KAZI NA MAISHA ..............

SOMO LA PILI

Tukijitahidi hivyo kusaidia wengine, sisi pia tutabarikiwa. Hili lilikuwa ndilo kusudi la Mungu alipotupa sisi sehemu ya kufanya katika mpango wake wa ukombozi. Amewapa wanadamu fursa ya kuwa washirika wa tabia ya uungu, nao, kwa upande wao, wanapaswa kuitawanya mibaraka hiyo kwa wanadamu wenzao. Hiyo ni heshima ya juu kabisa, hiyo ni furaha ipitayo zote, ambayo inawezekana kwa Mungu kuwapa wanadamu. Wale wanaoshiriki hivyo katika kazi hiyo ya upendo wanaletwa karibu sana na Muumbaji wao.
Mungu angaliweza kuwapa malaika wa mbinguni ujumbe wa Injili, pamoja na kazi yote ya kutoa huduma ya upendo kwa wanadamu. Angaliweza kuzitumia njia nyingine katika kulitimiza kusudi lake. Lakini katika upendo wake usio na kikomo alichagua kutufanya sisi kuwa watenda kazi pamoja naye, yaani, pamoja na Kristo na malaika zake, ili tupate kushiriki katika mbaraka na furaha hiyo, na kutiwa moyo kiroho, mambo ambayo ni matokeo ya huduma hiyo isiyo na ubinafsi. Tunakuwa na moyo ule ule wa huruma aliokuwa nao Kristo tunaposhiriki mateso yake. Kila tendo la kujinyima kwa manufaa ya wengine huimarisha roho ya ukarimu katika moyo wa mtoaji, na kumfanya afungamane kwa karibu zaidi na Mkombozi wa ulimwengu, ambaye “alikuwa tajiri, lakini kwa ajili yenu akawa maskini, ili kwamba ninyi mpate kuwa matajiri kwa umaskini wake.” 2 Kor. 8:9, Na ni wakati ule tu tunapolitimiza kusudi la Mungu la kutuumba sisi, ndipo maisha yanaweza kuwa mbaraka kwetu.

Endapo utafanya kazi kama Kristo alivyokusudia wafuasi wake wafanye, na kuongoa roho za watu kwa ajili yake, utaona haja ya kuwa na uzoefu wa maisha wenye kina zaidi na ujuzi mkubwa zaidi katika mambo ya Mungu, tena utaona njaa na kiu ya kuitafuta haki yake. Utamsihi sana Mungu, na imani yako itaimarishwa, na nafsi yako itakunywa maji mengi katika kisima cha wokovu. Kupambana na upinzani na maonjo kutakufanya uikimbilie Biblia na maombi. Utakua katika neema na katika kumjua Kristo, nawe utakuwa na uzoefu wa thamani.
Roho ya kuwatumikia wengine bila ya kuwa na ubinafsi inaifanya tabia iwe na kina, thabiti, tena iwe na upendo wa Kristo, inaleta amani na furaha kwa yule aliye nayo. Hamu ya kupata mambo yaliyo bora huongezeka. Hakuna nafasi kwa uvivu, wala uchoyo. Wale wanaojizoeza hivyo kutumia hisani zao za Kikristo watakua kiroho, tena watakuwa na nguvu katika kufanya kazi ya Mungu. Watakuwa na utambuzi safi wa kiroho, na imani thabiti inayozidi kukua, na uwezo ulioongezeka katika maombi yao. Roho wa Mungu, anapoigusa mioyo yao, anataka pawe na amani takatifu moyoni, kama
jibu la mguso huo wa Mungu. Wale wanaoutumia muda wao wote kutenda kazi hiyo bila
ya kuwa na ubinafsi kwa ajili ya manufaa ya wengine wanafanya kazi ya kuziokoa roho zao wenyewe kwa hakika kabisa.

Njia pekee ya kukua katika neema ni ile ya kufanya kazi ile ile aliyotuagiza Kristo kuifanya  pasipo kujifikiria wenyewe, kwa uwezo wetu wote, kuwasaidia na kuwaletea furaha wale wanaohitaji msaada wetu tuwezao kuwapa. Nguvu zinakuja kwa kufanya mazoezi; kujishughulisha ndilo sharti hasa la kuwa na uzima. Wale wanaojitahidi kudumisha maisha yao ya Kikristo kwa kupokea mibaraka inayowajia kwa njia ya neema pasipo kujishughulisha, wala kufanya kazi yo yote kwa ajili ya Kristo, wanajaribu tu kuishi kwa kuendelea kula bila kufanya kazi. Na katika ulimwengu wa
kiroho kama ilivyo katika ulimwengu wa asili, matokeo yake sikuzote ni uharibifu na
uozo. Mtu ambaye angekataa kufanya mazoezi ya viungo vyake angepoteza uwezo wote wa kuvitumia baada ya muda mfupi. Hivyo Mkristo ambaye hazitumii nguvu zake alizopewa na Mungu siyo tu kwamba anashindwa kukua katika Kristo, bali anapoteza
nguvu alizokuwa nazo tayari.

KAZI NA MAISHA........

