On Thursday, November 9, 2023 the Malawi Government through its central bank, the Reserve Bank of Malawi, devalued the value of the Malawi currency, the Kwacha, against the US Dollar with 44%. One major impact of this move was the immediate increase of the inflation rate of food items from 36.8 as recorded in September 2023 by National Statistical Office . There is fear and panic for many Malawians who most of them live from hand to mouth. Yesterday, November 10, 2023, I sent this brief note of encouragement to the members of my church family, Christ Presbyterian Church, Blantyre.
Dear my beloved church family,
I am sitting in my study after a long day which most part of it included hearing the fears of many for the future as the economic situation in our country continues not to inspire much hope. I thought of writing this quick note to you beloved people of God. It could be that you are also scared of what the future holds for you and your loved ones. Maybe you are despairing of life itself as Paul would say in 2 Corinthians 1:18.
One verse that is lingering in my mind as I finish my day is God’s own promise to us his people in Deuteronomy 33:25. Moses is about to enter the glory of his Lord, so he blesses all the twelve tribes of Israel. When he comes to the tribe of Asher, he blesses it and says, “Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.” My main focus is on the last part of the verse“as your days, so shall your strength be.”
The Lord promises to supply us with strength (grace) for each day he gives us. We can count on this promise for it is coming from the one who neither changes nor lies. The key thing to notice well is that this grace will be available as each day comes. In the midst of difficult economic times like these ones, if you are like me, you want to receive the grace for today and tomorrow and even next week today. But the Lord never supplies tomorrow’s grace today. His mercies are new every morning. He gives grace every day in a fresh way.
So beloved people of God may this promise be your encouragement and comfort if you are getting anxious about tomorrow in these hard economic times. Let us continue to draw close to Christ, work honestly with our hands, and trust our God through Christ to supply us with strength or grace to go through each day. As the great African theologian St. Augustine once observed, “Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.” May we all do that. Also, to borrow the words of the hymn writer:
“Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near, Your Savior’s gracious promise hear; His faithful Word you can believe: That as your days your strength shall be.
So, sing with joy, afflicted one; The battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won! God shall supply all that you need; Yes, as your days your strength shall be.”
Good night, beloved saints! May the Lord bless and keep you and continue to make his face shine upon you in Christ.
Last Tuesday, October 31, 2023 as we commemorated the 506 years of the Protestant Reformation my friend, Zee Chunga, and I launched our podcast, All Things Reformed. As I have been pastoring in this beautiful country of Malawi, one question that I have often received is, “What is the Reformed Faith?” This podcast is an endeavor to answer this question. Zee and I believe that as you listen to the episodes of this podcast you will be able to have your question answered.
All Things Reformed Podcast is for those who are Reformed as well as those who are exploring the Reformed faith. For the former we seek to help them get more grounded in their faith and equip them to effectively answer any question about our faith (1 Peter 3:15) while for the later we seek to help them get a better explanation of the Reformed faith. We desire to see more minds renewed by God’s truth and sound Christianity, more especially, the Reformed Christianity grow more in Malawi to the glory of God and the good of Christ’s Church.
I have known my co-host, Zgololake (Zee) Chunga for almost twenty years now. Zee loves the Lord and His Church. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Communications from African Bible College, Malawi. He is currently working as development communication specialist. He is also a member of the church I pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church. I am thankful for Zee’s willingness to use his skills and gifts to produce the podcast. Please pray for him as he works on the weekly episodes.
You may listen or subscribe to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Let me also ask that after you have listened to the podcast, feel free to email us feedback at here. Let us know how we are doing and how best we can serve you well through the podcast. You may also consider to sponsor the podcast, please let us know. Above all, join us in praying that All Things Reformed Podcast will be used to disciple both young and old with sound doctrine.
