Spotlight 5/2020: A healthy relationship between mankind and God
In order to attain freedom in Christ, there must be a relationship between mankind and the Lord. This is the foundation of spiritual freedom. That is how District Apostle Kububa Soko from Zambia describes it.
This theme for 2020—“Christ make free”—evokes certain thoughts in me. Certainly, Christ makes free and He does so in a number of ways: through the institution of the meal of remembrance, the forgiveness of sins, establishment of the Apostle ministry, and the promised return to take His own with Him.
Holy Communion as a meal of remembrance
During His time on earth, Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion as a meal of remembrance (Luke 22:19–20). Holy Communion reminds us of the supreme sacrifice and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through worthy partaking of Holy Communion, Jesus lives in us and this makes us free.
The forgiveness of sins
Before His ascension, our Lord Jesus Christ commissioned the Apostles to forgive sins (John 20: 23). The forgiveness of sins enables us to reconcile with God and with one another. Peace and freedom with God and our fellow human beings is restored, thereby giving us the ability to walk our path of faith as masters of our own destiny.
Establishment of the Apostle ministry
Apostles are ambassadors of Jesus who have been commissioned to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to all nations (Mathew 28:19–20). Knowledge of the gospel of Jesus, believing in the gospel of Jesus, and observing the gospel of Jesus makes us free. The ministry was also established to reconcile mankind with God (2 Corinthians 5: 18–19), thereby restoring a healthy relationship between mankind and God. If we abide in the word of Jesus proclaimed by the Apostles, we will be His true disciples. This will enable us to know the truth, and the truth will make us free (John 8: 32).
The return of Jesus Christ
Jesus promised to return and receive us to Himself (John 14: 3). The promise of Christ’s return is a central component of our doctrine. Christ will come and take unto Himself those—from among both the dead and the living—who carry His Spirit and life within themselves. The return of Jesus will also mark the beginning of the process leading to the thousand years of the kingdom of peace, where freedom will flourish.
Salvation, redemption, and freedom is certain for mankind through the worthy partaking of Holy Communion, the forgiveness of sins, the Apostle ministry, and the return of Christ.
Photo: NAC Zambia