Crimes,
murders, frauds, scams have become the hallmark of our society worldwide and it
seems that no one has the solution to solve the problem because; dealing with
the effects and not the root cause of a situation will never solve the problem.
Regardless of how many vehicles that are made available to law enforcement
personnel or equipping them with the most sophisticated weapons this still will
not solve the state of affairs the entire world is now facing because, according to bible prophecy; “Evil
men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived”
(2Timothy 3:.13).So
then, what is the antidote for this gloomy situation mankind is facing
worldwide? As I made mentioned in a previous article; “For though we walk in
the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down
arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being
ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2
Corinthians 10:3-6).And
since our battles and weapons are not carnal but spiritual in nature, no
physical weapons or accessories can help alleviate the problem, for we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 4:12).What
therefore is the antidote for the global crisis of crime, murder, fraud, scam
and the total disrespect to the natural laws of nature which governs the universe
and humanity?Since
our battles are spiritual and not carnal we are to look inward and not outward
for the solution to help curb this dreadful situation. Outwardly, we are what
we eat, but inwardly, we are what we think for as a man thinks in his heart so
is he and so our problem stems from our education system which teaches us how
to earn a living, but does not teach us how to live.If
only we were taught by our education system be it at home, school or churches
how to live and not merely how to earn a living our attitude towards life would
be entirely different because, the way and knowledge of how to live does not
discriminate or segregate because it applies to all gender, race, religion or
creed.The
way to live which is spiritual and not physical is threefold and are
intertwined with each other and they are:
1. To live in awe, respect,
adoration and gratitude of the Most High
Regardless
of one’s beliefs or ideologies, when one considers the human anatomy the way it
is designed,, the laws which govern the universe such as the sun, moon, stars,
the planets and laws such as the law of inertia and gravity one has to conclude
that there must be a superior power who created, controls and governs all these
things.And
so, in expressing one’s respect, adoration, gratitude, thanksgiving and awe to
this Superior Being one has to get him/herself acquainted and knowledgeable
about the existence of this Being in order to have a relationship with Him and
to give Him the honor, the glory and the praise that is due to Him. This is
termed as one’s upward calling.
2. The development of one’s self
We
are all unique and different to each other and whatever gift or talent we are
gifted with, is an investment which we all will have to give an account: “For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may
receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether
good or bad” (2Corinthians 5:10).The
crux of the matter is, “to each one of us grace was given according to the
measure of Christ's gift. “ So; “that we may learn not to think beyond what is
written, that none of us may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
For who makes us differ from another? And what do we have that we did not
receive? Now if we did indeed receive it, why do we boast as if we had not
received it?” (Ephesians 4:7; 1Corinthians 4:6-7).And
so, learning to identify our gifts, talents, abilities and potentials, knowing
who we are and try to develop them to the full and learning to do unto others
as we would like them do to us which is the second great commandment and known
as our inward calling, even the drug situation which is affecting many of our
young people and causing them to destroy their lives and that of others would
be immensely averted.
3. Reaching out to others
The
third integral part of our learning process on how to live is to serve and
reach out to others with whatsoever gift, talent and abilities we have been
gifted with since no one is able to give what they don’t have and so it is
imperative that we take our second or inward calling in deep consideration
because we have been duly admonished saying;“There
are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of
ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it
is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is
given to each one for the profit of all” (1Corinthians 12: 4-7).We
are further admonished saying; “By this we know love, because He laid down His
life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But
whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his
heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let
us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1John 3:16-18).We
have also been duly admonished saying; “Command those who are rich in this
present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the
living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that
they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for
themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on
eternal life” (1Timothy 6:17-9).This
third aspect of living is termed our outward calling. And so, if we were taught
how to live and not simply how to earn a living with the perception of let us
eat and drink, build beautiful houses, buy expensive cars and yachts, let us
travel, one life to live for tomorrow we die we would have had a totally
different perspective of life and a greater respect and appreciation for one
another.
With brotherly loveLucius Joseph
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