Fruitful Living

Benefits of being justified through faith

• A woman praying

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. – 2 Corinthians 10:4

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, – Romans 5:1

INTRODUCTION

Paul begins Romans 5 by focusing on the present benefits of peace, hope and love from God, all benefits that a believer can count on every day. God doesn’t save us by grace only to make us then try to live for Him in our own power. God’s grace is given to help us stand today, tomorrow and on that future day when we will stand before His throne. Paul again described how God redeemed us when we were at our worst, which demonstrates just how great His grace is.

In Romans 6, Paul discussed reasons that Christians can no longer think and live in the old ways of sin. Believers have died to the old life by being baptised into Jesus’s death and raised into new life through His resurrection. We serve a new Master who freed us from bondage to sin and empowers us to grow in faith, thus producing the spiritual fruit that shows we have eternal life. Through our obedience, we display Christ and His character to the world. Only by allowing Christ to live in us can we truly have an impact for the kingdom of God.

PEACE AND HOPE

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And weboast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5:1-11

DEATH THROUGH ADAM, LIFE THROUGH CHRIST

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgEment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:12-21.

DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE IN CHRIST

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For, if we have been united with him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like His. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. ¹The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. – Romans 6:1-14.

SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:16-23.

Stay blessed!

By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author

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Fruitful Living

Islamic Position on Illicit Drugs (Part 1)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, the Creator of mankind and Sustainer of the universe. We send blessings and salutations upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who was sent as a mercy to all creation, and upon his family, companions, and those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.

Introduction

Illicit drugs have become a dangerous epidemic threatening our families, institutions, and future generations. Their impact is not only physical or psychological but also spiritual, tearing the fabric of morality, faith, and social cohesion.

Islam, a comprehensive way of life, provides guidance not only for acts of worship but also for health, personal conduct, and societal wellbeing. Addressing the menace of illicit drugs from an Islamic perspective gives us a moral framework and a roadmap for prevention, treatment, and societal healing.

The debate about illicit drugs use has gained significant attention in the public domain, especially following recent events at Keta Senior High School in Ghana. Reports indicate that students engaged in the destruction of school property, an action widely attributed to the influence of illicit drugs. This incident underscores the urgent need to address drug abuse among the youth.

Definition of Illicit Drugs from Literature

Illicit drugs are defined as substances that are either strictly prohibited by law or misused outside of their intended medical purpose. Ray, O. (1978) define illicit drugs as “substances that affect the central nervous system and alter brain functions, causing temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior” (p. 5).

Examples include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, tramadol (when abused), and marijuana (in jurisdictions where it remains illegal).

Definition of Illicit Drugs in Islamic Perspective

Is anything that clouds the mind (muskir), causes addiction, or leads to destructive behaviour is forbidden (haram). The Qur’an strictly prohibits intoxicants in multiple verses:

“O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, sacrificing to stones, and divination by arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. Avoid them so that you may be successful.” (Qur’an 5:90)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) further said:“Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2003)And also,“Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a small quantity of it is also forbidden.” (Sunan AbuDawood, Hadith 3681).

Scholars like Ibn Qayyim and Imam Nawawi emphasised that the objective of Shari’ah is to preserve the intellect (hifz al-‘aql), and that any substance which threatens this must be prohibited.

Modern narcotics fall under the category of khamr not in form, but in effect.

By Imam Saeed Abdulai

Fruitful Living

Rev. Stephen Arthur launches ‘The Journey From Under the Table

Rev. Stephen Arthur showcasing his book ‘The Journey From Under the Table’

Founder and Head Pastor of Kingdom Family International Church in Accra, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, has launched a new book titled: ‘The Journey From Under the Table.’

The launch was held last Sunday at the Potter’s Place Temple of Kingdom Family International Church in Accra.

The 143-page book, according to Rev. Arthur, was about one’s journey from his first breath and the rest of a journey towards a particular destination.

He noted that, “the destination often curated by the paths we choose and the decisions we make along the way. ‘The Journey From Under the Table’ is an incredible material that provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of God’s will for believers in the journey we have to take. Using Lazarus and the rich man as its case study (Luke 16:19-31).”

The book brings to life robust biblical lessons and practical principles that would serve as a repository of hope for the believer through every step of their journey.

Using the story of Lazarus as a backdrop, the author provides a clear transition from under the table to the top of it.

He delivers relevant scriptures, life lessons and juxtapositions that promise to hold the reader’s attention from chapter to chapter, while equipping the reader with essential knowledge and skills necessary to journey from obscurity to greatness.

For decades, Rev. Arthur has dedicated himself to the service of God. He is also a pastor, an accountant by training, a prolific author, a relationship and marriage counsellor, and a seasoned preacher who ministers under the apostolic and prophetic grace.

His ministry and publications over the years have been a tremendous blessing to people.

Some of these include The Fountain of Wisdom, Hope on Trial, The Fundamentals of Deep Worship and Prayer, Strategies and Dynamics for Warfare Prayers, The Unlimited and Unquenchable Anointing.

He has about 27 years of experience and insight in the aviation sector.

Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur is an aviation economist and policy expert, and currently, the acting Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme’