WEDNESDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2025
🎚 CENTRAL TRUTH:
What is your motivation for christian service?
📖 BIBLE TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15
🔑 KEY VERSE:
"The love of God constrains us..." (2 Cor. 5:14).
🖊️ COMMENTARY
Rev. Dr. Charles Osueke, of blessed memory, once lamented about the premium placed on fund raising during revival meetings over preaching of the Gospel and manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit. He added that, at the end of the exercise, Some pastors' judge the success of the revival meeting on how much was raised. This is contrary to today's text in which we can see Paul diligently pursuing his primary task; reconciling men to God. He worked hard to persuade men to be reconciled to God. He vowed, "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" ( Cor. 9:19) and charged Timothy to preach in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). His motivation was the love of Christ (2 Cor. 5:13).
Most times our programmes and projects are irrelevant to our divine assignment. Material and social attractions have taken center stage and given priority over evangelism. Today, comedians who never believe in Jesus are invited and advertised on billboards to come and make Church members laugh. What an unholy alliance between the Church and the entertainment industry. This is why Paul tries to distinguish between what he calls "spectacular" ministry and a sincere heart for God. Are you doing this work with a sincere heart for God or are you doing it to be seen and praised by men? Paul's motivation is not self-interest. He is compelled by the love of Christ.
What of you?
Having a proper understanding of the ministry task makes the Christian worker focused and motivated. Having known what he is called to do, he is able to map out appropriate strategies to go about the assignment. A believer who does not know why he is in ministry can easily be distracted. His attention can be shifted from the primary purpose of the ministry to the secondary.
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🙏🏿 PRAYER
Father_Father! Help me to serve out of love for Christ and not just for selfish gains.
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📜 ONE YEAR BIBLE STUDY PLAN: Genesis 42:29; 43; 44; 45:15
⛅ HEAVEN / ETERNITY:
Our Ultimate Aim.
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HAPPY ❤️ WEDNESDAY!
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"... We are One Big; loving; Peaceful; and United Family."
Extracted and used on permission from Evangel Devotional Meal of Assemblies of God Nigeria.
REMARK:
In case you missed the Tuesday's post read it here