Menu
Menu
What truly brings joy to Brother Eduardo V. Manalo
is when Church members remain obedient
to the words of God that he teaches.
What truly brings joy to
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo is when Church members remain obedient to the words of God that he teaches.
BIRTHDAYS ARE OCCASIONS when the celebrants receive warm greetings that express love, care, and affection from the people who hold them dear. Thus, every October 31, the birthdate of their Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) all over the world can be seen wishing him a “Happy Birthday,” even on social media.
Indeed, the Church leader holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful, for they acknowledge him as having the God-given authority to administer the fold. But more than just extending joyful birthday greetings, Church Of Christ members make it a point to do what truly makes their leader happy as expressed in the truths recorded in the Bible.
Apostle Paul, who administered the first-century Church of Christ in the Gentile regions, told the Christians in the city of Colossae how they made him happy:
“I am very happy because you are living as you should and because of your strong faith in Christ.” (Col. 2:5 New Living Translation)
What made the apostle happy then was seeing the Colossian brethren living as true Christians should and being strong in their faith. Furthermore, he became genuinely joyful seeing that the brethren under his care remaining active in their services to God and obedient to all of the teachings that he preached to them (II Cor. 7:16).
Surely, it means a lot as well to the Executive Minister when he sees that the members of the Church whom he lovingly leads and cares for abide in the teachings of God that he tirelessly teaches to them. For, as Apostle Paul once told the Christians he led, “… the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you …” (I Cor. 15:1–2 New King James Version).
Indeed, it is because of his earnest desire for all Church members to receive the promised salvation that the Executive Minister also devotes himself wholeheartedly to his duty to teach and remind them about God’s laws in all wisdom, even conducting the pastoral visitations around the world. It behooves the faithful, then, to follow and submit to his authority, fully aware that it is to God that he shall give account as the divinely appointed leader of the entire Church:
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Heb. 13:17 nkjv)
It is only right that Church members obey the Executive Minister and submit to his authority, for it is his task to watch over their spiritual welfare. By being obedient to the words of God that he teaches, the faithful bring joy to the one administering the Church and thus, truly benefit from his leadership.
The Bible further shows how else Church members can give happiness to their leader and what benefit they will get from doing so. Apostle Paul said:
“When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!” (II Cor. 7:5–7 nlt)
Apostle Paul sent Titus, who was his co-worker in the ministry, to know about the condition of the Christians back then. Just as he encouraged the brethren by looking after them and attending to their spiritual needs, Titus himself received encouragement from them. They treated him well, and through him conveyed their loyalty to Apostle Paul and their longing to see him. This news filled their administrator with joy.
In our time, ministers and ministerial workers are sent by God, through the Church Administration, to various parts of the world to look after the spiritual condition of the brethren. When the Executive Minister learns that the members are eager to see them and treat them well, upholding the teachings of God they impart, this brings him joy and comfort.
To reciprocate the love and concern of the Executive Minister—shown through his co-workers—the Church members ought to grow in all aspects (II Cor. 6:13), continually abound in their faith, understanding, and appreciation of their sacred calling as the recipients of the true words of God:
“but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” (Eph. 4:15 nkjv)
The Bible teaches how Christians can benefit from the care and love of the one who leads them in the Church:
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17 nkjv)
Such admonition from Apostle Paul is the same reminder that Brother Eduardo Manalo continues conveying to Iglesia Ni Cristo members worldwide. In his preaching, the Executive Minister consistently urges them to be wise by always striving to understand what God wants them to do, especially now that Judgment Day draws near and evil becomes increasingly widespread. He underscores the need for them to grow more in their knowledge of God’s will, lest any of them become like those whom Apostle Paul described as foolish or unwise (Gal. 3:3 nkjv).
Just like athletes, members of the Church are urged to develop the kind of discipline and focus that Apostle Paul emphasized in order to finish the race set before them:
“Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.” (I Cor. 9:25 Good News Bible)
In Philippians 1:22–25, Apostle Paul expressed his earnest desire to “do more fruitful work for Christ” so that he can continue helping the Christians “grow and experience the joy of [their] faith” (nlt).
In the same way, Brother Eduardo Manalo is also willing to set aside personal welfare to fulfill his God-given duty. Time and again, it has been evident that he is willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of the Church.
This profound love that Brother Eduardo Manalo has for the Church is also what makes him so well loved by the Church Of Christ members that they want to truly bring him joy. More than expressing their heartfelt greetings on his birthday, the faithful across the globe offer their sincere prayers to God—asking Him to always be with the Executive Minister, and to bless him with strength, wisdom, and a long life that he may continue leading them in their victorious services to God toward the attainment of salvation. ❑
