enkomerero yabyonna), atuwa Okutegeera ku byaba agenda okukola. Yensonga lwaki atuweereza banabi okutubuulira ebijja olwo no tulyoke tubikwanaganye bulungi.

Ebyawandiikibwa bino wamanga byongera okutukakasa nti Okutegeera kintu kyamakulu nnyo mu bulamu bwomuntu yenna. Kubanga Okutegeera kw’omuntu kulabibwa ku maanyi gakozesa oba gateeka mw’ekyo kyakola.

Luka 24:44-48 - “N'abagamba nti Bino bye bigambo byange bye nnababuulira, nga nkyali nammwe, bwe kigwanira byonna okutuukirizibwa, ebyawandiikirwa nze mu mateeka ga Musa, ne mu bannabbi, ne mu zabbuli.

N'alyoka abikkula amagezi gaabwe, bategeere ebyawandiikibwa;

n'abagamba nti Bwe kityo bwe kyawandiikibwa Kristo okubonyaabonyezebwa n'okuzuukira mu bafu ku lunaku olw'okusatu;

era amawanga gonna okubuulirwanga okwenenya n'okuggibwako ebibi mu linnya lye, okusooketa ku Yerusaalemi.

Mmwe bajulirwa b'ebyo”.

2Petero 3:15-16 – “Era mulowoozenga ng'okugumiikiriza kwa Mukama waffe bwe bulokozi, era nga muganda waffe omwagalwa Pawulo mu magezi ge yaweebwa bwe yabawandiikira;

16 era nga mu bbaluwa ze zonna, ng'ayogera ku ebyo mu zo; omuli ebimu ebizibu okutegeera, abatamanyi n'abatali banywevu bye banyoola, era nga n'ebyawandiikibwa ebirala, olw'okuzikirira kwabwe bo”.

Kuva 36:1 - Ne Bezaaleeri ne Okoliyaabu banaakolanga emirimu, na buli muntu alina omutima ogw'amagezi, Mukama gw'ateeseemu amagezi n'okutegeera amanye okukola omulimu gwonna ogw'okuweereza okw'omu watukuvu, nga byonna Mukama bye yalagira.

Ekyamateeka olw’okubiri 1:13 - Mwetwalire abasajja ab'amagezi era abategeevu era ab'amaanyi, ng'ebika byammwe bwe biri, nange ndibafuula abakulu bammwe.

Ekyamateeka olw’okubiri 4:6 - Kale mubyekuumenga mubikolenga; kubanga ago ge magezi gammwe n'okutegeera kwammwe mu maaso g'amawanga aganaawuliranga amateeka ago gonna ne googera nti Mazima eggwanga lino ekkulu be bantu ab'amagezi era abategeera.

1Samwiri 25:3 - Era erinnya ly'omusajja Nabali; ne mukazi we erinnya lye Abbigayiri: n'omukazi yali mutegeevu n'amaaso ge nga malungi: naye omusajja yali wa kkabyo era mubi mu bikolwa bye; era yali wa nnyumba ya Kalebu.

(1Bassekabaka 3:9, 3:11, 3:12, 4:29, 7:14)

(1Ebyomumirembe 12:32, 22:12)

(2Ebyomumirembe 2:12, 2:13, 26:5)

(Ezera 8:16, 8:18)

(Nekemiya 8:2)

(Yobu 12:3, 12:12, 12:13, 12:20, 17:4, 20:3, 26:12, 28:12)

(Engero 2:2-5, 3:13-18, 18:2, 14:29, 17:27, 20:5)

Olaba ebintu bingi, oyogera ebigambo bingi, okkola ebintu bingi, osoma bingi, naye ekibuuzo kiri nti; obitegeera? Kirungi nnyo okuba n’Okumanya. Naye ate kitegeeza kirala okuba nga otegeera ebyo byomanyi. Kubanga okumanya kwoka tekimala.

Omulaawe Omw’Esiyopi (Omukuusi) yali asoma ebyawandiikibwa, era kirabikira ddala nga yali alina ennyonta eyokubisoma, Kyoka byeyali asoma yali tabitegeera (Ebikolwa by’Abatume 8:30). Ekirungi kiri nti teyawakanya kulungamizibwa. Era Firipo bweyamwegatako, Omusajja ono ( Omw’Esiyopi) yamusanyikira. Kwekugamba nti Omulaawe ono Omw’Esiyopi  yasanyukira Firipo olw’okujja okumuyambako okusobola Okutegeera ebyawandiikibwa.

Mukama waffe Yesu yayambala omubiri alyoke atulungamye bulungi mu kubo lya Mukama. Kubanga Mukama yattuwa amateeka agokugoberera naye gaatulemerera okukuuma. Kyoka Yesu bweyayambala omubiri, nalabikira muffe, yatulekerawo ekyokulabirako ekirungi  kubanga yaberera ddala muffe.

Omuyambi, Omwoyo Omutukuvu, ekimu ku bintu byalina okkola, kwekujulira erinnya lya Yesu (Yokaana 15:26). No'lwekyo, Omwoyo Omutukuvu ne Yesu bakolera wamu okutumanyisa Katonda. Kubanga Omwoyo Omutukuvu atulumiriza kwebyo Mukama waffe Yesu byeyatulagira okkola.  Abantu bonna buli lwe bakolera awamu, bakola era ne bamaliriza bingi.

Mu ngeri enno, bwetutegeera nga Yesu yani, ekyo kituwa okutegeera n'enjiri Ye. Abantu bangi twagala nnyo Okutegeera Yesu ng’Omuntu, naye ate netutayayaana kutegeera Njiri ye (bano okusinga baba Balokole).

