ARTICLE:

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

          Its the first day in the last month of the year. The festive seasons are here again. Few days from now and the world will begin to celebrate the birth of our messiah and saviour, the lord Jesus Christ who came to lay down his life for the ransom of human soul. There have been misconceptions and controversies from various religious  bodies about the date 25th of December, chosen for the Christmas celebration. Some others argue about its reason and significance to the world. Some are of the opinion that the chosen date isn't the exact date of Jesus' birth which accounts for why some churches don't celebrate on the 25th of December. In its real sense, this to me would rather seem like minoring on the major and majoring on the minor. We prefer to focus more on razzmatazz that comes with the season than the exact purpose for mankind.

            The role of the church in the society is supposed to bridge the gap between religion and a relationship with God. These two are different entities one from another and should not be intertwined. Religion is described more as a art of worship while a relationship, like we all know involves a smooth rapport between two persons. The purpose of Jesus Christ is to reconcile man back with God and not to establish a religious system. In the three years of His ministry, the people He majorly antagonized were the Pharisees and Saducees. The so-called religious lawmakers and enforcers of that time. These were people who on the platter of religion committed heinous crimes and practiced gross injustice among the people. Their system of leadership wasn't exemplary and they afflicted people in the name of God. They occupied the legislative and judicial arms of government, extorting people of their hard-earned resources. Like we have today, they were lawmakers who remained above the law.

       In the reconciliation plan of Jesus, He made us understand what it means to be saved and showed us the only way to the father. He showed us the wonderful love of God and portrayed Him from a welcoming and accommodating perspective. He revealed God as an heavenly father who delights to fellowship with His children. God, now no longer seemed far away and unreachable to many. For as many who received Him in their hearts had a free access to the throne of grace. Also, the reconciliation plan included the problem of sin which he resolved finally by dieing a shameful death on Calvary's cross. As a result of this crucifixion, we can access the father, anytime, anywhere we wish because we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. 2Corintians .5 :21 says;

''Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf, that we may might become the righteousness of God in Him''