—By Isaiah Ogedegbe
Rev. Lawrence O. Agbirekomi, on Thursday morning of 2nd April 2026, shared an insightful message titled: "Jesus Christ's Life, The Light Of Men." Based on Isaiah 60:1-2 and John 1:4-5, the senior pastor of Gihon City Bible Church began by stating that the power of darkness lies in the absence of light. He expounded on the correlation between life and light, as revealed in John 1:4, emphasizing that life often exists where there is light.
A clear illustration of this truth can be seen in plant life, where photosynthesis is essential for survival. Plants cannot survive without sunlight, no matter how much carbon dioxide and water they receive. In a similar manner, the light of spiritual knowledge that comes from Jesus Christ is essential for our spiritual growth and fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God.
The cleric pointed out that spiritual knowledge emanates from the light embodied in Jesus Christ's life, and Psalm 119:130 indicates that this very light yields revelation and spiritual understanding for believers. He went on to say that, "The cure to ignorance is knowledge, and light brings knowledge." He elucidated that the gross darkness enveloping the people entails ignorance and deception. Yet, as believers, we should shine forth as lights in our generation, showcasing divine brilliance and sagacity while in the world.
However, he cautioned believers against letting ignorance and deception take hold, warning that the danger of deception lies in its ability to deceive even the knowledgeable. As recorded in Hosea 4:6, he noted that ignorance is a tool frequently used by the devil to mislead people, emphasizing the need for self-awareness. According to him, "Deception is so dangerous that even in your knowledge, you can be deceived. Satan often deceives people, and you must not also deceive yourself. Do not allow the gross darkness of ignorance and deception to cover you." He, therefore, urged them to prioritize the Scriptures over superstitions and the teachings of Jesus Christ over human traditions. He added that, "When God's Word richly dwells in you, then you understand the depth of God's dominion that is in you."
Rev. Lawrence Agbirekomi, referencing 2 Corinthians 3:18, underscored the spiritual transformation of believers into the likeness of Jesus Christ as a progressive process. Beholding God's glory with an open heart allows believers to be transformed inwardly by God's Spirit, advancing in spiritual maturity. He stressed that a person's focus determines their transformation, making it essential to consider what one beholds.
He unequivocally declared that God's Word holds His glory, and every time we look at it, we undergo transformation, becoming more like Him. This continuous process of transformation, driven by the Spirit of the Lord, reshapes us into His likeness without reliance on human effort. He reiterated that our transformative journey is marked by continuous progress rather than regression. This process entails a gradual and ongoing change that originates from within and from a deepening focus on Jesus Christ, leading believers to mirror His character. Consequently, it results in the elimination of detrimental behaviors and the heart's liberation from the grip of sin, underscoring the transformative power of grace.
By analogy, he likened the journey of our spiritual transformation to the four-stage metamorphosis of a butterfly which encompasses the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Just as every beautiful butterfly begins as an egg, progresses through the larval stage, enters a pupal stage, and ultimately emerges as a mature adult, every believer also manifests this fundamental spiritual principle of divine evolution, evolving from an infant believer nourished by basic teachings to a mature Christian who can discern deeper biblical truths.
