EASY HAPPY LIVING

BY Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi

Matt 11:30  KJV  ” For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

         The Greek word for “burden” is the word ‘phortion’ which means “an invoice” (as part of freight), figuratively: “a task or service”: Jesus Christ is saying to the disciples that His service is light or easy. Whenever the lord gives an assignment, He foots the bills; all invoices are easily taken care of. There, are those who believe that serving God is a painful experience based on what they’ve observed in the life of some believers. But contrary to this view, the truth still remains that God’s work is easy. It is what it is: God’s work not man’s work. It becomes difficult when it becomes your work. It is like a surfer surfing the waves, the surfer simply rides the waves, it isn’t his responsibility to create waves. Most preachers teach church members to create waves and this is against biblical principles. Followers are made to undergo all manner of rigorous  rituals in a bid to create waves in society and this has placed so much negative pressure on families as most spouses seldom have time to interact with each other due to these endless church activities that do nothing but massage the leaders ego  .

       Excessive religious devotions do more harm than good. It is one of the reasons behind so many failed marriages due to the fact that families spend lesser time together :even during public holidays, thus creating no room for bonding. The scriptures condemns this way of living . Col 2:20-23 AMP bible says “ If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world's crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations? — such as] Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them], Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines. [Isa 29:13.]  Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honour God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]”Excessive religious duties promotes immorality among Christians. This is one of the major reason behind the rise in sexual scandals and marital failure among leaders in our churches. 

     When we set personal ego aside, God will use us as He so wills, He empowers those He uses. He says in Phil 2:13 AMP” [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” God does not need your help, just as the cup does not add to the taste of wine that is poured into. We are like wine bottles and cups in God’s hands.

        We are to also bear each other’s burdens as a demonstration of obedience to the lord. Problems appear enormous when we try to solve them ourselves. Someone has been assigned to be of help to us only if we would get off our high horses and ask for help.We fulfill Christ’s law by bearing each other’s burden. Gal 6:2 AMP says” Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and  troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]”A loaf of bread given to a starving family can go a long way to making life better . You are to complete what is missing in another person’s life. Spouses are to make up for their individual deficiencies. As you read this receive grace and wisdom to live the easy life in Jesus Christ. 
Prayer / Counseling
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email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.co