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TRUTH and LIFE This page is intended as an incentive to readers to search the scripture to discover the truth.

05/10/2026

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIANS IN THE FACE OF RAVAGING INSECURITY: THE CASE OF NIGERIA
Text: Matthew 5:13–16; Romans 13:1–4; 1 Timothy 2:1–2
Theme: Christians as instruments of peace, righteousness and positive change
INTRODUCTION
Beloved brethren, distinguished readers, and everyone hearing me today, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are living in a time when insecurity has become a serious concern in our nation, Nigeria. Across different parts of the country, people have experienced kidnapping, armed robbery, communal violence, terrorism, banditry, cult-related violence, political violence and other forms of criminality.
People are becoming afraid of travelling. Parents worry about their children. Farmers fear going to their farms. Communities are concerned about attacks. Many people go to bed wondering what tomorrow may bring.
But today, I am not here merely to complain about insecurity.
I am here to ask a more important question:
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIANS IN THE FACE OF INSECURITY?
Should Christians simply fold their arms and say, "It is the government's problem"?
Should we say, "There is nothing I can do"?
Should we respond to violence with hatred, revenge and violence?
Or does God expect something from us?
The answer is clear:
God expects His children to be part of the solution.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:13:
> "Ye are the salt of the earth."
And in verse 14:
> "Ye are the light of the world."
Notice that Jesus did not say Christians should merely complain about the darkness.
He said:
"YOU ARE THE LIGHT."
Light has a responsibility in darkness.
---
CHRISTIANS MUST PRAY FOR THE NATION
One of the greatest responsibilities of Christians in times of insecurity is prayer.
Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1–2 to offer prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving for all people, including kings and those in authority.
Why?
"So that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life."
Nigeria needs prayer.
We must pray for our President, governors, legislators, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and every person in authority.
We should pray:
For wisdom for leaders.
For courage among security personnel.
For protection of innocent citizens.
For the exposure of criminal networks.
For peace in troubled communities.
For justice and righteousness.
For the restoration of affected communities.
For young people to reject criminality.
For God to heal the wounds of our nation.
But our prayers must not become an excuse for inaction.
Prayer and responsible action must work together.
Nehemiah prayed, but he also organized the people to rebuild Jerusalem.
Therefore, we should pray like people who believe God, while also acting like responsible citizens.
CHRISTIANS MUST BE PEACE MAKERS
Jesus said in Matthew 5:9:
> "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Notice that Jesus did not say:
"Blessed are those who watch peace disappear."
He said:
Blessed are the peacemakers.
A Christian should not be an agent of conflict.
We should not deliberately spread rumours that can cause violence.
We should not use social media to provoke hatred.
We should not encourage people to attack another ethnic group, religion, political group or community.
We should not celebrate the suffering of innocent people simply because we disagree politically.
A Christian must be a bridge, not a wall.
Where others are creating tension, the Christian should seek peace.
Where others are spreading hatred, the Christian should speak love.
Where others are encouraging revenge, the Christian should promote justice and reconciliation. CHRISTIANS MUST REFUSE TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM
Beloved, we cannot condemn insecurity while secretly supporting criminality.
A Christian cannot publicly preach righteousness and privately participate in corruption, fraud, kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery or the sale of dangerous drugs.
We cannot say:
"God save Nigeria"
while we ourselves are contributing to the destruction of Nigeria.
Some insecurity is sustained by people who provide information to criminals, hide criminals, finance criminal activities or protect criminals because they are relatives, friends or political associates.
That must stop.
Christianity demands integrity.
If a criminal is your brother, you do not protect his crime because he is your brother.
If your friend is involved in criminality, you should not cover it because of friendship.
Our loyalty to God must be greater than our loyalty to individuals.
CHRISTIANS MUST REPORT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBLY
Being a Christian does not mean being careless.
If we know that criminals are operating within our communities, we should use appropriate and safe channels to alert the relevant authorities.
We should not personally confront heavily armed criminals recklessly.
Wisdom is also biblical.
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10:16:
> "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
There is a place for courage.
There is also a place for wisdom.
Therefore, Christians should cooperate responsibly with legitimate security agencies and community structures.
We should not spread unverified information that can cause panic.
Before forwarding a frightening message on WhatsApp or Facebook, ask:
Is it true?
Will sharing it help?
Could it endanger somebody?
Not every message deserves to be forwarded.
CHRISTIANS MUST PROMOTE TRUTH AND STOP THE SPREAD OF FALSE INFORMATION
One dangerous weapon in today's society is misinformation.
A false story can cause:
Fear,
Hatred,
Retaliation,
Ethnic conflict,
Religious conflict,
Panic and even death.
Christians must be careful.
Proverbs 12:22 says:
> "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD."
Social media has given everybody a microphone.
But having a microphone does not mean everything you say is true.
As Christians, we must discipline our tongues and our fingers.
Before posting or forwarding information, verify it.
Do not become an instrument through which fear travels from one community to another.
CHRISTIANS MUST TEACH OUR CHILDREN THE VALUE OF PEACE
The battle for Nigeria's future is also a battle for the minds of our children.
If children grow up seeing violence as normal, they may eventually reproduce violence.
Parents therefore have an important responsibility.
Teach your children:
Respect for human life.
Respect for authority.
Honesty.
Hard work.
Compassion.
Forgiveness.
Self-control.
Respect for people of different backgrounds.
The value of peaceful conflict resolution.