SOMO LA KWANZA

MUNGU ndiye asili ya uhai na mwanga na furaha kwa malimwengu yote. Kama mionzi ya nuru kutoka juani, kama vijito vya maji kutoka kwenye chemchemi hai, baraka zinamiminika kutoka kwake kwenda kwa viumbe vyake vyote. Na kila mahali ambapo uhai wa Mungu umo ndani ya mioyo ya wanadamu, utabubujika kuwa upendo na mbaraka kwa wengine.
Ilikuwa ni furaha ya Mwokozi wetu kuwainua na kuwakomboa wanadamu walioanguka dhambini. Kwa ajili hiyo hakuyahesabu maisha yake kuwa ni kitu cha thamani kwake, lakini “aliustahimili msalaba na kuidharau aibu.” Ebr. 12:2. Kwa ajili hiyo malaika wanashughulika daima katika kazi ya kuwaletea wengine furaha. Hiyo ndiyo furaha yao. Ile ambayo watu wale wajipendao binafsi wangeiona kuwa ni kazi ya kuwavunjia heshima, yaani, kuwahudumia wale walio na hali mbaya na ambao kwa kila hali ni duni kwa tabia na hadhi zao, ndiyo kazi waifanyayo malaika wasio na dhambi.Roho aliyo nayo Kristo ya upendo unaojitoa mhanga ndiyo roho iliyoenea kule mbinguni,
na ndiyo msingi hasa wa furaha kuu iliyoko kule. Hiyo ndiyo roho watakayokuwa nayo
wafuasi wake Kristo, ndiyo kazi watakayofanya.

Upendo wa Kristo ukiwamo moyoni, kama manukato yenye harufu nzuri, hauwezi kufichika. Mvuto wake mtakatifu utawagusa wote tunaokutana nao. Roho ya Kristo ikiwamo moyoni ni kama chemchemi jangwani, inayobubujika na kuwaburudisha wengi, na kuwafanya wale walio tayari kuangamia kutamani kunywa maji ya uzima. Kuwa na upendo kwa Yesu kutadhihirika kwa njia ya kuwa na tamaa ya kutenda kama alivyotenda yeye, kwa madhumuni ya kuwaletea furaha na kuwatia moyo wanadamu. Kutaleta upendo, upole, na huruma kwa viumbe vyote vya Baba yetu aliye mbinguni anayevitunza.
Maisha ya Mwokozi wetu alipokuwa hapa duniani hayakuwa maisha ya raha, wala ya kujishughulikia mwenyewe tu, lakini daima alijitahidi kufanya kazi kwa bidii, bila kuchoka kwa ajili ya wokovu wa wanadamu waliopotea. Tangu kuzaliwa kwake mpaka kusulibiwa kwake pale Kalwari, alifuata njia ya kujinyima, wala hakutaka aachiliwe asifanye kazi za sulubu, safari zenye kumletea maumivu, na shughuli kwa watu zinazochosha mno na kazi za kawaida. Alisema, “Kama vile Mwana wa Adamu asivyokuja kutumikiwa, bali kutumika, na kutoa nafsi yake iwe fidia ya wengi.”
Mathayo 20:28. Hilo lilikuwa ndilo lengo moja kuu la maisha yake. Mambo mengine yote yalichukua nafasi ya pili na kulisaidia lengo hilo. Kilikuwa ni chakula na kinywaji chake kufanya mapenzi ya Mungu na kuimaliza kazi yake (Yoh. 4:34). Nafsi na umimi havikuwa na nafasi katika kazi yake.

Kwa hiyo wale wanaoshiriki neema ya Kristo watakuwa tayari kujinyima sana, ili wengine aliowafia wapate karama hiyo. Watafanya kila wawezalo kuifanya dunia hii iwe mahali pazuri kwa ajili ya kukaa kwao hapa. Roho hii ni matokeo ya hakika ya kukua kiroho kwa mtu yule aliyeongoka kweli kweli. Mara tu anapokuja kwa Kristo, ndani yake hujitokeza shauku ya kuwajulisha wengine jinsi alivyomwona Yesu kuwa rafiki wa thamani sana kwake; kweli ile iokoayo na kutakasa haiwezi kufungiwa moyoni mwake. Kama tumevikwa haki ya Kristo, na kujazwa furaha ya Roho wake akaaye ndani yetu hatutaweza kunyamaza. Kama tumeonja na kuona kwamba Bwana ni mwema, tutakuwa na jambo fulani la kusimulia. Kama Filipo alivyomwona Mwokozi, tutawaalika wengine
kuja mbele yake. Tutajitahidi kuweka mbele yao mambo ya kuvutia pamoja na mambo yale ya kweli ya ulimwengu ule ujao ili waje kwa Kristo. Tutakuwa na shauku kubwa kuifuata njia ile aliyokwenda Yesu. Tutatamani kwa dhati sana kwamba wale watuzungukao waweze kumwona “Mwana-Kondoo wa Mungu, aichukuaye dhambi ya ulimwengu.” Yoh. 1:29