Recently my pastoral duties called me to walk alongside two dear families as they grieved their respective losses through miscarriage. It was a reminiscent of our own loss some years ago when my wife and I lost our unborn child of three months old. What do you say or do in such moments of pain or even anger? It is impossible to come up with one-size fits all answer. Nevertheless, here are some things we found helpful and brought comfort to my wife and me in our loss.
Remember the hope of resurrection. In 2 Samuel 12:15-23 we read of the child that David had with Bathsheba out of their adulterous affair. The child became sick as soon as he was born. David humbled himself before the Lord and pleaded for the healing of his child. But the Lord decided to take the child away through death. David then rose up from the ground where he lay all night fasting and praying. He washed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the temple to worship God. This puzzled his servants and they asked him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food?” David responded with the hope of resurrection and said, “I shall go to him (the child), but he will not return to me.” This too should be the hope of every believer grieving miscarriage. One day you will go to your child.
Don’t be afraid to reverently ask God questions. When miscarriage occurs there are many questions on the parents’ mind. Often the parents wonder why did God allow this to happen. Do not hesitate to humbly bring your questions before God while acknowledging that he is the potter and you are the clay. God does not condemn his questioning children. The book of Psalms is full of questions that God’s children humbly asked him. He rendered a listening ear and he still does. He might not always answer every question you ask, but you must be assured that he notices every tear you shed and every pain you feel (Psalm 56:8). That privilege alone to pour your heart to God relieves much pain and sorrow. As one hymn writer wonderfully observed, “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.”
Do not be afraid to process and grieve in the way that is unique to you. What is the best way to mourn the loss of miscarriage? Should you blame yourself when you grieve differently from others who went through a similar loss? Is something wrong with you when you are slow in processing the loss? Are you incongruous to prefer keeping the loss to yourself and a limited circle of family and friends? The answer to all these questions should be in the negative. Different couples process and grieve their loss differently. The only commonality in all grieving believers should be the gospel hope of resurrection (1 Thess. 4:13). Further, if in grieving you are descending into despair or depression then for sure there is a need to ask for help from your pastor or a godly counselor.
Husbands, support your wives in grieving miscarriage. This might sound a bit illogical because the husband is also mourning the loss. However, often miscarriage is more hard and painful to the mother than the father. It was the mother who was carrying the baby in her womb. She was closer to the child than the husband. The husband might heal quicker from the loss than the wife so the husband should seek to be more understanding to his wife. Be there for your wife and render a listening ear. Ask what might help to relieve the pain a little. It could be taking a walk together or even getting out of your environment for some days. This is not to say that you should be a superman. You can’t and you were not meant to be. Both you and your wife need to lean on the ever-sustaining arm of Christ. He alone is able to sympathize with your weakness and supply the strength and comfort you desperately need.
Lastly, a word to family and friends of a grieving couple. Sometimes it is said with good and sincere intentions but it often sounds insensitive and less comforting to the one grieving. Please avoid statements like, “I know it hurts but be encouraged the Lord will give you another child.” Praise the Lord if he will give another child, but that will be ANOTHER child. That child will never replace the one that the couple has lost now. Let them with hope in Christ bear the sorrow of their loss. When it will please the Lord to grant a gift of another child, they will certainly celebrate then. As the wise man said there is time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2). So let the time of grieving be the grieving time.
There are a fewer sorrows in the world greater than losing a child through miscarriage. Each one of us being fearfully and wonderfully made by God will grieve the loss differently. Yet the blessed hope of resurrection should be typical to all believers. Death does not have the final say. The empty grave of Christ is our hope. Where he is, is where we shall be also. On that day Christ will wipe every tear from our eyes. Oh, Lord hasten the day!
Christians in Malawi are waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the case that is before the Malawi Constitutional Court regarding decriminalization of same sex marriages. Jan Willem Akster, a Dutch national, and Jana Gonani from Mangochi brought the case before the court in April this year. Christians (both Protestant and Roman Catholic) have spoken against legalization of same sex marriages in Malawi because it is sin (Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Leviticus 18:22). As Christians we would love to see our nation upholding God’s revealed will that sex is his gift to married man and woman. While we acknowledge that Malawi is not a theocracy we know that there are some blessings we enjoy from God as a nation because we honor him with our constitution (Proverbs 13:34; Psalm 33:12).
