By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Special tasks demand appropriate and trained hands to accomplish them. The Lord has called us to the task of saving, converting and conserving souls. We need special grace to carry out this special task. Prepared and equipped workers perform higher tasks. Our task is spiritual; therefore, we must be spiritual to qualify and be engaged to do it. We must be prepared, committed, diligent, sanctified, self-denying, self-effacing, focused and consistent.
   
It is not God’s will that any disciple — Christian worker or minister — will be a vessel of dishonour. The actions of Aaron, Korah, Dathan, Abiram and Achan in the Bible that made them vessels of dishonour were contrary to the will of God. If we desire to serve God who is holy, righteous, just and impartial; we must manifest the same traits and “depart from iniquity.” Although, we have the liberty to choose between right and wrong, good and evil since we are free moral agents, opting for sin is choosing wrongly because it makes you a vessel of dishonour.
 
There is need for self-purging if our work for the Lord will be gracious, approved and profitable. Those who purge themselves based on the knowledge of the standard of God’s word are the people who will always be ready “for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Such profitable vessels must “flee… youthful lusts” that defame lives, ruin ministries and render an individual unqualified for service to God.
 
The appropriate action for such a disciple to take is to “follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Besides, “foolish and unlearned” questions that do not align with our calling should be avoided because they do not produce righteousness, but “gender strifes.” The Christian worker is forbidden from the life of strife; rather, he or she is called to be meek, gentle, compassionate and loving in attitude.
 
A race is set before us as believers, and to win at last, we must run with holiness. God has not left us in the dark concerning the Christian virtue of holiness that He desires to see in us. He has given us the definition, explanation, description and directions as to how we are to possess this experience. Before anyone can reach sinners with the grace of God, they must first come out of sin. This  implies that we must “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

The call to run the race with holiness is not something unattainable. Many other people have accomplished the same thing. These are the personalities, men and women, described as a “great cloud of witnesses.” They all had the life of purity and righteousness, indicating its possibility in all ages. However, those who rush into the service of the Lord, without obeying or submitting to this directive will not receive the grace to carry out the work of God.
 
The challenge to be washed in the blood of the Lamb and be holy is “for our profit.” It helps us to follow peace with everyone, including those who are not friendly to us. By so doing, we will be able to run the race before us consciously, with our focus on the finishing line to obtain the crown. However, we must strive for the prize with mastery and not mediocrity.
 
• 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.