KUKUA KATIKA KRISTO

Jinsi Yesu alivyokuwa kwa wanafunzi wake katika mambo yote, ndivyo
anavyotaka kuwa kwa watoto wake leo; kwa maana katika sala yake ile ya mwisho,
akiwa na kikundi kidogo cha wanafunzi wake kilichokusanyika pale na kumzunguka,
alisema, “Wala si hao tu ninaowaombea; lakini na wale watakaoniamini kwa sababu ya
neno lao.” Yoh. 17:20.
Yesu alituombea sisi, tena aliomba kwamba tupate kuwa umoja naye, kama yeye alivyo umoja na Baba yake. Ni muungano ulioje huo! Kumhusu yeye mwenyewe Mwokozi alisema, “Mwana hawezi kutenda neno mwenyewe, ila lile ambalo amwona Baba analitenda.” “Baba akaaye ndani yangu huzifanya kazi zake.” Yoh. 5:19; 14:10. Basi kama Kristo anakaa ndani ya mioyo yetu, atafanya kazi ndani yetu “kutaka kwenu na kutenda kwenu, kwa kulitimiza kusudi lake jema.” Wafilipi 2:13. Tutafanya kama alivyofanya yeye; tutakuwa na nia ile ile. Na hivyo, tukiendelea kumpenda na kukaa
ndani yake, tuta“kua hata tumfikie yeye katika yote, yeye aliye kichwa, ndiye Kristo.” Efe. 4:15.

Furaha gani na ushiriki,
Nikimtegemea Yesu tu!
Baraka gani, tena amani,
Nikimtegemea Yesu tu!
Tegemea,

Salama bila hatari;
Tegemea,
Tegemea Mwokozi Yesu.

Nitaiweza njia nyembamba,
Nikimtegemea Yesu tu;
Njia ‘tazidi kuwa rahisi,
Nikimtegemea Yesu tu.

Sina sababu ya kuogopa,
Nikimtegemea Yesu tu;
Atakuwa karibu daima,
Nikimtegemea Yesu tu.

(Nyimbo za Kristo, Na. 43)

MWISHO WA SOMO LA KUKUA KATIKA KRISTO BARIKIWA NA MASOMO MENGINE YATAKAYO FUATA.

KUKUA KATIKA KRISTO

SOMO LA TATU.

Kama mtu anajifikiria nafsi yake tu, roho yake hugeuka na kutoka kwa Kristo ambaye ni uwezo na uzima wake. Kwa hiyo ni juhudi ya Shetani ya kudumu kuyageuzia mbali na Mwokozi mawazo ya mtu, kwa njia hiyo kumzuia kuungana na kushirikiana na Kristo. Anasa za dunia, masumbufu ya maisha haya na mashaka na huzuni, makosa ya wengine, au makosa na upungufu wako mwenyewe - kwa mojawapo au yote hayo Shetani atayaelekeza mawazo ili kuyapotosha (Tazama Mathayo 14:30). Usidanganywe na hila zake. Wengi wanaotaka kufanya yapasayo na kujitoa maisha yao kwa Mungu,
mara nyingi huvutwa na Shetani kufikiri sana juu ya makosa yao na udhaifu wao wenyewe, na hivyo kwa kuwatenga mbali na Kristo anatumainia kuwashinda.
Tusifikirie nafsi zetu sana, na kuhangaika na kuogopa iwapo kweli tutaokolewa. Mambo hayo yote
huugeuzia mbali moyo kutoka kwa Kristo aliye Asili ya nguvu zetu. Weka roho yako mkononi mwa Mungu kama amana, na umtumainie yeye. Mazungumzo yako na fikara zako ziwe juu ya Yesu. Nafsi yako na ifichwe ndani yake. Tupilia mbali mashaka yako yote; ziondolee mbali hofu zako. Sema kama alivyosema mtume Paulo:“Nimesulibiwa pamoja na Kristo; lakini ni hai; wala si mimi tena, bali Kristo yu hai ndani yangu; na uhai nilio nao sasa katika mwili, ninao katika imani ya Mwana wa Mungu, ambaye alinipenda akajitoa nafsi yake kwa ajili yangu. Gal. 2:20. Tulia ndani ya Mungu. Yeye aweza kukilinda kile ulichokiweka amana kwake. Kama unajiweka mkononi mwake,
atakuwezesha upate kushinda, na zaidi ya kushinda, kwa yeye aliyekupenda. Soma Warumi 8:37.
Kristo alipoutwaa mwili wa kibinadamu, aliwafungia kwake wanadamu kwa