Do not leave the moral education of your children entirely to schools or churches.
The home is the first classroom.
If we want a peaceful Nigeria tomorrow, we must raise peace-loving children today.
THE CHURCH MUST HELP THE VULNERABLE
Insecurity creates widows.
It creates orphans.
It creates displaced families.
It destroys businesses.
It leaves people traumatized.
It creates hunger and homelessness.
What should the church do?
The church must demonstrate the love of Christ.
James 2:15–16 challenges believers not merely to speak words of comfort when practical help is possible.
The church can support affected families through:
Food assistance.
Clothing.
Educational support.
Temporary accommodation.
Counselling.
Prayer.
Medical assistance.
Skills development.
Rehabilitation and reintegration support.
Sometimes a person does not need another sermon.
They need someone to help them survive the consequences of what happened to them.
The church must be the hands and feet of Jesus.
CHRISTIANS MUST SUPPORT LEGITIMATE SECURITY EFFORTS
The Bible teaches respect for legitimate authority.
Romans 13:1–4 speaks about governing authorities and their responsibility to maintain order and punish wrongdoing.
Therefore, Christians should not automatically treat security personnel as enemies.
We should cooperate with lawful security operations and encourage professionalism, justice and respect for human rights.
At the same time, Christians should pray and advocate for security institutions that are properly equipped, adequately trained and accountable.
Our security personnel are also human beings.
They leave their families every day to protect others.
Some have paid the ultimate price.
Let us remember them in our prayers.
CHRISTIANS MUST REJECT TRIBALISM AND RELIGIOUS HATRED
Nigeria is a nation of many ethnic groups, languages and religious communities.
Insecurity can tempt people to blame an entire ethnic or religious group for the actions of criminals.
That is dangerous.
A criminal should be identified as a criminal—not because of his tribe or religion, but because of his actions.
We must resist statements such as:
"All of them are criminals."
"Everybody from that tribe is dangerous."
"People of that religion cannot be trusted."
Such generalizations create hatred.
Christianity teaches us to judge people by truth and righteousness, not by stereotypes.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbours.
Our neighbour is not only someone who speaks our language.
CHRISTIANS MUST DEMAND GOOD GOVERNANCE THROUGH LAWFUL MEANS
Christianity does not require citizens to become politically silent.
We have a responsibility to encourage good governance.
Government has a responsibility to protect citizens and maintain public order.
Christians can participate positively through:
Voting responsibly.
Supporting credible candidates.
Holding leaders accountable.
Speaking truth respectfully.
Rejecting electoral violence.
Participating in lawful civic processes.
We should not sell our conscience for a temporary political benefit.
A bag of rice cannot compensate for years of insecurity.
A small political appointment cannot compensate for the destruction of an entire community.
Christians should seek leaders who value justice, security, integrity and the welfare of the people.
CHRISTIANS MUST BE LIGHT IN THEIR PLACES OF INFLUENCE
You may say:
"I am not the President."
That is true.
But perhaps you are a father.
You are a mother.
You are a teacher.
You are a businessman.
You are a civil servant.
You are a pastor.
You are a youth leader.
You are a community leader.
You are a student.
Wherever God has placed you, you have influence.
You may not be able to change the whole country today.
But you can change your family.
You can change your workplace.
You can change your street.
You can influence your community.
And if millions of Christians begin doing what is right in their individual places, Nigeria will begin to change.
CHRISTIANS MUST NOT RESPOND TO INSECURITY WITH PERSONAL VENGEANCE
This is extremely important.
When somebody hurts us, our natural reaction may be revenge.
But Romans 12:19 says:
> "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
This does not mean Christians should allow criminals to operate freely.
It means we should not take the law into our own hands.
We should pursue justice through lawful channels.
We should not become criminals while trying to fight criminals.
Two wrongs do not make one right.
The Christian response must combine courage, wisdom, justice and love.
CHRISTIANS MUST BE THEIR BROTHER'S KEEPER
Genesis 4:9 contains a powerful question:
> "Am I my brother's keeper?"
In the Christian life, the answer should be:
YES!
We have a responsibility toward one another.
Check on your neighbours.
Look out for vulnerable people.
Help elderly people.
Assist families affected by violence.
Support widows and orphans.
Encourage young people.
If someone disappears, do not simply say, "It is none of my business."
We are a community.
When one person suffers, others should care.
YOUNG CHRISTIANS MUST REJECT THE CULTURE OF QUICK MONEY
Many young people are under enormous pressure.
Social media can make people believe that success must come quickly.
Some begin to admire people who display unexplained wealth.
But Christians must teach our young people:
There is dignity in honest labour.
It may take time.
It may be difficult.
But God's blessing does not require you to destroy another person's life.
A young person should never allow unemployment, frustration or peer pressure to push him into kidnapping, cultism, internet fraud, drug trafficking or other crimes.
You may be poor today.
But do not destroy your future trying to look rich today.
---
THE CHURCH MUST PREACH BOTH SALVATION AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP
The church's primary mission is spiritual.
We must preach Christ.
We must preach repentance.
We must preach salvation.
We must preach holiness.
We must call sinners to Christ.
But salvation should produce responsible citizens.
A truly converted person should become more honest, more compassionate, more peaceful and more responsible.
If Christianity cannot influence how we treat our neighbour, then something is wrong.
When Christ changes the heart, society eventually feels the impact.
WE MUST NOT LOSE HOPE FOR NIGERIA
Perhaps somebody listening to me today is tired.
You may say:
"Will Nigeria ever be peaceful again?"
I want to encourage you:
Do not lose hope.
Our hope is not ultimately in politicians.
Our hope is not in the economy.
Our hope is not in human strength.
Our ultimate hope is in God.
Psalm 127:1 says:
> "Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
We need God.
But we must also do our part.
We pray.
We work.
We obey the law.
We speak truth.
We promote peace.
We support the vulnerable.
We reject criminality.
We raise responsible children.
We participate responsibly in society.
And we trust God for the outcome.