Naye Mukama waffe Yesu atulabula nti ekigambo kye era nakyo kyamuwendo nnyo era nga naye bwali owomuwendo omungi. Ekyo no kyekitufuula Abantu abasanyusa Katonda (Mattayo 7:21-23, 24), (Luka 6:47:49), (Abaebulaniya 4:2).  Kubanga bangi tusaba mu linnya lya Yesu (era nga ddala kikola okusaba mu linnya lya Yesu), naye tetuyaayanira nnyo ddala okwekuuma ebyo byayigiriza. Era kino kyekimu kwebyo ebitulemesa okutuukirira mu Katonda.

Yesu atukakasa ng’atugamba nti; mwe muli mikwano gyange bwemukola ebyo byembalagira (Yokaana 15:14-15). Era Yesu yabuuza abo abaali bamugoberera lwaki baali bamuyita Mukama waffe, Mukama waffe, naye nga tebakola ebyo byayagala (Luka 6:46).

Ekika ekirala ekyabantu kyekyaabo abaagala ennyo Enjigiriza ya Yesu naye ate nebategomba kutegeera Yesu yani (bano ebiseera ebisinga tebaba Balokole). Naye ng’ate Mukama waffe Yesu Kristo atuyigiriza nti kyamuwendo mungi nnyo okumutegeera nga Ye. Kubanga Yesu kyekinyusi ky’Enjiri (Yokaana 6:33-35, 41-42, 48-58, 60-61, 63-66).

Olumu Firipo y'agamba  Yesu nti; "...tulage Kitafe n'ekyo kinaatumala". Yesu yamuddamu nti; ddala, ddala mbagamba nti; alaba kunze aba alabye Kitange, kubanga nze ndi mu Kitange, era ne Kitange ali munze (Yokaana 14:8-11). Na bwekityo, kyamuwendo mungi Okutegeera Yesu yani. Era nga bwekiri ekyomuwendo omungi Okutegeera ebyo byayigiriza.

Nolw’ekyo, Yesu ng’Omuntu wamu nebyo byayigiriza, byonna byamuwendo mungi nnyo okubitegeera. Kwekugamba nti Omubaka wamuwendo nnyo era nga n’Obubaka bwe bwebuli obwomuwendo omungi. Yesu ne Njiri bali kimu.

Yesu yaatulungamya mu kubo etuufu, era ku Ye (Yesu), Okukiriza kwafe kwekuzimbiddwa (Abeabulaniya 12:2). Kubanga bwekityo bwekisinga okuba ekirungi era n’okutegeerebwa obulungi. Era Yesu ly’ejinja eryokunsonda (Zabuli 118:22), (Mattayo 21:42).

Kale mukino, engeri eno wansi etuyambako mukutulungamya tutya bwetulina okutegeeramu Enjiri ya Mukama waffe Yesu Kristo.

• Okutegeera Omuntu Yesu

• Okutegeera Omuntu Yesu ng’omusinji gw’Ejiri

• Okunywegera Yesu wamu n’Okuyigiriza kwe

• Okwenenya

• Okubala ebibala ebyokwenenya

Okutegeera Omuntu Yesu

Era nga bwetwakirabye mukusooka, Enjiri ya Yesu era enyonyola Ye ng’Omuntu. Kubanga Yesu ge makulu gennyini ag’Ejiri. Era na buli kyona ekiriwo oba ekitaliiwo, kiri bwekityo kulw’Omwaana (Yokaana 1:1-2). Era awatali Yesu, tekisobokera ddala ddala nate Okutegeera Enjiri Ye. So no ng’ate era; Omuntu tayinza kutegeera Katonda bwaba tategedde Yesu.

Kati olwo Yesu yaani?

Lumu Yesu yagezaako okubikulira abayigirizwa be kiki ddala kyeyali oba kyaali. Naye ate okusinga ennyo, ayagala nnyo abeere nga atubikulirwa bubikulirwa (oba buli Muntu okutegeera Yesu nga ye) okusinga ate Ye okubeera nga yeraga.

Era lumu Yesu yabuuza abayigirizwa be kiki kyebaali bamutegedeko oba bamumanyiiko. Petero yadamu namugamba nti; “…Ye gwe Kristo Omwana wa Katonda abeera omulamu” (Mattayo 14:16), (Makko 8:29-30). Yesu yamudamu nga amusiima olw’okubikulirwa okwo okutenkanika.  Kubanga ku Yesu Enjiri kwesimbidde ddala. Era ku Yesu Omwana wa Katonda, Ekanisa kwesimbidde era kwezimbiddwa ddala nenywezebwa.

Era ne ku kijjulo ekyasembayo, Yesu bweyagabana na  bayigirizwa be omugaati n’envinyo, yabagamba nti; mulye kuba guno gwemubiri gwange. Era na kwata ne kikompe nabawa nabagmba nti; munywe kuba guno gwemusaayi gwange ogw’endagaano empya oguyiriddwa olw’okujawo ebibi (Mattayo 26:26-28).

Bwetweyongera okunonyereza mu byawandiikibwa, Katonda Kitafe (mu ddoboozi lye Yennyini) atukakasa nga ddala Omuntu Yesu Kristo Mwana We (Mattayo 3:17, 12:18, 17:5), (Mark 1:11, 9:7).

Okutegeera Omuntu Yesu ng’omusinji gw’Enjiri

Yesu Kristo nga bwaali, era nokumutegeera nga bwaali, yayibwaako amafuta Katonda Kitafe olw’okujako oba okunazaako ensi eno ebibi okuyita mu sadaaka Ye (Yesu) etenkanika. Kubanga Yesu lye linnya lye, naye ate okumumanya nga Kristo, olwo oba otegedde obwa Katonda bwe.

