WE CANNOT SERVE GOD IN OUR OWN TERMS

WE CANNOT SERVE GOD IN OUR OWN TERM

INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION

The key impression behind the information technology is that by making information accessible knowledge will be acquired and thereby facilitates human behavior and actions. The fastness of information sharing is to save time, energy and to avoid waste. The information technology has facilitated fastness in banking through drive through banking and instant money transfers. Fast food, drive through car wash, improved medical care and academic research on the internet. Surprisingly, there are instances where increase in knowledge have not necessarily corresponded to change and improvement in action. In fact, some have even become worse off in the midst of increase knowledge and information.

PETER’S RESPONSE TO INFORMATION

In Matt 16: 21, Jesus decided to give insight about His ministry to his close friends hoping that their faith will be strengthened and they will stay focused in the midst of the coming challenges. Contrary to his intention Peter called him to a lonely place to rebuke him. By asking Jesus not to go through the suffering and death that Jesus talked about was like asking him to reject the will of God, the very purpose that that the information sought to provide. Peter in the earlier part of the chapter had provided and authentic answer about the identity of Jesus. The Christ of God came for the redemption of God’s people through his death and resurrection. How come that Peter who knew the exact identity of Christ became the stumbling block of the task of the messiah? Jesus at a point called him Satan, as if to say the spirit that was at work in him at the time could not be of and from God.

RESTRICTIONS BY COMFORT ZONES

The presence of Jesus was something that Peter and the other disciples did not want to lose. They had enjoyed his company to the point that anything that would cause a vacuum must be avoided. When people are stuck in comfort zones they even become comfortable with the undesirable part of the place.

COUNTING THE COST

The departure of Christ no doubt was painful information for the disciples. It was going to cost them pain, rejection, sorrow and lack of a dear master. Jesus was going to be betrayed, crucified and suffer shame. But that price had to be paid. The cross is not only a symbol of shame and weakness but also a symbol of God’s power and redemption. I doubt if Peter would have objected to God’s love and redemption. The process towards God’s plan of redemption through the cross I guess might have been his problem. The cost of redemption was what Peter and the others might not have been ready to pay. They wanted to do the old things the old ways and yet expect new results. They had to accept the challenge of doing the old things the new way in order to attract new results and blessings. The journey to the cross is also there for the disciples too. The disciples of Christ need to appreciate the fact that they we cannot serve God in our own terms.

SERVING OUR GENERATION

Davis in Acts 13: 36 was said to have served the purpose of God in his own generation and then departed. When we get information and knowledge about the plan of God we are to adhere to it. However, adhering to the plan of God sometimes means paying a price, suffering, and sacrifice. But that is the will of God for his own chosen people. We must build on the foundations that God has laid through those who have gone ahead of us. Moreover, we must avail ourselves for God to work out his purposes in us and through us so that those who will come after us will behold his glory as we also enjoy his faithfulness in our fellowship with him.

REV DR KWABENA OPUNI-FRIMPONG (PhD)

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

KUMASI-GHANA

Website: kopunifrimpong.org