2021
Contending For The Faith
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH. Mike Adedamola Oluniyi.(Being a ministration during Ministers’ Seed Conference 2021)”Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3)
While preparing for this conference, the holy Spirit dropped something in my spirit that I want us to Look into as we begin discussions this morning.Some of us had the opportunity to study social studies or Civic Education. We were taught the definition of family. We were told that a group of people related by blood or marriages is referred to as a family. The natural order of things is that father and mother birth children who also take on spouses and have their own children and the first couple become grandparents. This entire family depends on each other as should be. Depending on how affluent they are, the grandfather covers the children and grandchildren and ensures that they are not in trouble. The parents could also influence things to go in the favour of their children. All this are not so bad because of cause that is what parents are for, to provide for, guide and protect us. Some of us seated here have or still in fact believe that the same thing operates in the kingdom of God. We believe that our parents’ Goodwill with God is enough to cover us. We believe that since our parents are preachers or commitment church workers, their salvation covers us children too.I want us to know that God has no grandchildren. Salvation therefore is as personal as it gets. I am certain of this because the Bible says in the book of John 14:6 that ‘I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the father except through me’. As much as we would want to be willed our fathers salvation just as all other earthly possessions that may like to get from them and as much as our fathers would like to do the same, the Bible says that; ‘Yes, each of us will give personal account to God God’ {Romans 14:12 (NLT)} There are no hand me downs when it comes to the issue if salvation.At the same time however, looking at the scriptures will make us to realize that though salvation is personal, it is something that God hates when a minister of God does not raise his children in a way that will make such children to be useful for God. Prophet Eli, one of the foremost prophets in the land of Israel, got into trouble with God, despite his exploits for God because of the way he raised his children. The following were the words of God to the prophet through young Samuel;
“For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.” (1Sam.3:13-14)
If you also examine the life of Prophet Samuel himself, you will discover that the same thing happened. While in the case of Eli, God judged him for not restraining his children from evil, Samuel was judged because his own children departed from God in his old age.God also views succession in kingship the same way, in fact, it was only when the children of the incumbent were not available that the positions became vacant.
You may be wondering why this introduction is examining the connection between family lineage in matters of faith and ministry. I feel such background is important for us because of the theme of this conference, CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH. Why should we contend for the faith as ministers children. Well, seriously speaking, there are several reasons why we must contend for the faith as pastors children. However, that is for another speaker, Pastor Femi Emmanuel to speak on. I am to look at the challenges which we have as minister’s children in contending for the faith that has been delivered to us.
