DAMIAN NAKARE II
Damian Nakare II grew up in poverty in the ghetto. He was helpless, and his handicap made his childhood hard. Bullies targeted him at school and in the community. Many people tease him with funny names. But his mother encouraged him to be strong.
At age 24, he believed in the Lord Jesus. He accepted the gospel of grace. He is passionate about preaching and teaching the Bible. He also offers guidance to those going through hard times. He spreads the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ to others. He hopes to work with God, the Creator of Heaven. His book is ‘The Gospel in Seven Words: clarifying John 3:16.’ In this book, he offers a concise summary of the grace-based gospel.
GRACE IS ON DISPLAY
LINDA IN THE VILLAGE
The Greek word “charis” means unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favor. It is the origin of the word “grace.” It is a gratuitous favor that accomplishes nothing. Grace is a present. All men see grace, but not all can experience it. What will you do when you hear the word “grace”? Consider Jesus by Himself! The Lord Jesus Christ is synonymous with the gospel and grace, and humility is their ally. The humble mentality is where the power of grace works. A follower of Jesus Christ needs to approach the throne of grace. Why should you be afraid to approach Jesus Christ when He has already paid the full price for your sins?
The grace of the apostle Paul was marvelously expended. He comprehended the Lord Jesus Christ, and he was aware of his mission. It makes sense why Jesus states, “We do not lose heart since we have this ministry because we have received mercy.” You are pressuring the Lord to reveal more to you. This is if you understand what grace is and who the Lord Jesus Christ is. You have to grasp the gospel to be able to feel God’s power. The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of grace!
When God is at work in a person’s life, He lets His grace do the hard work. He doesn’t need that person to do anything special, since His grace is enough. For a Christian, understanding grace is crucial. Understanding grace entails studying the thoughts of the Lord, Jesus Christ. “Put on the Lord Jesus,” declares the word of the Lord. You see, without knowing how grace operates, it is impossible to put on the Lord Jesus. What gives a Christian such assurance is God’s grace. There is a constant need to exalt Jesus Christ. Imagine the situation if Jesus Christ had not died on the cross.
You may be wondering: Where is truth, and where is grace? There is a connection between truth and grace. Truth exists where grace does, and grace exists where truth does. Let me show you how Jesus Christ brought grace and truth, while Moses gave the law.” “But grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” it says once more. Whoa! Have you observed that? It sounds amazing. Grace and truth are the two terms that will be our main topics. Recall that Moses received the law, and who was the channel for the revelation of grace and truth? Jesus Christ, the Lord! You have to mumble the name of Jesus anytime you utter these two words.
One needs to believe the truth to first feel God’s grace. Without believing the truth, you are unable to receive God’s grace. In reality, believing the truth unlocks the grace of God applied to the cross. The truth is the doorway to grace. Again, I say it: There is a door to grace. What’s the real story? When Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” do you recall? I’m hoping you know about it. The response is, “I am.” Furthermore, who is “I am”? Jesus Christ, the Lord. On one side, he exudes honesty, and on the other, grace. When Jesus challenged the Pharisees and Scribes, He told them to study the scriptures. The scriptures bear witness to Him. He repeated, “They will know the truth, and it will set them free when they keep studying the scriptures.”
Even though it is unpopular, people can access the truth and apply it with grace. God’s grace is evident to everyone. But not everybody is feeling it. God’s grace is being enjoyed by those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rejecting the truth is the most harmful thing you can do. And when you do that, you end up where? You turn down grace. My dear readers, you will encounter the truth when you meet Jesus Christ. You will learn everything from the gift that is the Holy Spirit. And it’s true that “everything”
Many individuals fear the truth, even though they desire to hear it. Even so, individuals cannot accept the truth when someone shows it to them. They face the threat of a bomb demolishing them. You are whole in Him (Jesus), my dear. It also implies that you can have as much grace and honesty as you desire. You will learn grace and truth from Jesus. Although they expected Him to tell them the truth, the Jews rejected Him due to their blindness. They wanted to hear the truth. You need grace to understand the truth. Once you do, it will help you live well in this sinful world. It’s the will of God to give the truth to His children for them to function.
