‘Using’ God? (20/12/2019)
By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo
John 6:30-31 “So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” – NIV
The previous day, Jesus had fed five thousand men, besides women and children and twelve basketfulls of bread remained. The people realized this was no ordinary man who can give them ‘free’ food. They wanted to be with Him always so that they could enjoy free food. So they looked for Him the next day, not because of the miracles they saw Him perform, nor to learn more about the ways of God, but for food. Jesus challenged them not to seek for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life. This would happen if they believed in Him. The miraculous sign they asked Jesus to perform was about food as they made reference to their forefathers eating daily manna from heaven in the desert.
Jesus saw into their hearts that they really didn’t believe in Him, but wanted to follow for what they would gain from Him. Several people today claim to be followers of Christ, attend church, active in various ways and make mention of His name. But the reason they are there is not because they are committed to truly trust and obey God, but because of what they think they will gain by being close to God as did those Jews. Instead of God using them for His service, they want to use God for their selfish reasons. No wonder the fruit of their lives doesn’t reflect a transformed God nature in them even after several years in church or ministry!
God calls us to believe in Him, primarily for Who He is and what He created us to be. All other things we need shall be added. And He knows that we need these things and is willing to supply them to us(Matt 6:32-33). Why are you in Christ, that church or ministry? Is it because you are genuinely called, believed and desire to live for God, or for some opportunities and ‘deals’ you saw to benefit from? You and the God Who searches the motives and intentions of every man’s heart, knows it. Are you a victim of what Isaiah said;
Isaiah 29:13 “The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”
Shalom children of God. Merry Christmas and a fruitful 2020