Christian Living

   "...but they have been informed about you that you teach all

   the Jews... not to circumcise their children nor to walk according

   to the customs."  Acts 21:21.

     The above words are those of Jews who were believers in Christ to Apostle Paul. Having customs is not peculiar to the Jews. Every tribe, nation and language has her custom(s).

   A custom, what is it?

   Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines a custom as "a traditional and generally accepted way of behaving or doing things"

   The Jews of Paul's days were zealous to protect the customs handed over to them by their fathers to the extent that they almost killed the man of God. As it was with the Jews of those days, so it is with many people on their customs today.

   One sad aspect of certain customs is that they are abominable. They are not approved by the Creator of the universe, no matter how good they are to the keepers of such customs. For instance, certain customs give room to immorality and killing of innocent people in one form or another. No matter how good these may be to those who observe them, what is an abomination remain so, and has consequences.

   What can these be?

   Abominble customs cause the land occupied by the keepers of such customs to be defiled. It bring pollution. The land will become corrupt not only before man but also before God who owns everything. Leviticus 18:27.

   Not only this, such corrupt land will vomit the inhabitants out of their place. Destruction will finally be the lot of occupiers of a defiled land except they repent of their evil ways. Leviticus 18:30..

   Let us consider briefly an abominable customs of the family, or nation, of the man who became the father of faith, Abraham.

   What is it?

   In his conversation with King Abimelech, Abraham said about Sarah,

   "But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father,

    but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife." Gen 20:12.

   In his custom, it was forbidden for a man to marry a lady who was of the same mother with him but if they were of the same father, no problem.

   For this abominable custom to stop in Abraham's life, He commanded him to 

   "Get out of your country,

   From your family

   And from your father's house,

   To a land that I will show you." Gen 12:1.

   Abraham enjoyed the mercy and grace of the Lord to be called out because he did not know the way out. He was called in Deuteronomy 26:5b, "a Syrian, about to perish."

   That was the reason the Lord God of Abraham commanded his children after him, the Jews thus, "The nakedness of your Father's wife's daughter, begotten by your father - She is your sister - you shall not uncover her nakedness. " Leviticus. 18:11.

   Like the people of the land of Abraham, every nation, family or house has his abominable customs and form of righteousness (filthy rags Isaiah 64:6).

   Do you know the abominable customs and perceived righteousness of your family or nation? Are you ready and zealous enough to maime, imprison or kill to defend and protect your abominable custom? Have a rethink and a change of heart today. You may not know it, your land is spoilt already and can spur you anytime from now. To escape from destruction that can emante from the keg of gun power on which you sit, please, you need to embrace the customs of the Lord. This begins by realising that you have no escape route of yours.

   You must then realise and embrace the truth that Jesus Christ is the only son of the living God who gave His life a ransome for your sins (including your abominable custom) and those of your family and nations.

   Surrender your life to Him as your Lord and Savior for the rest of your life.

   To understand what are the acceptable customs and traditions of people of the Lord, obtain a copy of the Holy Bible, invite the Holy Spirit into your heart to lead, teach and explain all that you read in the Holy Bible.

   Prepare each day for the coming of the Jesus Christ.