Yesu nga Kristo, yatubikulira kiki ekyamuleeta; era ekyo; nga kwekusumulula ensi enno mu buwambe (Luka 4:18), (Isaaya 61:1). Era mu kino, Yesu atusobozesa Okutegeera ekigendererwa ky’Enjiri Ye kye ki.

Yesu yajja alyoke atuterewo omusinji ogw’okukiriza (Yokaana 8:24, 6:29). Kubanga okuyita mu Yesu mwoka, tusobola okutuukirira Katonda Kitafe (Yokaana 16:6, 10:9). Kuba no era awatali Yesu, tewayinza kubaawo alokoka (Yokaana 15:1-8).

Omuntu eyasooka Adam yalemererwa okutambulira mu busobozi Katonda bweyali amuwadde. Naye Omuntu Yesu Ye yasobolera ddala okutambulira mu busobozi obwaali bumulungidwamu Katonda Kitafe. Era mw’ekyo, Omuntu Yesu yasobolera ddala okutuukiriza omulimu gw’okulokola ensi eno. No'lwekyo, Omuntu tayinza kuba ng’ali munsobi (newankubadde akatono ennyo) bwagamba oba bwakiriza nti Omuntu Yesu, Ye Yennyini, gwe musinji gw’Enjiri (1Bakolinso 15:47), (Baruumi 5:18). Kubanga tubalibwa nga tuli batuukirivu ku bwa Kristo. Era obutuukirivu bwa Kristo bwebutufuula abasaanira mu maaso ga Katonda.

Okunywegera Omuntu Yesu Kristo wamu n’Okuyigiriza kwe.

Bw’omala Okutegeera Yesu, ekirina okuddako kwekunywegera Omuntu Yesu Kristo wamu n’ebyo byayigiriza. Kubanga Yesu nga bwali (Mwana wa Katonda ate era Kristo), aleese ekitangala eri ensi. Kino yakikola olw’obwa Katonda bwe wamu n’ebyo byayigiriza.

Olw’ekyo, ku bwa Yesu, Waliwo esuubi eryobulamu oluvanyuma lwokufa kuno okw’omubiri (Yokaana 11:25, 5:24). Kyoka era, Omuntu bwagaana Okukiriza nga Yesu Ye wuuyo, olwo aba amaze okwesalira omusango ogwoluberera (Yokaana 3:19).

Era Omuntu yena tateekeddwa kugoberera bugoberezi atyo Yesu. Kwekugmba nti ensonga si yakugoberera bugoberezi Yesu. Okulondawo okugoberera Yesu si kya kweyagalira bweyagalizi. Yesu yagezesebwa era nakakasibwa Katonda Kitafe.   Yesu ddala asaanide kubanga Ye yekka yeyatambulira mu bulamu buno obwensi ey'ekibi naye Ye (Yesu) natagwa mu kibi kyona, ekyengeri yonna (Yokaana 8:46).

Olw’ekyo, kisaanide ddala Omuntu okubeera mu mukwano ne Yesu. Kubanga Yesu yeka yatulaze omukwano ogutalina kipimo kyona.

Kubanga obutafanana na balala, Yesu tamenya mutima gwa Muntu yenna. Era bwowa Yesu obulamu bwo, ekyo kyekikuwa obukakafu. Kyokka bwoba nga obulamu bwo wabumuwa dda, ekyo kyekya magezi kyewakasinga okukola mu bulamu bwo.

Okwenenya

Buli muntu ayambadde omubiri mwonoonyi. Era Tewali ngeri yonna Omuntu yenna gyayinza okwewolerezaamu nakirizisa Katonda nti talina kibi. Omuntu ali omu yeka mu bulamu bwensi eno ataayononako, Omuntu Yesu. Abasigaddewo fenna tuli bonoonyi. Era tekikola makulu nakamu Omuntu yenna bwagaana Okwenenya nobutakiriza nti mwonoonyi (1Yokaana 1:9-10). Kibi nnyo obutenenya era kiswaaza.

Olwokuba nga Adam yayonoona, ate nga fenna abaana ba bantu tuli nsigo ye, buli katundu kona akali mu oba ku Muntu kajudde ekibi (Baruumi 3:23). Era Omuntu yenna bwatayitibwa Muntu, erinnya lye eddala lyandibadde “Mwonoonyi”.

Okulokoka tekiva mu kukuuma mpisa nungi. Era  nobutaba mulokole, tekiva mu kuba ng’Omuntu takuumye mpisa ezo. Kubanga empisa ezo si zezituleetera okukirizibwa oba okugaanibwa Katonda. Katonda atugaana oba atukiriza lwa kugaana oba kukiriza Yesu. Kwekugamba nti Okukiriza Yesu kye kyoka ekitusiimisa mu maaso ga Katonda.

Obulokozi tebunyonyolwa oba kutegeerebwa nebyo byetukola. Nedda. Obulokozi kyekyo Mukama kyatufuula. Era Yesu kyatufuula okubeera, kibeera mu mutima, so si mw’ebyo byetulaba oba byetukola.

Kwekugamba nti okukola, oba obutakola ebintu ebimu oba okweyisa oba obuteyisa mungeri emu oba endala, tekisobola kuleetera Muntu yenna bulokozi. Era bingi kwebyo byetukola, tubikola olwo no Abantu batusiime oba batuwaane (Bakolosaayi 2:20-23). So ng’ate Katonda ayagala ekyo omutima gwo kyeguli so si ebyo byokola abantu bakulabe.