Another great concern that should drive Christians to their knees and plead with the Lord that Malawi does not decriminalize same sex relationship should be shaped by what we have seen elsewhere as one country after another has legalized homosexuality. The gay movement has proved that it always wants more. Legalization won’t be enough. The ultimate goal of gay agenda everywhere is moral approval. When Christians and others refuse to approve their lifestyle, the gay movement fights back and pushes for legislation that inflicts greater penalties as we have seen in the countries that have already legalized same sex relationships. Cases in point are that of bakers and photographers who refused to render services to gay wedding ceremonies in the UK and USA.
We cannot afford to be naïve in this matter. The gay movement is a well-coordinated and strategic undertaking. In her book, Victory: The Triumphant of Gay Revolution, Linda Hirshman details the strategy of gay agenda in America. One interesting area for Christians to note is where she discusses the four obstacles that the gay revolution identified: Churches for preaching that homosexuality is sin, the state for criminalizing homosexuality, doctors – mainly psychologists – who argued that it was an abnormal behavior, and the US military that feared gays would be traitors to their nation. The gay movement in America managed to clear all these obstacles. It could be the same blue print that would be used in Malawi. What is playing before us might just the beginning. The ultimate goal could be to make or even force every sector of our society including the church to say “gay is good” as Hirshman proudly explains in her book.
Now in the case that the constitutional court rules in favor of Akster and Gonani, what should Christians do? We should acknowledge that even that outcome is under God’s sovereign will. Therefore, rather than getting dejected we should press on to preach the gospel and love our neighbors. The promise of Christ remains true: he will build his church and the gates of hell will never prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). As we sing in that famous hymn, “This is my Father’s World,” Christ is still the king of heaven and earth no matter how evil seems to prevail:
“This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: The battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and heav’n be one.”
We should also continue to respect lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queers (LGBTQ) knowing that they are still God’s image bearers. We should avoid messages or tones that might fuel hatred. Respect in this case does not mean endorsing their lifestyle. In the wisdom of Jude we should, “show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh,” (Jude 23). Christians should graciously continue to preach the gospel and challenge LGBTQ people to repent of their sin and find freedom in Christ. To LGBTQ people reading this post, I would like you to know that while I believe that same sex relationship is sin because the Bible clearly says so, I also believe that you are not beyond the redeeming power of Christ’s cross. He is the righteous one who died for us the unrighteous ones. If you come to him in repentance he promises never to cast you out (John 6:37). There is power and hope in the cross of Christ. So come to the cross, come to the Savior!
In 2 John 10-11 we read, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
John’s mood in these two verses always leaves me figuring out how I can apply this stern warning with regards to Jehovah’s Witnesses and other cults, especially the commands, “Don’t receive him into your house or give him any greeting.” What is it that I am not getting here?
Dear Emmanuel,
Thank you for this good question.
If I am getting you right, you are wrestling with what seems as harsh commands. As Africans we generally love to show hospitality by greeting and opening our home to strangers whether they are fellow Christians or not. This culture should always be encouraged because the Bible encourages it too (Heb. 13:2). But there are times when we need to be cautious lest our hospitality and kindness might be interpreted as an approval or endorsement of evil. This is what John has in mind here.
If a false teacher comes to your house and you greet him (a sign of warming up to him) and let him into your house, he and others watching might view it as your acceptance of his falsehood. The false teacher might also take advantage of any hospitality shown to him to pounce on the unsuspecting and vulnerable people with his heresies. This why I believe Apostle John commands us not to greet or receive any false teacher into our home. We should always remember that false teachers are not misguided brothers but enemies of the cross of (Phil. 3:18). Certainly, we should pray for their repentance and graciously challenge them to do so, but we must never smile at their evil words and deeds.