kifungo cha upendo wake kisichoweza kuvunjwa na uwezo wo wote, isipokuwa kwa chaguo la mwanadamu huyo mwenyewe. Shetani atajitahidi daima kutuletea vishawishi vyake ili kukivunjilia mbali kifungo hicho - yaani, kutufanya tuchague wenyewe kujitenga mbali na Kristo. Hapo ndipo tunapohitaji kuwa macho, kujitahidi, na kuomba ili tusishawishiwe na jambo lo lote kuchagua kutawaliwa na bwana mwingine; kwa maana sikuzote sisi tunao uhuru kufanya hivyo. Lakini hebu na tumkazie Kristo macho yetu, naye atatulinda. Tukimtazama Yesu, tutakuwa salama. Hakuna awezaye
kutupokonya katika mkono wake. Tukimwangalia Yesu daima, “tunabadilishwa tufanane na mfano uo huo, toka utukufu hata utukufu, kama vile kwa utukufu utokao kwa Bwana aliye Roho.” 2 Kor. 3:18.Hivyo ndivyo wanafunzi wake wa zamani walivyopata kufanana na Mwokozi wao waliyempenda. Wanafunzi wale walipoyasikia maneno ya Yesu, walijisikia kuwa wanamhitaji. Walimtafuta, wakamwona, na kumfuata. Walikuwa pamoja naye nyumbani, mezani, chumbani, na mashambani. Walikuwa pamoja naye kama wanafunzi wa shule wanavyokuwa pamoja na mwalimu wao, wakipokea kila siku mafundisho ya ile kweli takatifu kutoka kinywani mwake. Walimtegemea kama watumishi wanavyomtegemea bwana wao, ili wapate kujua wajibu wao.

Wanafunzi wale walikuwa ni wanadamu wenye “tabia moja na sisi.” Yak. 5:17. Walikuwa na pambano lile lile dhidi ya dhambi kama sisi. Waliihitaji neema ile ile ili wapate kuishi maisha matakatifu. Hata na Yohana, mwanafunzi mpendwa wa Yesu, aliyefanana naye kwa ukamilifu kuliko wale wengine, hakuzaliwa akiwa na tabia nzuri. Alikuwa si mtu aliyependa tu kuwa kimbelembele na kutaka heshima, bali alipoumizwa alikuwa mwenye harara na chuki moyoni mwake. Lakini tabia ya Yule Mtakatifu ilipofunuliwa kwake, aliona mapungufu yake mwenyewe, naye akanyenyekea kutokana na ujuzi ule alioupata. Aliona nguvu na uvumilivu, uwezo na huruma, utukufu na upole katika maisha ya kila siku ya yule Mwana wa Mungu, mambo hayo yaliujaza moyo wake na sifa na upendo. Siku kwa siku moyo wake ulizidi kuvutwa kwa Yesu Kristo. Mpaka akajisahau nafsi
yake mwenyewe kutokana na upendo aliokuwa nao kwa Bwana wake, tabia yake ya harara na kutaka makuu ikashindwa chini ya uwezo wa Kristo ubadilishao tabia.
Uwezo wa Roho Mtakatifu ufanyao tabia ya mtu kuwa mpya uliufanya moyo wake kuwa mpya. Nguvu ya upendo wake Kristo ilifanya badiliko kamili la tabia yake. Hayo ndiyo matokeo ya hakika kwa mtu ye yote anayeunganika na Yesu. Kristo akaapo moyoni, tabia yote hubadilika kabisa. Roho wake Kristo, upendo wake, huulainisha moyo, na kuitawala nafsi ya mtu, na kuyainua juu mawazo yake na tamaa zake kuelekea kwa Mungu na mambo ya mbinguni. Yesu alipopaa kwenda mbinguni, wafuasi wake bado walikuwa na hisia ya kuwapo kwake. Kulikuwa ni kuwapo kwake kimwili, akiwa amejaa upendo na nuru.
Yesu, Mwokozi, aliyekuwa ametembea na kuongea na kuomba pamoja nao, aliyekuwa amesema maneno yenye tumaini na faraja mioyoni mwao, wakati ujumbe huo wa amani
ulipokuwa bado unatoka kinywani mwake, alikuwa amechukuliwa kwenda juu mbinguni, na sauti hii ya maneno yake ilikuwa imekuja kwao tena, wakati lile wingu la malaika lilipompokea – “Tazama, mimi nipo pamoja nanyi sikuzote, hata ukamilifu wa dahari.” Mathayo 28:20. Alikuwa amepaa kwenda mbinguni akiwa na mwili wa kibinadamu. Walijua kwamba yuko mbele ya kiti cha enzi cha Mungu, akiwa bado ni Rafiki yao na Mwokozi wao; na kwamba huruma yake ilikuwa haijabadilika; na kwamba yeye bado alikuwa amejifungamanisha na wanadamu wanaoteseka. Alikuwa akionyesha mbele za Baba yake sifa za damu yake ya thamani, akimwonyesha mikono yake na miguu yake
iliyojeruhiwa, kukumbuka gharama aliyokuwa amelipa kwa ajili ya watu wake waliokombolewa. Walijua kwamba alikuwa amepaa kwenda mbinguni kuwaandalia mahali, na ya kwamba atakuja tena, na kuwachukua kwenda nao kwake. Walipokutana, baada ya kupaa kwake, walikuwa na hamu ya kupeleka maombi yao kwa Baba kwa jina la Yesu. Kwa kicho kikuu waliinamisha vichwa vyao chini
walipoomba, wakarudia kusema ahadi yake hii, “Mkimwomba Baba neno lo lote atawapa
kwa jina langu. Hata sasa hamkuomba neno kwa jina langu, ombeni, nanyi mtapata; furaha yenu iwe timilifu.” Yoh. 16:23,24. Waliunyosha mkono wao wa imani juu zaidi na juu zaidi, wakiwa na hoja hii yenye nguvu, “Kristo ndiye aliyekufa; naam, na zaidi yahayo, amefufuka katika wafu, naye yuko mkono wa kuume wa Mungu; tena ndiye anayetuombea.” Warumi 8:34. Na siku ya Pentekoste wakapata kujazwa Roho Mtakatifu, yule Mfariji ambaye Kristo alisema juu yake, “Naye atakuwa ndani yenu.” Naye alikuwa ameongeza kusema, “Yawafaa ninyi mimi niondoke; kwa maana mimi
nisipoondoka, huyo Msaidizi hatakuja kwenu; bali mimi nikienda zangu, nitampeleka kwenu.” Yoh. 14:17; 16:7. Tangu siku hiyo, kwa njia ya Roho Mtakatifu, Kristo hukaa mioyoni mwa watu wake sikuzote. Muungano wao pamoja naye ulikuwa wa karibu sana kuliko wakati alipokuwa pamoja nao kimwili. Nuru, na upendo, na uweza wa Kristo akaaye ndani yao uliangaza nje kupitia kwao, hata watu walipowatazama “wakastaajabu, wakatambua ya kwamba walikuwa pamoja na Yesu.” Matendo 4:13.

