Fruitful Living
Letters from God – Why forsake your first love? (Part 1)
“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Rev. 2:2, 4
INTRODUCTION
God delights in communicating with His children. He does not leave us in doubt or in the dark about His wishes on how we should live. He is not okay with our doing just anything that catches our fancy, or doing things anyhow without care.
He looks down at the affairs of men, divining the intention of our heart and assessing our ways, so that we can be the best that He has created us to be, here and in the world to come.
Earlier in the course of history of the church, God took a look at what was going on in the church. These churches were made up of members who loved Him and had decided to serve Him, some in spite of grave threats to their lives.
They were in different geographical places and spiritual phases in their experiences. Yet, they were almost all sick and had problems that needed solutions they could not offer on their own.
And, rather than leave them alone in that condition, God sent them messages to let them know that He was watching and could heal them.
These letters are equally applicable to us today. The best way to understand them is to put our personal names where the name of the church is.
If you have not gone through the experience described in it already, chances are that you will likely go through it some time or the other. That is the essence of reading these letters.
They have DIAGNOSTIC value – just like what a lab test will tell you about what is going on in your body and will explain the cause of health symptoms you might have been experiencing or is lurking in your body.
The letters to the Churches in Asia Minor also have DESCRIPTIVE value, in that they describe the details of what is good, and what is bad. The description is almost like what a microscope will reveal, down to the last minute detail.
They tell what is obvious outwardly, and also go on to describe what is in the heart. Only and Omniscient God can do that.
Finally, these letters have PRESCRIPTIVE value, in that they tell what to do to avoid dying as a result of whatever ailment has been diagnosed. The prescriptions are like pills, therapies or procedures that can heal what has been diagnosed and described.
Like the early churches, we have different geographic addresses and are at different spiritual phases in our experiences. Yet God cares about each one of us at those different points that He speaks to our needs through the messages to His churches. We are the church of today, literally and figuratively.
We need the spiritual diagnosis, description, and prescription that summarises our spiritual condition and what it can be if we allow God to continue His work on us.
It is for our own good to take these messages seriously, whether for the benefit of their diagnostic, descriptive or prescriptive values.
We will start with the first letter, to the church in Ephesus.
LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
Here is the letter from God to the Ephesus church of the first century, unedited, as recorded in the book of Revelation. The Ephesus of that time is in the nation of Turkey today.
The letter was written by the apostle John, the beloved disciple of Christ. He is also known as John the Revelator, because of the many visions he received when he was banished to the Isle of Patmos by the Roman Empire.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my Name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
TO BE CONTINUED
By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
Polygamy in Islam
Alhamdulillah, all praise is due to Allah, Who has blessed us with guidance in every aspect of our lives, including marriage.
We thank Him for providing us with a system that upholds fairness, justice, and compassion.
We send blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who exemplified love, patience, and justice in his family life. May Sallah (SWT) enable us to follow his example in all our relationships.
Introduction to Polygamy in Islam
Servants of Allah, today’s khutbah is on Polygamy in Islam – a topic often misunderstood but rich in wisdom and compassion when viewed through the lens of Islamic teachings. Polygamy in Islam is not a mere cultural practice; it is a regulated structure rooted in social responsibility and fairness.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself practiced polygamy under divine instruction, setting an example of responsibility and compassion. Through polygamy, Islam offers solutions to social needs and supports a framework that prioritises justice.
Today, we will explore what Islam says about polygamy, the conditions attached, the responsibilities of the husband, the blessings it brings, and the challenges it may entail.
What does Islam say about Polygamy?
Polygamy is permissible in Islam under specific guidelines aimed at ensuring fairness and justice. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:
“Then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one…” (Qur’an 4:3).
This verse clearly places conditions on the practice of polygamy, allowing it only if the husband can be just and fair. Polygamy is therefore not a right but a responsibility that requires honesty and commitment.
Islam’s allowance for polygamy provides a solution to social circumstances such as caring for widows, orphans, and cases where multiple marriages serve the greater welfare of the community.
The Example of the Prophet (PBUH):
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) practiced polygamy later in his life, and his marriages were largely motivated by social and humanitarian reasons. He married widows, older women, and women who had been previously divorced to provide them with protection, social standing, and support.
His actions illustrate the spirit of compassion and responsibility that underpins polygamy in Islam.
One notable marriage was to Sawda bint Zam’a (RA), an older widow. This marriage provided her with security and respect, highlighting the Prophet’s (PBUH) empathy and commitment to supporting women who were vulnerable or marginalised in society.
References:
• Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa (4:3, 4:34, 4:129), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83)
• Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud (2133), Sunan Tirmidhi (3895)
(To be continued)
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, 1BN – Michel Camp
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
