PROTECTION FROM THE EVIL ONES.

John 17:15-20. NIV

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

These are some of the prayers of our Lord Jesus Christ in the garden while on earth. He prayed for us His fellowers. He knew that we cannot live on this earth secluded from everything. We have to learn how to live in this world and not become of this world. Christ prays to His Father in heaven to protect us from the evil ones. He knew that we would need protection from Satan who roams in the world. And He knew that He would not be here to protect us on the physical while we remain on earth. He knew that He had to leave, but He made provisions for our safekeeping by leaving the Holy Ghost to remain with us to reminds us of all things.

He knew that His appointed time on earth was up and we must remain to go about replicating those things we saw Him do that was why He commissioned us to go into the world and preach the good news up to the end of the world.

Jesus said to his followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved, but anyone who does not believe will be punished. 17 And those who believe will be able to do these things as proof: They will use my name to force out demons. They will speak in new languages. 18 They will pick up snakes and drink poison without being hurt. They will touch the sick, and the sick will be healed\”. (Mark 16:15-18)

\”Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will\”. (Romans 12:2) NIV.

The pattern of this world is self motivated and we tend to pursue the desires of our own self thereby diverting from the truth and His good Will which is perfect and pleasing. Rather we begin to dilute the truth to the point we are facing serious religious fanaticism which have lead to religious intolerance.

Basically, religious intolerance is simply  A preconceived and unreasoned notion of religious beliefs and practices which often lead adherents of a particular religion to antagonize their religious neighbours who are of Another faith whether an individuals or a society.

Honestly, religiosity and the dangers of religious intolerance have become the bane of the world most difficult challenges countries are facing mostly However, irrespective of whatever name a group(s) of people belief in , or what they may not likely subscribe to or in their belief, the individual (s) is not allowed, morally and legally, to be intolerant with the others whose believes (or does not believe), according to his expectations or the views of thoughts

Recently in Nigeria, a young female student was grusomely murdered by some religious fanatics who allegedly accused her of blasphemy, was stoned to death and set her corpse ablaze.

Since then there had been reactions and counter reactions. The president of Nigeria and the commander in chief of Armed Forces, President Mohammad Buhari has openly condemned the dastardly act and instructed that justice be done.

One of the comments that got me thinking was

Yes! What\’s life worth now to people when you consider the number of cases of killings going on now. Where\’s our human milk of kindness, people who waste human lives in the name of fighting or protecting their religion is their God a living, supernatural God or an ordinary man made creature that has no breath in him and them that worship him are like it. Everyone who made the idols and all who trust them are just as helpless as those useless gods. … Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as … Psalm 115:8.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers …

Thank God Almighty for sending His only begotten son to come and die for this sinful world. His prayers for His own was made because He knew that cases like this shall abound and we need the Holy Ghost to help us with wisdom to deal with such matters when they comes and to deliever us from such unreasonable and hopeless situations when they comes because we are still in the world where good exist side by side with evil.

He knew perilous time shall come and it will be very tasking and demanding for the true Believers and because He care so much for us, He would ask His Father in heaven to keep us safe from the enemies and protect us even in the midst of our sufferings that He may Sanctify us by the truth in His name.

\”I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them\” (Romans 16:17) .

Remain Blessed. Shalom!!.

✍️Mrs Blessing I N Onugha ❤️.