CONCLUSION
Let me conclude with this question:
WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN ARE YOU IN THIS INSECURE NATION?
Are you contributing to peace?
Or contributing to conflict?
Are you spreading truth?
Or spreading rumours?
Are you helping the vulnerable?
Or exploiting them?
Are you teaching your children righteousness?
Or teaching them hatred?
Are you praying for Nigeria?
Or only complaining about Nigeria?
Are you part of the solution?
Or part of the problem?
Jesus said:
> "Ye are the salt of the earth."
Salt must make a difference.
Jesus said:
> "Ye are the light of the world."
Light must shine.
Nigeria needs Christians who will shine.
Nigeria needs Christians who will stand for truth.
Nigeria needs Christians who will reject corruption.
Nigeria needs Christians who will reject tribal hatred.
Nigeria needs Christians who will pray.
Nigeria needs Christians who will serve.
Nigeria needs Christians who will speak for the oppressed.
Nigeria needs Christians who will raise godly children.
Nigeria needs Christians who will demonstrate the character of Christ.
The insecurity in Nigeria is not only a political problem.
It is also a moral challenge.
It is a social challenge.
It is a community challenge.
And for Christians, it is also a spiritual challenge.
We cannot solve every problem ourselves.
But every Christian can do something.
Pray.
Speak truth.
Promote peace
If every Christian in Nigeria genuinely became the salt and light Jesus commanded us to be, our homes would change.
Our communities would change.
Our churches would change.
And ultimately, our nation would begin to change.
Let us therefore rise above fear.
Let us rise above hatred.
Let us rise above tribalism.
Let us rise above political bitterness.
Let us rise above selfishness.
And let us become instruments of peace in the hands of God.
May God heal Nigeria.
May God protect our people.
May God give wisdom to our leaders.
May God strengthen our security personnel.
May God comfort victims of insecurity.
May God transform the hearts of those involved in criminality.
And may God make His Church a powerful instrument of peace, righteousness and hope in Nigeria.
In Jesus Christ's name.
Amen.

04/10/2026

HOW MUCH DO YOU GUARD YOUR HEART?

Text: Proverbs 4:23

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of li3fe.”

INTRODUCTION

Beloved friends, brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Today, I want to speak to you about something that every human being possesses, something nobody can live without, something that God Himself is deeply interested in.

That thing is the heart.

I am not talking primarily about the physical organ that pumps blood through your body. I am talking about the inner person—your thoughts, desires, motives, decisions, emotions and spiritual condition.

Our subject today is:

“HOW MUCH DO YOU GUARD YOUR HEART?”

The Bible says:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23.

Notice the expression: “with all diligence.”

That means with great care.

It means seriously.

It means constantly.

It means that guarding your heart should not be treated as a casual matter.

