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How You Can Transform YOurself and Your Nation
I am not a politician, neither am I a political adviser. But recently, as a friend and I conversed over an issue of national transformation, he asked my suggestion as regards what major factor could quicken transformation in some African nations.
I quickly said, “The Word of God”. (I am talking about the Christian God).
He retorted, “But Japan hasn’t got much of God’s Word, yet they have a developed economy and a transformed nation.”
I convinced my friend by insisting that the Word of God is the seed that transforms individuals and nations.
You too may ask, “What about Japan?”
Well, every modern civilization and culture begins from the Word of God.
Think about this…
The British got light from the Word of God and this light was brought into their social life, resulting in their social and cultural transformation.
The British then went ahead to introduce their culture to America. Japan in turn, learnt a new way of doing things from America.
From what I have just said, you can see that Japan’s transformation has its beginning from America, while America’s transformation came from God’s Word.
Britain, USA, Japan, etc. experienced years of despotic leadership, coup d’etat and civil unrest like any other young nation, but God’s Word eventually transformed them.
Before we go into the next section of this article, I would want you to think deeply about this statement by Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2. He said:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
How Will The Word of God Transform You?
Let me explain it this way:
Every human being behaves the way s/he does because the mental picture which a person carries in the mind causes him/her to exhibit behavior which AGREES with that image.
No person ever acts better than the image or picture that he has of himself. Your behavior agrees with your self-image.
The image you have of yourself determines how you esteem yourself.
An excellent self-image produces high-self esteem, but poor self-image produces low self-esteem.
“Poor self-image produces low self-esteem and low self- esteem is the cause of anti-social behavior.”
Now, let’s consider this question…
Can a Christian Have Low Self-Esteem?
In my opinion, I don’t believe a Christian can have low self-esteem if s/he truly believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful significance of His death and resurrection.
Throughout the Bible, the identity of a Christian does not suggest a low esteem. It has always revealed a glorious identity of Kingship as can be seen in the following examples from the Bible.
A) 1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
B) Revelations 5:10
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Therefore, I think it is unbelief that can make a child of God to think of him/herself as “good-for-nothing” or “ordinary.”
You Were Not Lowly Rated At Creation
How do I know?
One of my cousins has a shoe making factory. As I watched him work, I discovered that he carefully produced every shoe, but he was exceptionally careful as he produced some special ones.
Those special ones he made were rated higher and sold at higher prices than the rest.
You are worth much more than shoes. When God created you, He employed so much care.
Consider the Amplified Bible Version of these words of King David recorded in Psalm 139.14, 15
“I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your Works, and that my inner self knows right well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depth of the earth [a reign of darkness and mystery].”
Note the adverbs used to describe how God created you and consider their synonyms below.
INTRICATELY: complicated; puzzling; difficult to understand.
CURIOUSLY: strange; unusual; showing the result of care and attention.
The last clause in verse 15 suggests that you were made in the secret factory of God – in the depths of the earth, a region of darkness and mystery.
If you were formed in a region of darkness and mystery, then no one else, including Satan, has an idea of the complexity of how God has made you.
It therefore makes sense to say that as children of God, we shouldn’t give in to the damaging remarks people have made on us, one time or the other. We should also not give in to the thoughts dropped on our minds by the devil.
Both the damaging remarks by people and the thoughts brought on mind by the devil are totally untrue.
The Word of God calls us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
Christ Himself is the Word of God (John 1:1). He is the Word we should believe and not the lies of the devil or the damaging statements people make about us. The devil is a liar and the master of all lies. Christ Jesus says this concerning Him:
“…He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44.
Finally, child of God, it is my earnest prayer that the Word of God continues to work in your life, and that you become a happier, transformed, and more productive person.
God bless you!
About the Author: Kingsley Enaboakpe is a Bible Scholar. He is the coordinator of Mercy Christian Ministries and is involved in the ministries’ activities of Bible Translation, works of mercy and the use of its web-site (www.superb-christian-web-sites.com) to help empower God’s people spiritually, physically and materially. Visit the web-site at www.superb-christian–web-sites.com
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