Last weekend the Providence Baptist Conference of Delta State ordained
twenty one Pastors, who from that day became Reverends in the vineyard of the
Lord. Among them was Pastor Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth O. Ojameruaye, wife of Deacon
Dr. Benson Ojameruaye, MD Elohor Clinic, Agbarho. Speaking at the occasion
Reverend Gideon Oyibo, the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,
delivered a very powerful sermon on the purpose of man on earth, which is to
fear God.
He rhetorically asked: What is the "complete purpose"
of man? What is the fullness of man? What is the "allness" or the
"whole" of man? What is his fullness and completeness? The Holy
Spirit says it is this: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man"
(Eccl. 12:14). The word, "duty," is inserted. In essence, the writer
says that to fear God and keep his commandments is "the whole of
man." To "fear God and keep his commandments" is the
"complete purpose," the all fulfilling, all-encompassing purpose of
man on earth.
All things would be vanity and vexation, except
they led to this conclusion, That to fear God, and keep his commandments, is
the whole of man. The fear of God includes in it all the affections of the soul
towards him, which are produced by the Holy Spirit. There may be terror where
there is no love, nay, where there is hatred. But this is different from the
gracious fear of God, as the feelings of an affectionate child. The fear of
God, is often put for the whole of true religion in the heart, and includes its
practical results in the life. Let us attend to the one thing needful, and now
come to him as a merciful Saviour, who will soon come as an almighty Judge,
when he will bring to light the things of darkness, and manifest the counsels
of all hearts. Why does God record in his word, that ALL IS VANITY, but to keep
us from deceiving ourselves to our ruin? He makes our duty to be our interest.
May it be graven in all our hearts. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for
this is all that concerns man.
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