No’lwekyo, okuwonyezebwa kw’Omuntu okw’Omwoyo kuva mu mutima gwe olwo no nekusasanira Omuntu yenna, so tekuva (okuwonyezebwa) mw’ebyo byakola nekuyingira mu mutima ggwe. Nedda, tekisoboka wade nakatono ddala.

Era Ebikolwa by’Omuntu tebisobola nakatono ddala okukyuusa Omutima ggwe. Wabula Omutima gw’Omuntu kyeguli, ekyo no kyekifuga Ebikolwa by’Omuntu oyo. Mu kino, tusobolera ddala okumatiza bantu banafe nga bwetuli abalungi olwebikolwa byaffe aby’omubiri, naye si bwekityo eri Katonda (kuba Ye (Katonda) amanyi byonna era alaba byonna).

Kale no sanyukira nnyo ekyo Omutima gwo kyeguli, so si ebyo byokola oba byolina.

Nate era, tuyinza okugamba nti Obulokozi bulamu. Kwekugamba nti Obulokozi kwekuzaawo enkolagana wakati w’Omuntu ne Katonda. Nate era kwekugamba nti Obulokozi ye Muntu okubala embala ya Katonda. Embala ya Katonda ye eno; obutuukirivu, okwagala, esanyu, Emirembe, obugumiikiriza, Ekisa, obulungi, obwesigwa, obukakamu, okwegendereza (Bagalatiya 5:22), (Baruumi 14:7).

Abakristaayo bangi tulemereddwa okukula mu Katonda lwa kuba nga tulowooza nti ffe tuteekwa okwerwanira, mbu olwo no Bantu banafe balyoke batusembe olwebikolwa byaffe. So ng’ate Katonda kyatwaagaza, si kulabibwa eri Bantu banafe nga bwetuli abalungi, wabula okuwaayo obulamu bwaffe eri Kristo Yesu (nga Ye yeka yakyuusa era nafuula) Abantu okuba abalungi.

Era Omuntu yenna tateekedwa kulokoka lwa kutya (okutya si kya bwa Katonda) oba entiisa y’omubi. Okulokoka kw’Omuntu yenna kulina kuva mu kulumirizibwa ekibi wamu n’okwagala Katonda. Kubanga Obulokozi kirabo ekiva eri Katonda. Ne mumbeera zafe zino ezabulijo, teri Muntu aweebwa oba afuna ekirabo olw’okutya, oba olw'okuba nti atidde nnyo. Nedda. Ekirabo kiweebwa era ne kifunibwa mu sanyu. Naye olwaalero, Waliwo Abantu bangi abaalokoka, naye nga tebalina sanyu lyabulokozi. Ekyo si bwekirina okubeera bwekityo. Kubanga Obulokozi kirabo ekiva eri Katonda Kitafe okuyita mu Mwana we Kristo Yesu.

Mukama wafe Yesu bulijo ayagala nnyo Omuntu yenna eyenenya. Nti era, Omuntu yenna bwaba nga wakufuna okusaasirwa (okwengeri yona) okuva eri Katonda, ateekwa buteekwa Okwenenya (Luka 13:1-5, 18:14). Era Omuntu yenna bwabaako n’engeri yonna gyanaakolaganamu ne Katonda, Omuntu oyo eteekwa buteekwa okutandika n'okwenenya.

Kubanga Okwenenya kutufuula bagya mu Katonda. Era kutuleetera okufuna obulamu obugya mu Katonda. Era bwetuba mu Yesu, tuba tuyingidde mu nsi endala. Kubanga Tewali mwonoonyi yenna atayinza kusonyiyibwa bwaba nga yenenyeza. Kimu kyoka Omuntu yenna kyalina okukola, kwe kwenenya ebibi bye.

Yesu yafirira buli kyona ekiyitibwa ekibi. Era kakaano atude ku mukono gwa Katonda Kitafe ogwa ddyo ali mu kutwegayirira (Baruumi 8:33-34).

Okubala ekibala eky’okwenenya

Okwenenya kyekikatiriza obulamu obugya Omuntu yenna bwaba afunye nga’maliriza okuyingira mu oba Okukiriza Kristo Yesu. Era kino kitegeeza okubeera ng’Omuntu agoberera obulamu obw’obutuukirivu.

Era Omuntu yenna bwaba nga yenenyeza, ateekwa buteekwa (olw’ekisa kya Katonda) okutambulira mu bulamu obwo (obw’okwenenya). Kwekugamba nti Omuntu oyo alina okuba ng’ayayaana nnyo okwewala okudayo mu bulamu obw’ekibi. Omuntu yenna nga yenenyeza, ateekwa okutambulira mu bulamu obuweesa Katonda ekitiibwa.

Omuntu ng’amaliriza Okwenenya, ateekwa okuba nga buli kiseera ayayaana okuba n’Omutima ogulubirira okufanana ng’Omutima gwa Katonda.

Era wateekwa okubaawo obujulirwa obulaga ng’Omuntu bwaba asembeza Yesu, ddala, ddala awulira munda mu ye nga Mukristaayo era ng’ekyo kirabikira ddala ne  muneeyisa ye.

Kubanga oteekwa okukimanya nti engeri gyeweyisaamu ng’omaliriza Okulokoka, ekola kinene nnyo okukyuusa oba obutakyuusa Omuntu omulala.

Era bwetulondawo okugendera mw’ekyo Mukama kyaba atulungamizaamu, ekyo kitufuula abagezi ddala. Era bwetukola bwetutyo, tuba tulonzeewo ekubo ekakafu ery’obulamu. Ekubo eryo Ye Yesu Kristo (Luka 18:6-8), (Yokaana 8:11), (Mattayo 3:8-10). Era mu kino, wabaawo okutandika okubala ekibala eky’Omwoyo.

