If Christians imbibe and exhibit virtues such as humility, gentleness, patience, and love, they will be able to live a blameless and Christlike life and transform their spheres.
A member of the Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Sylvester Arhin, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Western Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) of the church, disclosed this during a sermon to climax the Western Regional RCC Ministers and Wives’ Conference at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Living a Life Worthy of Your Calling’ (Ephesians 4:1-4), Apostle Arhin noted with concern that although the world is dominated by Christians, there is still much questionable behaviour in the public space.
‘We should not separate our public life from our calling. There is a big burden to leave a church that reflects the lifestyle of Christ to the next generation,’ he said.
Apostle Arhin, who is the Takoradi Area Head of the church, explained that just as toddlers go through stages before they start to crawl and walk, pastors should also take time to teach their members how to walk and grow in their Christian journey.
‘Our teachings, prayers, and discipline help the members to become fully mature in their walk with Christ and live a life worthy of their calling,’ he pointed out.
According to him, Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, described himself as a prisoner of Christ, creating the impression that being a Christian involves hardship and challenges, something he said believers cannot escape from since Jesus went through persecution to save humanity.
‘We should teach our members to learn to possess longsuffering,” he said, adding, ‘God is alive, and there is heaven. So, if you are going through pains today, endure it for the sake of your faith. We should let nothing take away the glory that has been prepared for us in heaven; just endure for a while.’
With regards to humility, Apostle Arhin called on believers to respect others more than themselves. He pointed out that the world values toughness, boldness, and revenge, but in Christ, it is calmness that is valued, which is directly opposite to what the world demands.
On gentleness, he explained that a person with a gentle spirit soothes all situations. Reading from Matthew 11:29, he urged all Christians to be gentle just as Jesus is. He appealed to believers to learn how to control themselves in the face of challenges.
He advised believers to be patient in whatever they do, saying, ‘As a child of God, you will go through pains and suffering, but let nothing shake you’ (Philippians 2:14-15). ‘Suffer long for the sake of heaven. If Christ himself came down to earth to suffer for us to have everlasting life, then you must also suffer long.’
On love, Apostle Arhin mentioned that love makes room for others, making allowance for their faults and failures.
‘If you love those who hurt you, then people will know that you are walking in a life worthy of your calling. Jesus healed the people and fed them, but the same people called for his crucifixion, yet he did not despise them,’ he concluded.
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