NOT FOR SALE ~ Precious Victor Akah

In my little time on earth, particularly since I became born again, I have encountered numerous stories of individuals who have lost their faith in Christ due to the negative actions of those around them: a parent, sibling, pastor, friend, relative, church member, mentor, or colleague—the list goes on.

Let me share a few of these stories briefly: A young man ceased to believe in God when his mother, a devoted servant of God, cried out for divine intervention as her husband—his father—lay critically injured in the hospital following a terrible accident. Despite her prayers, the father did not survive the surgery, and that day, the young man resolved to abandon his faith.

In another instance, a young woman lost her faith in God upon seeing her pastor unclothed in a compromising situation with a married woman. Similarly, a young man turned away from his faith in God after his father mocked and ridiculed him, convincing him that God was merely a figment of imagination and doesn't exist.

There is also the heartbreaking story of a young lady who was repeatedly abused by her biological father—a man who presented himself as pious by attending church every Sunday. The cruelty she endured led her to question the existence of God. Many more such stories exist.

People have also relinquished their faith in Christ due to negative events affecting those they admired as spiritual role models. These role models may have experienced the loss of a loved one, suffered the theft of valuable possessions, or endured tragic accidents, leading those who looked up to them to doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness.

While these experiences are undoubtedly painful, some even horrific, it is crucial to remember an essential truth about God: He can forgive any sinner. Consider the past of Apostle Paul, who was forgiven for his many wrongdoings the moment he genuinely repented. When someone comes to Christ with a repentant heart, their past is erased, and they are no longer guilty of any sin, regardless of their previous inhumane actions.

This means that if a rapist, ritual killer, kidnapper, or armed robber repents today, God sees them as righteous from that moment on. Conversely, if someone chooses to stop believing in God due to their trauma—be it from an assault or loss at the hands of a criminal—they risk their own salvation. Should the perpetrator repent later, they would go to heaven, while the victim, having turned away from their faith in Christ, will face eternal damnation.

This reality underscores the importance of diligently safeguarding your faith in Christ. 

If you doubt what I say, reflect on God’s words in Ezekiel 18:21-28:

"But if the wicked man turns [away] from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. 22 All of his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced [for his moral and spiritual integrity in every area and relationship], he will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” says the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn [away] from his [malevolent] acts and live?

24 “But when the righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits sin and acts in accordance with all the repulsive things that the wicked man does, will he live? All of his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered because of the treachery that he has committed and for his sin which he has committed; for them he shall die. 

25 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits sin and dies because of it, it is for his sin which he has committed that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions which he had committed, he shall certainly live; he shall not die."

What is the vital lesson here? No matter what others do to you, no matter what vicissitudes befall those you love or even yourself, DO NOT LOSE YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST. Always believe that GOD IS FAITHFUL, and remember this: GOD IS NEVER TO BE BLAMED.

Your FAITH is not for sale, dear sister, dear brother.

No matter what anyone does to you, don't lose your faith in Christ. Because, they can repent later and go to heaven, while you have traded your precious faith for hurt or unforgiveness and end up in hell.

Don't let another person's behaviour affect your faith in Christ.

Guard your faith in Christ Jesus.

Don't let someone send you to hell and end up in heaven.

You'll not lose your faith in Christ, neither will you trade your faith for anything. You'll serve God faithfully till the end and spend eternity with Him.

Stay blessed.