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The love affair between satanism and famous music stars continue. The only surprise, I suppose it is not a surprise is that these issues get very little coverage among Christians. It is a real danger and one we must keep flagging up!

[He is] the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created… ( Colossians 1:15 b-16a) Jesus is the firstborn in the family of creation. That is to say has the first rank of all creation. Paul will later tell us  that Jesus is also the first rank in the new creation: he is "the beginning, the firstborn from the dead".  Jesus is not the first to rise from the dead but  he ranks first among God's new creation, just as he ranks first in the old creation. The idea of Jesus  being even ranked among creation is perplexing. Is Jesus not above creation? The answer of course is yes and no. Jesus in his divine nature  is certainly above creation. Jesus is uncreated because Paul has already told us Jesus is God made visible : "he is the image of the invisible God". Jesus is the Eternal Son of God.

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. (‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭51--55) The cheek of James and John! They are standing with Jesus, God in the flesh, and they want to know if Jesus needs a little help :  “Do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven?” “Jesus, it was  great when you healed the keeper, and the whole casting out demons stunt was quite interesting. But come on, Jesus, we’re going to have to call out the big guns for this job.” The look on Jesus must have been priceless!  Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2015

I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you   - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST  Is there a harder commandment in the Bible than this one? There is no escaping its force. Followers of Jesus are to love the people who not only oppose us intellectually but also people who willfully work and take pleasure in doing much harm to our bodies emotionally, physically and spiritually. Apostle Paul, a man who spent the early part of his life murdering followers of Jesus, later found forgiveness in Jesus. Jesus transformed him and in his letter to the church in Rome echoes the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them". Apostle Peter has the same words with a new twist, " Do not repay evil for evil...but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called". Peter says this posture of love for enemies is the very essence of being a follower of Jesus. May be it’s a colleague at work who repeatedly smears your n