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Becoming a Barnabas!

Acts 4:32-37 opened our eyes to see the way God has blessed us with all good gifts of life, how that all we have and are, all comes from God,hence they all belong to God. It also recount the way of life of the early apostles, their communal living, a life of sacrifice, how there was not any one needy among them, for as many were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. The significant aspect was the aspect where Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles' feet.

The truth remains that our world today need people who will be more than willing to sacrifice for the greater good of humanity, and that the gospel may continue to be proclaimed all through the nations of the earth. We should not preach in words alone, but we should preach both in word and deeds, by deed which means our words should be followed by conscious actions, which will make us to be faithful disciples of Christ, witnessing to the true Gospel which we have received. So, would you become a Barnabas for the world?

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You Must Be Born Anew

Following the sayings of Christ to Nicodemus in the Gospel of John 3:7-15; He said: "You must be born anew. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus' response depict that he could not comprehend and so asked, "How can this be?"... Christ's response made it clear:

Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

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The Son of Man must be Lifted Up! [A Call for Deeper Reflection]

Jesus teaches Nicodemus that, as the prophets had said, the messianic era should experience an innovative effusion of the Spirit. Jesus places things of the earth against things of heaven. Things of earth are divine truths concerning the human being; things of heaven recall the glorification of Jesus. If what he has revealed about human beings is not believed, what he us going to reveal about the Son of Man will be much less believed. But only he who has descended from heaven can speak about heavenly realities. To be saved it is not enough to see the signs of Christ; it is necessary to enter into the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. The Cross is the means of salvation because it unites heaven and earth, the divine and the human realities of Christ.

The Kingship of Christ is undeniable as Psalm 93:1-2, 5 pointed out, we must submit to him so that we can be united, connected in real, not hanging to the past, but hearing what God is saying in the present, so that we can act accordingly:

The Lord is King, with majesty enrobed.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
The Lord has robed himself with might;
he has girded himself with power.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;
your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time.