“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1).
TEXT —Psalm 119:1-8
Message
Smallpox was once a devastating disease that caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The story of its eradication is one of the greatest triumphs in medical history. Edward Jenner’s development of the smallpox vaccine in 1796 marked the beginning of the end of the disease. Jenner discovered that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox, a less severe disease, did not get smallpox. He used material from cowpox sores to create immunity to smallpox, leading to the development of the first vaccine. Through a concerted global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO), smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980.
In our passage, the psalmist also reveals that the only vaccine against sin is to “walk in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1). He further said, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9). The law of the Lord is the word of God. Jesus is “the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God which was “made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1,14). His blood shed at Calvary was required for the redemption of humanity (Hebrews 9:22). He saves by His word, which must be retained in our souls, acting like a vaccine against spiritual corruption.
Similarly, just like smallpox, which was killing people around the world, having no cure, sin also had no human cure, enslaving and killing people eternally. This situation prevailed globally until about two thousand years ago, when God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on behalf of the entire human race. Having died our death, Jesus now offers us His life, eternal life, which is accessible to all comers through His word; for, “…as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).
So, to be saved, you would need to surrender to God’s word by receiving and retaining Jesus in your heart. This makes one to be immunised against defilement such that one would be “undefiled in the way” and “do no iniquity” until one successfully enters eternal rest in heaven.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
What a WORD! Glory to God for this homily. Father, please, help me to remain undefiled in my journey of life, from this moment, till the end of time in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Very insightful! am deeply touched.
What a WORD! Glory to God for this homily. Father, please, help me to remain undefiled in my journey of life, from this moment, till the end of time in Jesus’ name, Amen.