Why?

Because what is inside your heart eventually determines what comes out of your life.

A person may dress beautifully, speak intelligently, smile publicly and appear respectable before men, but God sees what is happening inside.

Men see the face.

God sees the heart.

Samuel was looking at the outward appearance of Jesse's sons, but God told him:

“For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7.

So today, I am not asking:

“How beautiful are you?”

I am not asking:

“How wealthy are you?”

I am not asking:

“How educated are you?”

I am asking:

HOW MUCH DO YOU GUARD YOUR HEART?

WHY IS THE HEART SO IMPORTANT?

Proverbs 4:23 says:

“For out of it are the issues of life.”

Your life flows from your heart.

Your words are influenced by your heart.

Your decisions are influenced by your heart.

Your relationships are influenced by your heart.

Your attitude toward God is influenced by your heart.

Your attitude toward sin is influenced by your heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:18–19:

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart...”

Then Jesus listed things such as evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies.

The lesson is simple:

What is inside eventually comes outside.

If hatred is planted in the heart, hatred will eventually appear in conduct.

If bitterness is planted in the heart, bitterness will eventually affect relationships.

If lust is entertained in the heart, it can eventually produce immoral behaviour.

If greed occupies the heart, it can eventually produce dishonesty.

But if God's Word occupies the heart, righteousness can begin to flow from that life.

That is why we must guard the heart.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GUARD YOUR HEART?

To guard your heart means to carefully protect your inner life from things that can separate you from God.

Imagine a man guarding a valuable treasure.

He does not leave the door open.

He does not allow everybody to enter.

He does not hand the key to strangers.

Why?

Because he understands the value of what is inside.

My friend, your soul is more valuable than any earthly possession.

You may protect your house with locks.

You may protect your vehicle with an alarm.

You may protect your business with security.

You may protect your bank account with passwords.

But what security have you placed around your soul?

The devil is interested in what God values.

And God values your soul.

Jesus asked in Mark 8:36:

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Think about that question.

What if you become very wealthy but lose your soul?

What if you become famous but lose your soul?

What if you build a magnificent house but lose your soul?

What if you become politically powerful but lose your soul?

What if everybody knows your name but God does not know you as His child?

What have you really gained?

GUARD WHAT ENTERS YOUR HEART THROUGH YOUR EYES

Our eyes are powerful gateways to the heart.

There are things you should refuse to look at.

There are images you should refuse to entertain.

There are things you should refuse to watch repeatedly.

Some people say:

“It is only entertainment.”

But what you repeatedly watch can influence what you repeatedly think about.

And what you repeatedly think about can influence what you desire.

And what you desire can influence what you do.

Therefore, be careful.

Not everything that is popular is profitable.

Not everything that is available should be consumed.

Not everything that everybody is doing should be copied.

Ask yourself:

“Will this bring me closer to God or take me farther from Him?”

GUARD WHAT ENTERS YOUR HEART THROUGH YOUR EARS

The same thing applies to what you hear.

Be careful about the voices you allow to influence you.

There are people who constantly speak discouragement.

Some speak immorality.

Some speak hatred.

Some encourage revenge.

Some encourage dishonesty.

Some mock God.

Some make sin look normal.

If you listen to such voices long enough, something begins to happen inside you.

The heart becomes accustomed to what the ears repeatedly hear.

That is why we need godly influence.

We need God's Word.

We need people who encourage us to walk faithfully with Christ.

We need conversations that build rather than destroy.

GUARD YOUR HEART FROM BITTERNESS AND UNFORGIVENESS

One of the most dangerous things you can carry in your heart is bitterness.

Some people are physically free but emotionally imprisoned by what somebody did to them years ago.

Someone offended them ten years ago, and they are still angry today.

Someone cheated them.

Someone betrayed them.

Someone insulted them.

Someone abandoned them.

Someone hurt them.

And they have carried the pain for years.

My beloved friend, you may not be able to change what happened yesterday, but you can decide what you will allow yesterday to do to your heart today.

Forgiveness does not mean that the wrong was acceptable.

Forgiveness means that you refuse to allow bitterness to destroy you.

Jesus taught His followers to forgive.

Why?

Because bitterness can become a prison.

Guard your heart.

Do not allow another person's wrongdoing to destroy your relationship with God.

GUARD YOUR HEART FROM PRIDE

Pride is another dangerous enemy.

Pride says:

“I don't need God.”

Pride says:

“I can manage my life myself.”

Pride says:

“I am better than everybody else.”

Pride can even enter religion.

A person can know the Bible and still have a proud heart.

A person can preach and still have a proud heart.

A person can sing in church and still have a proud heart.

A person can occupy a position in the church and still have a proud heart.

