“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17).
TEXT —1 Peter 1:17-21
Message
Dr. David Livingstone was a Scottish physician and missionary who felt a deep calling to bring Christianity and medical care to Africa. He left the comfort zone of his native country in the United Kingdom and spent decades travelling from one part of the continent to another, treating the sick, and translating the Bible into local languages. He was compelled by his love for God, and obedience to Him. He was willing to pay the price for leading others to the gospel light and salvation. Livingstone’s unwavering faith and dedication to God’s message opened doors for missionary work, rescued many lives from diseases and death, and improved countless lives across Africa.
Apostle Peter’s exhortation, in today’s text, is a call to live a life of love and obedience to God which will compel us to sacrifice all to save others as demonstrated by Livingstone. The passage draws our attention to a very critical virtue that every Christian must demonstrate as we traverse this temporary space as pilgrims. It highlights the importance of living a life of obedience and righteousness and serving God faithfully. It also reminds us that the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation makes it clear that God does not support frivolous lifestyle and carelessness; nor does the Bible give license for the so-called universal grace that encourages the absence of godly fear in our conduct and relationships with others. Reverential obedience to God naturally makes Christians live an exemplary and godly life that attracts the commendation of heaven.
We are to “pass (spend) the time of [our] sojourning here in fear.” This means that we must obey God in everything, recognising His authority over our lives and the decisions we make. For this, we need to ask for His grace to live to please Him and strive always to be more and more like Christ. This way, our lives can be more fruitful and fulfilling.
Thought for the day
Service to God without obedience to His word is worthless.
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.
