Fruitful Living
I am an example of Jesus Christ in my generation
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”– Matthew 11:29-30 & Matthew 7:24-27
- Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus’ proper name derives from the Hebrew “Joshua”, meaning “Yahweh saves” or “salvation is from Yahweh” (Matthew 1:21). Christ is the Greek term for “anointed”, equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah. This anointed Saviour is also Immanuel, “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14). Paul’s favourite term for Jesus was kurios, “Lord”, and the earliest Christian confession was that “Jesus is Lord”.
The sublime introduction of Jesus in the prologue to John’s Gospel presents Him as the logos, the “Word” who created all things (1:3) and who became flesh and dwelt among us (1:4). He is the Life (1:4) and the Light of mankind (1:4); the Glory of God (1:4); the only begotten God who makes the Father known (1:18).
The Gospels record Jesus’ own self designation as Son of Man, the title He frequently used to speak of His humiliation, His identification with sinful mankind, His death on behalf of sinners, and His glorious return. While Jesus was the Son of Man in respect to His ministry and passion, He is also Son of God, the uniquely begotten one sent from God Himself (Mark 1:1; John 3:16).
The book of Hebrews shows Jesus as God’s great high priest (3:1; 4:14) who both makes sacrifice for His people and who is Himself the sacrifice (10:10-14). Hebrews also presents Jesus as the creator of all things (1:2), the perfect representation of God (1:3), and the apostle of our confession (3:1).
The metaphors used of Jesus, particularly in John’s Gospel, speak poignantly to the indispensable need for a person to know Jesus. He is the water of life (John 4:14). The bread of life (6:41), the light (8:12), the door (10:7), the way, the truth and the life (14:6).
- Live like Jesus
Jesus, the divine Son of God, set aside the privileges and powers of deity for a time and lived as a man on earth. This means that you, as a reborn child of God, filled with the same Holy Spirit as Jesus was, have the same opportunity to live as He lived on earth. In fact, that is exactly what He intends.
In John 17:18 He said to the Father, “Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” He’s given you the ability and the command to live above sin, to live in fellowship with the Father, to preach the gospel and to make disciples.
- What Does it Mean for a Christ-follower to be an Example?
Though Scripture exhorts leaders to be examples (1 Pet. 5:2-3), we should all be examples as Christ-followers regardless of how we serve because we all represent Him (2 Cor. 5:20). Being an example means reflecting Jesus to those around you in a way that causes them to take notice, not of you, but of Christ in you. As an example, you will:
- Exemplify Christ in all you say and do.
- Put out sin and impurities from your life so people see Christ.
- Affect others with the love of Christ.
- Model Christ-like character and conduct.
- Position yourself under Christ so He is the Head.
- Line up with Christ in not only what you do but how you do it.
- Enhance people’s lives because of Christ in you.
God works first through the ordinary experiences of daily life to form the character of Christ in us. Through these experiences we come to know on the deepest levels that Jesus is with us always, that he never leaves us nor forsakes us, and that we can cast all our care upon him. In addition, we learn that ordinary life is sacramental, and that divine guidance is given primarily in these common junctures of life.
- Being an Example of Christ means:
- Following His teachings – believing that God is our Father and trusting Him to care for us. – John 15:4-7
- Learning to overcome the world and the devil.
- Christ’s example of service to others. Serving others who are also children of God our Father. Jesus said of Himself, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). And that’s exactly what He did—serve others and give His life for them—setting an example for us to follow.
- Being an Example of Christ means adopting His attitudes: – Philemon 2:1-4
a. Attitude of Humility. That the Father knows what is best for the us and therefore we should humbly surrender ourselves to His direction. Christ was totally yielded to the will of His Father. He completely humbled Himself and remained faithful in doing His Father’s will all the way to His death: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God, something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
b.That knowing who our Father is, we should be willing to battle against evil and temptation.
c. Christ’s amazing example of godly love. We should love another, especially the family of God or the people of God’s household. He not only loved His friends, but also His enemies: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45). His love is so great that He died for friend and foe alike. May we follow that example!
d. Modelling Christ in our Work. Christians in the workplace should be motivated by our desire to glorify God and to inspire others to desire to know him. Those who don’t know Christ may be inspired to seek Him and influenced to reconsider Christianity. Jesus also took on “the very nature of a servant”.
e. As children of God, we are called to live in INTEGRITY. Jesus is the perfect example of a man of integrity. After He was baptized, He went into the wilderness to fast for forty days and nights, during which time Satan came to Him at His weakest to try to break His integrity and corrupt Him. Jesus was wholly man and wholly God at the same time, and He was tempted in every way we are, yet he never sinned. He is the only one who was ever without blemish, perfect, completely truthful, and always showing a pattern of good works.
f. Truthfulness. The Bible also describes integrity as the truth. What is the truth? Jesus is the only real truth and the only way to attain eternal life. Nobody comes to the Father unless he goes through Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Many times, Jesus prefaced His words by saying, “Truly, I say to you,” which, in essence, means “I tell you the truth.” Jesus never lied, and His actions defined integrity.
g. Boldness. Jesus and his apostles were extremely bold and gave either their jobs or money away to do God’s ministry. Trust in God the Father as He did. He stood firm in God alone. For Him, God the Father alone was the rock on which His soul could stand. Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ.
h. Empathy. Jesus was always sensitive to the plight of others. Jesus is our best example of empathy. Matthew tells us how Jesus, “when he saw the crowds, . . . had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). On another occasion, Jesus observed a widow about to bury her only son. Sensing her pain (the NLT says that), Jesus’ “heart overflowed with compassion”, He approached the funeral procession and resurrected the young man (Luke 7:11-16).
i. Evangelism. Our Lord Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost and modelling Him in our generation must give a passion for evangelism and discipleship. We must not only share our faith but live it so that all those who come into contact with us will feel attracted to the Lord Jesus and give their lives to Him as His followers. If ever there was a time to share Christ Jesus and demonstrate His power to transform lives, it is now. As His ambassadors, that is what we should be doing as effortlessly as the way we breath everyday, remembering that the Holy Spirit lives in us to enable us so to do.
