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Sea, the waters closed behind them. This
meant that they were free from the bondage
of Egypt and the domination of Pharaoh. It also
meant that they could not turn back. As the
wilderness opened before them, they began a
new way of life with God. He guided them
with the cloud and by the leadership of Moses.
When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, he helps
us to break the power of the mind of the flesh
(Romans 8:4-11). And if the Son sets you free,
you will be free indeed (John 8:36). He opens
up the way for fellowship with God. We are
under His leadership and the guidance of His
word which is spirit and life (John 6:63).
Baptism by immersion expresses for believers
what the Red Sea meant for the Israelites that
the old way of life was finished and a new one
had begun. Sadly, they later returned to their
former sinful ways so that we read God was
not pleased with most of them. Their bodies
were scattered over the desert. Having begun
a new life, they failed to go through with it.
After their deliverance from the Egyptians
(Exodus 14), their hearts were filled with
praise and thanksgiving (Exodus 15). But a
short while later they failed when they met
such difficulties as lack of food and water.
We, today, see broken nations, suffering,
violence, victimization, even lack of food
which led the Isrealites to hanker after the life
they had left instead of trusting God to
provide for the journey ahead. Let us be
careful and watch for the signs showing the
coming of our Master is at hand.
In Acts 7:55-56, the heavens are opened and
the Son of man stands at the right hand of
God; that is to say, he is no longer sitting but
standing in order to help Stephen. Our
pathway will not always be easy. Jesus Christ
said, “In this world you will have trouble, but
take heart, I have overcome the world” (John
16:33). We must expect to be tested.
“Consider it is pure joy, brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of any kinds because
you know that the testing of your faith works
patience. Patience must finish its work so that
you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything” (James 1:2-4). When we meet diffi-
culties, we must not look for a way out but
look for a way through with God’s help. When
we come through trials, we shall have a firmer
faith in God and be a stronger believer. If we
had no problems, our faith would be very
anaemic. The trials God allows (as opposed to
those we inflict on ourselves) are not a sign of
His displeasure, but rather the reverse.
Because He loves us, He tests us in order to
make us richer in character and more estab-
lished in our faith (Hebrews 12:7-11).
Baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-11)
What Is This World Coming To?
| Bro Gaius Egwu (Ohafia, Nigeria)
B
elievers in the Middle East are dying at the
hands of Islamic State. Millions of refugees
flee violence in Syria. Russia is girding up its
loins for the war in the Middle East, which is
inevitable as the king of the North involves
himself in Syria, thus facing Western powers.
Boko Haram terrorises Christians and others in
Nigeria, bombing market places and bus
stations and kidnapping children and adults
randomly. What is this world coming to?
Riots break out in various communities in our
own nation for various reasons. Those who
promote alternative lifestyles have scored
major legislative victories in the recent past.
County clerks are now required to issue
marriage licenses to same gender couples, no
matter what their religious convictions are, so
that men can marry men and women can
marry women. Those who speak against this
sinful lifestyle or help others escape it, have
become targets of violence and of legal
action. What is the world coming to?
The internet and other media are saturated
with immorality and violence. We Christadel-
phians must grapple with how to handle ever-
changing technological advances. We should
stand up against some of these things as we
~ continued ...