No. 16. The finished work of Christ (Kazi aliyomaliza Kristo msalabani) – Online Conference
We now walk in peace and joy. John 16:33 “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We should have joy, not happiness. ‘Happiness’ is a joy that is based on the things that you have. But ‘joy’ is a joy that you can have even if you do not possess the things of this world. The Lord is the source of your joy. You realize that you have a dual citizenship (on earth and in heaven), and your citizenship here on earth is only temporary. Citizenship in Heaven is eternal. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” But also Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.” You will no longer be anxious to conform to the world but will live in God’s purpose. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” We are co-workers with God. God does not do everything for us, but He empowers us to do it. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But we have also been given abundant life. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” We must ask ourselves if we truly have an abundant life. We must strive to apply well the truth of God’s Word and let our lives reflect God in the world we live in. Zechariah 8:23 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the languages of the nations will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, “We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”
Kazi aliyomaliza Kristo msalabani
Sisi sasa tunatembea katika amani na furaha. Yohana 16:33 "Hayo nimewaambieni mpate kuwa na amani ndani yangu. Ulimwenguni mnayo dhiki; lakini jipeni moyo; mimi nimeushinda ulimwengu.” Tunapaswa kuwa na furaha (joy) na sio raha (happiness). ‘Happiness’ ni furaha inayotegemea vitu ulivyo navyo. Lakini ‘joy’ ni furaha ambayo unaweza kuwa nayo hata kama humiliki vitu vya dunia hii. Bwana ndiye chanzo cha furaha yako. Unatambua kwamba una uraia pacha (duniani na mbinguni) na uraia wako wa hapa duniani ni wa muda tu. Uraia wa Mbinguni ni wa kudumu milele. Nehemia 8:10 inatukumbusha kwamba, "Furaha ya Bwana ni nguvu zako." Lakini pia Wafilipi 4:4 anasema “Furahini katika Bwana sikuzote; tena nasema, Furahini.” Hutahangaika tena kutafuta kufanana na dunia bali utaishi katika kusudi la Mungu. Warumi 8:28 “Nasi twajua ya kuwa katika mambo yote Mungu hufanya kazi pamoja na wale wampendao katika kuwapatia mema, yaani, wale walioitwa kwa kusudi lake.” Sisi ni watenda kazi wenza na Mungu. Mungu hatufanyii kila kitu bali anatutia nguvu ya kufanya. Wafilipi 4:13 “Nayaweza mambo yote katika yeye anitiaye nguvu.”
Lakini pia tumepewa maisha tele. Yohana 10:10 “Mwivi haji ila aibe na kuchinja na kuharibu; mimi nalikuja ili wawe na uzima, kisha wawe nao tele.” Lazima tujiulize kama kweli tuna maisha tele. Tujitahidi kutumia vizuri ukweli wa Neno la Mungu na maisha yetu yamdhihirishe Mungu katika dunia tunayoishi. Zekaria 8:23 “Bwana wa majeshi asema hivi, Siku hizo watu kumi, wa lugha zote za mataifa, wataushika upindo wa nguo yake yeye aliye Myahudi; naam, wataushika wakisema, Tutakwenda pamoja nanyi, kwa maana tumesikia kwamba Mungu yu pamoja nanyi.”
Dr. Lawi Mshana, Facilitator and Public Speaker, +255712924234, Tanzania
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