**********
If you have any question for me, please email it to confex@refomationmalawi.org. With your consent it might be featured in “That’s a Good Question Series.”
One popular counsel I heard in my early days of walking with the Lord was that the best way to know whether I am doing the will of God is when I have peace of mind. In other ways, if I am walking in the will of God, I will always have peace in my heart. If I am not, my heart will always be restless.
But this counsel was challenged recently when I was preparing to preach from Jonah chapter one. Jonah received clear instructions from God to go to Nineveh and preach. However, he blatantly disobeyed God and boarded a ship to flee to Tarshish. Evidently, Jonah was not walking in the will of God. Because of his defiance, the Lord hurled a huge storm on the sea. The mariners were extremely afraid and tried every tool in their box to weather the storm. But it was all in vain.
While everyone in the ship was on the edge, Jonah was fast asleep. In Jonah 1:5b we read, “But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.” One can’t help but compare this with Jesus sleeping in the midst of a storm (Mark 4:35-42). The major difference being that Jesus was doing his Father’s will while Jonah wasn’t. Then the captain of the sheep came to Jonah and said, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish” (Jonah 1:6). Jonah could afford a peaceful sleep while on the run from God’s will. If peace of mind is the barometer for determining God’s will in our lives then Jonah would get a very high score.
However, peace of mind is not an infallible assurance of God’s will in our lives because sin can also sear our conscience to the extent that it doesn’t bother us even when we are walking in disobedience to God (1 Tim. 4:2). Feelings and emotions can deceive. However, the only infallible assurance is God’s own word, the Bible. We need to constantly examine our motives and actions in the light of God’s word. The Westminister Confesssion of Faith is right when it asserts, “The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture” (chapter 1, paragraph 6). So, if one wants to know whether they are doing God’s will they don’t have to look at their inner sense of peace but to the word of God.
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” – Philippians 3:10-13
In this passage, Apostle Paul writes to the church which he planted in Philippi and thanks them for their support. He then lets them in on his secret for contentment whether he has little or more. He says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Here we notice that contentment is a quality that we learn. None of us is naturally born a contented person. Sin has caused our hearts to be dissatisfied all the time. However, the more we grow in our knowledge Christ the more we become contented. Second, notice also that contentment does not always corelate with how much we have. When we have less, we should guard against the discontented spirit which tells us that we will be happy only when we have more. When we have more, we should guard against discontentment which never says “enough” but “more is better.”
Paul further brings us to the secret of contentment in verse 13, “I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.” Sadly, this is one of the most abused or misunderstood verses in the Bible. I have seen athletes using this verse to mean that they can excel in sports through Christ. I have heard students who are about to write exams quoting this verse and assuring themselves that they will do well in the exams through Christ. Now it is true that without Christ we are nothing (John 15:5). It is also true that athletes and students can do well only if the Lord grants them success. However, the context of this verse has to do with facing plenty or hunger; having things in abundance or lacking things. Paul says he can thrive in any of these situations through Christ who strengthens him. The secret of contentment is Jesus Christ.
All of us will pass through seasons in which we have more and other seasons in which we have less. How do we remain contented? It is through Christ alone. When we have little, we can be contented by reminding ourselves that even though we might not have some things we want we have the greatest treasure in Jesus Christ. And when we have more, we can also be contented by reminding ourselves that whatever we have in this life cannot be compared to our greatest treasure, Jesus Christ. Christ reminds us in Luke 12:15 “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Life consists in Christ and not in possessions of this life.
In addition to knowing that Christ is our greatest treasure, we can also be contented in every situation by learning to differentiate between needs and wants. Sadly, many of us confuse the two. We often tend to view our wants as needs. But needs are those you cannot live without while wants are those you can live without. Food is a need because we cannot live without it. But dining at that fancy restaurant in town is a want. We can live without ever eating at the fancy restaurant. Charles Spurgeon put it well, “True contentment consists not in the largeness of our possessions, but in the fewness of our wants” The fewer wants we have the more likely we are to be contented in Christ.