God is not merely interested in what we do publicly.

God is interested in who we are privately.

Therefore, humble yourself before God.

GUARD YOUR HEART FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY

Money is useful, but money must never become your master.

Some people have destroyed their integrity because of money.

Some have lied because of money.

Some have cheated because of money.

Some have betrayed trusted friends because of money.

Some have abandoned God because they wanted wealth.

Remember:

Money can buy a bed, but it cannot buy sleep.

Money can buy medicine, but it cannot guarantee health.

Money can build a house, but it cannot create a happy home.

Money can buy a seat in a church, but it cannot buy salvation.

And when death comes, money cannot negotiate with the grave.

Therefore, do not allow money to occupy the throne that belongs to God.

GUARD YOUR HEART FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY

Our generation is surrounded by sexual temptation.

Immorality is being presented as normal.

Things that previous generations considered shameful are now openly celebrated.

But God's standard has not changed because society has changed.

You must guard your heart.

The battle against sexual sin often begins in the mind before it becomes an action.

Therefore, do not feed the temptation.

Do not deliberately entertain what you know can destroy you.

If you know something continually leads you toward sin, create distance from it.

Guard your heart.

GUARD YOUR HEART FROM FALSE TEACHING

Not every person who says “Lord” is teaching the truth.

Not every preacher is teaching the truth.

Not every religious message is from God.

The Bible must be our standard.

Acts 17:11 commends those who examined what they were taught against the Scriptures.

Therefore, don't simply believe something because a famous person said it.

Don't believe it because it is popular.

Don't believe it because many people are doing it.

Search the Scriptures.

Let God's Word examine your heart.

GUARD YOUR HEART BY FILLING IT WITH GOD'S WORD

A heart cannot remain empty.

If you remove something from your heart, you must replace it with something better.

Fill your heart with God's Word.

Psalm 119:11 says:

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

That is the secret.

God's Word must not merely be in your Bible.

It must enter your heart.

It must influence your decisions.

It must control your conduct.

It must correct you when you are wrong.

It must encourage you when you are discouraged.

It must warn you when you are approaching danger.

GUARD YOUR HEART THROUGH PRAYER

Prayer is another powerful way to guard your heart.

When you pray, you acknowledge that you need God.

Tell God:

“Lord, examine my heart.”

“Lord, remove bitterness from my heart.”

“Lord, remove pride from my heart.”

“Lord, help me overcome temptation.”

“Lord, give me a clean heart.”

David prayed in Psalm 51:10:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

That should be our prayer.

Not merely:

“Lord, give me money.”

Not merely:

“Lord, give me a car.”

Not merely:

“Lord, give me a house.”

But:

“Lord, give me a clean heart.”

Because if God gives you everything but your heart is far from Him, you have missed the greatest blessing.
YOUR HEART BELONGS TO GOD

Proverbs 23:26 says:

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”

God does not merely want your money.

God does not merely want your attendance at church.

God does not merely want your singing.

God wants your heart.

He wants your loyalty.

He wants your obedience.

He wants your love.

He wants your life.

The greatest decision you can make is to surrender your heart completely to Jesus Christ.

WHY MUST YOU COME TO CHRIST?

Because Jesus is the answer to the problem of sin.

Every human being has sinned.

Romans 3:23 says:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Sin separates humanity from God.

But God did not abandon us.

He sent Jesus Christ.

Jesus came into this world.

He lived a sinless life.

He was rejected.

He was mocked.

He was beaten.

He was crucified.

He died on the cross for our sins.

But death could not hold Him.

He rose again.

And today, the invitation of the Gospel is still being extended:

Come to Christ.

Come while there is time.

Come while your heart can still respond.

Come before death closes the door of opportunity.

THE QUESTION YOU CANNOT ESCAPE

My dear friend, let me ask you again:

HOW MUCH DO YOU GUARD YOUR HEART?

Do you guard it against sin?

Do you guard it against hatred?

Do you guard it against pride?

Do you guard it against immorality?

Do you guard it against greed?

Do you guard it against false teaching?

Do you guard it against worldly influences?

Most importantly:

Is Jesus Christ truly in your heart?

You can deceive people.

You can deceive your family.

You can deceive your friends.

You can even deceive religious people.

But you cannot deceive God.

He sees the heart.

He knows your thoughts.

He knows your secret life.

He knows what you do when nobody is watching.

He knows whether your Christianity is genuine or merely outward.

AN APPEAL TO THE LOST SOUL

My dear friend, if you are not yet in Christ, I plead with you today:

Do not postpone your salvation.

Tomorrow is not promised.

You don't know what tomorrow holds.

You may say:

“I will come to Christ later.”

But who told you that you will have another opportunity?

You may say:

“When I become old, I will serve God.”

