Abantu abaningi bakholwa kuNkulunkulu ngenxa yekusasa labo, noma ngenxa yenjabulo yesikhashana. Kulabo abangakaze babhekane nalutho, inhloso yokukholwa kuNkulunkulu ukungena ezulwini, ukuze bathole imiklomelo. Akukho mayelana nokuthi bapheleliswe, noma ukwenza umsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Okusho ukuthi abantu abaningi abakholwa kuNkulunkulu ngenxa yokuthi bafuna ukufeza abazibophezele kukho, noma ukuqeda umsebenzi wabo. Ziyivela kancane izikhathi lapho abantu bekholwa khona kuNkulunkulu ukuze baphile ukuphila okunenjongo, futhi abekho abakholwa ukuthi uma nje umuntu esaphila kufanele athande uNkulunkulu ngenxa yokuthi ukwenza kanjalo kungumthetho weZulu nesimiso somhlaba, futhi kuwumsebenzi wemvelo kumuntu. Ngale ndlela, nakuba umuntu nomuntu ngokwahlukana enemigomo yakhe, zonke izisusa zabantu ziyafana, ngaphezu kwalokho, zonke izinto abazikhonzayo ziyafana. Eminyakeni eyizinkulungwane eziningi eyedlule, sekushone amakholwa amaningi, futhi abaningi bashona base bezalwa kabusha. Akuyena nje umuntu oyedwa noma ababili abafuna uNkulunkulu, noma abayinkulungwane eyodwa noma ezimbili, kodwa izinto ezifunwa iningi kulaba bantu izinto ezisiza bona noma amathemba abo amakhulu ngekusasa. Bayidlanzana abantu abazinikele kuKristu. Amakholwa amaningi azinikele afe ebanjwe ugibe olucushwe yiwo, nesibalo sabantu asebephumelele sincane kakhulu. Kuze kube namuhla, okwenza abantu behluleke, noma imfihlo yempumelelo yabo, akukazeki kubo. Labo abafuna uKristu ngazo zonke izindlela, kuze kube manje abakaqondi, azikembuleki lezi zimfihlakalo ngenxa yokuthi abazi. Nakuba bedlula ebunzimeni obukhulu, bahamba endleleni yezehluleki eyake yahanjwa okhokho babo, akuyona eyempumelo. Ngale ndlela, kungenandaba ukuthi bafuna kanjani, abahambi yini endleleni eholela ebumnyameni? Abakutholile akuzona yini izithelo ezimuncu? Kunzima kakhulu ukuqagela ukuthi abantu abalingisa labo abaphumelela endulo bayogcina bethole inhlanhla noma inhlekelele. Maningi kangakanani-ke amathuba, okuthi abantu bahamba ezinyathelweni zalabo abehlulekile? Ingabe abanawo yini amathuba athe xaxa okwehluleka? Yini ebalulekile endleleni abahamba ngayo? Abadlali yini ngesikhathi sabo? Kungenandaba ukuthi abantu bayaphumelela noma bayehluleka ezintweni abazifunayo, ngamafuphi nje, banesizathu sokwenza kanjalo, futhi akukhona ukuthi ukuphumelela noma ukwehluleka kwabo kungenxa yokufuna kwabo ngokuthanda kwabo.
Into ebaluleke kakhulu ekukholweni komuntu kuNkulunkulu ukuthi abe nenhliziyo eneqiniso, nokuthi uzinikele ngokugcwele, futhi ulalela ngobuqotho. Into enzima kakhulu kumuntu ukunikela ngokuphila kwakhe konke ngenxa yokholo lweqiniso, angathola ngalo lonke iqiniso, afeze umsebenzi wakhe njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Labo abayizehluleki ngeke bafinyelele kulokhu, futhi labo abangamtholi uKristu kunzima kakhulu ukuthi bakufinyelele. Ngenxa yokuthi umuntu akamuhle ekuzinikeleni kuNkulunkulu, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu akazimisele ukufeza umsebenzi wakhe kuMdali, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu ulibonile iqiniso kodwa waligwema wahamba endleleni yzakhe, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu uhlale efuna ngokuhamba emigudwini yezehluleki, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu uhlale emelene neZulu, ngakho ke, umuntu uhlale ehluleka, uhlale ephanjwa ngamacebo kaSathane, ebanjwa ugibe olucushwe nguye. Ngenxa yokuthi umuntu akamazi uKristu, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu