FAITHFULNESS IN GOD’S SERVICE

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own…Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (Luke 16:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2). Fingers are not equal. It is not a mistake, that is exactly how God created them. But each function in its own capacity faithfully doing its own part.

There are diversities of spiritual gifts and ministries in the household of faith. The Spirit of the Lord writing through Apostle Paul said, “For the body is not one member, but many…But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:14-18). Whatever work you are doing for the Lord, whether small or great, the Lord expects you to be faithful.

Faithfulness, even when the duty does not suit your fancy or rhyme with your social status or spiritual standing faithfulness is all the Lord requires of you. For the Lord won’t accept any excuse for failure (Matthew 25:24-27,30).There is a clarion call for faithful, committed and dependable ministers in God’s vineyard. God is daily searching for men and women, young and old who are ready to serve Him selflessly, committedly, and faithfully. Unfortunately, many of those who take up appointments in God’s house are only after material or financial benefits they could acquire by serving the Master. But a faithful servant does whatever his hands find to do with all his might, knowledge and wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:10). He does not tolerate sin, seek self-glory or reward from men. He is undeterred by affliction, persecution, want and initial failure. He holds fast that which the Lord has given him and labor on in hope.   He daily trims his lamp of service with the oil of faith, purified his heart of all doubts and ensures that his hands are continually on the plough (Luke 9:62). Jesus Christ our perfect example in all things. As servants in his service, we are called to follow His steps. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).

Christ was faithful to the Father who sent Him, and He remained faithful to the end. Faithfulness glues the believer to his duty post. It moves him to do the task assigned to him rain or sunshine. Faithfulness is tenacity of conviction and commitment to purpose and practice. The faithful does not waver, cringe or recant. He remains unmovable in his conviction, firm in his confession and fixed in his commitment and consecration. He is ready to die at his duty post.The reason why many ministers fail in their service to God is lack of faithfulness. Those who doubt the power of God or unwilling to pay the price but rather look for help in Egypt using diabolical powers to deceive the unguided flock yest saying. “Thus saith the Lord” when the Lord has not spoken, are unfaithful.

If your convictions, commitment and consecration change with time and tide of prosperity and popularity, you are unfaithful. Whatever work you are doing for the Lord, whether small or great, recognized, or otherwise, it is faithfulness that God requires. Therefore, God expects you to be faithful. To do this, do the following:Magnify your office and put your best into it (Romans 11:13). Discharge your duties with a high sense of responsibility (2 Corinthians 2:16). Be bold, uncompromising, forthright and unsparing in the denunciation of evil and declaration of the truth (Acts 4:13; Titus 1:13).Adhere to the word of God who has called you (2 Corinthians 4:2). Live a challenging true Christian life (Matthew 5:16; Titus 2:8). Be determined to please the Lord , not surrendering to people’s whim and praise.“Therefore,my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The work you do for the Lord, the office or position you hold in your church might not have a big name or great title attached to it, yet you need to be faithful, loyal, committed, and selfless in discharging your duties because your work shall be rewarded. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Faithfulness in a little office brings promotion to bigger office. If you are a faithful soul winner today, tomorrow, God will make you a dynamic preacher or evangelist. Whatever lowly position you think occupy today, if you would be faithful, higher position than you would ever dream of awaits you tomorrow. As in the case of David ( 1 Samuel 16:11), you might be the youngest and unrecognized but if you are faithful in little, God will bring you to the limelight for greater honor and service. Remember Joshua’s appointment after Moses’ death and Elisha’s appointment after Elisha’s appointment after Elijah’s transition. You should, however, avoid murmuring, bitterness and complaint which fill the service of some. These will block your chances of promotion to something higher and greater. Therefore, be faithful. Faithfulness will earn you favor of God and His untold blessings here on earth and in the life eternal.

PRAYER LIFE FOR REVIVAL AND EXPLOITS

”But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly… we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Matthew 6:6; Acts 6:4). Revival and exploit are the desire of every believer, but these cannot be achieved unless there is an effective and growing prayer life. Prayer life translates to the closet life of a believer. Prayer life is the pillar of personal spirituality and public service. A believer in the first instance a private Christian, his closet is his armory from where he obtains arsenal of weapons to ensure daily victory in life’s battles.The prayer and closet life approximate or affect a believer’s:

Worth: A believer is what he is on his knees that he is and no more. The influence we yield for God’s glory, men’s good and hell’s devastation is diversely proportional to our prayer life. Walk: life can never be better than the quality of prayer life.Winsome: you are as pure as you are, prayerful souls dwell in the holy atmosphere of the father’s presence, hence they are kept sweet, holy and pure.