It is not uncommon for me to meet a young man who would like to discuss more about pastoral ministry. Oftentimes the young man is contemplating or even convinced that the Lord is calling him to be a pastor. Now this always excites my heart because as per the Lord’s command we are to pray for more laborers in his harvest (Luke 10:2). The next thing that follows from such a conversation is the question: but how do I know for sure that the Lord is calling me to pastoral ministry? Here is my answer.
First, the man that the Lord is calling to pastoral ministry or any Christian ministry must also be the man that the Lord has called to himself first. In other words, the first thing is to be sure that you are a converted man. Be certain that you know Jesus Christ in a saving way. Sadly, church history is not void of men who went into pastorate while unsaved. But that is not supposed to be the case. Don’t be a Judas or a Demas who went into pastorate with hearts of stone. As you know it did not end well for them (Matt. 27: 3-10; Phil. 1:24 cf. 2 Tim. 4:10). It is important to seriously consider this caution from the old Puritan Richard Baxter, “Believe it, brethren, God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Master’s work. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves first, that you be that which you persuade others to be, and believe that which you persuade them daily to believe, and have heartily entertained that Christ and Spirit which you offer unto others.” Here Baxter captures the heart of the matter well. I think one of the greatest tragedies in the world is a pastor who calls on others to know Christ the Savior and yet he himself doesn’t know him.
Second, prayerfully go through the qualifications of an elder or pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 and see if you meet them. In these two passages Paul begins by affirming that a desire to be a pastor is a noble desire. But the desire alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by a life and conduct that honor and glorify God. He then goes on to list requirements to be met by those desiring to serve in pastoral ministry. Sadly, we are living in the world that often values more what we are able to do than who we are. But in the eyes of God who we are before him is more important than what we can do for him. In ministry holiness is essential. An ungodly minister is an eye sore to the Church of Christ. So, examine your life and conduct in the light of these two passages. Now this doesn’t mean that you should be sinless to serve the Lord then no single Christian on this side of heaven would qualify. However, there should be a notable growth and continued desire and work to grow in these areas. Sanctification is progressive. A man who is not growing or is not interested to grow in these areas is not fit to be an under-shepherd of God’s flock.
Third, you must have a burning passion and God’s gift to preach and teach the gospel. Are you convinced that the only hope of this lost world is the gospel of Jesus Christ and you are not ashamed to preach it (Romans 1:16)? Do you feel like Apostle Paul that “Woe to me if I don’t preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16)?” If the answer to these questions is a resounding yes then it could be that the Lord is calling you to the pastorate. Coupled with the burning desire to preach the gospel should be a gift to enable you to preach or teach it. Of course, the gift will be sharpened with time and experience but at least you should have a gift to be able to stand in front of people and speak (preach or teach). You might never be gifted like John Calvin, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, Joel Beeke, Sinclair Ferguson, or Conrad Mbewe just to mention a few gifted preachers (and many of us are not) but you should still have a gift to communicate the gospel clearly and persuasively. I strongly believe that those that the Lord calls he also equips for the calling (Jeremiah 1:6-10).
Fourth, get involved in your local church. In discerning whether one is called to ministry we consider both what is called internal and external call. The internal call is the sense that one has that the Lord is calling him to ministry. However, internal call alone is not enough. One also needs an external call which is a confirmation from other Christians that they too are convinced that the Lord is calling you be a pastor. For this to happen you need to be active in your local church. Volunteer to be a greeter, teach children’s Sunday school, offer yourself to help with youth ministry if your church has one, volunteer to lead Bible studies when the opportunity arises. If your pastor or elders offer you a preaching opportunity readily accept it with humility and gladness. As you serve your local church fellow believers will also be able to approve your desire and gifts for pastoral ministry. It is a great blessing when what you sense inside is also echoed by fellow believers who know you well.