Bwetujja eri Yesu Kristo, olw’obutuukirivu bwe, atuzaayo mu kifaananyi kya Katonda mwe twaali twatondebwa mu kusooka. Katonda atwetaaga atuzeeyo mu kifaananyi kye mweyatutondera okusooka.

Mu kumaliriza byonna, bwe tuba nga tuyayaana Okutegeera Omuntu Kristo Yesu, nabwekityo tuteekedwa okuba nga tuyayaana Okutegeera Enjiri ye. Era nate bwetuyayaana Okutegeera Enjiri ya Yesu Kristo, tuteekedwa ne’ra okuyayaana Okutegeera Omuntu Yesu Kristo.

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WERE PAUL AND PETER ROMAN CATHOLICS?

Personally, I am yet to learn of any one religious sect rightly claim Paul was a member. However, his teachings is a basis for many of the various denominations. But scripture and history clearly stipulate Paul was an ardent Christian critically committed to Christ and His will. By his teachings, you can envisage a man who looked only to Jesus for all He did. For he had given up much for the sake of Christ. He never even regarded his status as a Hebrew, neither did he take anymore his vast knowledge of the law to be anything of value (Philippians 3:7-8).

The execution of Paul

The Apostle Paul rightly held Jesus over and above anything there be. On this account, Paul does not in any of his writings or communications seem to pronounce or ascribe to a single religious sect. For if the Roman Catholic Church (which is said to be the original branch of Christianity) (if truly so) would claim Paul was a Roman Catholic, when we examine the teachings of Paul, they never rhyme with the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. By calling it the Roman Catholic Church, it gives a strong notion that it originated from Rome.

The Vatican

Yet if to ask, does the Church of Christ originate from Rome? According to scripture, salvation begins at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). If so, at what point did this have to change? How does Rome factor in?! Is it enough to say it is because the Romans had ruled over Israel?! All these questions do require very critical answers.

When Jesus was ascending to Heaven, He commanded the disciples never to leave Jerusalem. It was equally in Jerusalem in the upper room that the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, with Mary mother of Jesus inclusive (Acts chapters 1 & 2). So, if there is anything to be called the earthly headquarters of the Church of Christ, it should have been or should be Jerusalem.

The City of Jerusalem

What about Peter?

Much is said about Peter in relation to the Roman Catholic Church. For it is claimed that the Roman Catholic Church is founded on him. And it is further claimed that the institution of the papacy began with Peter.

But if to ask, was Peter crucified for being Roman Catholic or for his faith in Jesus Christ? On whose account was Peter crucified? Why was he crucified? All these questions can't plainly be answered, yet they call for critical answers.

Peter being murdered

On this account, we want to determine the truth in this basing on the correctness of the claims made by the Catholic Church, one of which is; the infallibility of the pope, by this, we want to ask two questions;

Was Peter infallible as is claimed the pope is?
Can a human claim infallibility?

Background

It is claimed that Matthew 16:18 is the foundation of the papacy. It is said that when Jesus said Peter was a rock on whom Jesus would build the Church and the gates of Hades would never overcome it, He (Jesus) was founding the institution of the papacy on Peter. But if we examine the preceding conversation between Jesus and the Disciples, you realize that Jesus' statement stemmed from the earlier question by Jesus that; who do the people say I am? And what do you say I am? Then Peter answered that; "...you are the Christ the Son of the Living God". 

So when Jesus said you are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it, was it to be an attribute to the person of Peter? Wasn't it on the revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God? In sincere terms and without sinister intentions, or insinuations, this was not exclusive to Peter as a person (The name Peter or Cephas only means a small rock). On the contrary though, the Church of Christ is built not on a small rock, but to mean a rock (which is the hearts of those who believe in Christ) that it can never be shaken. Whoever has the faith that  Jesus is the Son of the living God is the rock upon which the Church of Christ is built. It is not therefore about a single individual but the faith one possesses in Christ.

The Church is strongly founded on Jesus being the Son of the living God. Whoever gets to know this, he/she automatically and rightfully becomes a strong foundation upon which the Church is built. Jesus said; this statement was not by Peter himself. It was a revelation by God. Just like everybody is saved by God's grace and not of their own.

When Jesus takes charge of one's heart, that heart belongs to Him (Jesus). On this then, Jesus (Son of the Living God) in a person's heart is the rock upon which the Church of Christ is built. It is a spiritual relationship between God and the individual which is a mystery to others. Rather it is not in literal terms. This is why one can rightly understand why some of the Apostles and countless of Christians have been brutally executed for refusing to give up their faith in Jesus Christ. For Jesus is the cornerstone (Matthew 21:42), (Psalms 118:22), (Acts 4:11) and not the Roman Catholic Church.

Was Peter infallible as is claimed the pope is?

Peter was not infallible as the one who he is said to precede claims to be. For on many occasions, Peter fell short of the required standards (all humans do). For in the very chapter of Matthew 16:23, Peter had contrasted with Jesus when Jesus fore narrated His death and resurrection. Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:15-27), (Luke 54:60). For Peter was never to escape the human instinct by himself.

Paul castigated Peter over Peter's shaky stand about the gentiles' status. He (Peter) was only put right by Paul on this particular issue (Galatians 2:11-14). If Peter is the foundation of the papacy and we see Peter being corrected, can the pope equally be corrected by another person? Would he still be infallible? History tells us that whoever has stood in the way of the Pope have had to face very tough times (Galileo was confined for insisting the earth is round as against being flat).

