Service to God and to Man

Service to God and to Man 
                                                                                                            

  And I was with you in weakness, and

in fear and in much trembling—1 Cor.2:3 

Weakness, fear and much trembling would undoubtedly leave much to be desired in a preacher by the standards of a twenty-first century Christendom.

 

The persistent call and clamor for a superior race is not merely limited to certain unwise military despots in history. This same passion has been and is still being echoed from the pulpits. It really is no wonder that godhood is consistently being proclaimed by the preachers of the day. One simple survey of “Christian bookstores” would immediately expose a contradistinction between today’s faith and Christianity as experienced and practiced by the apostle Paul.

 

By acknowledging his weakness among God’s saints, Paul simply declared that in spite of his faith, he was not exempt from the experiences common to all men. Though a proven and attested servant of God, he was nevertheless vulnerable to the imperfections common to humanity.

Paul, by admitting weakness for instance, laid no claim to sinless perfection here on earth. Documented in the Scriptures are some of his short-comings. Zeal for service to Christ led him to ignore the Spirit’s voice and to turn down the advice of saints [Acts.21:10-14]. Self- justification resulted in an unwise use of the tongue [Acts.23:3-5]. This undoubtedly is unlike Christ [1Pt.2:23].

 

Millions are greatly troubled in heart today because their church overseers lay claim to strength where Paul claimed weakness. The faith of such church adherents is eventually reduced to a wearying set of legalistic codes. 

 

Once a widely known preacher declared to 7.7 million people here in Africa that the wise virgins spoken of  in the holy Scriptures are those who have never stumbled in their spiritual walk with the Lord! Worse still is that others who are honest with themselves and fearing the impracticability of such a life, choose to avoid the cross of Jesus and altogether neglect the entire scheme of salvation altogether.

 

Biographies of men as we know them today present a sharp contrast to the narratives chronicled in the Scriptures. While the sacred writings record the failings of its best heroes, we fondle the stories of super-saints who supposedly always prayed ten hours daily, apparently never stumbled, uncompromisingly read the Bible all day long and constantly enjoyed uninterrupted communion with the high heavens. 

 

It is even more ridiculous when we observe preachers who while confidently parading elevated platforms claim they have enjoyed perfect health for decades since experienced salvation. Should these preachers be classed as same with an ailing apostle such as Paul [2 Cor.12:7-9] or should they be rated as same with Elisha who in spite of his double anointing vacated the world via the undesirable doors of illness [2 Kgs. 13:14].

Portions of apostle Paul’s treasury of experiences and encounters are catalogued in God’s word [2 Cor.6:4-10]. Needs, sleeplessness, poverty and sorrow though characteristic of the apostle’s ministry, are no bell- ringers in a modern ministry.

 

We need not be troubled about the false testimonies of spurious preachers who condemn the possibilities of lack, need or sorrow among those who have believed while presenting themselves to be the model standards. The effect of such has always been to raise congregations of coveting worshippers who having not seen the pattern and program of Christ and seek to attain the status of their religious captors, materially, financially and in terms of a so-called “perfect health”.

 

Paul was not only present among the saints in weakness, they witnessed him serve in fear and much trembling! Oh the blessedness of it all. Would to God that this would be my epitaph—He served God and the saints with fear and much trembling. 

 

Paul was a man who understood the character of true apostleship, as opposed to the arrogant prowling and pronouncements of recent clerical professionals. This man feared because the weight of what it takes to serve God and the saints dawned on him.

 

He feared to inadequately represent God before the people. Having experienced the bright and burning vision of God’s glory, he trembled lest he cause one to stumble either by speech or by conduct.

 

Visions or knowledge did not inflate his ego [2 Cor.12:1-5]. He submitted to and welcomed the critical evaluation of his messages by simple believers [ 1Cor.10:15] He apologized when he needed to [Acts.23:5] He turned down the temptation to impress any with human wisdom [2. Cor.2:4- 5]. The demands of the gospel weighed heavily on him [1 Cor.9:16]. In pursuit of doctrinal sobriety, he counseled against empty casuistry [Titus.3:9]. He would not single-handedly handle church finance [ 2 Cor.16:1-4]. He submitted to authority [ Acts.15:2-4] and had a heart for the poor [Gal.2:10].

 

Ah the sad contrast! What is to be said of men strolling on the pulpits and posing in self confidence. How often do we hear messages infested with human philosophies and enunciated with the intent to impress? Do you ever observe the leaders of one-man ministries today submitting to authority? Why do we not evaluate the messages we hear by the standards of eternity? How is it that our preachers now travel with body-guards? Is something not dreadfully wrong when pastors single-handedly handle church finance and solely dictate denominational expenses?

 

There can be only one proper response to these lines of inquiries. We do not fear God and consequently, we cower before fellow men. It is either the fear of God or the fear of men. There can be no neutral stand [Mk.7:14, 1Cor.7:23]. Alarming it is then in the light of these declarations, that we are inclined to choose the fear of man over the fear of God.

 

But why is this? Is it not that we might avoid the wrath of man and secure his praise? What are the despicable and uncertain applauses of men to the unchanging countenance of God’s approval? Face it squarely. What is it that you are doing only because you fear man? How has your life been affected by your desire to appear socially acceptable at the expense of God’s well-done good and faithful servant?

 

The fear of God inevitably leads to worshipful trembling in His presence. Paul once declared, “We speak in the sight of God and of the holy angels” Oh the weight of it! Here was a preacher whose vision and consciousness transcended his immediate audience. In speaking to and relating with the saints, he was aware of His true listeners.

 

The word of God revealed to Paul resulted in his fear of God. The will of God spoken through him presents a living but trembling vessel. Which prophet in his right senses having seen the heart of God and His resolute stand against sin, will afford to boldly dandle his audience with lifeless messages of human invention?

 

Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he falls. Let they who bear the name of the Lord, either as preachers or as saints, experience a baptism of sobriety and fear of God lest they sink into the condemnation of the devil.

 

God is to be feared and reverentially represented. Prancing confidently, jumping and screaming in the faces of people do not indicate the posture of one who has truly heard from God. The Lord is observing us all. Friend, are you conscious of your weakness? Then be assured, Christ is all-sufficient. Trust in Him. Come, drink from His all-sustaining fountain of strength. 

 

Are you self-confident? Do you parade on elevated platforms in boldness while confidently seducing people with enticing words of corruption? The word of God condemns the centre of your inspiration. [Prov. 28:26] If you refuse to humble yourself in the presence of the Lord then disaster truly awaits you. Sad but true. Destruction is the unavoidable end of all who are proud in heart. The Bible says, He gives graces to the humble [1Pt.5:5]. This necessarily implies that He gives no grace to the proud. To those of us who through our journey in this wilderness are conscious of our weaknesses, who fear and tremble before the God of heaven. Faint not, and be not discouraged you are greatly beloved of the Lord and though you may not know it, your life continues as a living testimony before countless people who are observing you. Heaven hails you and the Lord applauds you. We must not lose heart for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. In due time our Lord will perfect that which concerns us [Ps.138:8] Even so come Lord Jesus, amen.

                        My strength is made perfect in weakness—2 Cor.12:9 

                        The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—Prov.9:10  

                       To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a

                       contrite spirit,  and trembles at my word— Isa.66:2