2021

The Bible speaks copiously about gentleness. It is a vital qualification for ecclesiastical office. Anyone aspiring to the office of the Bishop is expected to be gentle. That office comes with enormous power and responsibility. Without gentleness, the power will be used to harm people rather than lead to godly edification.

We have all the ‘’tools’’ we need to do the job. If the job is undone it will not be for absence of tools; it would be for our failure to appropriate all that God has made available. Believers have what it takes to excel in all we lay our hands to.

The Bible does not condemn humour but frowns at obscenities and profanities. Christians who are comfortable when indecency is churned out in the name of humour need to re-examine themselves. If humour opens the gate of knowledge or lift someone’s spirits without being blasphemous, it is welcome.

One way or another, every sermon should push in the direction of revealing the majesty of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the state of man’s heart.

In our text, He offered the promise to those who follow Him; that they would be where He is. Jesus knew where He was going —to the right hand of the Father. Jesus is the Captain of our salvation; following Him poses no risk at all.

God’s word is God’s will and ways. The more we search it, the more enlightened we become in divine path. If we fail at searching the word, we will surely fail at walking closely with the Lord. We are to lay aside every distraction that tends to shift our focus from the word of life.

Whatever vision we hold today might just be the tip of the iceberg. God may have something much bigger for the future. Openness and flexibility must therefore be the watchword.

When called to labour for the Lord, we may not be in a position to fully determine the outcome. The labour is ours; the reach and the impact are the Lord’s. If we do our bit faithfully, God knows where and how to apply our labour for maximum benefit of mankind.

It is impossible to achieve lasting impact in a jiffy. It is also impossible to achieve that without any risk. What often obtains is that the more noble a cause is the more risk one has to contend with before it is actualized.

In the past three meditations, we have learned from the life of William Wilberforce that making a mark requires passion, platform, and partnering with others. The next thing to add is perseverance. Without a dogged determination to go on in the face of all odds, the best of causes will be doomed to failure.