KUKUA KATIKA KRISTO

SOMO LA PILI.

Yesu hufundisha jambo lile lile asemapo, “Kaeni ndani yangu, nami ndani yenu Kama vile tawi lisivyoweza kuzaa peke yake, lisipokaa ndani ya mzabibu, kadhalika nanyi, msipokaa ndani yangu…. Maana pasipo mimi ninyi hamwezi kufanya neno lolote.” Yoh. 15:4,5.
Wewe unamtegemea Kristo ili kuishi maisha matakatifu sawasawa na tawi linavyofungamana na mti wenyewe ili lipate kukua na kuzaa matunda. Pasipo yeye huna uzima. Huna nguvu ya kuyapinga majaribu au ya kukuwezesha kukua katika neema na utakatifu. Ukikaa ndani yake, waweza kusitawi. Ukipata uzima kutoka kwake huwezi kunyauka wala kukosa kuzaa matunda. Utakuwa kama mti uliopandwa kando ya mito yenye maji.

Wengi hudhani kwamba ni wajibu wao kufanya sehemu ya kazi ile wenyewe wamemtumainia Kristo kwa msamaha wa dhambi zao, lakini sasa wanaona ya kwamba kwa juhudi zao wenyewe wanaweza kuishi maisha yaliyo safi. Lakini kila juhudi ya aina hiyo ni lazima ishindwe. Yesu asema, “Pasipo mimi ninyi hamwezi kufanya neno lolote.” Kukua kwetu katika neema, furaha yetu, kuwa na manufaa kwetu kwa wengine  mambo hayo yote hutegemea muungano wetu na Kristo. Ni kwa njia ya kuongea naye, kila siku, kila saa tunapaswa kukua katika neema.
Yeye siye tu mwenye kuianzisha imani yetu, bali ndiye mwenye kuitimiza. Kristo ndiye wa kwanza na wa mwisho na wa sikuzote. Anakuwa pamoja nasi, si mwanzo tu na mwisho wa njia yetu, bali katika kila hatua tunayotembea katika njia hiyo. Daudi asema, “Nimemweka Bwana mbele yangu
daima, kwa kuwa yuko kuumeni kwangu, sitaondoshwa.” Zaburi 16:8. Pengine unauliza, “Nawezaje kukaa ndani ya Kristo?” Kama ulivyompokea moyoni mara ya kwanza. “Kama mlivyompokea Kristo Yesu, Bwana, enendeni vivyo hivyo katika yeye.” “Mwenye haki ataishi kwa imani.” Kol. 2:6; Ebr. 10:38. Ulijitoa kwa Mungu kuwa mtu wake kabisa, kumtumikia na kumtii, tena ulimpokea Kristo kama Mwokozi wako.

Wewe mwenyewe hukuweza kujiondolea dhambi zako, wala kuugeuza moyo wako; lakini ulipokuwa umejitoa kuwa wa Mungu, ndipo uliposadiki kwamba Mungu ndiye aliyekutendea haya yote kwa ajili ya Kristo. Kwa njia ya imani ulikuwa wake Kristo; na kwa imani hiyo utazidi kukua ndani yake - kwa kujitoa na kumpokea. Yakupasa kutoa vyote kwake - moyo wako, nia yako, na utumishi wako - jitoe kwake ili upate kuyatii matakwa yake yote; tena yakupasa kupokea vyote – Kristo, utimilifu wa
baraka zote, ili akae moyoni mwako, awe nguvu zako, haki yako, na msaidizi wako
daima - ili akupe nguvu za kukuwezesha kumtii.
Jitoe kwake Mungu kila asubuhi, kabla hujafanya kitu cho chote. Omba hivi: “Bwana wangu, unichukue, niwe wako kamili. Mipango yangu yote naiweka miguuni pako. Unitumie leo katika kazi yako. Ukae nami, ili kazi yangu yote itendeke katika wewe.” Hili ndilo jambo lipaswalo kufanywa kila siku. Kila asubuhi ujitoe kuwa wa Mungu kwa siku ile. Weka mipango yako yote mbele yake, ili kuifanya au kutoifanya kama atakavyokuonyesha. Hivyo ndivyo siku kwa siku waweza kuendelea kuyakabidhi maisha yako mkononi mwa Mungu, na maisha yako yatafanana zaidi na zaidi na maisha
yake Kristo.