If grace is not drawing us in, we are unable to know the truth. We are not able to draw ourselves to the truth; grace is the one guiding us there. Before you can uncover the truth, you must first find grace. Furthermore, grace opens the door to the truth, as we have been saying. The truth lies concealed within grace. You must come to grace to discover the truth and the treasures of the truth. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus was only teaching that you can’t know the freeing truth until you first believe in Him.
The grace of God has appeared to all men. Now a question: where did grace appear? The answer is so simple: ON THE CROSS! You have to hear the gospel of grace before you come to the truth. Listen here; the truth cannot make you free, but the knowledge of the truth can. What is the knowledge of the truth? Here are some answers. Salvation is only by grace. You have nothing to do to enter heaven. It is only by faith in Jesus. You can’t do anything to please the Lord. You must understand that water baptism can’t save you. To mention a few, you have paid for your sins. And if you know this is true, it will make you free. You will be free from bondage. When the gospel comes to you, that is a cover; you have to believe the gospel and enjoy the truth in it. You better throw away the veil of legality and realize that there is grace to save. I didn’t become a Christian by my power. I am a Christian by grace. I have a Christian grace telling me so. Grace guides my life, and that is why I love it. I am a stranger to this world because grace is on my side. But I see Jesus!
The divine grace is life’s force. Life as a Christian is obscure and secretive. Grace protects Christians. Those who haven’t converted can’t understand them.
Grace makes the scriptures alive.
How much time did God take to write the words of God? What number of generations are there now? You are reading God’s words now. Thousands of grandfathers and grandmothers have read them before you. Why? Because the words are alive because of grace! You study the scriptures, dear ones. Not because you want to, but because grace makes it possible.
The papers bore the inspired words of God, intended to help us know and comprehend Him. The Holy Spirit illuminates what God has written.
Both the words and the Lord Jesus Christ are alive today. The tool that helps us comprehend who Jesus Christ is is God’s grace. Grace makes the phrases pierce the soul. A Christian understands the words of truth because of grace. A Christian can distinguish between truth and error because of grace. In a Christian life, grace makes the words meaningful. Before men, Grace is unbelievable.
Grace will pique your interest in the words when you open your Bible. Grace will make you want to read the Bible. To memorize, apply, speak, and understand its words. And to teach and preach them.
Grace helps you realize that the Bible is adequate. Grace helps you see that the Bible is enough. Throughout it, one can find revelations. Grace teaches you that the Bible contains all the answers to life’s questions. And as you study the Bible, grace will provide you with the solutions.
To you, God’s grace is everything. Even if we are at a loss for words, grace inspires us to express the amazing things that God has done. Grace is always there to support us, even in moments when we are unable to speak. Thanks to grace, God’s words are alive. We must comprehend and be aware of the workings of God’s grace. God is aware that redemption from sin requires grace. Furthermore, you must remain on the grace ground for God to start operating in your life.
The reign of grace.
The grace is captivating. And no matter what, grace is impervious to sin. The Lord Jesus Christ is at the center of and related to everything. It’s important to realize that the Lord Jesus is the key figure in the kingdom of grace. His death was not in vain.
When someone believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, grace works in all areas of their life.
A Christian’s life is not hard. Odd things might happen to him, but grace is there to help him overcome them.
Never forget that God’s grace rules your life. To name a few, there is grace reigning in sin. There is grace reigning in adversity and frailty. Also in disappointment and rejection. Grace also reigns in failure and persecution.
God cursed the Moabite tribe, to which Ruth belonged. Ruth was later identified as belonging to the generation of the Lord Jesus Christ. While tending to the sheep, King David ascended to the throne of Israel. Hannah gave birth to Samuel despite being sterile and unable to bear children. Though his brothers detested him, Joseph went on to become prime minister. Do you know how the kingdom of grace works?
God uses things that the world rejects. They see them as nothing more than bases. They mock, ignore, and find them useless. Are you aware of the reason? to manifest His glory and for His grace to reign in those areas. God looks for empty, weak objects to fill them with His grace.
