The Best Version is Possible

I will begin with these insightful words of Myles Munroe: when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. Majority can relate with this perhaps with examples of things that have been abused in ignorance. Some things seem without specified purposes and so conform hitch-freely to whatever mould they are shaped into. Such substances can be made into virtually anything subject to the maker’s discretion. Who would raise an eyebrow if clay is found to be the cure for HIV/AIDS?

Humans, with our superior composition have the feature of exercising discretion as to the fate of other creatures. Some keep dogs as pets while others think they make tasty meat. Wood can be paper, firewood, furniture, depending on the prevalent need. But we soon abuse this discretion and thus: newspapers are avenues to publish blackmail and guns are effective tools of armed robbers.

Christianity has not escaped this abuse of discretionary powers by men. Many have come to terms with the fact that it embodies a good thing, hence “gospel” – good news, which lies at its core. What many have failed to realize is that true Christianity defies imitation. Its semblance is just that – a semblance. It has an established pathway and a defined purpose. It is beyond the reach of human discretionary powers. The popular yet unvoiced notion is that Christianity is a “hard life” with standards that seem to mock at the weaknesses of an average human. Yet the consensus is that Christianity - the life of a regenerated man, recreated in Jesus Christ – is a good thing. Discretionary powers have long been invoked since the philosophy seems to be: when a good thing is perceived as too difficult to operate, a less tedious version that would deliver the same or closely similar result is sort. This has failed all the time in this regard. 

The best version of a Christian life is possible. Contrary to popular deception, it is “good news,” not a mirror to reveal all the errors in a person but a cure to the otherwise incurable human soul disease. And just as it is foolhardy to exercise discretion in the use of a physician’s instructions and prescriptions, it is retrogressive to attempt same with Christianity. This is where the best version of the good news starts, when we come as we are. There is no need pretending to fast so that the Pastor perceives you as committed and very spiritual. No need to give false testimonies, no need to lie that you study half of the bible every day, no need to wear a church face on Sunday and a semblance of evil every other day of the week, all in a bid to tell yourself that you are part of the good thing even without the good process.

The best version is possible and it starts from our coming just as we are. Remember Matthew 1:21: “... and thou shalt call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins.”