In the book of 1 Peter 2:9, it reveals that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people.
Jeremiah, in his prophecy, also talks about how God called us to serve Him from the time we were in our mothers’ wombs, which is another reason why we came to earth.
For that reason, parents’ only wish when a mother gives birth to her child in most Samoan families is for their son or daughter to become an instrument in God’s work.
However, we are in tough days, and those who have pledged to follow Jesus are tempted to turn their backs on the Master’s calling.
The devil has become stronger, and he has stolen souls who are considered the children of God.
This is when many people choose to give up on their important roles played in the church just because of minor differences between them and other church members, or even the leaders of the church.
Before we know it, Jesus is sad whenever we choose to leave His work and join the world. His heart is broken whenever we choose to look at other people as our enemies in church or any other place.
A powerful message from a woman preacher at Nuu Seventh Day Adventist Church today, Soonafai Taylor, focused on the theme, ‘Overcoming Obstacles.’
The theme was developed from Nehemiah 4:14, which reads,
“After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'”
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who attempted to discourage Nehemiah while he was trying to rebuild Jerusalem, never bothered Nehemiah.
Like Nehemiah, Soonafai, during her preaching, said the true followers of Jesus should never pay any attention to minor obstacles, including others’ opinions that seem discouraging, but rather use the right weapon to overcome those obstacles in order for us to still serve Jesus until the end of the world.
Moreover, the Adventist Youth program this evening was led by Poutu Fiaii, the leader of the Nuu SDA Youth’s Spiritual Committee, and he brought up the scene in the story of Jacob and Esau that illustrates forgiveness.
“Jacob and Esau made peace after Jacob bowed down before his brother seven times, and Esau ran to Jacob and threw his arms around him. The two brothers burst into tears and reconciled. Jacob reconciled with his brother after sending a series of peace offerings to Esau.”
If we go to church and see others as our enemies, we are hurting Jesus as well because all He wants to see among people is unity.
Poutu then asked the church members to partner up with the ones they had differences with throughout the week, only to make peace. What a way to end the Sabbath with tears of joy.
Remember, our decisions can cause a wound in Jesus’s heart.