Warfare: prayer is the determinant of life’s warfare to pray is to prevail.Witnessing: a believer’s prayers give wings, power, pungency, and penetrating might to his preaching.In summary, the time of a believer strength, sensitivity, spirituality, and solemnity his is prayer life.Revival and exploit cannot come by mere wishing; they must be brought down by strong prayers. That is what was done by the saints of old.Abraham set up early in the morning (Genesis 19:27), Job rose early in the morning (Job 1:5), David prayed in the morning,noon and evening (Psalm 55:17), Daniel kneel upon his knees three times a day.(Daniel 6:10), Apostles gave themselves to prayers (Acts 6:4), Paul prayed night and days (1 Thessalonians 3:10), and Epaphras labored fervently in prayers (Colossians 4:12). No wonder the saints of old had revival and did exploit in their times. We should also rise and resolve to give ourselves continually to prayers.We learn to pray by praying and we grow in prayers by praying. We must be committed to:Periods of prayer: Sacred, sanctified hours for effectual fervent prayers. “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer,being the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1).Place(s) of prayer: severe,tranquil or quiet place to facilitate deep concentration and devotion in communion (Genesis 19:27).Partner(s) in prayer: seriously and serially prayer with devout saints who are prayerful. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven”.

(Matthew 18:19).Prohibition of possible distractions: simply delegate and supervise all tasks so as to concentrate on all important duty of prayers.There is no doubt; a believer who prays will surely have success in life and ministry. Join the band of believers to pray for this latter time harvest of souls into God’s kingdom.There is personal and corporate success through prayer. Patriarchs and Prophets of Old Testament experience stupendous achievement in life and ministry through prayer. In the New Testament Apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers accomplished supernatural feats through prayer. The church prayed for the release of Peter, the work of the ministry expanded as the leadership determined to give themselves continually to prayers among other things. Paul enjoined the Romans Christians to strive together in prayer for him (Romans 15:30-32).

When in 1890 Albert Simpson, the author of Jesus only is our message, challenges his congregation to prayer pledge. It was said that the alliance people were not fulfilling the task for which they were organized. Contribution were meager and missionary candidates few. But in 1891, after the church had signed to a prayer of pledge, the floodgates of contributions and consecrations were opened. At the end of the year, the alliance had 100 missionaries, and had received funds for their transportation and support. In less than 10 years over 350 missionaries had been sent abroad and the churches multiplied throughout North America. What a challenge on what a praying congregation and praying Christians could achieve!

THE CHRISTIAN STANDARD IN A CORRUPT WORLD

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

The new birth experience is the greatest of all miracles, the greatest thing that can happen to a man. By it we are reconciled to God. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and Master of our lives is our standard. We are called to follow His manner of life, uphold His ministry of love, listen to His message of life and light, copy His model of loyalty,follow His method of laboring in the kingdom, take Him and look unto Him as the author and the finisher of our faith, and worship Him in meekness and lowliness. But Jesus acknowledge our plight of living in a sinful, corrupt world with its contaminating and corrupting influence when He prayed for His followers in John 17:15-16. Nevertheless, we are to continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine till er are raptured to spend eternity with the Lord.The new life is entirely different from the old life because “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In Christ, we no longer live in sin but are dead to and freed from it and live unto God in righteousness.Christ now lives in us and regulates our lives to please Him. Since He can only relate to and have communion with us when there is agreement of compatibility between Him and us (Amos 3:3), He commands us to put on His image (1 Peter 1:15-16). This has been His requirement from time immemorial (Leviticus 11:44). He commanded the children of Israel whom he had adopted as His own to sanctify themselves and be holy, because He is holy. He still maintains this standard and repeats the call today. Having been reconciled to Him, we should “continue in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42) and become partakers of His holiness, putting on Christ. His attributes then begin to manifest in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). We are to be doers of the word and remain unspotted from the world, we become yielded to Him, doing only His will, avoiding the corrupting influence of the world. If by God’s grace, we are able to live the Christ-like life, God will be well pleased with us.

