god a jeweler

7/31/2019 God a Jeweler

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GOD A JEWELLER

Introduction

The purpose of this discourse is to reflect on Gods attitude in regard to

jewellery. The discourse will provoke and challenge a whole lot of views inregard to jewellery as it prevails in the Christendom lifestyles and teachings. Itis very important to emphasise that the discourse about jewellery is anengagement of a matter, which deals with standards of people. It is importantto emphasise at this stage that standards can be reasonable and they canalso be unreasonable. This discourse will attempt for the first time to examinejewellery as viewed by God in the Bible. This discourse will also demonstratethat God is a jeweller. Examination will also be done on the verses, whichhave been utilised from a long time in promote and support of abstinence fromjewellery. Based on the biblical approach we will then reflect on what ourattitude should be about jewellery.

1. Symbols and visions regarding Jewellery in the Bible

The Bible symbolises the women as people or church or apostate church. Inthe Bible these symbols apply in terms of the two books, Ezekiel andRevelation.

The woman Gods people or Jerusalem or His Church

The Book of Ezekiel 16: 1 59 express about Jerusalem being symbolised

as a woman. If one looks at verses 1 14, God cleanses Jerusalem or Hispeople and adorn Jerusalem with (verse 10 13) expensive clothes,expensive food, adorn Jerusalem with ornaments, bracelets, necklacearound the neck, ring in the nose, earrings in the ears, and a beautifulcrown.

Revelation 12: 1 brings forward a woman who represents Gods people.She was adorned with a crown of twelve stars. A crown is a jewellersornament. The crown had stars instead of gemstones. This is anoutstanding crown indeed. In the following books written by Paul, Peter,James and John emphasise the prize that will be received by all who

persevere until the end. The promise is a crown of life. The crownspromised are the jewels from Gods own hand. (Philippians 4:1; 1Thessalonians 2: 19; 2 Timothy 4: 8; James 1: 12; 1 Peter 5: 4; Revelation2: 10; 3:11; 6: 2; 14: 14)

In Ezekiel 16 and Isaiah 61 God identifies himself with Jerusalem andmakes Jerusalem pretty or beautiful bride. God is depicted decking thebride with jewels

Isaiah 61: 10Let me rejoice in the Lord with all my heart, let me exult in my God; for he

has robed me in salvation as a garment and clothed me in integrity as a


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The kind of jewellery, which the patriarchs wore.Men wore the following kind of jewellery:

Bracelets,

Rings,

Necklaces of various kinds

The kind of jewellery which women wore was the following:

Bracelets,

necklaces,

earrings,

nose rings, and

gold chains

1. Bracelets

Both Hebrew women and men wore bracelets (Gen. 24:30). Today, NearEastern people consider a womens bracelet to be a badge of high status orroyalty, as it probably was in Davids time (2 Samuel 1:10). The royal braceletwas probably made of precious material, such as gold, and was worn at thewrist, as it is today (Ezekiel. 16:11). Most womens bracelets were made in fullcircle to slip over the hand. Some bracelets were made in two pieces thatopened on a hinge and closed from several centimetres wide to slenderbands (J. I. Packer, M.C. Tenney, pp.483, 484).

2. Chains

In the Near East, both sexes wore chains of gold for ornament and dignity.Government officials placed such chains on Joseph and Daniel as symbols ofsovereignty (Genesis 41:42; Daniel 5:29) (J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney, p.481).

3. Rings

The Jews wore a cord around the neck or on the finger. Men also wore ringsor bands on the upper arms (2Samuel 1:10). The Jew used a ring as a sealand a token of his authority (Genesis 41:42; Daniel 6: 17). With his signet ringhe would stamp his personal seal on official documents. It could be worn on acord around the neck or on the finger. Men also wore rings or bands on theupper arms (2Samuel 1:10). (J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney, p.481).

4. Anklets

Women wore anklets as commonly as bracelets, and these were made ofmuch the same material (Isaiah 3:16, 18,20). Some anklets made a tinklingmusical sound as the woman walked. Women of high rank wore hollowanklets filled with pebbles, so that the rattling sound could be heard when theywalked. (J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney, p.484).


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5. Earrings

Among the Hebrews and the Egyptians, only the women wore earrings(Judges 8:24). There is no certainty about the form of Hebrew earrings, but

Scripture passages suggest that they were round (Genesis 24: 22). (J.I.Packer, M.C. Tenney, p.484).

