Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:3,16)
You are warmly welcome! As we prepare for our Annual General Meeting, our Auditors are busy finalizing their work; and several fellowships are having their General Meetings – don’t be left out; this is a good time to find where you belong to fully participate in the life of the church. We look forward to the accountabilities and the new or re-mandated leaders.
We also welcome new and redesignated staff members: Mr. Onesimus Tumukunde is our Youth Worker, combining that role with that of Transport Officer; please welcome him and support him in his ministry. We will also in due course introduce the newly appointed Chapel Accountant.
If you want to imitate God’s goodness, you must love – and these are four points of justification: God is love (1John 4:16), God loves unconditionally (Rom 5:8), God loves sacrificially (John 3:16), and God loves all (Acts 10:34). In the recent overnight prayers, we have been talking about visions and dreams, and we particularly gave thanks to God because He speaks – in dreams or visions (Job 33:14). Indeed, anyone who loves you maintains communication, which Mike Mazzalongo calls the currency of love. In the recent past we saw how God spoke to Saul and Ananias for the conversion and healing that former persecutor of the church; then also to Jonah concerning Nineveh’s imminent judgment that was averted after repentance in response to Jonah’s preaching. All these interactions were a demonstration of God’s love for his people. Today we add Nicodemus to the list.
Nicodemus was a humble professor – one who was both learned and still learning; perhaps he knew that when you stop learning you start dying, as Albert Einstein once stated. We read Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus and see God’s goodness demonstrated in the love that He shows to Nicodemus and the world as Jesus explains the way to the Kingdom of God. Jesus who was not educated draws Israel’s teacher into the understanding about the necessary second birth – by water and the Spirit, and explains the love of God who saved the Israelites from snake bites using the lifted bronze serpent, and now saves the world with his own Son who is yet to be lifted up. It is this conversation that descends into the great verse about God’s sacrificial love that gave the ultimate – His Son.
Reflecting on God’s goodness in love is only beneficial if we grow in becoming like Him – imitating His goodness. How do you love? Valentine’s Day is gone, but loving God’s way remains our duty – not selfishly or opportunistically for self-gratification, but unconditionally, sacrificially and non-discriminatingly. And in that love, you will cultivate healthy relationships and good service in His vineyard.
God bless you!
Rev. Eng. Dr. Emmanuel Mwesigwa - CHAPLAIN