Believers are to be like Christ in character, conduct and way of life. God gave the warning to all believers. In the book of 1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever”. The world refers to the world order, the characteristics and attitudes of the people of the world in contrast to the dictates of God. Life in this old world is ordered and directed by Satan and his demons (devils) who have blinded people from the light of Jesus. Worldly associations, worldly pleasures, worldly ceremonies worldly dressings (half naked dressings), worldly philosophies, politics and festivities are all initiated and ordained by Satan. These last days are replete with unprecedented pollution and corruption compared with any period in history. Evil has become the modernized, Man’s cup is getting filled to the brim and evil is being celebrated and glorified. The world is drunk with the wine being distributed and served by the prince of the air – the devil, who is the god of this world.

The love of money has sealed up the hearts of many from God’s word. Immorality has become so common that nakedness of some women is on display on the streets and internet. In the world system, men are driven by inordinate ambition, pride and self-exaltation and hunger for power, pleasure, and praise of men, material possession and popularity, although the result contradicts their expectation. Others have taken to alcoholism, polygamy, adultery, and all sorts of pursuits regardless of the stand of the word of God. The modern film industry and television have become the greatest perpetrators of sinful and criminal tendencies in children and older people. Worldly magazines, and books exert influence on the mind and believers are fast becoming receptive to the standard of the world as almost everyone seems to embrace it. But these are the deceptions of the devil and the wayfaring pilgrim must come out and stand clear of them.The only way to be totally free from the corruption and pollution of the world is: To be cleansed by Christ and become identified with Him. This is something real and practical. We need to be totally crucified with Him and to reign with Him without rival in our hearts. Also, we need to set our affections on things above and be heaven-focused at all times (Colossians 3:1-2).

Eschew evil practices and be bold for the Lord like the three Hebrew children and Daniel, and damn the consequences (Daniel 3:16-18). We should be in constant touch with heaven through meditative study of God’s word and prayer. Our prayer should always be “turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way” (Psalm 119:37). The grace of God is sufficient to make us “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”. If we conform to the world, how can the gate of heaven open to us when we die, or how can we be caught up with Christ on the day of rapture? We will be left to the antichrist of the great tribulation. This shall not be our portion in Jesus’ name. Who is on the Lord’s side?

CLEAN HANDS AND PURIFIED HEART

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4). “Clean hands and purified heart simply imply holiness within and holiness without, that is, holiness in its entirety,and this is the climax of the call of God on all flesh. God will not compromise the demand for holiness under any condition. Holiness is preferred by the holy God above every other thing in the life of man. “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7). The importance of clean hands and pure heart above other things cannot be overemphasized. To walk with God and work for Him creditably here on earth, to be in favor with Him at all times, and to live with Him in eternity all depend on holiness of heart and life. Holiness encompasses all other Christian virtues such as Humility, Obedience, Love, Integrity, Newness, Empathy, Separation and Submission.

There are some people who demonstrate clean hands, manifesting a kind of outward holiness in their public life, but whose hearts are full of bitterness,evil thoughts,hatred, envy, hatred,selfish motives, to mention a few. This is nothing but hypocrisy (Matthew 23:23). Whereas on the other hand, there are some who claim that their hearts are pure even when their visible lives are devoid of godly virtues of love,meekness, kindness, gentleness, longsuffering, temperance, peace, joy and faith. Whatever reason they may present, this is self-deception and delusion. Since the fall, no man is born with clean hands and purified hearts. The Bible says, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Psalm 51:5; Psalm 3:23).

No man can attain God’s divine nature by himself or confer it on another man. “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one” (Job 14:4). God in His infinite mercy and love has given great and exceeding precious promises for the systematic accomplishment of this His nature in man,having made appropriate, adequate and perfect provision through the substitutionary suffering and death of His only begotten Son.Right from the beginning of God’s dealing with man, up to date and till eternity,cleanliness and purity of heart stands out preferred and pre-eminent among all others demands of God from men of all races. This is not to condemn or relegate other demands of god from man such as worship, offerings, service, and the likes; but it to say that cleanliness and purity of heart comes first before others before others can be acceptable to God. The absence of cleanliness and purity of heart led to the flooding away of the antediluvian age, despite the fact that men began to call upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:26). Only Noah and his household in whom this greatness virtue was found escape the flood. “And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation” (Genesis 7:1).God also called out Abraham from the filthiness and idolatry (Genesis 12:1) and the higher calling unto perfection. “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine,the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1). All through God’s dealing with the descendants of Abraham – the Israelites,the paramount thing He was passionately seeking is cleanliness and purity as clearly depicted in the commandments He gave them through Moses their leader (Exodus 20:1-7), Cleanliness and purity of heart was the qualification and mandate of the prophets and kings (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Chronicles 25:2,14-15).Cleanliness and purity of heart formed the conclusion of every message in the New Testament, either those of Christ or of the Apostles (Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Revelation 21:27 etc.).The implication of the foregoing is that, you may be prayerful, pious, and generous; you may even be known in the Church and be involved in the service and work of God. You may be expert in worship and even be eloquent in preaching, among many other religious activities. If you lack cleanliness and purity of heart, you would be lost forever in the lake of fire (Matthew 7:21-23). What then shall it profit you? Do you want to waste this only one life? Obviously no!

