By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Sometimes, we encounter people who served God enthusiastically in many areas, but who have now grown cold feet towards God’s work or have simply become misguided in the manner they approach their heavenly assignment. These may be individuals who delighted in bringing souls to Christ, blessing the church with their various talents, skills and abilities. When they abandon their duty post and run in the wrong direction, they become hirelings, serving only their personal interests.

They dishonour God’s call on their lives by doing things that bring the church of Christ into disrepute. They are like the ‘prodigal’ Jonah, who, when sent on an errand by God, chose to run in the opposite direction. We must recognise and recover these runaway hirelings, for there is work for everyone to do in God’s kingdom.

When hirelings flee from their duties, they expose the sheep under their care to the wolf; “and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.” Hirelings lack the stamina, courage and conviction to confront wolves. They cannot sacrifice or endure to achieve unity and spiritual development of God’s people. Instead of confronting evil, they prioritise ease and personal gain, and forget that there are sinners to reach in their communities. Some of these hirelings, though workers and leaders in the church, are not able to influence anyone to repent, but are busy causing sinners to remain in wickedness and “strengthen also the hands of evildoers.”

Despite these, we must not abandon those who have strayed. We must be ready to correct, rebuke and encourage them to return to their duty posts. That way, “they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking.” Although Jonah was a runaway prophet, God recovered and re-commissioned him. Like Jonah, believers who have deserted the Master’s work may require chastisement and discipline, as these will ultimately, lead to their restoration.

Believers are selected, set apart and sanctified to reap the ready, ripened harvest by reaching out to those who continue to live independently of Christ, those who think that God is not concerned with their depraved and indulgent lifestyle, or those who are consumed by the pursuit of all the world has on offer now, with the hope that they would come to God at a more convenient time.

The harvest field is ripe and ready, and awaits our positive response. The spiritual state of the lost should spur us to compassion. Besides, we are instructed to, “pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Alongside preaching repentance, our duty is also to cast out devils and heal the sick, just as Christ commissioned the 12 disciples to do.

Instead of prioritising financial gain over lost souls, we should seek to save the lost, and occupy in Christ’s commission until He returns. We must also seize the opportunity now to preach salvation to the lost and not allow any challenge to hinder us from performing our divine task. We should be serious with this assignment, so that, the Lord will not have controversy with us on the judgment day, when the regretful cry of unsaved souls would stand to condemn us before God.

• Further reading (King James Version): 2 Timothy 2:19-26. 2 Corinthians 6:16,17; 7:1; Hebrews 12:1,2,10,14; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Colossians 1:21-23,28,29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 2 Peter 3:11-14. 2 Timothy 2:20; John 10:12,13; Isaiah 56:10,11; Ezekiel 34:1,2,4; pJeremiah 23:13,14,4; Jonah 1:1-3; 2:7-10; 3:1-3; Acts 9:26-28; James 5:19,20. 2 Timothy 2:19-21; Matthew 9:36-38; 10:6-8; Luke 10:1,2; Mark 6:12,13; Jeremiah 5:24; 8:20-22; 12:5; 50:6; Luke 19:10,13; John 4:34-38.