6. Nose Jewels

The womens nose ring or nose jewel was one of the most ancient ornamentsof the East. The ring was made of ivory or precious metals, often with jewelsin them. At times, these nose jewels were more than 6 cm in diameter andhung down over the womens lips (Ezekiel 16: 12). The custom of wearingnose rings still exists in some parts of the Near East, mainly among dancinggirls and the lower class of people. (J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney, p.484).

3. Uses of Jewellery

The patriarchs and characters used jewellery for the following:

Wealth possession

Dowry

Adornment of the bride for wedding

Idol worship

Dedication to the Lord

Beauty

Investiture

1. Jewellery was made out of precious metals silver and goldincluded. The status of wealth was measured by the possessionsincluding gold and silver.

(Gen. 13:2;Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and gold.

1Kings 10: 14 29 Outlines the wealth of Solomon of things made outof gold, silver, and including gold and silver.

2 Chronicles 32: 27)Hezekiah was a king of great wealth including jewellery. Verse 29 says,God had indeed given him vast riches.

Esther 1: 6, 7 King Ahasuerus (XerxesI) showed off his wealth.

The lives of Kings were surrounded by the wealth of gold and silver inthe books of 1 Kings and 2Kings and also 1 Chronicles and2Chronicles.


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2 Samuel 1: 10; 12: 30; 14: 25; 2 Kings 11: 12; 1 Chronicles 20: 2; 2Chronicles 23: 11; Esther 1: 11; 2: 17; 6: 8; 8:15. The kings andqueens put also on golden crowns.

2. Jewellery was used for the purpose of dowry exchange.

Genesis 24: 53 (And the servant brought out articles of silver andarticles of gold, garments, gave them to Rebekah; he also gaveprecious things to her brother and to her mother. Articles, ornamentsthat is jewellery.)

2. Jewellery was used for the adornment of the bride or the weddingCelebration

Esther 2; Songs of Solomon 1: 11We will make you braided plaits of gold set with beads of silver.Brides applied cosmetics and very expensive perfumes and beautifulclothes.

4. The Jews used jewellery for the purpose of idolatry and prideJewellery was used for idol worship.

Genesis 35:1 4 (God said to Jacob, Go up to Bethel and settle; buildan altar there to the God who appeared to you were running away fromyour brother Esau. So Jacob said to his household and to all who werewith him, Rid yourself of the foreign gods which you have among you,

purify yourselves, and see your clothes are mended. We are going toBethel, so that I can set up an altar there to the God who answered mein the day of my distress, and who has been with me all the way that Ihave come. So they handed over to Jacob all the foreign gods in theirpossession and the rings from their ears, and he buried them under theterebinth tree near Shechem. The amulets were referred to asearrings or pendants suspended from chains around the necks of men,were also used as charms for their own protection against spirits. Theamulet had sacred words or the figure of a god engraved on it (J.I.Packer, M.C. Tenney, p.481, 484).

5. What God hates is when people worship idols (fornication).

One reason why God removed Israelites from Egypt was because ofidol worship. Whenever one nation subjugates another, the last front ofhumiliation is worship. Idol worship and the culture of the ruling nationwere used to control those who were conquered. As long as one wasunder another nation, one would not be in a position to be free from itsinfluences. Even after liberation from being dominated by anothernation, the learned habits from the former rulers are hard to breakaway from. In a situation affecting the Israelites, using jewellery tomake idols and worship was a common practice. God also instructed

the Israelites before they left Egypt that they should annihilate all thenations in Palestine due to the practise by those nations to worship


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Genesis 41:42 Pharaoh said to Joseph, I hereby give you authorityover the whole land of Egypt. He took off his signet-ring and put it onJosephs finger, he had him dressed in fine linen, and hung a goldchain round his neck.

The first act of investiture was the presentation of a signet ring, whichwas a scarab set with swivel on a band of gold. A scarab is a stone orpottery imitation of the black beetle (scarabaeus sacer) very commonin Egypt. By a curious symbolism this beetle became the emblem ofthe sun god in his function of creator and preserver; and by magic thesun god was compelled to preserve whatever was inscribed on thebase of the scarab. Names or other personal symbols were the mostusual inscriptions, and thus the scarab could be used as a seal forstamping ones name on documents or other possessions.

King gave validity to laws by using such a scarab seal, or conveyed

authority to officials by giving them a ring on which royal insignia wereengraved. A king had to have as many scarabs as he had responsibleofficials. In king Tutankhamens tomb over 2000 rings were discovered.

