It’s a new Horizon.

As we come to the end of the Easter celebrations, it's time for us to pause and reflect. As believers of Christ, we must think about how we will lead our lives from now on. Are we ready to fully dedicate ourselves to following Christ in this new season? Have we decided to carry our cross and follow Him wholeheartedly? It's essential to think about life beyond where we are right now and to be aware of what's happening in the world. How comfortable are we with our current situation, and is there anything we need to change to be more faithful to our beliefs? These are important questions that will help us grow in our faith and become better versions of ourselves.

The Christian way of life seems to be losing its significance over time. If you were to ask people what Easter all is about, their response might be that it's a celebration of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection or a time to indulge in Easter eggs, among other things. The Easter season has now become a part of cultural practices making it difficult to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong.

The world today cannot tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian because we have all merged into one. We share a similar outlook, mindset, and approach to life. What unites us is more significant than what sets us apart. The Bible describes us as "the light of the world," and we are meant to differentiate ourselves from the rest of the world. Jesus Christ is the only source of light in the world, and His light should shine through every person who belongs to Him. This light should be visible for all the world to see.

As someone who believes in Christ and follows His teachings, I refrain from using the term "Christian" as it has become too common and doesn't necessarily mean that someone is a true follower of Christ. According to the Bible, a true follower of Christ is someone who does the will of God. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."

‘So, as you read this, which category do you fall into? Please take a moment to reflect on this and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you towards the answer. If you consider yourself a Christ follower, I pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen you on your journey and that you will keep moving forward and upward. However, if you claim to believe in Christ but your actions do not reflect this, then it's time to make a decision." It's essential to ask ourselves whether we are truly doing the will of our Father in heaven.”

Let's start with the basis of the gospel of the kingdom of God, which is found in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Here, Paul addresses the Corinthians and says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and behold, the new has come." (ESV)

Paul was telling the Corinthians that, it is important to understand that as new creation people, we must live our lives in accordance with the time zone we are in, which is God's timetable. Christ's death and resurrection inaugurated a new, radical change that gave us a new humanity and covenant. This new context provides the backdrop for what Paul meantwhen he said that in Jesus Christ, "Everything old has passed away, see everything has become new." Therefore, our lives should reflect this newfound identity and transformation that we have received through Christ.

God has promised that in Jesus, all things are made new. He gives us a fresh start by forgiving and forgetting about our past. Through Jesus, we are given a new humanity and a new covenant. Jesus opened the way for us to become a new kind of human, and the new life he brought restored humanity's original calling to inhabit heaven and earth and to rule God's creation with Him. Jesus brought about God's rule and restored His image in the people who drew near to him.

Therefore, everything we do and how we live should be based on what Jesus did for us on the cross. We should live our lives with eternity in mind, striving to live for Jesus who sacrificed himself for us. Paul explained to the Corinthians that anyone who is united with Christ becomes a new human, with a fresh start. In Romans 12:1, he further emphasised that because of this new humanity, we should give ourselves as a living sacrifice to God.

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” (AMPC)

Paul encourages us that we should be completely committed to God. This is a reasonable thing to do because Jesus died for us. Therefore, the least we can do is live our lives for Him. This reasonable service is also called "spiritual worship" in the sense that we, as believers, don't offer the bodies of slain animals to God anymore. Instead, we offer our yielded lives as spiritual sacrifices. When we yield our whole selves to God, including our bodies, minds, affections, wills, and emotions, the Holy Spirit can use us as instruments to express ourselves to God and the world around us.

As we approach the end of this era, the contrast between good and evil, between true believers and mere churchgoers, will become increasingly apparent. As time goes on, those who follow Jesus cannot remain silent, nor can we sit on the fence. We will need to make a choice and take a stand. So, I ask you, whose side are you on? It's a decision that will determine your eternal destiny. Choose wisely.