An important safety measure in our walk of faith is being able to strike a balance. In other words, no truth should be overstated in relation to others, otherwise error will occur. This line of thought can be endorsed by a quote of a Pastor, Dr. Anietie John Ukpe, a man that I have known for decades at Insight Bible Church, Uyo. He said, “Some say do not be sin-conscious, but I believe it is better I be sin-conscious than grace-presumptuous – for only those who see their sin clearly can truly marvel at grace deeply.” If one goes on the lane of hyper-grace, the tendency to live presumptuously is high. I think the need for balance was the reason for General William Booth’s apprehension when he said, “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.” William Booth died in 1912, so his words are apt to describe our generation.

The only way to remain steadfast and not swept away by the tide is to hold the word of God sacrosanct in all things…we must remain attentive to the Holy Spirit and follow His every impulse.

William Booth was correct, and frighteningly so. We now have a generation who sees Christianity as hip-hop culture complete with its street fashion, music and language. They proudly identify themselves as the “woke” generation and question everything that we know about historic Christianity. They talk of “going deep’’ but are an example of those who the Bible regards as having the form of godliness but deny the power thereof. What General William Booth described is synonymous with the last days. The only way to remain steadfast and not swept away by the tide is to hold the word of God sacrosanct in all things. In addition, we must remain attentive to the Holy Spirit and follow His every impulse.