Have you given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, dear? I want to remind you that you can fill yourself with grace. You can carry yourself to unexpected places. Instead of concentrating on the past, pay attention to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has covered the entire amount, so you don’t need to worry. All you need to do is trust in Christ Jesus the Lord and let God’s grace rule over everything in your life.
Legalism is the enemy of grace.
You should read the book of Galatians because it protects grace from legalism, which is its enemy. Individuals attempting to poison the Galatian brethren enraged the apostle, Paul. The legalistic instructors sought to twist the grace. It had saved the Christians in Galatia by faith. Adding something to God’s grace nullifies grace. Furthermore, God’s grace will not impact you in any way.
Legalism is the work of the flesh [the body], and grace is the work of the Spirit of God. The flesh and the Spirit of God cannot work together; neither agree. Grace hates the works of the flesh. When the flesh is in control, grace stops working. Legalistic practices glorify sinful nature, but grace glorifies the works of Christ. You know that God hates sin and cannot tolerate it. The scriptures state, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Legalisms produce pride, but grace produces humility. God resists the proud and is merciful to the humble. A proud person is legalistic, and he is the enemy of grace. A proud person is against the cross of Christ because they are not thankful for what Christ has done. He bases his perspective on himself, not on Christ. He thinks that he will go to heaven with his strength and work. This person explains scriptures based on his foolish knowledge. He does not do it according to the Spirit of God.
Damian Nakare II © 2024
Linda had always been a city girl. The noise, the hustle and bustle, the towering skyscrapers, and the crowded streets were all she had ever known. But after years of working long hours in a high-stress job, she felt drained and disconnected. She longed for a change, a break from the daily grind. When her friend Sarah invited her to spend a few months in her hometown village, Linda hesitated at first. She had never been to a village before and didn’t know what to expect. But the idea of a slower pace of life appealed to her, so she agreed.
Sarah’s village, Mbinga, was nestled in a lush valley surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. As Linda stepped off the bus, the fresh air hit her like a wave. It was cool, crisp, and carried the scent of wildflowers and damp earth. She took a deep breath, feeling an unfamiliar sense of peace settle over her.
“Welcome to Mbinga!” Sarah greeted her with a wide smile. “You’re going to love it here. Come on, let’s go to the house.”
Linda followed Sarah down a narrow, winding path that led to a small cottage made of mud bricks and thatched with palm leaves. The simplicity of the home was a stark contrast to Linda’s modern apartment in the city, but it had a charm that she couldn’t deny.
“This is beautiful,” Linda said, looking around.
“I knew you’d like it,” Sarah replied, beaming with pride. “Come inside, and I’ll show you around.”
The interior was cozy and warm. Handmade rugs covered the floors, and the walls were adorned with colorful tapestries. A small fireplace sat in one corner, and a wooden table with mismatched chairs occupied the center of the room. The kitchen was modest, with a clay stove and shelves lined with jars of spices and dried herbs.
“This is lovely, Sarah,” Linda said, feeling more at ease than she had in months.
“Thank you! Now, let me show you the garden,” Sarah said, leading Linda to the back of the house.
The garden was a burst of colors—rows of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Bees buzzed lazily from blossom to blossom, and butterflies flitted through the air.
“You grow all of this yourself?” Linda asked, amazed.
“Yes, it’s therapeutic,” Sarah said, kneeling to pluck a ripe tomato. “Here, try this.”
Linda took the tomato, biting into its juicy flesh. The flavor was unlike anything she had ever tasted—fresh, sweet, and full of life.
“This is incredible,” she said, savoring the taste.
“That’s the magic of nature,” Sarah replied with a smile. “Come on, let’s go meet some of the villagers.”
As they walked through the village, Linda noticed how different everything was from the city. People moved at a leisurely pace, stopping to chat with each other. Children played in the streets, their laughter echoing through the air. There were no blaring horns, no crowds jostling for space. Instead, there was a sense of community and harmony that Linda found refreshing.