When therefore the Pharoah gave a ring to Joseph, he was notpresenting him with a gewgaw to please his vanity, but wasempowering him to do business in the kings name; it was giving himcomplete royal authority.

Decorations with gold chains or gold collars was the usual way ofrewarding officers who pleased the king The cloth was plain whitebut necessary colour was added by embroidered fittings, by elaboratecollars of semi-precious stones and by an abundance of jewellery ofwhich the gold chain placed about Josephs neck was an example.(Daily Life in Bible Times, By A.E. Bailey Charles Scribners sons, NewYork, pp. 67, 68, 1943)

8. When nations were defeated one of the major loots or bootywas silver, gold and jewellery. These will also be dedicated to theLord.

Joshua 6:19 24But all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are holy tothe Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord. And they burnedthe city with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and gold andarticles of bronze and iron, the put into the treasury of the house of theLord.

Joshua 22: 8 and said to them, Return to your tents with great and with very muchlivestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and with many clothes; divide

the spoil of your enemies with your brothers.


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2 Samuel 8: 10, 11Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and bless himbecause he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; forHadadezer had been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with himarticles of silver, of gold and of bronze. King David also dedicatedthese to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated fromall the nations which he had subdued.

2 Chronicles 20: 25Jehoshaphat and his men collected the booty containing amongst allother things jewellery as spoils from the war.

9. Jewellery, gold, and silver were used for ransom

Numbers 31:50Offering to the Lord for ransom. So we have brought the goldornaments, the armlets, bracelets, finger-rings, earrings, and pendantsthat each man has found, to offer them before the Lord as a ransom forour lives. This is clear that jewellery was used by the Israelites foradornment, however jewellery was also used as offerings of ransom tothe Lord after collecting the boot from the war.

1Samuel 6: 8, 15The Philistines also offered jewellery as a ransom.

4. God instructs on the usage of gold, silver and jewellery

1. When the Israelites left Egypt, God told them to ask forjewellery from their masters, and Egyptian neighbours

Exodus 3: 21, 22Further I will bring this people into such favour with the Egyptians that,

when you go, you will not go empty-handed. Every woman shall askher neighbour or any woman who lives in her house forjewellery ofsilver and gold and for clothing. Load your sons and daughterswith them, and plunder Egypt. In this verse parents are advised byGod to adorn their sons and daughters with jewellery.

Exodus 11:2Let the people be told that men and women alike should ask theirneighbours of silver and gold.

Exodus 12:35


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Meanwhile the Israelites had done as Moses had told them, asking theEgyptians for jewellery of silver and gold and for clothing.

Exodus 35:22Men and women alike came and freely brought clasps, earrings,finger-rings, and pendants, gold ornaments of every kind, every one ofthem presenting a special gift of gold to the Lord (to build thetabernacle)

2 God instructed the usage of gold, silver and jewellery for thebuilding of the tabernacle and the equipment.

Exodus 25: 1 27: 21; 31; 35: 10 35; 37 38;Lev. 5; Lev. 27; Num. 7; 10: 2; 24: 13; 31: 22; Deut. 7: 25; Ezra 1; 2:69; 5: 14; 6: 5; Ezra 7 & 8. The tabernacle was decked with jewels;the ark, the altar, the lamp stands were made and decked with puregold. All other ornaments of the tabernacle were also made of gold,silver and other precious gems. The Tabernacle was very beautifuland royal in appearance.

3 God instructed the kind of jewellery the priest and high priestswere supposed to put on

Exodus 28: 1 43; 39: 1 43; Leviticus 8:9The Priests were dressed and adorned with very expensive jewellery.The High Priests was highly decorated with jewellery. Exodus 29:6;Exodus 39:30 - The golden crown jewel for the High Priests. Below isthe detail outline of the jewellery, gold and other precious stones asstated in the verses already stated above:

1. Material of cloth was of gold, purple, blue and scarlet and alsofine linen to make ephod of gold, blue, purple and scarlet andfine twisted line.

2. Two onyx stones, with six names of the sons of Israel on each

according to their birth engraved and set in filigree settings ofgold and placed on the shoulders of the ephod.

