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FEATURE ARTICLE
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Sunday, December 15, 2024 |
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[email protected] Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() |
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 ¶ And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:3-4
When we were growing up in Nigeria for you to be regarded as passing School Certificate examination and worthy of admission to a higher institution , you must pass two compulsory subjects - English and Mathematics. For you to be born again, you must also experience two important factors: light and sound.
Why light and sound? There is the idiomatic expression - They say it is because of the blind that there is thunder to let them know rain is about to fall they will hear it. It is because of the deaf you see lightning before it rains !
For genuine conversion, two things must take place you must see, and you must hear.
You must see the light from heaven and hear from the voice of God from heaven.
There must be supernatural revelation of God’s identity, and simultaneously, it will reveal your status to you. The light from heaven revealed the state of Paul to himself. He saw where he had missed it. Light gives you guidance.Light illuminates. Light is powerful. You are not likely going to trip where there’s light as opposed to darkness.The light revealed to him he was traveling fast but in the wrong direction which will end in disaster. The light that shone around Paul was a major factor in his conversion. Have you experienced the light of the glorious gospel?
Secondly, there was a voice- Sound. Paul saw the light . Paul also heard God’s voice . That is what we call the Damascus road encounter . No one can experience those two things and remain the same.
There are many people in the church today who are just there they see nothing and hear nothing. How can they be converted? The light of God should enable you to identify the following ? What you are doing wrong in life and what you are doing right ! How are you affecting the gospel negatively or positively? What sins are in your life.? What are the real hinderances to your life’s progress? Your limiting factors. As 2024 is folding its carpet to run away , my friend, have you seen the light from Jesus the saviour. We are not interested in the little lights that decorate your Christmas tree as beautiful as they may be, particularly for your children!
The second phase - The voice factor - The Sound!
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me ? Jesus accused Saul of persecuting him? Which ways have you persecuted the Saviour, particularly in 2024 . Are you still persecuting Jesus? Jesus gently makes it clear you can not persecute your creator and get away with it! What voices are you hearing, Jesus' voice of correction and direction, or Satan’s voice of misdirection and destruction? Who is loud in your ear? Who is talking to you?
“And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” Acts 9:7
The people around Paul heard the voice but it did not affect them , the bible said :”they were speechless “.
It seems to me that for you to have admission to the new life in Christ, you must pass the examination of seeing the light of God and hearing His voice.
I wonder how many people are going to church now, who can not see the light or hear the voice of God. Are you Saul that will hear the voice fall down and respond to God in humility - Lord, what would you want me to do ‘ Or are you just part of the speechless generation that can not decode the light and voice from heaven? Check it out , any genuine man or woman of God of substance has two heavenly credentials he has seen the light from heaven and heard the voice of God.
Conclusion. I congratulate you for witnessing another Christmas season. It is not a right it is a privilege from heaven. As you participate in the euphoria and Christmas festivities, remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Jesus has not come to condemn you (John 3:17) but to save the loss. Note that when Paul had light and sound he became light and sound of the gospel for his generation and future generations, that is why we are discussing him now, you can become light and sound to many who are yet to meet the Lord in this season. . Jesus has appointed you , you are His ambassador of light and sound don’t fail Him . Let someone through you come to Christ before the cross- over to 2025. Be blessed .
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