March Message From Pastor - New life!

Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. Wash me, cleanse me of this guilt. Let me be pure again. For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Ps. 51

It’s March! We begin to experience new life in March in our physical sphere by beginning to wear lighter clothing, for instance. In the spiritual sphere, we continue to be conscious of Lent and our journey of drawing near for a spiritual renewal. “If we claim to be Christian, we must be like Christ” said John Stott, in his small book titled “Radical Disciple: Some neglected Aspects of our calling.”

Many of us must be aware of the problem of identity theft. Identity theft happens through your credit card, driver license and anything that contains your personal information. It happens when your identity is being compromised and someone claims to be you because they hijacked some information that represents your identity. Identity theft can also happen in the spiritual realm. Sin distorts our desires, and the devil steals our identity to kill and destroy our spirits and relationship with God, but Christ presents to us how our identity can be restored (John 10:10). 

Think of the people you know of or might have heard about who had trodden different paths but became change agents after they found their identity in Christ. Apostle Paul was one of them. He was a persecutor of the Christian church but later claimed that his old self was crucified with Jesus and wore a new self and walked in the newness of Christlikeness (Galatians 2:20). What about Charles Colson, who was given the name “evil genius” and mastermind of the Watergate scandal. When he was put behind bars, Mr. Colson became a born-again Christian and founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, Justice Fellowship, the Break Point radio show and founded a research and networking center for Christian apologists. He lived life filled with dedication, renewal, inspiration and continued to spread the gospel of salvation until his death. Another was Michael Franzese. Born into the Colombo Crime Family of Brooklyn, Mr. Franzese dropped out of university and followed in the footsteps of his notorious father, Colombo Underboss John “Sonny.” Convicted of racketeering, extortion, counterfeiting and jailed many times, Mr. Franzese found his stolen identity in Christ and left the Mob life. He was born into—a new person in Christ. He later founded "Breaking Out Foundation" and continued to tour colleges and Churches, sharing his new life experience to inspire young adults and empower seminarians.

“For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night…Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires,” was the cry for restoration from the psalmist and everyone. David acknowledged his guilt and his inability to restore a right relationship with God. He needed God. We need God. We are encouraged to admit our wrong deeds, ask God for forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. We are Christians because we humble ourselves every day and surrender our wrongful wishes and desires to the power of the Holy Spirit as we are continually being sanctified from within. 

The remedy to claim your identity is to acknowledge your sins and sincerely repent from your old path and walk in Christlikeness. And godliness and Christlikeness is an internal work of the Holy Spirit that brings regeneration of our human spirit to Christ-centered Christian living. Through these forty days we humble ourselves so that we may be transformed, restored and renewed in Christ. Be encouraged to take steps every day for a spiritual renewal and let us be reminded of God's assurance of presence as we journey through Lent toward Easter. 

 
Shalom

Rev. Dr. Owar Ojulu