In a profound reflection on spiritual purpose, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi has emphasized that believers are created for a daily service of eternal value. Drawing from scriptural foundations, he underscores that just as God designed nature and non-living elements to serve humanity, Christians must commit to consistent and profitable service to God, especially as a new year begins, regardless of their circumstances.
The Call to Reasonable Service
Pastor Kumuyi references Apostle Paul's exhortation in Romans, urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This, he explains, constitutes a reasonable service that should be offered without postponement or suspension. The selfless nature of this devotion, according to Kumuyi, earns rewards that endure for all eternity, making it a vital aspect of the Christian walk.
Key Principles for Acceptable Service
Kumuyi delves into the importance of the passage from Romans 12, highlighting several critical words that define acceptable service to God:
- Living: He notes that sinners are made spiritually alive through Christ, enabling them to serve effectively.
- Acceptable unto God: Citing Leviticus, Kumuyi stresses that service becomes acceptable only when sin is removed, emphasizing purity in devotion.
- Reasonable service: The primary calling of believers, as outlined in Romans and Acts, is to spread the gospel, and distractions should not hinder this mission.
- Non-conformity to the world: Drawing from Corinthians, he warns that conforming to worldly wisdom renders service unacceptable, urging separation from secular influences.
- Transformed: A transformation of life is essential for anyone seeking to serve the Lord acceptably, as highlighted in 2 Corinthians.
- Renewing of the mind: Since the mind shapes thoughts and plans, Kumuyi advocates for continual renewal, referencing Ephesians to support this ongoing process.
Transformation and Grace in Service
Pastor Kumuyi compares the need for transformation in service to how raw materials must be refined to be useful. He asserts that earthly elements cannot serve heavenly purposes without such change, and believers must depart from iniquity to render acceptable service. Furthermore, he calls for serving God without fear, in holiness and righteousness throughout one's life.
The grace of God, as exemplified by the apostles, is presented as a crucial enabler for service. Kumuyi reassures that despite feelings of insignificance or incapability, grace empowers believers to serve acceptably with reverence and godly fear. He concludes with a reminder from Hebrews about receiving an unshakable kingdom through grace, reinforcing the eternal value of dedicated service.
For further study, Pastor Kumuyi recommends passages such as Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 104:14, and other related scriptures that delve into the themes of service, transformation, and divine reward.