Yet even scripture (which the Catholic Church claimed to protect, if at all it is to be protected), is very clear on the right shape of the earth. The earth is circular in shape (Isaiah 40:21-22), (Proverbs 8:27). And Job 26:7 rightly says the earth is held hanging on nothing, and that is what rightly it is. So there was no scripture the Pope was protecting. For scripture is self sufficient. He was simply protecting the view of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pope as a person is no divine person. He equally is subject to spiritual vulnerability (just as any other human is) whose priorities keep shifting everyone second. And if the one billion plus Christians world over were to be entrusted to the person of the Pope as the Roman Catholic Church is struggling to make it happen, how such would be an unexplainable spiritual danger to all! The Pope is simply an individual whom some people choose to hold highly in their own view. If to say, everyone Christian is a Pope of their own. NO HUMAN IS INFALLIBLE!

On the account of the above, Paul and Peter belonged to no religious sect. They were simply Christians and they loved CHRIST. They taught the doctrine of Jesus Christ and not that of the Catholic Church, nor that of any other sect.

Christianity is all about the person (Christ) of Jesus and His teachings. Anything short of or more to that is heresy. If to say, Peter and Paul, and all the Apostles only taught what was instructed them by Jesus Christ. For the doctrine of the Catholic Church (as rightly is) is way different from that of Jesus Christ. Equally so are the teachings of these great men of the Christian Faith (Paul and Peter).

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HOW COMPARABLE IS GOD'S LOVE WITH MAN'S LOVE?

What is Love?

The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated "love" in the New Testament is "agape." This love translates into God's love for us. It is non-partial. This kind of love can also be called Spiritual love. It is sacrificial love probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:

"For God so loved (agape) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

The gift of God's son as a provision for sin was given to all humans, regardless of who we are. God's love is unconditional.

In contrast, our love is usually conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word "phileo" defines this kind of love, often translated "brotherly love." Phileo is a soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love - something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers.

This is in contrast to agape, which is love extended through the spirit. Agape love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, since the non-regenerated soul is unable to love unconditionally. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return.8

If you study the Bible and get to know about Peter's character, you will find that Peter was more often overtaken by his emotions and often responded to situations emotionally, rather than thinking before acting. Sometimes this kind of response led to good things, e.g., Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus (Matthew 14:25-33).

Whereas at other times, Peter's response was inappropriate (he was interrupted by God while suggesting that he build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:4). Peter was quite proficient at expressing phileo love, and was probably very popular because of his dynamic character. However, God wants us to express both phileo love and agape love.

There are not any similarities of how God loves and how humans love. God's love is genuine in every sense of the word. On the other hand though, there are loads of differences between how God loves and how humans love. Among the many are the following:

• Man's love is conditioned on material gain, God's love on the other hand is not conditioned on any material gain.
• Man's love is only seeming, God's love on the other hand is truly so.
• Man's love is limited, God's love on the other hand is not limited.
• Man's love is graded, God's love on the other hand is equal for all.

Man's love is conditioned on material gain, God's love on the other hand is not conditioned on any material gain.

For humans, love is pretty based on what we can materially gain from each other. Rather, our version of love is for what we can gain if at all we went on to love (but if not for sheer pretense). A case in view of this is the fact that; a man loves a woman primarily for sexual gains from her, so is the woman. If she hadn't been his wife or if he hadn't been her husband, the love to be expressed would rather be a whole lot different. There is always somewhat a reason for which we express love (the human version of love - phileo), a reason I would say is selfishly founded.

A clear example of man's love is of the story of Amnon and Tamar (2Samuel 13). Amnon appeared to love Tamar for purely a sister (biological). He expressed this in ways that Tamar never suspected anything else other than being Amnon's sister.

Yet behind everything Amnon did for Tamar was only intended to get her into a situation whereby he would hurt her. He managed to lure her and he indeed raped and hurt her severely. And for the fact that Amnon's love was purely selfish, he after raping her hated her like never before. A very true example that man's love is always pointing to something to gain. 

God's love on the other hand is unconditional. God is never looking out for what He gains from us (none there is), He actually loves us for what He is giving us in return. Jesus died on the cross not for what He could gain, but solely for our redemption. God manifested His love to us through His only Son Jesus Christ (1John 4:19).

Now, some people go on to argue that God's love is also conditioned on getting us love Him in return. I can categorically state this, God doesn't need our love to exist. God is self sufficient. It is man who stands to lose if we detach ourselves from God. For God loved us before we did love Him (John 4:19). God's condition (if at all any), only stands to our salvation. If even a mortal parent knows how to love their children, yet they are wicked, how about the all holy and all righteous God (Isaiah 49:15-16), (Luke 11:11-13), (Matthew 7:9-10).

Man's love is only seeming, God's love on the other hand is truly so.

As mortal beings, we love selfishly (it is all about me), if not, then it shouldn't be. For there is an evil seed/DNA in every human. Every one only loves and hates strategically. Man's love can hardly stand a trial or a test. I do agree that there are people who may sacrifice for others, but even then, it is purely out of the maturity of the seed of love planted in there by God Himself. The seed or the DNA of love is never in mortals. Love is spiritual.  Love begins in the heart and it bears fruit.

For love is only of God and it is only of God that one can truly love (1John 4:7). By His very nature, God is love (1John 4:8, 16). True love in any mortal only has its source in God. God loves all even when He is hated. God gives love for hate, He gives blessings for curses.

God is gracious and merciful, and He knows that we are only misled by the devil to do evil. Thus He (God) commissioned a project through Jesus Christ to disentangle man from sin, but not to condemn him. That is; God is reconciling man to himself through Jesus Christ by never counting our sins (2Corinthians 5:19).

Unlike us (mortals), God's love does not depend on how one behaves toward Him (God) (Matthew 5:45). God is calling on us to love when it is most unsuitable for us to, much more so when we gain nothing materially. This kind of love is the love that Jesus taught and illustrated in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-27). In this parable, Jesus taught that this kind of love is selfless.