3. Two chains of pure gold, twisted cordage work put on the filigreesettings of gold

4. Breastplate made of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet material andfine twisted line, with four fours of gemstones mounted on it. Thefirst row consists of ruby, topaz and emerald. The second rowconsists of turquoise, sapphire and diamond. The third rowconsists of jacinth, agate and amethyst. The fourth row consistsof beryl, onyx and jasper. All the stones set in gold filigree

5. Two rings of gold at the ends of the breast plate, two rings of

gold on the edge of the breastplate towards the inner side of theephod, two rings of gold on the bottom of the shoulder pieces of


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the ephod on the front of it and two cords of gold on the tworings, by which to bind the breast plate by its rings to the rings ofthe ephod with a blue cord to ensure that the breastplate doesnot become loose from the ephod

6. Golden bells and pomegranate golden bells all around the hem

of the robe to ensure that they ring to detect the movement ofthe high priest in the most holy place.

7. Pure gold plate with engravings on it of a seal Holy to the Lordfasten on the turban

8. Golden crown to be put on the turban on the head of the highPriest

Can you imagine about how Christ the high Priest of an excellentministry, who sits by the right hand of the throne of the Majesty inthe heavens how he is dressed up? (Hebrews 8:1 6.) Check thebook of Revelation 19: 12 many diadems (crowns depicting a

conqueror) instead of a crown of thorns.

4. The New Testament verses that are related to Jewellery

1Peter 3:1-7 Practical Advice to married women.The writer of the book of 1 Peter 3: 1 - 7 insists that Christian womenshould be more concerned about the beauty of their characters thantheir outward appearances: Your adornment should not be theexternal sort braiding of the hair, wearing of gold trinkets,putting on of gowns. Moralists in almost every age have inveighed

against the preoccupation of superficial women with dress, coiffure,jewellery, etc. Check also (Isaiah 3: 18 24 (a usual preferredreference with a scathing and minutely detailed indictment appliedout of context)

The elaboration in hairstyles, make up, dress and personal jewellery inthe 1st and 2nd centuries, is eloquently attested by the literature and artof the period. The closely similar admonition in 1 timothy 2: 9, 10suggests that both passages draw on stock catechetical material, andalso that the congregations addressed included a number of well-offwomen.

Some of the later writers such as Clement Alex, Tertullian and Cypriantook these texts literally as a wholesale ban on feminine finery, but thereal object of the apostolic authors was a constructive one, to inculcatea proper sense of values. There are hints in the gospels (Mk 14: 1 - 11;Lk. 15:33) that our Lords attitude on such matters was neither rigoristnor negative.

1 Peter 3: 4 argues that the adornment appropriate for Christian wivesis the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality ofa gentle, tranquil spirit. It is obvious that the Bible does not suggest

that Christian women should be naked as it does not outline what thereal clothes fit for Christian women are. It simply switches on to focus


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on spiritual clothes, instead of physical clothes or adornment. By that itdoes not suggest that Christian women should not be adorned, butemphasises that their hearts should be right, because what matters isnot the outside but the inside, the heart. (Blacks New TestamentCommentaries (The Epistles of Peter and of Jude by H.N. D. Kelly

p.129, A & C Black (Publishers) Limited, 1990, London)

James 2: 2 5The problem of people is that they respect people because of theiroutward appearance, wealth. This is what James is criticising suchbehaviour of selective respect but not jewellery and being dressed well.

5. God is a Jeweller

It is interesting to note that God created gemstones and precious stones,which are used for jewellery, in the beginning. One of the rivers Pishon flowedaround the whole land of Havillah, where there is gold. The kinds of goldfound were, bdellium and the onyx (Genesis 2: 11, 12).

Exodus 28 has already been outlined. The focus now will be on the books ofEzekiel and Revelation.

Ezekiel 28: 12, 13Note the detail description of the jewels, which Lucifer used to beadorned with in Eden.

You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and

perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God;every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, thetopaz and the diamond; the beryl, the onyx, and thejasper; the lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald;And the workmanship of your settings and sockets, wasyou. On the day that you were created they wereprepared. Note the similarity of the precious stones orjewels, which were found on the breastplate of the highpriest in the book of Exodus 28. This is jewellery of thehighest quality.

Revelation 21: 10 27This book provides a description of the New Jerusalem as seen inthe vision by John. Note the jewels as outlined in verses 18 21.

And the material of the wall was jasper; and the city waspure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of thecity wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone.

The first foundation was jasper; the second sapphire; thethird, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx;the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl;the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh,jacinth; the twelve, amethyst.


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And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of thegates was a single pearl. And the street of the city waspure gold, like transparent glass.

The books that have just been referred to portray God as a Master Crafter ofJewels and with a high quality taste of the most beautiful jewels. Since God isa jeweller and the discourse has quoted extensively and in detail from theBible.