But who promised you old age?

You may say:

“Let me enjoy the world first.”

But how long will this world last for you?

Life is temporary.

Death is certain.

Judgment is coming.

Eternity is real.

And your soul is precious.

Jesus asked:

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

My friend, don't lose your soul while trying to gain the world.

AN APPEAL TO THE CHRISTIAN

And to those who already profess Christ, I ask:

Are you still guarding your heart?

Have you allowed bitterness to enter?

Have you allowed worldliness to enter?

Have you allowed money to become your god?

Have you allowed pride to take over?

Have you allowed your prayer life to die?

Have you stopped studying God's Word?

Have you become comfortable with sin?

If so, this is the time to return.

Don't merely look at other people's lives.

Examine your own heart.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.”

Ask yourself:

“If I were to stand before God today, would I be ready?”

CONCLUSION

Beloved, your heart is valuable.

Guard it.

Guard what you watch.

Guard what you hear.

Guard what you think.

Guard what you desire.

Guard your relationships.

Guard your faith.

Guard your soul.

But above everything else:

GIVE YOUR HEART TO JESUS CHRIST.

Because the safest place for your heart is in the hands of God.

The world may promise you pleasure.

Money may promise you comfort.

Power may promise you influence.

Fame may promise you recognition.

But only Jesus can give you salvation.

Only Jesus can reconcile you to God.

Only Jesus can give you the hope of eternal life

Amen.. Ikpafak Essien Akpan, Church of Christ 144 Aka Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

04/10/2026

FORGIVENESS: CONVENIENCE OR CONVICTION?

Text: Matthew 6:14–15
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:12–13; Luke 23:34

INTRODUCTION

Beloved, forgiveness is one of the most beautiful words in Christianity, but it is also one of the most difficult commands to practise.
Many people can talk about forgiveness. Many can preach about forgiveness. Many can even pray, “Lord, forgive me.” But when somebody hurts us, insults us, betrays us, cheats us, disappoints us, or causes us deep pain, suddenly forgiveness becomes difficult.
This brings us to an important question:
Do we forgive because it is convenient, or because we are convinced that God requires us to forgive?
It is easy to forgive when the offence is small.
It is easy to forgive when the person has apologised.
It is easy to forgive when the offender is someone we love.
But what happens when the person has not apologised?
What happens when the wound is deep?
What happens when the person does not appear sorry?
What happens when you have every human reason to remain angry?
That is where conviction is tested.
Christian forgiveness is not based primarily on convenience. It is based on conviction—the conviction that I have been forgiven by God and therefore I must learn to forgive others.

Beloved, forgiveness is beautiful but difficult, especially when we are deeply hurt.
This raises an important question:
Do we forgive because it is convenient, or because God requires it?
Christian forgiveness is not based on convenience. It is based on the conviction that God has forgiven us and calls us to forgive others.

Jesus said:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

—Matthew 6:14

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

Forgiveness is the decision to release a person from the debt of an offence rather than allowing anger, bitterness and revenge to control your heart.
Forgiveness does not mean that the offence did not happen.
It does not mean that what the person did was acceptable.
It does not mean that you must trust the person immediately.
It does not mean that there should never be consequences.
And forgiveness does not necessarily mean that you must continue putting yourself in a harmful situation.
Forgiveness means surrendering the desire for personal revenge to God and refusing to allow another person's offence to poison your soul.

Forgiveness is choosing to release someone from the debt of an offence instead of allowing anger, bitterness and revenge to control you.
It does not mean the offence did not happen, that it was acceptable, or that trust and consequences are unnecessary.
Forgiveness means surrendering revenge to God and refusing to let another person's offence poison your soul.

Romans 12:19 says:

“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

There are things that happened to you that you cannot change.
You cannot erase the words.
You cannot undo the betrayal.
You cannot bring back yesterday.
But you can decide what you will allow that experience to do to your heart.

2. FORGIVENESS WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT

There is a kind of forgiveness that comes easily.
Someone steps on your toes and says, “I'm sorry.”
You say, “It's okay.”
Someone makes a small mistake and apologises.
You forgive.
That is good, but sometimes our forgiveness has not yet been seriously tested.

You cannot change what happened, but you can decide what it will do to your heart.

CONVENIENT FORGIVENESS

It is easy to forgive when the offence is small, the person apologises, or the relationship matters to us.

Convenient forgiveness says:

“I will forgive you because it costs me nothing.”
But biblical forgiveness says:
“I will forgive you because Christ has commanded me to forgive.”
There is a difference.
If forgiveness depends entirely on how we feel, we may never forgive some people.
Feelings change.
Today you may feel ready to forgive; tomorrow the memory returns and the anger comes back.
That is why forgiveness must become more than an emotion.
Forgiveness must become a conviction.