And with this kind of love, the way Jesus illustrates how it is expressed, it does not depend on what status one is. That is; for one to be able to express it, it doesn't require him to be one thing or the other. It has nothing to do with persona. Say for example being or not being in a honorable position.

It is for this reason that Jesus stripped Himself of all the glory and the honor for absolutely nothing else but to set man free from the torment of the devil. Thus for the Bible to say that love does not boast itself (1Corinthians 13:4). Whoever expresses this kind of love stands to be seen aligning with Agape love.

For the Priest could have not only avoided helping the wounded man because he lacked in Agape love. He could have also been overtaken by the persona of being a priest. But we learn that Agape love is not at all conditioned on anything that is.

In all this, the gospel of Jesus Christ is telling us that it never matters what positions we may occupy as individuals. No. Never! The Good Samaritan couldn't have been as rich, but two things he had in plenty; love and mercy. But the Priest lacked in all this.

Yet the Priest could have never been any slightly justified by the position he occupied. And considering how Jesus illustrates this parable, the Good Samaritan was not bogged down by what he was or what he had, he was only powered by love. Love should then be the engine of whatever we do and engage in.

Man's love is limited, God's love on the other hand is not limited

Man's love is limited in terms of; to what extent can someone do something for another? Will a mere mortal man die for a brother? Man only loves, (if at all he does) when it is convenient for us. When it tends to bring costs, we are readily candidates to give up. God's love is not limited, though! It has no boundaries (John 15:13).

Despite that He was severely tortured, and shamefully crucified, Jesus stack on His mission to save man. His LOVE was proven when He forgave on the cross those who crucified Him rather than curse them for the brutality they had exhibited on Him (Luke 23:34). Whatever Jesus did was purely driven by LOVE. 

Man's love is graded, God's love on the other hand is equal

Man's love is graded basing on friendship, biological closeness, proximity etc. On the other hand, God's love is rooted in righteousness. It never discriminates on account of race, tribe, biological closeness. Jesus equally died for the African as He did for the White, Jew, Arab or Asian. Everybody of any origin is of value to God.

God's love is not based on any of our physical attributes. For God loves the person in a person. He (God) loves the invisible person. Thus the reason one will never understand God's ways. One will not understand why God loves a person who doesn't seem literally to benefit in anyway.

Love is all. It is not only by giving that we can express love. No. Not at all. But giving is one of the best ways by which one can express love for another. In this, God gave us His Son Jesus Christ. And in the same, Jesus Christ gave us His life when He laid it down for us. By the love of Jesus (as He manifested it on the cross) we have confidence in Him and we follow Him effusively. And in this, we learn that love is not about self, but about others.

Jesus won everything from us as love, respect, honor etc because each one can truly testify that Jesus Christ loved us in every way one may choose to view it.

NB Love (Agape) for others will surely earn you all  from them. Rather rooted admiration that is not simply based on emotions.

Love is not about smiling to someone. Love is not about appearing to love someone. We are not only to appear loving. No. Not at all.  We don't simply claim to love. Love is life and is to be lived. It is in this same spirit that the Apostle Paul expounds and presents love quite how it is supposed to be and the way it is (1Corinthians 13).

According to this scripture (1Corinthians 13), it pretty requires another topic to expound on each of the expressions the Apostle Paul uses to define what exactly love is. Say for example that love is not provoked, that love never fails, that love does not seek for its own, etc. Thus to say; Love is open ended. All the rest will end, but love will always be. And LOVE will always win.

It is then very catastrophic if one mortal relies on another mortal for true love. You stand to be stupefied eternally if you ever imagine that anyone human being loves you with no limit.

The oblivion of God's Agape love is the very reason we continually keep under unrelenting torment of the evil one. When one unleashes hate on you (used by the devil), they love it that you get broken in the heart and thereby begin to feel as a nobody, helpless, useless, devastated, hopeless and motionless if without their self perceived help to drive you on. All such happens to us because we doubt that God truly loves us.

This kind of scenario makes us (on many occasions) to compromise on many of our personal values and principles. Such a false feeling gets one to falsely believe that it does them more good to win people's approval rather than to please God and align themselves in the way of God's true love.

It does truly not matter at all what happens! The Agape love of God will always keep us moving. God's love for every individual is never based on any person's opinion. God will not require to consult on anybody else to love a person. No. Never! God loves everybody just how they are ,no matter what anybody's view and opinion are.

Stand strong no matter what befalls you, God's love for you is never conditioned in any sense that is. If you have embraced Jesus, that is all that is required of you. GOD LOVES YOU! But if you are yet to embrace Jesus, you ought to do so. Yet He (God) still does love you! But in Jesus, God has provided us a way that in Him (Jesus Christ), we stand assured and strong. And if God loves us, there will always be a way where there seems to be no way!

Mortals can only learn to LOVE. However, the true content of the word is exclusively of God. We can only compare in terms of differences not similarities because there are none.

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THE PARABLE OF THE GRAIN OF WHEAT

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).

When Jesus said this, He was referring to how much His death would bear much fruit. Yet the same statement can carry immense lessons to us.

It is a must that Jesus had to die because sin is consequential (Romans 6:23). That Jesus offered Himself to be surety in place of the rest meant that He couldn't have escaped death. Man being a sinner was meant to die. But the righteous Jesus placed Himself in place of the sinner.

Rather Jesus became the advocate for the sinful man so that the sinner through Jesus could be accepted by God the Father.

In Christ we are regenerated and made anew. For we have all sinned and have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Yet in Christ, everyone is given another opportunity to escape past human faults.

