Prof Ben Onyeukwu PULPIT INTRUDERS

PULPIT INTRUDERS:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu 

   The alleged statement credited to one Sofo Kyiriabosom, who claimed that, after twenty-eight years as a pastor, now believes that JESUS CHRIST is not real, and that heaven doesn't exist, marks out an intruder in the Christian Pulpit, who was never called to preach the gospel. 

   In human world, before one assumes a duty in any place of work, one is expected to first know the employer, and the assignment one is hired to do. This is applicable to any DIVINE assignment. But, the ex- preacher under review, did not bother, or deem it wise, to first know JESUS CHRIST, as LORD and personal SAVIOUR, who he claimed to have preached in his vineyard for twenty-eight years? Probably, he may have been engrossed by certain human interests, which he believed the LORD may have granted him, as his earthly reward, with no idea that, JESUS CHRIST does not endorse anyone not called by HIM, nor does HE assign any portfolio to such individuals. 

   Having said this, it is important to biblically stress that, for one to be qualified as a preacher of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, one must first be called to repentance, which brings one to the experiential knowledge of CHRIST, that enables one know HIM in a personal way. The second calling, is the call to the ministry, which often comes when the prospective preacher must have had a deeper knowledge of the LORD, as well as a better understanding of the scripture, which is the principal tool for his work.

   In keeping with the above, the Holy Scripture says, "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. But how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? Or, how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?"...

   Strictly speaking, only those with the above qualifications, or awareness, can really know, with certainty, that JESUS CHRIST lives, and that heaven is real. Without mincing words, the lack of the cited spiritual background was really the problem of Sofo Kyiriabosom. And, with all sense of fairness, he is not alone in such a spiritual blindness. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

(See Romans 10:13-15).