Gods sense of beauty has not escaped human imagination and till today, thegemstones and precious stones are appreciated at varying levels from simplematerial appreciation to complex idol worship. However whatever the attitudeof humankind is about jewellery, does not make what God made to be sinful,

but what is sinful is the predisposition of human kind towards jewellery.

A knife in the hands of children of God is a blessing, because it will be usedfor constructive purposes to empower and perpetuate life. However, the sameknife in the hands of the evildoers becomes a dangerous tool of destruction.The question is can you blame the knife? The same argument holds forjewellery.

What is more interesting is that God is the creator and the source of jewels increation and has promoted the holy use of jewellery over the centuries, evenJesus Christ did not have a problem referring to the use of ring (jewellery) asa symbol of love to his son in Lk. 15: 22. Lucifer was also adorned with Jewelsfrom the day he was created, before sin entered the earth, and the NewJerusalem will be of city decked with Jewels.

Whatever is consecrated and chosen for the Lord or expression of ourfeelings to what God has done or given to us, can never be idolatry. Idolatry isreplacing our allegiance to God by things created by God or made by man.Jewels are like a knife and depends on the hands that holds them.

What is found in the Bible being condemned by God significantly is the usage

of jewellery for idolatry purpose. There are many verses and passages to thateffect.

However, moralists rush for such verses to use them as the means to the end,that is to say since some people have the same tendencies to use jewelleryfor idolatry purpose, therefore Christians should not put on jewellery, sincethey should be unique and should not be confused with the idolaters.

Some reasons to an extent of equating jewellery to sin, and this are farfetchedand irrelevant; there is no justification to such wild ejaculations, since there isno scriptural support to such claims.


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There is no passage or verse anywhere in the Holy Scriptures where God hasa problem with people wearing jewellery. Since from the Bible we cannot findthe answer of jewellery being wrong and should not be used by Christians,where is this claim imported?

6. Socio cultural and political domination versus the pursuitof Truth

This section will provide one of the reasons why some of the Christians gosuch extend of trying to Christianise and demonise things such as jewellery,attire, make up, etc. It is very much interesting to note the trends of thesethoughts, which to a certain extend owe their existence to the history of themissionaries from Europe and America, who brought with them their Euro American influences , tendencies, and values from their cultural backgrounds.

The missionaries failed to bring the Word of the Lord without thecontamination of their cultural background. The western approach to life andeven the Word of God is systematic and abstract, while the African approachto life is holistic and experiential. Western thought relate to God in an abstractway, while Africans approach God in an experiential way. The whole lifestyleof Africans is surrounded by Spiritual flavour, while to the Western person,this approach is limited to space and time.

Another influence from the Western culture is to categorise material things ofbeauty and label them in such a bad way as to discourage Africans not to

have association with them. African attire has been condemned and replacedby western attire, which to this date many Christians still think that to wear ajacket or western suit and a tie is holier than wearing a kaftan or Africandresses and suits. In fact if we were to go to the scriptures African attire suchas kaftans are closer to the days of Christ. Consider also of Minceka ( robesof variety of material and styles found throughout Africa worn by both menand women) and xibhelani (Tsonga speaking people of Lipompo Province,South Africa, traditional skirt) are they not more decent tan the contemporarydresses of Western creation, which are regarded as a celebration of femininityand beauty.

The same approach of demonising everything that Africans used andpossessed, apply to precious stones and gemstones and jewellery. When theEuropeans came to Africa, with their American counterparts, they realised thewealth, which Africans possessed and were filled with greed to this date. Theycould not appreciate the fact that Africans were wealthy, and they also did notlike the fact that Africans had jewellery of the highest quality and this why theycolonised Africa.

Part and parcel of colonisation was the corruption of religion and brandingeverything evil. For instance they would interpret verses in the Bible such asstore your treasure in heaven where rust and thieves would not corrupt or

break and steal; or that it is not going to be easier for the rich man to enter


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To stretch standards to have a part in salvation is an exaggeration. Howevermost of the times pulpits are being used as the avenues to proclaim thestandards instead of the Gospel

Standards are derived from various sources such as the society; culture;subcultures, and beliefs. The problem with the standards is that they are notuniversally true, but becomes true to those who want to believe them to besuch.

Standards are usually introduced to preserve some sense of uniqueness,order, discipline, perception, tradition, culture, rituals, and beliefs. Standardsare usually imposed to the unsuspecting individuals who have beenintroduced to believe that whatsoever their mentors, coaches and leaders tell

them is the sole truth.

