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HOLY AND HONOURABLE

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • 1 day ago
  • 3 min read

Today’s Readings:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,10-12

Mark 6:17-29

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Sexual liberation is a big deal in today’s world. To be seen is to be sexually attractive. So, when you raise an alarm when people dress in a way that you perceive as indecent, or behave in a certain way or post certain kinds of pictures, speak a certain way, you will be tagged backwards, outdated, a hater of progress and old-fashioned. But there is something in the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians that you should consider if you take your faith seriously:

“What God wants is for you all to be holy. He wants you to keep away from fornication, and each one of you to know how to use the body that belongs to him in a way that is holy and honourable, not giving way to selfish lust like the pagans who do not know God …anyone who objects is not objecting to a human authority, but to God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:4-8)

Holiness is to be truly liberated from the power of sin. To be honourable is to value a good name more than any other thing in this world. The best name is to be called a “Child of God” (the opposite is to be a child of the world or the devil). Protect and respect your name; let people know you for what is good and not what is shameful.


Sometimes I stumble on friend suggestions on social media, meaning that this potential friend and I share a mutual friend. Out of curiosity, I check their profile to see what they are about. This one time, this person wrote on their profile “WLW” (that’s “women loving women”) and “Sapphic”. Both terms refer to the fact that the person is a practising lesbian. Vice is now celebrated. Back when people had a conscience, they hid their shameful deeds. Today, they publish and celebrate it. I pray for such people, and I pray for myself never to consider such actions normal. I also pray never to live piously in public and be sinful in private. Hypocrisy is deadlier than brazen sinfulness. From hypocrisy and shamelessness, may God deliver us all. Amen. If you speak up against sin in public and private, people will rise against you. But remember that those whom we consider the heroes of our faith, who have died for their faith in the teachings of Christ, did not hate people. They hated sin and wanted people to come to the freedom of the Gospel (1 Timothy 2:4). Recently, we celebrated Saint John the Baptist’s martyrdom. He was fearless in his stance for the truth, his condemnation of sin, the normalisation of evil and moral indifference. He was beheaded by Herod because he did not approve of his adulterous union.


In every age, darkness will attempt to eclipse the light with pride, prevalence and popularity. But wherever virtue is found, in those who stand with Christ, a sacred banner of truth and light shall sway elegantly. The death of the holy ones will serve as a sweet sacrifice and a loud cry of victory, which shall echo through the ages, casting a shadow on those who erroneously sell themselves into the slavery of their wild passions. Vice will never be virtue, no matter how much people glamorise it. Virtue and her children shall be celebrated no matter what people do to silence them. What was the name of Herodias’ daughter? Do you know the names of any of Herod’s guests who stood by when a righteous man was murdered? Stand for what is right, and heaven shall remember your name.

                                                                                    JUDE-MARY OWOH



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

 If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Eternal Father, heal the hearts that are swallowed up in evil and wickedness. Let the suffering and anguish of the righteous atone for our sins.

  2. Help us to give love in return for the world’s hatred and preserve us in holiness, honour and hope. Amen.

  3. Eternal Father, grant that we may never be silent in the face of falsehood, evil and injustice.

  4. Make us fearless defenders of holiness and truth, and may our lives give glory to You. Amen.

 
 
 

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