Anything like illegitimate child? Is there truly a fatherless child? Is a child's behaviour a reflection of the circumstances of his birth?
In order to keep family intact and avoid sexual immorality, almost all cultures is rightly against women producing children through extra-marital relationships. Except Christianity that insists on fidelity, the man is however, one way or the other, traditionally, permitted to produce children from all sources.
All cultures also frown at 'divorce' just as the Bible does. In a traditional setting, even the death of a man is not allowed to end the marital relationship of the widow to the family. She' expected to be attended to by another male member of the family whether she likes it or not.
However, to every rule, there has always been exceptions. By my training as a Lawyer, I have observed that these exceptions, most often become even more important to oberve than the rules themselves. The principle of exceptions is abundantly practised in God's dealings with all His creatures. For instance, He has had to reverse the irreversibles by making dry bones to receive flesh. He has caused Red Sea to part for His children to pass while to His enemies, he applied the rule and they got drowned. He has to allow a bush to burn without the grass consumed. Today the strictest warning is for believers to marry believers. But sometimes, God permits it to happen the other way round and yet He glorified Himself in it. The biblical Ruth's story is an exemplary one where God bestowed FAVOUR to an woman from paganic origin. Such examples are limitless in the Bible.
Let's return to the issue of the so-called illegitimate children. We've had uncontrollable circumstances that had led to children being born out of wedlock. If discovered, such children have, by tradition, been treated with disdain, some ostracised from the normal setting. They are called all sorts of names: 'bastard, illegitimate, illegal, etc'. In some cultures, they are even outrightly cast away. So, many otherwise God-ordained prosperous lives have been ruined in this process.
All cultures also frown at 'divorce' just as the Bible does. In a traditional setting, even the death of a man is not allowed to end the marital relationship of the widow to the family. She' expected to be attended to by another male member of the family whether she likes it or not.
However, to every rule, there has always been exceptions. By my training as a Lawyer, I have observed that these exceptions, most often become even more important to oberve than the rules themselves. The principle of exceptions is abundantly practised in God's dealings with all His creatures. For instance, He has had to reverse the irreversibles by making dry bones to receive flesh. He has caused Red Sea to part for His children to pass while to His enemies, he applied the rule and they got drowned. He has to allow a bush to burn without the grass consumed. Today the strictest warning is for believers to marry believers. But sometimes, God permits it to happen the other way round and yet He glorified Himself in it. The biblical Ruth's story is an exemplary one where God bestowed FAVOUR to an woman from paganic origin. Such examples are limitless in the Bible.
Let's return to the issue of the so-called illegitimate children. We've had uncontrollable circumstances that had led to children being born out of wedlock. If discovered, such children have, by tradition, been treated with disdain, some ostracised from the normal setting. They are called all sorts of names: 'bastard, illegitimate, illegal, etc'. In some cultures, they are even outrightly cast away. So, many otherwise God-ordained prosperous lives have been ruined in this process.
While the writer is in total support of law and order plus traditions, customs and cultures that are not repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience, he however believes that God has peculiar ways of doing His things. We cannot question Him as to why certain things happen to us.
The reality is that whether we believe it or not, they have happened and can neither prevent them from happening nor reverse them when they do happen. However, contrary to human 'rejection and discrimination' syndrome, every child is His child, irrespective of whether they are born in or outside wedlock, legally or illegally! Let me explain: Jephtah in the Bible was born to an Harlort. Just as we continue to do today, his brothers openely rejected him. But to fulfill his destiny, God decided to create an environment where this 'bastard' child became the only person that could save his father's household. When his appointed time came, he was practically begged by those who had rejected him to come an fulfil his God-ordained destiny. This time around, he demanded what rightly belongs to him - the acknowledgement that he is a bona fide member of the family - before doing so. He was granted all his deserved rights. Then he saved his race and was installed as the Chief of that family.
