The world is a battle field. There is the battle for economic supremacy, one for social equality and another for the control of power. The struggle is endless. In Nigeria, the battle is multifaceted and complex. In recent times, the battle has become deadly, with people so brain-washed to the point of turning themselves into dispensable bullets for mass destruction. Life has virtually come to a stand-still for most of North Eastern Nigeria. Churches, schools, hospitals, government establishments, etc. are destroyed at sight and fear has gripped the generality of people particularly as many soldiers have had to flee for their lives.
One may ask: is this a good fight? Where will this type of fight lead Nigeria? The truth is that we have reached a stage where Nigeria may be heading for dissipation or even disintegration. For the future of Nigeria, the trend must be reversed. There must be a counter-force.
Today, we are graduating a new set of cadets in the army of the Lord. These are men and women as well as some youths who have voluntarily and publicly declared their allegiance and commitment to the cause of Jesus Christ. They will re-affirm their promise to follow Him no matter the cost and circumstances. They will commit themselves to using the weapons of Christ to transform the hate and bitterness that are fast dissipating Nigeria.
It is very tempting, in our present situation, to pay the enemy back in his own coins. That would be missing the point. The truth is that the real enemy is the devil who misguides and brain-washes his subjects and turns them against their fatherland. The new cadets must therefore appreciate the terrain as well as know who the real enemy is. Fighting any other would be a dissipation of energy and resources. The new cadets must therefore be focused and use only Christ–given weapons and resources which we are told are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:4f). With the right weapons and with the proper nurture, they will destroy every strong hold of the devil. It is therefore imperative that they should arm themselves with the resources provided by the Lord in Ephesians 6: 10 – 18 as follows:
1. Integrity – The belt of truth at all times, no matter how costly it is to tell the truth
2. Righteousness – This is God’s priority – His Righteousness. This is the protection for the heart. Where this is lacking, everything would crumble.
3. What you stand for – Tell others confidently whom you believe in and what Jesus means to you.
4. Faith – This is the shield that will divert all the attacks of the enemy
5. Protective Head gear – Salvation. You must be sure that you are born again and you have a visa for heaven. Without this assurance, you will be porn in the hands of the devil.
6. The Weapon for attack – The Word of God. You cannot win the battle if you are only defending yourself. You must attack. The word of God is one thing the devil cannot stand. Come to arm yourself every Friday at the Weekly Bible Study.
7. Prayer – The fuel for the engine. Please come to refuel every Wednesday at the Church Prayer Meeting.
One of the temptations of coming of age is the feeling that one is self-sufficient. The Christian, no doubt, can do all things; but he can only do these through Christ who strengthens him. The strong temptations for youths to bolt away from their home churches like the Prodigal Son to “one-man churches” where “it is happening” is very real in our IT-dominated society. The truth is that though the grass always looks greener across the fence, on crossing over, you get to see the weeds, rocks and cracks covered by the grass. We advise you to stay in the church that nurtured you and make your church better. Part of our prayers for those being admitted into full membership of the church today is that they will daily appreciate the need to sit at the feet of their vicar or other church leader so that they would grow in grace and with time, stand on their feet and be a blessing to others within and through the church of their youth.
As we congratulate these new cadets into God’s army let us pray for them that as His Grace, the Archbishop lays hands on them, they may each receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that can live for their Lord and Master and fight manfully for Him against sin, the devil and the flesh.
Have a fruitful and victorious career in the Lord’s Army and be a blessing to Nigeria.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede.