THE CREED

The Apostles’ Creed “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there, he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic* Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” The creed states what the Christian faith is all about. Every serious organisation you enter will greet you with their vision and mission statement. These are usually displayed in very conspicuous areas of the organisation. Why? So you can tell in what direction the company is headed. It will also help you make up your mind if you would join the train or would rather walk. Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. (Habakkuk 2:2) What is the meat of your belief? In whom is your belief? How do you communicate your faith? If we must make anything meaningful out of our life and existence, we must learn to communicate our beliefs. It is not enough to know where you are going, what you are about; people around you must also be made to understand. This will enable us to realise if the people around us are travelling in the same direction. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14) When a staff is hired, he is orientated into the essence of the company. He is intimated with the inner workings of the organisation. How else will we recognize the misfit if there is no term of reference? Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Does a lion roar in the thicket when it has no prey? Does it growl in its den when it has caught nothing? Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything? When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it? Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— who can but prophesy? (Amos 3:3-8) The Word advises: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15) As you face a new day, is there a creed for your life? Do folks around you know where you stand? Consider writing down your vision and mission statement. Please place them in conspicuous areas where you would be reminded daily. The Lord help us as we fine-tune our lives and mission.