Fruitful Living
The Biblical names and titles of Jesus Christ – Part 2
Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. – 1 Corinthians 8:6
We continue our study this week with more Biblical names and titles ascribed to Jesus Christ.
1. HOLY ONE OF GOD; “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” – Mark 1:24
2. HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL; Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’ – Isaiah 41:14.
3. HORN OF SALVATION; The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.–Psalm 18:2
4. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE; Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. – John 6:35.
5. I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD;While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:35
6. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. –John 10:11
7. I AM THE DOOR;I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.–John 10:9
8. I AM THE RESURRECTION; “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die–John 11:25.
9. I AM THE TRUE VINE; I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. – John 15:1
10. I AM THE WAY; Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. –John 14:6
11. JESUS; She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.”, – Matthew 1:21.
12. JUDGE; He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.–Acts 10:42.
13. KING OF ISRAEL; He saved others,” they said, “but He can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.–Matthew 27:42.
14. KING OF KINGS; They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.”- Revelation 17:14
15. LAMB OF GOD; The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29.
16. LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH; Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”–Revelation 5:5.
17. MAN; For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus – 1 Timothy 2:5
18. MESSIAH; The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ)–John 1:41.
19. MIGHTY GOD; For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6.
20. NAZARENE; What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”.–Mark 1:24.
21. ONLY BEGOTTEN SON; No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. – John 1:18.
22. PASSOVER; “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us..”–1 Corinthians 5:7.
23. PHYSICIAN; When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. – Matthew 9:12.
24. POTENTATE; which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, – 1 Timothy 6:15
25. PRINCE; and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.–Acts 3:15.
26. PROPHET; For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.–Acts 3:22.
27. PROPITIATION; And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.’–1 John 2:2
28. PURIFIER; He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.”–Malachi 3:3.
29. PRIEST; Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess-Hebrews 4:14.
CHRIST ABOVE ALL GLORY SEATED – MHB 225
1. Christ, above all glory seated,
King triumphant, strong to save!
Dying, you have death defeated,
Buried, you have spoiled the grave.
2 Thou art gone where now is given
What no mortal might could gain,
On the eternal throne of heaven
In Thy Father’s power to reign.
3 There Thy kingdoms all adore Thee,
Heaven above and earth below,
While the depths of hell before Thee
Trembling and defeated bow.
4 We, O Lord, With Hearts Adoring
Follow Thee Above The Sky!
Hear Our Prayers Thy Grace Imploring,
Lift Our Souls To Thee On High.
5So When Thou Again In Glory
On The Clouds Of Heaven Shalt Shine,
We Thy Flock May Stand Before Thee,
Owned For Evermore As Thine.
6Hail! All Hail! In Thee Confiding,
Jesus, Thee Shall All Adore,
In Thy Father’s Might Abiding
With One Spirit Evermore!
Translated by James Russel Woodford (1820-1885)
Source: Culled from Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible
Stay blessed!
By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
The internationally accepted definition (from the UN Palermo Protocol, 2000) identifies three elements:
ACT (What is done), which includes:
• Recruitment, transportation, transfer harbouring, or receipt of persons. How it is Applied:
In Ghana, traffickers recruit children from rural areas under false promises of education or employment.
MEANS (How it is done), which includes:
• Threats
• Coercion
• Deception
• Abuse of vulnerability
How it is applied:
Parents may be deceived into releasing children, or victims may be threatened into silence.
PURPOSE (Why it is done), which includes:
• Sexual exploitation
• Forced labour
• Slavery
• Organ harvesting
Key Insight:
Even if a victim appears to “consent,” such consent is legally irrelevant if coercion or deception is involved.
Islamic legal principles align with this framework by prohibiting exploitation (ẓulm) and unjust enrichment, rendering trafficking morally and legally impermissible (Bawono & Huda, 2025).
Forms and impacts of human trafficking
Human trafficking manifests in several forms:
• Child trafficking → educational deprivation, psychological trauma
• Forced labour → economic exploitation, health risks
• Sexual exploitation → severe physical and emotional harm
• Organ trafficking → life-threatening and ethically egregious
Human trafficking manifests in diverse and interconnected forms. Child trafficking leads to loss of education, long-term psychological trauma, and entrenched poverty.
Forced labour subjects victims to severe economic exploitation and hazardous working conditions, often resulting in deteriorating health. Sexual exploitation inflicts profound physical abuse and emotional damage, alongside social stigma.
Organ trafficking poses life-threatening risks and represents a grave ethical violation. Collectively, these practices undermine human capital, weaken social structures, and hinder sustainable development. These forms collectively erode human capital and social stability.
Legal and Institutional Frameworks
International Legal Instruments
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948)
The UDHR provides the normative foundation for global human rights law:
• Article 1: Affirms equality and freedom of all humans
• Article 4: Explicitly prohibits slavery and servitude
• Article 5: Prohibits torture and degrading treatment
Analytical Insight:
Human trafficking violates all three provisions simultaneously. Victims are deprived of freedom (Article 1), subjected to forced labour (Article 4), and exposed to degrading conditions (Article 5).
