Newsletter Article

January 15, 2017

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Dcn. Francis Sotalbo

 

When Jesus opens one of His statement with the phrase “Truly I say to you” one must pay attention and understand that He is going to emphasize something. One must recognize the gravity of the issue; it is a life and death matter. Why He must use the word “truly”, when in fact any word coming from Him is pure truth? He is the Son of God, our Savior. We must understand that!  Don’t fool around with the statement, there is no excuse; we must take heed!

Converted means transformed to a new form, rehabilitated, changed or being altered. This is one of the pre-conditions or pre-requisites before we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven, before we can be a part of the Family of God. We must be converted into a new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17, in conformity to the image of Christ. Christianity is a way of life, not a religion. It is following the standard God day by day. It is duplicating what Christ did here on earth, sharing the Good News, helping those in need, making friends, loving our neighbors, respecting and obeying those who lead us in secular government, Church, home, or in other organizations. It is a life full of adventure when in everything we commend our life as an ambassador and servant of God (Read 2 Cor. 6: 1-10). We are part of the people of God (Read 2 Cor. 6:16d-18).

The other mandatory or obligatory trait addressed here is a childlike attitude. It is being like a child in that we seek attention from our Father and are dependent on our Father, which is what our relationship with God must be like. We must have the innocent eye of a child; our eyes must see with no guilt, no hurt feelings, and no bad things, everything must be pure in our eyes. And it is having the humility of a child that makes one the greatest in the family of converts and believers.

Also Jesus gives a stiff warning that those who govern as a leader in the church or in the family, all those who lead, must be made pure before those whom they leads. They must nurture their flock in a manner worthy of the Lord, instructing those who lack in understanding. One must not be guilty of being a stumbling block! To God be the Glory.