3. FORGIVENESS WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT

Jesus gave us perhaps the greatest example.
While hanging on the cross, He said:

“I will forgive because it costs me nothing.”
Biblical forgiveness says:
“I will forgive because Christ commands me to.”
Feelings change, so forgiveness must become more than emotion. It must become conviction.

DIFFICULT FORGIVENESS

While hanging on the cross, Jesus said:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

—Luke 23:34

Look at the circumstances.
They were not apologising.
They were not begging for mercy.
They were crucifying Him.
Yet Jesus prayed for them.
If Jesus could pray for forgiveness while suffering unjustly, what does that say about our own unwillingness to forgive?
Sometimes we say:
“Pastor, you don't know what they did to me.”
Perhaps I don't.
But Jesus knows.
He knows betrayal.
He knows rejection.
He knows false accusations.
He knows humiliation.
He knows physical suffering.
He knows what it means to be wounded by people.
And yet He chose forgiveness.

4. FORGIVENESS IS A COMMAND, NOT A SUGGESTION

His enemies were not apologising or asking for mercy, yet He prayed for them.
Jesus knows betrayal, rejection, false accusations, humiliation and suffering. Yet He chose forgiveness.

FORGIVENESS IS A COMMAND

Ephesians 4:32 says:

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Notice the standard.
“Even as God... hath forgiven you.”
The question is not:
“How badly did they hurt me?”
The deeper question is:
“How much has God forgiven me?”
When we remember the enormous debt God cancelled for us, it becomes harder to justify holding someone else permanently hostage over their offence against us.
Jesus illustrated this in Matthew 18 with the parable of the unforgiving servant.
A servant owed his master an enormous debt.
He could not pay.
The master forgave him.
But that same servant went out and found another servant who owed him a much smaller amount. Instead of showing mercy, he demanded payment and had the man imprisoned.
The master was angry.
Why?
Because the servant had received mercy but refused to give mercy.
Church, let us ask ourselves:
Have I received forgiveness from God while refusing forgiveness to others?

UNFORGIVENESS CAN BECOME A PRISON

Sometimes we think we are punishing the person who hurt us.
But unforgiveness often imprisons the person carrying it.
The offender may have gone on with life.
They may be sleeping peacefully.
They may not even remember what they did.
But you continue replaying the event.
You remember the words.
You remember the betrayal.
You remember the humiliation.
You become angry again.
The person has moved on, but you are still living in the prison of yesterday.
Forgiveness opens the prison door.
Forgiveness is not always about setting the offender free.
Sometimes forgiveness is about setting yourself free.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT WAITING UNTIL YOU FEEL LIKE IT

One of the greatest mistakes we make is saying:
“I will forgive when I feel better.”
If you wait for your emotions to approve everything God commands, obedience may never come.
Sometimes you must forgive before your emotions catch up.
You make a decision:
“I refuse to live in bitterness.”
You pray:
“Lord, I don't feel like forgiving this person, but I choose to obey Your Word. Help my heart.”
That is conviction.

The standard is not how badly we were hurt, but how much God has forgiven us.
Jesus illustrated this with the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. He received mercy for a great debt but refused to show mercy for a smaller one.
Have I received forgiveness from God while refusing to forgive others?

UNFORGIVENESS IS A PRISON

We may think we are punishing the person who hurt us, but bitterness often imprisons us.
The offender may have moved on, while we continue replaying the pain.
Forgiveness opens the prison door and sets us free.

FORGIVE BEFORE YOU FEEL LIKE IT

Do not wait for your emotions to approve obedience.
Pray:
“Lord, I do not feel like forgiving, but I choose to obey Your Word. Help my heart.”

Conviction says:
“I will do what God says even when my feelings disagree.”

WHAT IF THE PERSON NEVER APOLOGISES?

This is one of the hardest questions.
What if they never say sorry?
What if they don't admit what they did?
What if they continue behaving badly?
Do you remain bitter forever?
No.
Your forgiveness does not have to wait for their apology.
You may forgive without pretending the wrong did not happen.
You can leave justice in God's hands.
Romans 12:19 reminds us not to take personal vengeance.
There is great freedom in saying:

WHAT IF THEY NEVER APOLOGISE?

Your forgiveness does not have to wait for an apology.
You can acknowledge the wrong, refuse bitterness and leave justice in God's hands.

“God, I give this matter to You. I refuse to carry this bitterness anymore.”