These align closely with Islamic prohibitions against oppression and injustice.
Palermo Protocol (2000)
This is the primary international legal instrument addressing trafficking:
• Provides the AMP definition (Act–Means–Purpose)
• Emphasises the 3Ps framework: Prevention, protection, prosecution
• Recognises victim rights and state obligations
Analytical insight:
The Protocol’s emphasis on protection and dignity parallels Islamic legal objectives, particularly the preservation of life and honour. Comparative studies show strong convergence between Islamic law and international anti-trafficking norms (Jamal, 2025).
Regional framework
African charter on human and peoples’ rights
• Article 5: Protects human dignity and prohibits exploitation
• Article 15: Guarantees equitable working conditions
Analytical insight:
The Charter contextualises human rights within African socio-cultural realities, reinforcing communal responsibility an idea that resonates with Islamic communal ethics (ummah).
National framework: Ghana 1992 Constitution of Ghana
• Article 15: Guarantees the dignity of all persons and prohibits torture or degrading treatment
• Article 16: Explicitly prohibits slavery, servitude, and forced labour
• Article 21: Guarantees fundamental human rights and freedoms, including personal liberty, freedom of movement, and constitutional safeguard against human trafficking. In particular, Article 21 affirms the right of individuals to move freely, make autonomous decisions, and live without coercion.
Human trafficking directly contravenes these rights by restricting victims’ movement, subjecting them to confinement, and denying their personal liberty through deception and force. Victims are often transported against their will and held in exploitative conditions, thereby violating their constitutional freedoms.
Consequently, trafficking not only breaches specific prohibitions under Articles 15 and 16 but also fundamentally undermines the broader human rights guarantees freedom from arbitrary restraint.
Human Trafficking Act (Act 694, as amended)
• Criminalises all forms of human trafficking, including recruitment, transportation, harbouring, and exploitation
• Provides for victim protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration through state-supported mechanisms
• Establishes institutional frameworks for investigation, prosecution, and inter-agency collaboration
Critical and normative insight:
The Act reflects Ghana’s commitment to safeguarding human dignity and aligns with international standards. However, enforcement challenges persist due to limited funding, weak institutional coordination, and low public awareness, which hinder effective implementation.
From an Islamic perspective, the provisions of Act 694 resonate strongly with core Sharīʿah principles. Islam unequivocally prohibits all forms of exploitation (ẓulm), coercion, and the commodification of human beings. Human trafficking violates the divinely ordained dignity (karāmah) of individuals, undermines justice (‘adl), and disrupts social balance. By criminalising trafficking and promoting victim protection, the Act indirectly advances the higher objectives of
Islamic law (Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah), particularly the preservation of life, dignity, and wealth. Thus, both Islamic teachings and Ghanaian law converge in condemning trafficking as a grave moral and legal injustice.
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Children’s Act (Act 560)
• Protects children from exploitative labour and harmful practices
• Promotes access to education, welfare, and holistic development
Domestic Violence Act (Act 732)
• Addresses physical, emotional, and psychological abuse often associated with trafficking
• Provides legal remedies, protection orders, and support systems for victims
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone
Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam, Certified
Counsellor and Governance Expert
Jesus teaches, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
Light is not meant to be hidden. In Ephesians 5:8, the Bible says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
This means our faith should be visible in the way we live. Not in a loud or forceful way, but in a consistent and genuine way.
When we choose honesty, kindness, patience, and love, we are shining our light. People may not always listen to what we say, but they will see how we live.
Your Life Should Point Others to God
Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This is the purpose of being salt and light. It is not about drawing attention to ourselves, but about pointing people to God.
In 1 Peter 2:12, we are encouraged to live such good lives that others may see our actions and glorify God.
Our lives become a testimony. The way we treat people, the way we handle challenges, and the way we walk in love all speak loudly.Through us, others can begin to see the goodness and grace of God.
6. Being Salt and Light Requires a Living Relationship with God
We cannot live this life in our own strength.
In John 15:5, Jesus says, “Without me you can do nothing.” This reminds us that our ability to influence the world comes from our connection with Him.
As we spend time in prayer, study His Word, and walk in obedience, our lives are transformed. From that place, we begin to reflect Him naturally.
It is not about striving. It is about abiding in Him.
A Simple Reflection
To be salt and light means:
² To influence the world with Godly character
² To live differently according to God’s Word
² To shine through your daily actions
² To point others to Christ
² To remain connected to Him at all times
Conclusion
Jesus has already declared who you are. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. The question is whether you are living out that identity.
The world needs your influence. The world needs your light. In your home, your workplace, your church, and your community, God has placed you there for a reason.
As you walk with Him, your life will naturally make an impact. Shine your light,
stay true to His Word and let your life bring glory to God.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