Maisha ndani ya Kristo ni maisha ya raha mustarehe. Huenda pasiwepo na hisia ya furaha kuu moyoni mwako, lakini patakuwa na matumaini yenye utulivu unaodumu. Matumaini yako hayamo ndani yako mwenyewe; yamo ndani ya Kristo. Udhaifu wako unaunganishwa na nguvu zake, kutojua kwako huunganishwa na hekima yake, unyonge wako unaunganishwa na uwezo wake udumuo daima. Hivyo haifai kuiangalia nafsi yako mwenyewe, kuyaacha mawazo yako kuwaza juu ya nafsi yako; bali mwangalie Kristo tu.
Fikiri sana juu ya upendo wake, juu ya uzuri na utimilifu wa tabia yake. Kristo alivyojinyima, Kristo alivyojidhili, Kristo alivyokuwa na maisha safi na matakatifu,Kristo katika upendo wake usio na kifani, hayo ndiyo mambo yafaayo kufikiriwa moyoni. Ni kwa njia ya kumpenda yeye, kumwiga matendo yake na tabia yake, kumtegemea kabisa, ndipo utaweza kugeuka kabisa na kufanana naye.
Yesu asema, “Kaeni ndani yangu.” Maneno haya yanatupa wazo la kukaa mustarehe na kuwa imara, na kuwa na matumaini. Asema tena, “Njoni kwangu,… nami nitawapumzisha.” Mathayo 11:28. Maneno haya ya Mtunga Zaburi yanaeleza wazo lilo hilo: “Ukae kimya mbele za Bwana, nawe umngojee kwa saburi.” Zab. 37:7. Naye Isaya anatuhakikishia hivi: “Nguvu zenu zitakuwa katika kutulia na kutumaini.” Isaya 30:15. Kustarehe huku hakupatikani kwa kukaa bure katika hali ya kutofanya kazi; maana katika mwaliko wa Mwokozi ahadi ya kupata raha imefungamana na wito wa kufanya kazi. “Jitieni nira yangu,… nanyi mtapata raha.” Mathayo 11:29. Yule anayemtegemea
Kristo kabisa atakuwa mtu mwenye moyo na juhudi nyingi kabisa katika kumtumikia
Mungu.

Kukua Katika Kristo

Somo la kwanza 

KULE kuongoka moyo ambako kunatufanya tupate kuwa watoto wa Mungu, kumenenwa katika Biblia kama ni kuzaliwa. Tena kumelinganishwa na kuota kwa mbegu njema zilizopandwa na mkulima. Vivyo hivyo wale ambao wameongoka moyo na kuanza kumfuata Kristo ni kama “watoto wachanga,” (1 Petro 2:2), tena lazima wakue hata wawe kama watu wazima katika Kristo Yesu. Au kama mbegu njema zilizopandwa shambani zinavyokua, nao wanapaswa kukua na kutoa matunda mema ya kiroho.

Isaya asema hivi juu yao, “Wapate kuitwa miti ya haki, iliyopandwa na Bwana, ili atukuzwe.”
Isa. 61:3. Hivyo kutoka katika viumbe vya asili hutolewa vielelezo ili vipate kutusaidia sisi kuzielewa vizuri zaidi zile kweli za ajabu za maisha ya kiroho. Akili zote na ustadi wote wa mwanadamu haviwezi kamwe kukipa uhai kitu chochote kilicho kidogo sana katika maumbile.

Ni kwa uhai ule tu alioutoa Mungu mwenyewe mmea au mnyama anaweza kuishi. Hivyo ni kwa njia tu ya uhai utokao kwa Mungu maisha ya kiroho hupatikana ndani ya mioyo ya wanadamu. Mtu “asipozaliwa mara ya pili” hawezi kushiriki uzima ule ambao Kristo alikuja kutupa sisi. Yoh. 3:3,5.
Kama ilivyo katika kupata uzima, ndivyo ilivyo katika kuendelea kukua. Ni Mungu anayelifanya chipukizi lichanue na ua ligeuke na kuwa tunda. Ni kwa uwezo wake mbegu inakua, “kwanza jani, tena suke, kisha ngano pevu katika suke.” Marko 4:28.