Standards are also appreciated by admirers or fans, who will hero-worship anindividual who is an achiever or have great influence or knowledgeable.

Whenever a person believes in another unquestionably, that person is in thedanger of losing his or her identity by using that person as a role model.Students will always emulate their teachers, just as protges will emulatetheir mentors. I know of a certain teacher at a Christian school in EasternCape Province, Transkei, Butterworth, in a church institution once calledBethel College who was and is still influential and philosophical in hisapproach to life and his application and teachings to students and churchmembers at large. The way this man was so influential he won himself manyadmirers amongst the male students. Students will emulate him the way hespeaks, reason, teach, open the Bible, and also his handwriting.

Whenever an individual believes in another person and put his or her trustupon that individual, him or her will tend to think within the narrow confines ofthat person and cannot think outside the box and be critical.

Whoever challenges the standards and norms set by the individuals role

model, one is regarded as an infidel. Many of the standards set by religiousinstitutions have developed to constitute a cult. Hence, there is no church thatcan successfully absolve itself from not being a cult.

Whenever a church stops pioneering and critically pursuing the path ofsearching for the truth, such a church or religious institution becomes a cult.Why, because it has come to regard its history, and its past as the idealheritage to be upheld for all the future generations. It is common knowledgethat every history and past is contaminated with errors. Cults are so vigilant totry and defend even their pioneers even when their pioneers were wrong intheir teachings. It is acceptable and it is appropriate to admit that there is

nothing that comes from any human being that is error free. There is always


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an element of truth mixed with error, speculation with the reality, fiction andfacts.

What standards do not encourage is the spirit of earnest seeker, but theypromote blind followers. Standards are introduced to maintain some controland limit people to be free from serving their Lord. All church members willacknowledge that any church member who wants to serve the Lordwholeheartedly is always limited by the constitutions or church manuals, orany other rules and regulations, which require the individuals to first ask forpermission from the elders to go and preach the gospel. While the authority togo and preach the Gospel to the entire world has been has issued by Jesus

Christ.

This discourse in many ways than one is an evaluation of standards ingeneral and jewellery specifically. This discourse should be able to challengeearnest seekers of the truth to rise from their slumber and expose the truthwhile being exposed to the truth.

The true and honest seeker always learn and critically evaluate all thetruths that are presented to him or her without being paranoid byheroism.

A true and honest seeker will always challenge a status qou, and notabsorb everything like a sponge or repeat everything like a parrot.

A true and honest seeker is vigilant to focus on the majors and not onthe minors, in the Gospel and not in the standards.

A true and honest seeker does not follow the majority but pursueknowledge and is not a respecter of persons.

An earnest seeker has a spirit of revolution and a vigilant approach to

the truth and cannot be contained or easily challenged.

An earnest seeker cannot be bought or sold out of the enquiry of thetruth, but will remain steadfast to the pursuit of truth as the nail to thewood, though the heavens fall.

7. Conclusion

If this discourse leaves you with a lot of questions to the author feel free to

engage the author as this will sharpen our thinking and enrich our Christianexperience. The author has embarked on liberating Christians from the chains


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of cultural domination that makes them irrelevant and of no earthly use. Whatshould make a Christian unique is not appearance, but it is Jesus Christ.

There is nothing one can do to be regarded as unique, but what Jesus Christhas said that - By these all men will know that you are My disciples, if you

have love for one another. (John 13: 35).

Jesus does not say people will know that we are His disciples by our attire, byour food, by our singing, by our preaching, by our doctrine, by ourdenomination or church. The only thing that makes a Christian unique is one,which many Christians fail dismally in doing to love one another.

Judgment that will determine the destination of every human being is basedon the acts of love, and not appearance, attire, church, food, denomination,

doctrines, singing, and preaching (Matthew 25: 31 46). Note what Jesusanswer to the question of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:18, 19). Theresponse is about love for the neighbour as one love oneself as a condition toobtain eternal life.

The Gospel is about John 3:16, Gods love for the world. Those who live thegospel will love God and fellow man (Matthew 22:37 39). The challenge isfor Christians to grow up and stop majoring in minors and major in majors.The major is the gospel. The Gospel is complete and cannot be aided orsupplemented by standards, which have a lot to do with culture than God.

For further questions or comments you are welcomed to contact me at this E-mail [email protected];[email protected] or 082 639 5722
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

god a jeweler

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