Fifth, resources permitting get seminary or Bible college training from a sound and solid institution. Bible and theological training is necessary for ministry. Granted they are some people in the past and present who have served the Lord faithfully as pastors without going to seminary or Bible college. However, they are the exception rather than the rule. Jesus taught and trained his apostles for three years before he commissioned them to preach, plant, and pastor God’s people. Paul mentored Timothy and Titus before granting them pastoral responsibilities. In some circumstances it might not be possible to go to seminary or Bible college. In that context it is important that you bring yourself under the mentorship of a mature and godly pastor for a period of time. Learn and drink from the well of his life, work, and experience until you both feel that you are ready to begin pastoring on your own.
Sixth, the final confirmation of God’s call upon your life should come from the church. After successfully completing your seminary or Bible college training or mentorship under a sound and faithful minister and elders, a congregation of God’s people must call you to pastor them. It might be a church that is without a pastor, a group of believers who would like to plant a church, or a church that has a pastor or pastors but need one more pastor. This is also part of the external call. If you are planting a church, you don’t just make yourself a church planter. You must be sent by another church or ecclesiastical body. One thing that often breaks my heart is how some young people are ending up in ministry here in Malawi. A young man gets converted and in no time, he thinks that the Lord is calling him to pastoral ministry. He starts planting a church with no accountability and little or no training at all. This is no doubt a recipe for disaster. Often that young man ends up shipwrecking his faith and bringing the name of the Lord into disrepute. Every pastor needs a confirmation of the church that the Lord rather than himself has called him to shepherd and feed Christ’s flock. This confirmation of the church will also encourage you when you pass through difficult seasons of ministry. When you are tempted to throw in the towel, looking back at the confirmation of the church encourages you to press on knowing that your calling to ministry was not an illusion but that God approved it through the external call of his people.
In summary, the one who is called to pastoral ministry must first and foremost be called to the Savior, Jesus Christ and should feel the fire in his bones to preach and teach the gospel of Christ. This is the internal call. This desire should be confirmed first by his local church and eventually by a church that calls him to minister to them. That is the external call. Both calls are needed to discern if the Lord has called one to be a pastor.
PS: It is due to my desire to help young men discern if the Lord is calling them to pastoral ministry that our church, Christ Presbyterian Church established a pastoral internship program. If you believe the Lord is calling you to be a pastor let me encourage you to consider our program. To learn more check here
I have a pressing question. We have seen and heard of unbelievers experiencing something of God’s mercy. Things like healing; escaping death by the whiskers; having a premonition of impending doom and being able to make the right decision just in time to escape tragedy and many more. On the positive side, these unbelievers also enjoy success and come up with innovative solutions that alleviate human suffering and make communities healthier and more peaceful.
Sir, will it be correct to say these unbelievers were being led by the Holy Spirit to accomplish these things (even though it is clear from scriptures that they don’t possess the Spirit of Christ)? Yes, God’s mercies extend to them too, but is it through the agency of the Holy Spirit? If not, then what categories are there to help us explain the goodness they experience and express?
Dear Emmanuel,
In answering your question let me start by highlighting that the Bible is clear as you have already pointed out that the Holy Spirit does not indwell unbelievers (John 14:16, 17). Nevertheless, he can still work in them. One work that is clearly explained in the Scriptures is to convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8).