Sarah introduced her to several villagers—Elder Musa, the wise old man who knew everything about the village’s history; Mama Aisha, the baker whose bread was famous for miles; and young David, who ran the local market with his father. Each person greeted Linda with warmth and curiosity.
“Welcome to Mbinga, Linda,” Elder Musa said, his eyes twinkling with kindness. “We hope you find peace and happiness here.”
“Thank you,” Linda replied, feeling genuinely touched. “I think I already am.”
Over the next few weeks, Linda settled into village life. She helped Sarah in the garden, learned to cook traditional dishes, and even tried her hand at pottery. The villagers welcomed her with open arms, and she quickly became a part of the community. She spent her days exploring the surrounding hills, sitting by the river, and enjoying the beauty of nature. For the first time in years, Linda felt truly alive.
One morning, as Linda was walking to the market, she noticed a group of children gathered around something on the ground. Curious, she approached and saw that they were playing with a small, injured bird.
“What happened?” she asked.
“We found it like this,” one of the boys said, looking up at her with wide eyes. “Can you help it?”
Linda knelt down, gently picking up the bird. Its wing was twisted, and it chirped weakly.
“Let’s take it to Sarah,” Linda said. “She’ll know what to do.”
They hurried back to Sarah’s house, where Sarah examined the bird with a practiced eye.
“It’s not too bad,” she said. “We just need to splint its wing and let it rest.”
Linda watched as Sarah skillfully bandaged the bird’s wing and placed it in a small basket with some soft cloth.
“Thank you, Sarah,” Linda said. “You’re always so good with these things.”
“It’s just a matter of patience and care,” Sarah replied. “You have that in you too, Linda.”
Linda smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. As she cared for the bird over the next few days, she found herself reflecting on her life. In the city, she had always been rushing, always stressed, always trying to prove herself. But here, in the village, she had learned the value of slowing down, of taking time to appreciate the small things.
One evening, as Linda sat by the river watching the sunset, Sarah joined her.
“You seem happy,” Sarah said, sitting down beside her.
“I am,” Linda replied. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
“I’m glad,” Sarah said. “You’ve brought a lot of joy to the village. Everyone loves having you here.”
“I love being here,” Linda said. “It’s like I’ve found a part of myself I didn’t know was missing.”
They sat in comfortable silence, watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink. The river flowed gently, and the sound of crickets filled the air.
“I don’t know if I can go back to the city,” Linda admitted after a while. “Life there feels so empty now.”
“You don’t have to,” Sarah said. “You can stay here as long as you like. Mbinga is your home now, too.”
Linda felt a surge of gratitude. She had found a place where she belonged, where she was accepted and loved. The village had taught her the importance of community, of living in harmony with nature, and of finding joy in the simple things.
As the days turned into weeks, Linda became more involved in village life. She helped organize festivals, taught children how to read, and even started a small pottery class. The villagers appreciated her enthusiasm and dedication, and she felt a deep sense of fulfillment.
One day, Elder Musa approached Linda with a request.
“We’re planning to build a new community center,” he said. “Would you be willing to help us with the planning?”
“Of course!” Linda replied, excited by the idea.
The project brought the entire village together. Everyone pitched in, offering their skills and time. Linda worked closely with the builders, designing a space that would serve as a gathering place for the community. It was hard work, but the sense of accomplishment and unity made it worthwhile.
As the new community center was completed, the village held a celebration. There was music, dancing, and food. Linda stood back, watching the villagers laugh and enjoy themselves. She felt a deep sense of pride and joy. Mbinga had become her home, and its people her family.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Sarah,” Linda said, turning to her friend.
“I didn’t bring you here,” Sarah replied with a smile. “You found your way here. And we’re all better for it.”
Linda realized then that her time in the village had changed her in ways she never expected. She had discovered a new way of living, one that valued connection, compassion, and simplicity. Mbinga had given her a new purpose and a sense of belonging that she had never felt before.
As the night wore on and the stars filled the sky, Linda knew that she had found her true home. The city was no longer a place she longed for. Here, in the village, she had found happiness, peace, and herself. And she knew that this was just the beginning of a new and beautiful chapter in her life.
Damian Nakare II © 2024