The fallen man completely lost his bearing and was totally incapacitated by the tyrant of the sinful nature. The more he tries, the more increasingly difficult it is for him to fit into God’s expected image. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8). As a matter of fact, man’s effort at its best is described as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But God in His infinite love and mercy, not willing that any should perish has made adequate and full provision for the cleansing of man from the filth of sin, and for purging of the heart for purity.Then see what God has for you: “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12; Read Hebrews 9:14, 22).

The Blood - of Jesus Christ which was shed at Calvary for our sins and purging, and the Bible that reveals man’s nature and the need to him with the promises of God. Whatever God has promised, He’s both able and faithful to do. Yet, man is not left without a role to play in the process of purification.A process is involved in turning sinners to saints, vanquished to victors, and carnal men to Christ-like models. It is spiritual process which God undertakes to renew, regenerate, and recondition the heart so as to eject and repel every sinful and carnal inclination, and become God-centered issuing out the fruits of righteousness. But this not every sinful and carnal inclinations, and become God-centered issuing out the fruits of righteousness. But this is not without such a heart coming to God in the due cooperation and submission to Him as the process Maker. When the heart has thus been purified, it manifests in clean hands – obvious holiness and righteousness in all life’s dealings and endeavors.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IN LIFE AND MINISTRY

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith meekness, temperance: against such, there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). The fruit of the Spirit is the true nature of Christ, produced by the Spirit of Christ in the lives of Christ’s followers. It takes Christ to be totally established in the believer before Christ-like virtues can be produced in him. The difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit is quite obvious. The flesh produces works; Spirit produces fruit. The works of the flesh are dead the fruit of the Spirit is alive. The one in the flesh, the other is Spirit. Therefore, for anyone to possess and manifest the fruit of the Spirit, he must have left human effort for the indwelling of Christ.

The necessity of conversion in the life of every believer before he/she can be enlisted in the work of the ministry is not negotiable. It is fundamental to His ministry. In the book of Isaiah chapter fifty-two verse eleven, it stated; “ Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord”. Genuine salvation experience is mandatory for any minister of God in particular. Paul’s conversion (in Acts 9:1-9, 21) preceding his ministerial calling and engagement typifies God’s process of engaging anyone in the ministry. One cannot explicitly expound on the experience he does not have practical knowledge of. Penitence, humility, mournful, and sorrowful repentance that leads to genuine salvation, are required from every guilty sinner. Forgiveness is certain and sure from God to every sincere sinner who without delay prays with fervency for his soul’s redemption. “Fruit of the Spirit” will immediately emerge in clear replacement of the works of the flesh in the life of every genuinely saved soul. Any minister that fails to have this experience will fall short of God’s standard of calling and become unfit for ministry as his life will betray his ministration.

The fruit of the Spirit comprising the nine Christian virtues is the evidence of the minister’s experience of the new birth. These nine-fold virtues are bound together and manifested in love which is the central controlling quality required in Christian living and service. The redemptive work is conceived, delivered, and operated in love. Love, therefore, is the totality of the ministry. Every other virtue in the fruit of the spirit revolves around love. Joy is love exulting. Peace is love reposing. Long-suffering is love untiring. Gentleness is love enduring. Goodness is love in action. Faith is love believing. Meekness is love under discipline, while Temperance is love in training. Possessing the “fruit of the Spirit” is making heaven out of the ministry here on earth.

For every believer to keep the “fruit of the Spirit” however, he must abide in the Vine and be pruned (John 15:1-8) regularly. He must ensure the unbroken relationship with Christ the fountain of his fruitfulness; He should always allow the Lord to reproof and chasten him when necessary and ensure chastening as a true child of God (Hebrews 12:11). He should ensure unbroken prayer fellowship and devotion. The Bible should constantly and regularly be his companion and guide through constant meaningful study with a willingness to obey. He must distance himself from sin, every appearance of evil and the world, why keeping involved in the work of the Lord without delighting in the bread of idleness. Daily self-examination and prompt correction where necessary will make him reputable, waiting for the Lord.