Thus while the rest were pretty oblivious of what he could have meant, being the high priest at the time, Caiaphas made a statement that even he (personally) didn't understand what exactly the hidden meaning of it was for. For he said; it was better for one person to die in order to save the nation (John 11:50-51).

Jesus ought to have died so as to make meaning of His mission. The mission was to save man from eternal spiritual death. Thus it is pretty of much significance that when Jesus gave up His Spirit, many saints were resurrected and were seen on the streets of Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50-53).

Equally so, we (Christians) have to keep track with Jesus. We ought to to keep to Him in His death on the cross (and the human shame therewith) (which is but to bring us life). We ought to die to sin and rise with Him (Jesus) to a holy and righteous life which is but to the glory of the Father. In this way, we can be of use to save many others.

But away from simply looking at it in terms of numbers, it also pretty teaches us many lessons in terms of answering many questions concerning death and eternity. For apart from having many come to Jesus (the billions of Christians), there is the part that He made it pretty real that there is life after death.

Jesus' death and His subsequent resurrection brought Him indisputable glory, but it brought us (His followers) assurance that the fact that He resurrected (which only comes after death), if we yield to Him in faith, He surely brings us eternal life (John 3:16; 5:24; 11:25; 14:6).

A grain if sowed in the earth can't live again unless it allows dying. It is thus after this earthly life that one can live the life after death (1Corinthians 15:35-38).

 By what He went through, Jesus assured us that the mortality of the flesh is not an end in itself. Thus, much as those who refuse to embrace Jesus will resurrect to eternal damnation, the rest of us who have accepted and followed Him will resurrect to eternity in heaven with the Father (John 5:28-29).

Thus, because Jesus accepted to die so He could resurrect, should make us have the confidence of life after death, though ideally the fear of death (the state of unconsciousness) can't completely be done away with.

Jesus had pleaded with the Father to avoid it (death) (Matthew 26:39), (Mark 14:36), (Luke 22:42). Yet He had to die because He was the seed that would give birth to many more seedlings. And because He (Jesus) died, He has borne more fruit in us. Yet after death, Jesus is now risen.

There was no another way for Jesus to do it. Equally so, there is no another way for you to go to heaven unless you are subjected to mortality, or you are caught up in the rapture (if you are sure you unceasingly stand well with the Lord).

But this also teaches us that in the literal world and life we are, when we come to Christ, it is pretty a requirement that we die to the former self and thereby assume another life in Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 4:10). The way of life that allows us to bear fruit.

Jesus came to save us from the consequential sin which we inherited by being the offspring of Adam (the first man to live on earth). Thus if we insist to remain in the life that we lived before we met Christ, then we can't bear fruit. We can’t bear fruit because we have not died away. Thus Jesus went on saying; "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25).

For just as the grain of wheat will remain the same if it doesn’t allow dying, so it will be that if one doesn’t allow the sinful part of him to die off a complete death, he remains as he is and thereby unprofitable.

The old nature of us has to die off so that we are filled with the new nature of Christ (Romans 6:5-7). And if we can't bear fruit, then we can't be accepted of the Father. Yet that Christ is alive, it is so that if He died and rose again from the dead, we (who submit to Him) are also alive together with Him in faith (Romans 6:8-10).

You need Jesus to live

Thus when a person is Born Again, he is a new creature and all the old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:16-19). In this then, we begin to live a life that is not of us, but which is of Christ which enables us to live profitably and to the glory of God. And by doing this, the non-believers will come to learn of our God and the power in yielding to Him (God). Such a way of life will draw them near to God. For the life of a Christian must be transparent and should be there for everybody's view (Matthew 5:13-16).

But also, if a grain dies in earth (when sown) so that from it a new plant germinates and grows, does it mean it has gone into oblivion? The answer to this question is "yes" and "no". It is "yes" because it has given away itself so that it can bear fruit. And that means that to be able to bear fruit for God, there is something to give up on. Rather fruit may never be borne if one does not give away certain things. Watch out what is failing you in your spiritual progress. That part of you which is failing you is the one to die away so you can bear fruit.

And it is "no" because it has not gone all away. For it has only undergone a process of transformation so that it can give way to the better part of it.  It is that transformed person that God is looking for in us. That person can only be in Jesus Christ. So then, the fear of going into oblivion is only sourced in the devil. For it is simply a process of transformation, but not going out of existence.

And when the old grain dies away, and grows into a plant, it multiplies pretty much (more seeds come into being). Thus to say; it is only the old sinful man who is to die away and thereby give way to a new man who in Christ Jesus bears fruit and lives a renewed life. So then, the same person remains but the form of that person has been allowed to be transformed into another person who can bear fruit. This is how we can live a life but to the glory of the Father.

We ought to note that we are the ambassadors of the heavens. An ambassador is a government of one country in another country if to say. Rather an ambassador represents what the home government stands for. Having not been like Him (Jesus or God for that matter), yet by coming to Him, we are given an opportunity to share in both; His suffering (though we may not have to hang like He did) and victories. 

When we come to Jesus, it is so that we accept that He died for the right cause and do share in it. In this, it so is that He (Jesus) exchanges life for death for us (Galatians 2:20).

Thus then, when one is Born Again, he begins to appear in the Crucifixion and resurrection of Christ (but figuratively). The former and sinful man is let go and another man with the life and righteousness of Christ (the man to live eternally) is let to protrude.

In all this, there is the great element of SACRIFICE. Have you made a sacrifice in your life? How much was it? For who was that sacrifice?

 

It is how you answer these questions that you will know if the self wishing part of you has died away and given way to a person who can confidently and reliably say; “follow me as I follow Christ” (1Corinthians 11:1).

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