Naye Hosea nabii anasema kuhusu Israeli ya kwamba “atachanua maua kama nyinyoro.” “Watafufuka kama ngano, na kuchanua maua kama mzabibu.” Hosea 14:5,7. Na Yesu anatuagiza anasema, “Yatafakarini maua jinsi yameavyo.” Luka 12:27. Mimea na maua havikui kwa kujitunza na kuhangaika na kujitahidi vyenyewe, bali kwa kuvipokea vile anavyotoa Mungu ili kuendesha uzima wao. Mtoto, kwa kuhangaika kwake au kwa nguvu zake mwenyewe, hawezi kuongeza urefu wake. Na wewe pia, kwa kuhangaika kwako na juhudi zako mwenyewe, huwezi kuendelea kukua katika mambo ya kiroho. Mmea au mtoto hukua katika mazingira yake kwa kupokea vile vinavyoweza kusaidia kuendesha uzima wake,hewa, mwanga wa jua, na chakula. Jinsi vitu hivyo
vya asili vinavyofaa kwa uhai wa mnyama na mmea, ndivyo Kristo alivyo kwa wale wanaomtumaini. Yeye kwao ndiye “nuru ya milele,” “ni jua na ngao.” Isa. 60:19; Zab. 84:11. Atakuwa “kama umande kwa Israeli.” “Atashuka kama mvua juu ya majani yaliyokatwa.” Hosea 14:5; Zab. 72:6. Yeye ndiye maji ya uzima, “mkate wa Mungu ushukao kutoka mbinguni na kuupa ulimwengu uzima.” Yoh. 4:14; 6:33,35.Katika ile zawadi ya Mwanawe isiyo na kifani, Mungu aliizungushia dunia yote hewa ya neema yake ambayo ni halisi kama hewa inayoizunguka dunia.

Wale wote wanaochagua kuvuta hewa hii iletayo uzima wataishi, na kukua hadi kufikia kimo cha
wanaume na wanawake katika Kristo Yesu. Kama ua linavyolielekea jua, ili mionzi inayong’aa iweze kusaidia katika kuukamilisha uzuri wake na umbile lake linganifu, ndivyo itupasavyo sisi kuligeukia Jua la Haki, ili nuru ya Mbinguni ipate kung’aa juu yetu, ili tabia yetu iweze kukua na
kufanana na ile ya Kristo.

The Great Commission

After the death of Christ the disciples were well-nigh overcome by discouragement. Their Master had been rejected, condemned, and crucified. The priests and rulers had declared scornfully, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” Matthew 27:42. The sun of the disciples’ hope had set, and night settled down upon their hearts. Often they repeated the words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” Luke 24:21. Lonely and sick at heart, they remembered His words, “If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” Luke 23:31. AA 25.1

Jesus had several times attempted to open the future to His disciples, but they had not cared to think about what He said. Because of this His death had come to them as a surprise; and afterward, as they reviewed the past and saw the result of their unbelief, they were filled with sorrow. When Christ was crucified, they did not believe that He would rise. He had stated plainly that He was to rise on the third day, but they were perplexed to know what He meant. This lack of comprehension left them at the time of His death in utter hopelessness. They were bitterly disappointed. Their faith did not penetrate beyond the shadow that Satan had cast athwart their horizon. All seemed vague and mysterious to them. If they had believed the Saviour’s words, how much sorrow they might have been spared! AA 25.2 Crushed by despondency, grief, and despair, the disciples met together in the upper chamber, and closed and fastened the doors, fearing that the fate of their beloved Teacher might be theirs. It was here that the Saviour, after His resurrection, appeared to them. AA 26.1

For forty days Christ remained on the earth, preparing the disciples for the work before them and explaining that which heretofore they had been unable to comprehend. He spoke of the prophecies concerning His advent, His rejection by the Jews, and His death, showing that every specification of these prophecies had been fulfilled. He told them that they were to regard this fulfillment of prophecy as an assurance of the power that would attend them in their future labors. “Then opened He their understanding,” we read, “that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” And He added, “Ye are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:45-48. AA 26.2
During these days that Christ spent with His disciples, they gained a new experience. As they heard their beloved Master explaining the Scriptures in the light of all that had happened, their faith in Him was fully established. They reached the place where they could say, “I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12. They began to realize the nature and extent of their work, to see that they were to proclaim to the world the truths entrusted to them. The events of Christ’s life, His death and resurrection, the prophecies pointing to these events, the mysteries of the plan of salvation, the power of Jesus for the remission of sins—to all these things they had been witnesses, and they were to make them known to the world. They were to proclaim the gospel of peace and salvation through repentance and the power of the Saviour. AA 27.1

Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave His disciples their commission. He told them that they were to be the executors of the will in which He bequeathed to the world the treasures of eternal life. You have been witnesses of My life of sacrifice in behalf of the world, He said to them. You have seen My labors for Israel. And although My people would not come to Me that they might have life, although priests and rulers have done unto Me as they listed, although they have rejected Me, they shall have still another opportunity of accepting the Son of God. You have seen that all who come to Me confessing their sins, I freely receive. Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. To you, My disciples, I commit this message of mercy. It is to be given to both Jews and Gentiles—to Israel, first, and then to all nations, tongues, and peoples. All who believe are to be gathered into one church. AA 27.2
The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom. The disciples were to work earnestly for souls, giving to all the invitation of mercy. They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to go to the people with their message. AA 28.1
The disciples were to carry their work forward in Christ’s name. Their every word and act was to fasten attention on His name, as possessing that vital power by which sinners may be saved. Their faith was to center in Him who is the source of mercy and power. In His name they were to present their petitions to the Father, and they would receive answer. They were to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christ’s name was to be their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing was to be recognized in His kingdom that did not bear His name and superscription. AA 28.2