FORGIVENESS AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Jesus made the issue extremely serious in Matthew 6:14–15.
Why?
Because unforgiveness reveals something about our heart.
How can I continually ask God:
“Lord, forgive me,”
while saying:
“I will never forgive that person”?
The Christian life is supposed to produce transformation.
We cannot receive grace from God and deliberately refuse to extend grace to others.
Colossians 3:13 says:

“Forgiving one another... even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Christ is our standard.
Not society.
Not our emotions.
Not our culture.
Not our friends.
Christ is our standard.

HOW DO WE FORGIVE?

First, remember how much God has forgiven you.

Think about your own mistakes.
Think about the sins God has overlooked.
Think about the mercy you have received.
The person who remembers God's mercy becomes more capable of showing mercy.

Second, take the matter to God.

Tell God exactly what happened.
You don't have to pretend that you weren't hurt.
Say:
“Lord, this person hurt me deeply. I am angry. I am struggling to forgive. Please help me.”
God already knows.

Third, make a deliberate decision.

Say:
“I choose to forgive.”
Don't wait for your emotions.
Make the decision according to God's Word.

Fourth, stop feeding the bitterness.

Don't continually rehearse the offence.
Don't keep telling everybody the story simply to keep the anger alive.
Don't search for opportunities to retaliate.

Fifth, allow God to deal with justice.

You don't have to become the judge, jury and executioner.
God sees.
God knows.
God can handle what you cannot.

FORGIVENESS IS A TEST OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY

Anybody can love those who love them.
Anybody can be kind to those who are kind to them.
But Jesus calls us to something higher.
Matthew 5:44 says:

Remember how much God has forgiven you.

Take the matter to God honestly.

Choose to forgive according to God's Word.

Stop feeding the bitterness or seeking revenge.

Leave justice to God.

FORGIVENESS AND CHRISTIAN MATURITY

Jesus said:

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

That is not convenience.
That is conviction.
That is Christianity at its highest level.

A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE HERE

Let us make this personal.

—Matthew 5:44
That is not convenience. That is conviction.

A PERSONAL QUESTION

Who are you refusing to forgive?

Is it your husband?
Your wife?
Your brother?
Your sister?
Your child?
Your neighbour?
Your friend?
A business partner?
A church member?
A former colleague?
Someone who embarrassed you?
Someone who betrayed you?
Someone who hurt you years ago?
Perhaps you have forgotten many things about the person, but every time you see them, the old wound opens again.

It may be a spouse, relative, friend, neighbour, colleague or church member.

Today God is saying:
Let it go.

Not because what they did was right.
But because your soul is too precious to remain imprisoned by bitterness.

Not because the offence was right, but because your soul is too precious to remain imprisoned by bitterness.

CONCLUSION: CONVENIENCE OR CONVICTION?

So, beloved, why do you forgive?
Do you forgive because it is convenient?
Or do you forgive because you are convinced that God's Word requires it?
Convenience says:
“I'll forgive if they apologise.”
Conviction says:
“I will forgive because Christ forgave me.”
Convenience says:
“I'll forgive if they deserve it.”
Conviction says:
“I will show mercy because I have received mercy.”
Convenience says:
“I'll forgive when I feel like it.”
Conviction says:
“I will obey God even when my feelings resist.”
Convenience says:
“I want revenge.”
Conviction says:
“Vengeance belongs to God.”

Friends, perhaps you are carrying an offence today.
Perhaps you have been carrying it for five years.
Ten years.
Twenty years.
You have smiled outwardly, but inside you are wounded.
Today, release it.
Forgive.
Let God heal your heart.
But there is an even greater forgiveness you need.
The forgiveness of your sins.
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
The greatest question is not only:
“Have I forgiven those who hurt me?”

Do you forgive because it is convenient, or because God's Word requires it?
Convenience says, “I will forgive if they apologise.”
Conviction says, “I will forgive because Christ forgave me.”
Convenience says, “I will forgive when I feel like it.”
Conviction says, “I will obey God even when my feelings resist.”
Perhaps you are carrying an offence today. Release it. Forgive. Let God heal your heart.
But there is an even greater forgiveness: the forgiveness of your sins.

The greatest question is:
“Have I allowed Christ to forgive me?”

You can forgive everyone around you and still be lost if you have rejected Christ.
Come to Jesus.
Repent of your sins.
Believe in Him.
Obey His gospel.
Let Him wash away your sins and give you a new life.
And when Christ has forgiven you, go and become a forgiving person.
Forgiveness should not merely be something we preach. It should be something we practise.
Not forgiveness because it is convenient, but forgiveness because we are convicted by the cross.
Amen..Ikpafak Essien Akpan, Church of Christ 144 Aka Road Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Come to Jesus. Repent, believe in Him, obey His gospel and receive new life.
Forgiveness should not merely be preached; it should be practised—not because it is convenient, but because we are convicted by the cross.
Amen.
Ikpafak Essien Akpan, Church of Christ, 144 Aka Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

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