Fruitful Living
Jesus is central to salvation
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. – John 3:16-18.
INTRODUCTION
John 3 and 4 include two important conversations Jesus had with very different individuals – a Pharisee named Nicodemus and a Samaritan woman. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus sheds light on what is required to become a part of the kingdom of God, which takes place through a relationship with Jesus. At the heart of Jesus’s teaching is the concept of being ‘born again’, which speaks to the life-changing effect of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. This change takes place as a person confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, who died to pay the price for his or her sins. That confession makes way for the forgiving power of God’s grace.
In John 4, Jesus described the new life available in Him as ‘‘living water’’ in His conversation with the woman at the well. The idea of living water that forever satisfies a person’s thirst speaks to eternal life with God – one of the benefits of salvation from sin through Jesus. Both of these conversations give us insight into salvation and the benefits it brings, and both remind us that Jesus is central to salvation. Only a relationship with Him brings the spiritual satisfaction and fulfillment we desire.
JESUS AND NICODEMUS
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” Jesus said, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. – John 3:1-21
JOHN TESTIFIES AGAIN ABOUT JESUS
After this, Jesus and His disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them, and baptised. Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptised. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to Him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, He is baptising, and everyone is going to Him.”
To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of Him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for Him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:22-30.
THE ONE FROM HEAVEN
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. – John 3:31-36.
JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that He was gaining and baptising more disciples than John— although, in fact, it was not Jesus who baptised, but His disciples. So He left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
Now He had to go through Samaria. So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat by the well. It was about noon.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
“I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am He.” – John 4:1-26.
THE DISCIPLES REJOIN JESUS
Just then His disciples returned and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward Him.
Meanwhile His disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then His disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?”
“My food,” Jesus said, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour.” – John 4:27-38.
THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. And because of His words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.” – John 4:39-42.
Stay blessed!
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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
Hijab (Islamic veil) as an act of worship (Part 2)
Consequences on lack of knowledge about Hijab can cause Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
Lack of knowledge about the use of Hijab and its role in promoting modesty can contribute significantly to immoral behaviour in societies, which in turn increases the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
In Islamic teachings, the Hijab is not only a piece of clothing but a broader concept of modesty, dignity and moral conduct.
When society underestimates the value of modesty in behaviour, dress and interactions, it can lead to permissiveness in relationships, unsafe sexual practice, and other behaviours that increase the risk of STDs.
Peer Pressure and Western Influence in Urban Areas
In Urban centres like Accra and Kumasi, younger generations are often influenced by Western media and fashion trends that promote revealing clothing and casual attitudes towards relationships.
This cultural shift, coupled with inadequate education about Islamic principles like the hijab’s role in promoting modesty, can lead to high incidence of promiscuity.
For instance, young women and men engaging in risky sexual behaviour without understanding the consequences often do so under the influence of societal trends. This increase exposure to sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, which remains a public health issue in Ghana.
Misinterpretation of Freedom and Modernity
In higher educational institutions, some students perceive wearing the hijab as outdated or limiting their freedom. This lack of knowledge about the hijab’s significance can lead to adopting lifestyles that prioritize fashion over modesty.
For example, a university student might choose to attend social gatherings where alcohol and casual sexual encounters are common, driven by peer pressure and a desire to fit in.
Without the grounding principles of modesty and chastity, the chances of unprotected and reckless sexual activity rise, contributing to the spread of diseases like gonorrhea or syphilis.
Both scenarios highlight how a lack of knowledge about the hijab’s deeper values can lead to behaviors that put individuals and society at risk.
While the hijab alone does not guarantee moral behavior, its principles, when understood and embraced, can foster a culture of self-respect and responsibility that mitigates the spread of STDs.
Education on these values, coupled with awareness of sexual health, is critical for addressing this challenge in society. Casual relationships contribute to the spread of STDs, which harm both individuals and communities.
Fundamental Human Rights: Religious Freedom
Ghana, like many democratic nations, guarantees the right to freedom of religion. Article 21(1) ( c ) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana explicitly states: “All persons shall have the right to freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice.”
This provision protects every citizen’s right to practice their religion, including the wearing of Hijab, without discrimination or intimidation.
Similarly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, Article 18, asserts:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”
These legal provisions recognise Hijab as part of the manifestation of Islam and affirm that Muslim women have the right to wear Hijab in public institutions
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Christ Our Lord (Final part)
This sin gave Satan the firm foothold he had been looking for. Sin and Satan now held the world in a vice-like grip. God’s people now walked in darkness: oppressed by Satan. Spiritually speaking, they lived in a never-ending winter: rarely experiencing the warmth of God’s love.
Enslaved by sin as they were, they were doomed to die both physically and spiritually. ‘(Adam’s) sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned.’ – Romans 5:12
Who could rescue God’s creation from the curse of Satan, the enemy? Mankind’s rescuer would need to be someone strong enough to engage in battle against the power of Satan; someone who would fight compromise with evil, for evil cannot combat evil; only goodness can do that.
There was only one person who could even attempt the rescue bid: God Himself. So God entered the world in the form of the perfect man: Jesus Christ. ‘God in Christ was reconciling the world to Himself.’ – 2 Corinthians 5:19
Jesus knew the solution to the sin-problem. He, the man-who-never-sinned, would need to take upon Himself every sin each individual in the world had ever committed and would ever commit. It would be as though He Himself had committed the crimes of the cosmos. He would, therefore, pay the penalty in person. He would die: ‘Without beauty, without majesty (we saw him), no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces He was despised and we took no account of Him.
And yet ours were the sufferings He bore, ours the sorrows He carried. But we, we thought of Him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. Yet He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On Him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through His wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh burdened Him with the sins of all of us.’ – Isaiah 53:2-6
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to drink in these facts:
Mine were the sufferings you bore
Mine the sorrows you carried
You were pierced through for my faults
Crushed because of my sin
God laid on you the punishment that brought me
Peace
Joy
And a whole new start in life
Help me to say an adequate
Thank you.
RANSOMED
A man was once caught stealing from his employers. When the court case was heard, the judge imposed a fine of GH¢50. Failure to pay the prescribed fine, he said, would result in imprisonment. The night of the court hearing, the man despaired. He had no money. That was why he had resorted to stealing in the first place. How was he to pay the fine? The thought of a period in prison filled him with horror. Next morning, a brown envelope fell through this man’s letter-box. It contained ten, crisp, new GH¢5 notes and a hand-written explanation: To pay off the debt. The offender never discovered where the money had come from. The only information he could glean was that a member of the nearby church heard of his plight and decided to set him free from the threat of imprisonment.
When Jesus died on the cruel cross, He brought our release from the clutches of the evil one. He also set us free from the bondage to sin in which we had been trapped. And He delivered us from the effects of the sin-stained past and from the guilt that enshrouded us: The death of Christ ‘One act of perfect righteousness, presents all men freely acquitted in the sight of God.’ – Romans 5:18. ‘God loved the world so much that He gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith in Him may not die but have eternal life.’ – John 3:16
This article has been heavily inspired by Joyce Hugget in “Approaching Easter, Meditations for Lent.”
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