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
Features
Divorce in Islam
In another instance, the Prophet (PBUH) recommended arbitration and family intervention in cases of marital disputes.
“If you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family. If they both desire reconciliation, Allah will cause it between them” (Qur’an 4:35).
This Quranic text emphasises the importance of seeking reconciliation through family and community support.
Conditions and Rules of Divorce in Islam
Islam sets forth conditions and rules to ensure that divorce is handled responsibly:
Clear Intention: The decision to divorce must be made with a clear mind and sincere intention, free from anger or impulsivity.
The Waiting Period (Iddah): After pronouncing divorce, the wife must observe an iddah period, during which the husband can take her back if both agree. The iddah period is three menstrual cycles for a non-pregnant woman or until childbirth if she is pregnant.
Revocable and Irrevocable Divorce:
Revocable Divorce (Talaq-e-Raj’i): The husband can take back his wife within the iddah period if reconciliation is achieved.
Irrevocable Divorce (Talaq-e-Ba’in): After the third talaq, the divorce is final, and reconciliation is only possible through a new marriage contract if both agree.
Respect and Dignity: Islam commands respect and fairness during divorce proceedings, ensuring that both parties maintain dignity. Allah (SWT) advises:
“And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them—perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good” (Qur’an 4:19).
This verse encourages respect, even if differences arise.
Rights to Seek Divorce by the Husband or Wife
Islam grants both spouses the right to seek divorce, although their procedures differ.
Rights of the Husband (Talaq): A husband has the right to initiate talaq, following Islamic procedures. He must observe fairness, fulfill his wife’s rights, and provide any outstanding mahr or iddah maintenance.
Rights of the Wife (Khula): A wife can seek divorce through khula, which involves returning part or all of her mahr to end the marriage. The Prophet (PBUH) permitted khula for the wife of Thabit ibn Qays (RA) when she requested separation.
“Then if you fear that they will not be able to keep [within] the limits of Allah, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself” (Qur’an 2:229).
Reasons for a divorce by both parties
In order to divorce a wife, a husband may not necessarily have to give a reason. However, in the case of a woman, she may initiate a Khula (Separation) for three reasons; her husband’s in ability to consummate the marriage, his failure to provide for her upkeep, and if the woman was married as a child or without her consent she can repudiate her husband when she reaches puberty (Mucai-Kattambo et al. 1995). In addition a woman can apply for a khula if she persistently faces domestic violent.
Divorce Under Legal Regimes: The Mohammedan Ordinance CAP 129
In Ghana, the Mohammedan Ordinance CAP 129 regulates Islamic marriages and divorces. It provides a formal legal framework for Muslims to marry, divorce, and remarry in line with Sharia principles. This ensures that divorce proceedings, rights, and responsibilities are recognized by law, protecting both parties’ rights according to Islamic teachings.
Remedies for a Wrongful Divorce
Reconciliation: Islam encourages reconciliation if a divorce was issued hastily. The Prophet (PBUH) often advised families to mediate, promoting forgiveness and mutual understanding.
Financial and Social Support: If a husband neglects his wife’s rights upon divorce, she can claim compensation, unpaid mahr, and iddah maintenance. Islam emphasises justice and fairness for divorced women to ensure they are not left destitute.
Community Support: The Muslim community is encouraged to provide support for divorced individuals, allowing them to reintegrate with dignity and support, upholding Islamic principles of compassion.
EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON CHILDREN
One significant concern is the impact of divorce on children. Patel et al. (2008) in “The Harm of Talaq” note that children from broken homes face higher risks of emotional distress, academic challenges, and social instability. Parents must consider these effects when making decisions, ensuring the wellbeing of their children.
More precisely, children from broken homes are more likely to have poorer health; to do worse in madrassas and schools; less likely to attend the massajid; become hufaz and Islamic scholars; more likely to commit crime, to smoke and take drugs; to be unemployed and to die earlier than children who live with married parents. By divorcing parents have let loose a vicious cycle. Their children are more likely to repeat the cycle of unstable parenting which they had experienced and suffered (Patel et al., 2008).
In conclusion, divorce in Islam is a compassionate solution, regulated to ensure justice and respect. While it is permitted, it is only to be used as a last resort, with the utmost care and fairness. Islam emphasizes kindness, patience, and thoughtful reconciliation to resolve marital issues before resorting to divorce.
May Allah (SWT) guide us to act with wisdom and justice in our relationships and protect our families with love and mercy. Ameen.
References:
• Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:229, 2:230, 2:231, 2:232, 2:236, 2:237), Surah An-Nisa (4:19, 4:35), Surah At-Talaq (65:4)
• Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (2178), Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
• Mohammedan Ordinance CAP 129
• Patel, A. A. et al., 2008), Blessings of Marriage (Harm of Talaq {Divorce), Page 278.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai – 1BN Michel Camp, Tema
