AN “ODE” GIVEN IN THE SPIRIT OF PROPHESY - DEC.31ST, 1999

BY PASTOR EMIKO AMOTSUKA

There is a 'new faith' in the land. A new faith in the land. It is different from that into which I was born through the sacrifice of Christ.

In the Old faith into which I was born, Jesus Christ the son of the Living God, is the center of attraction. He is the subject of worship. All hearts bow to him. In the new faith, “the man of God” not Jesus, is the center of attraction. The “man of God” is the subject of adoration. He is adored for the power that exude from him. Not the power to change men from sinners to saints, but power that is evidenced by the money he has behind him, the crowd that gathers to hear him.

Yes, there are testimonies of miracles from the people. But in these testimonies, Jesus of Nazareth is not the star of the story, it is the “man of God”, our “ father in the Lord who prayers”, he gets the glory.

There is a new faith in the Land. Outwardly, it resembles the old faith into which I was born through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but it takes a discerning eye to see that it is not quite the same.

In the old faith, the messenger is a broken vessel through whom Christ is portrayed (2 Cor. 3....” we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus”). In the new faith, “the man of God “ is so visible, I can hardly see Christ. How can I see Christ, when “ the man of God “ Captivates my attention with stories of his millions, of his exotic houses and cars, the names of the high and mighty who have come to him for prayer and the size and exploits of the ministry that far surpasses what any other ministry will ever dream of.

There is so much to admire or adore in “the man of God” that you can hardly think of the man of Galilee. Yet, it is only that humble Galilean, Jesus Christ, that has the power to change lives, and bring real and lasting peace and joy, but “ the powerful man of God” has stolen the show.

Oh,”man of God”, will you not retrace your steps to Calvary, and hide behind the cross so that the world can see Jesus Christ the true Giver of Life. For until we commit ourselves to portray Christ and Christ alone, Churches may multiply, but evil persist and grow in the land, for though men gather in churches, it is not to meet Christ, but to meet the anointed "man of God" .

Jesus said, ” and if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”. John 12:32. Paul said, “ not I, but Christ” Gal 2:20.