James Temidayo Olutoki

Ẹ má ka ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ sí ẹni tí a kò ka ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ sí lọ́rùn

We shouldn’t confuse 'humanly set-up' institutions, processes, patterns, procedures, experiential conclusions, helpful guidance, morally deduced principles, derivations, precepts, standards, etc., given from experience, out of good intentions, and out of sincerity, as God's final and only standard.

We know that God doesn't change. It follows therefore that throughout all generations, HIS word, HIS standard, HIS laws, HIS expectations, HIS demands, HIS personality, HIS style, all about who HE is, what HE can do, what HE will do, what HE does and more, will never change.

Conversely, we know that human's ways, plans, patterns, principles, culture, conversations, applications, desires, decisions, protocols, systems, interactions, integrations, etc have been subjected to a lot of revisions and modifications.

We also know that the saint isn't at liberty to adjust, oversimplify, reduce, malign, disobey, go beyond, destroy, revise, modify, reevaluate, reject, reinterpret, miscalculate, misdirect, repress, relegate, re-determine, inject anything into, or add to any of God's standards, systems, institutions, and any of his setups for becoming more like him.

We must have realised, as students of history and the bible, that, saints have always held on (at least, theoretically), to the unchangeable status of God's set-ups. Whereas, they haven't always applied similar procedures, practices, principles, patterns and protocols in accessing those setups. And in each case, many agree that what matters isn't always the man provided pattern, but whether or not one eventually does God's will.

For e.g., the twin concepts of 'dating' and 'courtship' didn't emerge until about 200 years ago. (For proper context, Jesus ascended about 2,000 years ago. Early disciples also died around that time). The two are 'modern' human conceptions designed from and by experience, to help humanity to better access one of God's setups.

For anyone to say that any is 'wrong' simply because it has now being abused, doesn't make those who do them 'sinners'. You don't make anyone a sinner simply because they didn't follow 'your' preferred pattern.

For clarity anything done without without God in it's centre is WRONG! Regardless of the name you give to it.

We must understand that our choice of whatever processes, procedures, patterns, instruments, etc must align with Godly principles. So, if someone decides not to follow your 'way', look carefully, is the person contradicting any of God's principles? If not, you shouldn’t have a problem with 'their way'.

We are each products of culture. The church, society, environment, upbringing, peer, education, information we have access to, school, tribe, etc., have their ways of shaping our patterns and processes. We are each 'perspectivised' in certain ways, and it takes COURAGE to see that others may also be right.

THERE IS ONLY ONE PATH TO SALVATION, SANCTIFICATION, THE HOLY SPIRIT INFILLING, RECEIVING ANSWERS TO PRAYERS, AND ALL OTHER THINGS GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN.

The methods, processes, through which one gets to that path vary from person to person. Some heard messages, others drama, direct ministration, from a soul winner, etc. All of them are valid.

God has ordained multiple ways to access! As long as principle is not broken, The process MUSTN'T be the same.

We shouldn’t allow our 'over-fixation' on 'definiteness' and our 'boxed' mentality to rob us of the multiplicity (mystery) of God's dealings. The process must not be the same for everyone.

While all of the forgoing remains true, it can be reasonably expected that institutions and organisations will 'create' standards, principles, and processes based on their conception of what is right. Whoever wants to get the benefit of being a part of that institution will be required to follow laid down processes. And we know, that Organisations generally take on the character of its people.

Before you make your next value judgement on that brother's choice or career, or that sister's choice of pose, or that guy's choice of prayer point;

1. BE SURE YOU ARE NOT SUFFERING FROM THE BLINDNESS CAUSED BY 'PERSPECTIVISED LIVING'.

2. DOES IT PASS THE TEST OF PHILIPPIANS 4:8; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31; MATTHEWS 22:37-40?

3. WHAT HAS INFORMED 'YOUR' OPINION OR WAY OF DOING THE SAME THING? ISN'T IT ANOTHER HISTORICALLY HUMANLY CONCIEVED PATTERN?

(C) 2021

Our steps are insured by the Almighty, as we move on to greater heights.
Happy New Month.