When Christ said to the disciples, Go forth in My name to gather into the church all who believe, He plainly set before them the necessity of maintaining simplicity. The less ostentation and show, the greater would be their influence for good. The disciples were to speak with the same simplicity with which Christ had spoken. They were to impress upon their hearers the lessons He had taught them. AA 28.3
Christ did not tell His disciples that their work would be easy. He showed them the vast confederacy of evil arrayed against them. They would have to fight “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12. But they would not be left to fight alone. He assured them that He would be with them; and that if they would go forth in faith, they should move under the shield of Omnipotence. He bade them be brave and strong; for One mightier than angels would be in their ranks—the General of the armies of heaven. He made full provision for the prosecution of their work and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. Go to all nations, He bade them. Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe and be assured that My presence will be with you even there. Labor in faith and confidence; for the time will never come when I will forsake you. I will be with you always, helping you to perform your duty, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, sustaining you, giving you success in speaking words that shall draw the attention of others to heaven. AA 29.1

Christ’s sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled. The work for which He had come to this world had been accomplished. He had won the kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan and had become heir of all things. He was on His way to the throne of God, to be honored by the heavenly host. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His disciples their commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.” Matthew 28:19, 20. AA 29.2
Just before leaving His disciples, Christ once more plainly stated the nature of His kingdom. He recalled to their remembrance things He had previously told them regarding it. He declared that it was not His purpose to establish in this world a temporal kingdom. He was not appointed to reign as an earthly monarch on David’s throne. When the disciples asked Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” He answered, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” Acts 1:6, 7. It was not necessary for them to see farther into the future than the revelations He had made enabled them to see. Their work was to proclaim the gospel message. AA 30.1

Christ’s visible presence was about to be withdrawn from the disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be theirs. The Holy Spirit was to be given them in its fullness, sealing them for their work. “Behold,” the Saviour said, “I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49. “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:5, 8. AA 30.2
The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the disciples would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give them. AA 31.1

Christ told His disciples that they were to begin their work at Jerusalem. That city had been the scene of His amazing sacrifice for the human race. There, clad in the garb of humanity, He had walked and talked with men, and few had discerned how near heaven came to earth. There He had been condemned and crucified. In Jerusalem were many who secretly believed Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah, and many who had been deceived by priests and rulers. To these the gospel must be proclaimed. They were to be called to repentance. The wonderful truth that through Christ alone could remission of sins be obtained, was to be made plain. And it was while all Jerusalem was stirred by the thrilling events of the past few weeks, that the preaching of the disciples would make the deepest impression. AA 31.2
During His ministry, Jesus had kept constantly before the disciples the fact that they were to be one with Him in His work for the recovery of the world from the slavery of sin. When He sent forth the Twelve and afterward the Seventy, to proclaim the kingdom of God, He was teaching them their duty to impart to others what He had made known to them. In all His work He was training them for individual labor, to be extended as their numbers increased, and eventually to reach to the uttermost parts of the earth. The last lesson He gave His followers was that they held in trust for the world the glad tidings of salvation. AA 32.1 When the time came for Christ to ascend to His Father, He led the disciples out as far as Bethany. Here He paused, and they gathered about Him. With hands outstretched in blessing, as if in assurance of His protecting care, He slowly ascended from among them. “It came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:51. AA 32.2

While the disciples were gazing upward to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, He was received into the rejoicing ranks of heavenly angels. As these angels escorted Him to the courts above, they sang in triumph, “Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord, to Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens.... Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is in the heavens.” Psalm 68:32-34, margin. AA 32.3 The disciples were still looking earnestly toward heaven when, “behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10, 11. AA 33.1
The promise of Christ’s second coming was ever to be kept fresh in the minds of His disciples. The same Jesus whom they had seen ascending into heaven, would come again, to take to Himself those who here below give themselves to His service. The same voice that had said to them, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end,” would bid them welcome to His presence in the heavenly kingdom. AA 33.2

As in the typical service the high priest laid aside his pontifical robes and officiated in the white linen dress of an ordinary priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes and garbed Himself with humanity and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. As the high priest, after performing his service in the holy of holies, came forth to the waiting congregation in his pontifical robes; so Christ will come the second time, clothed in garments of whitest white, “so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Mark 9:3. He will come in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, and all the angelic host will escort Him on His way. AA 33.3 Thus will be fulfilled Christ’s promise to His disciples, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.” John 14:3. Those who have loved Him and waited for Him, He will crown with glory and honor and immortality. The righteous dead will come forth from their graves, and those who are alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air. They will hear the voice of Jesus, sweeter than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying to them, Your warfare is accomplished. “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. AA 34.1
Well might the disciples rejoice in the hope of their Lord’s return. AA 34.2