Now as for unbelievers experiencing God’s blessings like healing, protection, and success in their work or in the world we need to consider God’s grace. The Bible shows us that there are two types of God’s grace. Theologians describe them as God’s common or non-saving grace and Gods’ special or saving grace. God’s common grace is the one he gives even to unbelievers and enables them to enjoy his blessings that are not attached to salvation in Christ. Some examples of these blessings from God’s common grace include sunshine, rain, fruitful seasons, food, God’s kindness and many good things (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17; Luke 6:35; 16:35). I believe we can also add to the list God’s protection, healing, and success as you have mentioned in your question. God’s special grace on the other hand is his saving grace which Paul describes well in Ephesians 2:8, 9 when he writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
So according to the Bible, the blessings that unbelievers receive and enjoy in this world are a result of God’s common grace. But the Bible is silent on whether they are given directly through or by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I would not say that they are given through him without any scriptural support. Having said that let me also add this caveat: unbelievers should not be content with God’s common grace. They should cry out to God for his special grace in their lives because the blessings of God’s common grace can become a curse if they blind them to their need for God’s saving grace in Christ. A good example that readily comes to mind is the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21. The rich man was pumped up with worldly blessings and never sought spiritual blessings of salvation in Christ. In the end God called him a fool for he worked so much for the bread that perishes while neglecting the bread of life that lasts forever (John 6:27). He laid up for himself treasure in this world but was not rich toward God (Luke 12:21).
**********
If you have any question for me, please email it to confex@refomationmalawi.org. With your consent it might be featured in “That’s a Good Question Series.”
The dark night of the soul is a phrase used to refer to the period that a Christian experiences mental, emotional or spiritual anguish. This is a time that a Christian goes through a prolonged period of depression that reduces him or her to the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness. I thought about this phrase this week when I read in the local papers that the Malawi Police reported that 58 people committed suicide in the month of October alone this year. I also thought about all these souls just before they decided to take their own lives. In their own minds they had reached a point beyond hope. They also felt helpless. They were convinced that their darkness would never turn into light. In despair they resolved to end their lives.
Now I don’t know whether some of them were believers. But I would not be surprised if I learn that some were because as already pointed out even Christians are not immune to dark nights of the soul. One Old Testament believer experienced and expressed it in Psalm 88. This psalm is one of most depressing expressions of despair in the Bible. The psalmist despairs of life as he experiences pain, betrayal, loneliness, and darkness. Unlike all the other psalms of lament which end with praise or expression of hope in God this Psalms begins and ends with gloom.
The Psalmist laments, “My soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength…You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep…my eye grows dim through sorrow” (vv. 3-6). What the psalmist is seeing all around him is darkness and death. He even says it at the end of the psalm that “my companions have become darkness” (v. 18).
The psalmist also feels completely abandoned by God. “But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O LORD why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless” (vv. 13-15). There is no greater agony for the soul and body than to believe that God has forsaken you.
Now, dear Christian, when you go through the dark night of the soul know for sure that you are not alone. Fellow saints before us have gone through similar experiences. More importantly consider Christ who literally went through it too. From Gethsemane sorrows to the three hours of darkness on the Friday afternoon he died (Luke 23:44-49). In the midst of our darkness let’s pray for grace and faith to see the Light of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ. He can never be overcome by darkness no matter how thick it is. But he is also able to sympathize with us having fought and overcome darkness himself as the author of Hebrews testifies, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Apostle Paul further testifies from his own experience that the Lord is able to deliver us from those moments in which we despair of life itself. In 1 Corinthians 2:8-10 he writes, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”
Sorrows and dark nights are inevitable for various reasons some which are best known by God alone. But deliverance is also guaranteed for those in Christ. May the Lord help us to never believe that our darkness is thicker than the light of the gospel. If you are experiencing a dark night of the soul, please talk to a fellow faithful Christian or a pastor. Some cases of depression might require medical help, never hesitate to seek one when needed.
My dear unbelieving friend who is feeling hopeless and helpless. You might even be contemplating suicide. Here is hope! The one and only sure and steady anchor in the storms of this life is Jesus Christ. He calls out to all of us who are wearied down by the sorrows and burdens of this life to come and find rest in him. May you not linger. Please talk to any faithful Christian or pastor near you. You may also contact me via this blog.
Confex Makhalira 