Christ as the Perfect Sacrifice: Pastor Kumuyi on Salvation and Sanctification
In a profound theological exposition, Pastor (Dr) William Folorunsho Kumuyi, the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministries, delves into the significance of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. He underscores that Christ lived a sinless and perfect life, fully obedient to the Father's will, and ultimately offered Himself as a flawless sacrifice to secure human salvation.
The Efficacy of Christ's Sacrifice
Pastor Kumuyi explains that through this divine sacrifice, Christ bestows upon believers the fullness of grace, godliness, and every spiritual blessing essential for their journey toward eternal glory. He emphasizes that Christ, as the saving Lamb, serves as our Sufficiency, having accomplished an efficacious sacrifice that liberates us from the bondage of sin.
Sinners are urged to recognize the damning and destructive nature of sin on the soul. They should approach the Lord with sincerity, confess and forsake their sins, and then seek Christ's grace and strength to resist sin and remain steadfast in faith.
Sanctification Through Christ's Atonement
For religious individuals who continue to struggle with common, secret, or besetting sins, Pastor Kumuyi points to Christ's atoning work at Calvary. He notes that Christ has fulfilled every requirement for salvation and is able to save believers completely. Beyond forgiving sins through His shed blood, Christ sacrificed Himself to purify hearts, spirits, and human nature from inner depravity and sinful dispositions.
Driven by His love for the Church, Christ gave Himself to sanctify and cleanse it, presenting it as a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. Believers who trust in Christ's sacrifice for sanctification and aspire to reach heaven must avail themselves of His work on the cross and receive the sanctification of heart.
The Supernatural and Sovereign Lamb
Pastor Kumuyi describes Christ as the supernatural Lamb, uniquely worthy to accomplish what no human or angel could achieve. He possesses complete supernatural power, sight, insight, knowledge, and the fullness of the Spirit of God. Additionally, Christ serves as our Shepherd, providing the means for pardon, purification, and perfection.
Those who are imperfect are encouraged to utilize the provisions of this great Shepherd, who empowers believers to be perfect in every good work and to do His will, working in them what is pleasing in His sight.
Christ's Preeminence and Humility
As the preeminent Lamb of God, Christ holds supreme and sustaining power over all visible and invisible things. He is before all things, and by Him, all things consist. As Creator and Sustainer, He gives existence and continuity to everything, maintaining preeminence in all aspects of salvation, sanctification, and the Holy Spirit's power in believers' lives.
Despite His supremacy, Christ demonstrated profound humility through submission, taking on the form of a servant and being made in human likeness, enduring the cross and despising its shame. Believers are called to emulate this humility, avoiding pursuits of reputation, self-esteem, or worldly promotion, and refraining from lording over God's heritage like oppressive worldly leaders.
Exalted Position and Call to Surrender
Christ, the sinless Lamb, occupies a royal and exalted position as our supreme High Priest, able to save to the uttermost and prepare those who come to God through Him for their heavenly home. Even as earthly kings may rage and rebel, God has set Christ as king and sovereign over them.
Pastor Kumuyi advises those who are highly placed, popular, or preeminent in this world to be wise and instructed, surrendering their lives to Christ now to escape future wrath. Similarly, those called to serve the Lord must do so with reverential fear and rejoicing with trembling. All believers are admonished to love and trust the Son of God above all else, as this attracts divine blessings.
Further reading references include passages from the King James Version such as John 1:29,36; Revelation 13:8; 17:14; Genesis 22:7,8; Romans 5:8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Exodus 12:3-5; 1 Peter 1:18,19; 1 Corinthians 5:7,8; Isaiah 53:4-7; and 1 Peter 2:23,24, among others.