The reality is that whether we believe it or not, they have happened and can neither prevent them from happening nor reverse them when they do happen. However, contrary to human 'rejection and discrimination' syndrome, every child is His child, irrespective of whether they are born in or outside wedlock, legally or illegally! Let me explain: Jephtah in the Bible was born to an Harlort. Just as we continue to do today, his brothers openely rejected him. But to fulfill his destiny, God decided to create an environment where this 'bastard' child became the only person that could save his father's household. When his appointed time came, he was practically begged by those who had rejected him to come an fulfil his God-ordained destiny. This time around, he demanded what rightly belongs to him - the acknowledgement that he is a bona fide member of the family - before doing so. He was granted all his deserved rights. Then he saved his race and was installed as the Chief of that family.
Jesus Christ was accused of being an 'illegitimate' child simply because tradition demands that a child's biological origin must be capable of being scientifically proved. But God sent him as a saviour of the world and today all of us are worshipping him.
The greatest American President, Abraham Lincoln was born to a mother whose biological origin was in doubt. Lincoln even has something to say about people tagged 'illegitimate' children. He said that such children have more better things to offer than the so-called 'legitimate' children.
You don't know our Biblical Jephtah at all, neither did you know Abraham Lincoln of America. but I'll tell you about somebody (a Nigerian) you know very well. He was born out of wedlock but God is using him today as a vessel of honour to His own glory. He has has a gift for you. In haste to receive it? Wait a minute. Let's answer the questions posed above first.
Does a child's circumstances of birth reflect his behaviour? I say a CAPITAL "NO"! Every child is born empty. He reflects in his latter life what his parents and the society in general sow in him. So a biologically 'legitimate' child may be led to crime while a biologically 'illegitimate' may be well raised. The latter will do humanity a world of good while the latter can cause sorrow to the entire world!
Every child has a father, known or unknown to him. So there's no fatherless child. God is the father of all and does not discriminate against any. The word 'illegitimacy' has been outlawed by our 1979 Federal Republic of Nigeria's constitution - thanks to Late Prof. (Mrs.) Jadesola Akande's bill that led to that development.
Every child has a father, known or unknown to him. So there's no fatherless child. God is the father of all and does not discriminate against any. The word 'illegitimacy' has been outlawed by our 1979 Federal Republic of Nigeria's constitution - thanks to Late Prof. (Mrs.) Jadesola Akande's bill that led to that development.
Above all we are all ADOPTED children! God adopted us all through Jesus Christ. That's why irrespective of our backgrounds, we are all joint heirs with Christ. We are his children. Or better still, whether male or female we are his wives. Therefore let's stop discriminating against children because of the circumstances of their birth!
Oga Pastor, are you now encouraging women to go hailwire, gathering children from everywhere? CAPITAL 'NO' sir and ma. Any woman who does that on her own will surely pay the penalty, if not here, but hereafter.
Then what are you saying? Let women stick to their 'legitimate' husbands. But IF FOR ANY REASON BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, THEY STRAYED OUT, (which admittedly happens in rare cases), LET THE INNOCENT PRODUCTS OF SUCH RELATIONSHIPS LIVE THEIR NORMAL COURSE OF LIVES UNPERTURBED. THAT'S WHY HOW THEY ARE DESTINED TO COME AND THEY HAVE A PURPOSE FOR GOD.
Oh, forgot the man you want to introduce to me? No. Just click here and read his story yourself and follow it to the end. If you fail to get inspired then something must be wrong somewhere. Good morning. Please fill the survey question on the right hand corner top of this page. Thanks.
Oga Pastor, are you now encouraging women to go hailwire, gathering children from everywhere? CAPITAL 'NO' sir and ma. Any woman who does that on her own will surely pay the penalty, if not here, but hereafter.
Then what are you saying? Let women stick to their 'legitimate' husbands. But IF FOR ANY REASON BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, THEY STRAYED OUT, (which admittedly happens in rare cases), LET THE INNOCENT PRODUCTS OF SUCH RELATIONSHIPS LIVE THEIR NORMAL COURSE OF LIVES UNPERTURBED. THAT'S WHY HOW THEY ARE DESTINED TO COME AND THEY HAVE A PURPOSE FOR GOD.
Oh, forgot the man you want to introduce to me? No. Just click here and read his story yourself and follow it to the end. If you fail to get inspired then something must be wrong somewhere. Good morning. Please fill the survey question on the right hand corner top of this page. Thanks.
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