kuyamehlula ukuqonda nokwazi iqiniso, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu umkhonza kakhulu uPawulu futhi unomhobholo kakhulu ngeZulu, ngenxa yokuthi umuntu uhlale efuna uKristu alalele yena futhi ayale uNkulunkulu, labo bantu abakhulu nalabo ababhekane nezinguquko zomhlaba basengabafayo, basafa ngaphambi kokusola kukaNkulunkulu. Okuwukuphela kwento engingayisho kubantu abanjalo ukuthi bafe ngokudabukisayo, futhi lokho kuwumphumela wabo—ukufa kwabo—kunobulungiswa. Ingabe ukwehluleka kwabo akubekezeleleki kakhulu emthethweni weZulu? Iqiniso livela emhlabeni wabantu, kodwa iqiniso kubantu ledluliselwa uKristu. Lisuka kuKristu, okusho ukuthi kuNkulunkulu uqobo, futhi umuntu angelithole. Kodwa uKristu uletha iqiniso kuphela; akazele ukuzonquma ukuthi umuntu uyophumelela yini ekufuneni kwakhe iqiniso. Ngakho impumelelo noma ukwehluleka eqinisweni kuncike ekufuneni komuntu. Ukwehluleka noma ukuphumelela komuntu eqinisweni, akukaze kuhlanganise lutho noKristu, kodwa kunqunywa ukufuna kwakhe. Isiphetho somuntu nempumelo noma ukwehluleka kwakhe akunakubekwa ekhanda likaNkulunkulu, ukuze kuthwaliswe uNkulunkulu, ngoba lena akuyona indaba kaNkulunkulu qobo, kodwa kuhlobene ngokuqondile nomsebenzi okufanele wenziwe izidalwa zikaNkulunkulu. Abantu abaningi banalo ulwazi olungatheni ngekusasa likaPawulu noPetru, kodwa akukho okungaphezu komphumela kaPawulu noPetru abantu abakwaziyo, futhi bakushaya indiva okwenza uPetru waphumelela, noma amaphutha enza uPawulu wehluleka. Ngakho uma nikungakwazi ukubona okungaleya kwezinto ababezifuna, kusho ukuthi nezinto ezifunwa iningi lenu nazo ngeke ziphumelele, ngisho noma idlanzana kini lizophumelela, ngeke lilingane noPetru. Uma umgudu wezinto ozifunayo ufanele, kusho ukuthi unethemba lokuphumelela; uma umgudu ungafanele, kusho ukuthi awusobe waphumelela, uyoba nesiphetho esifana nesikaPawulu.
UPetru wayeyindoda eyayiphelelisiwe. Kungemva kokusolwa nokwahlulelwa, ngokuthola uthando olumsulwa lukaNkulunkulu, lapho apheleliswa khona ngokugcwele; indlela ayihamba kwakuyindlela yokupheleliswa. Okusho ukuthi kusukela ekuqaleni, uPetru wahamba endleleni efanele, futhi isisusa sokukholwa kwakhe kuNkulunkulu sasifanele, ngakho waba umuntu ophelelisiwe wayesehamba endleleni entsha umuntu ayengakaze ahambe kuyo phambilini. Nokho, indlela uPawulu ahamba kuyo kusukela ekuqaleni kwakuyindlela yokumelana noKristu, futhi kwakungenxa yokuthi uMoya oNgcwele wawufuna ukumsebenzisa, ukusebenzisa iziphiwo kanye nawo wonke amakhono akhe emsebenzini Wakhe, kangangokuthi wasebenzela uKristu amashumi amaningi eminyaka. Wayengothile nje owayesetshenziswa uMoya oNgcwele, futhi akasetshenziswanga ngenxa yokuthi uJesu wayebuthanda ubuntu bakhe, kodwa ngenxa yeziphiwo zakhe. Wakwazi ukusebenzela uJesu ngenxa yokuthi wayenqotshiwe, hhayi ngenxa yokuthi kwakumjabulisa ukwenza lokho. Wakwazi ukwenza umsebenzi onjalo ngenxa yokukhanyiselwa nokuqondisa kukaMoya oNgcwele, futhi umsebenzi awenza awukhona ayekufuna, noma ubuntu bakhe. Umsebenzi kaPawulu umela umsebenzi wenceku, okusho ukuthi wenza umsebenzi womphostoli. Nokho, uPetru wayehlukile: Wenza nomsebenzi othile; wawungemkhulu njengomsebenzi kaPawulu, kodwa wayesebenza phakathi kokufuna ukungena kwakhe, futhi umsebenzi wakhe wawungafani nokaPawulu. Umsebenzi kaPetru wawuwumsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Akenzanga indima yomphostoli, kodwa wayefuna uthando lukaNkulunkulu. Inkambo yomsebenzi kaPawulu yayibandakanya nezinto ayezifuna: Ayekufuna kwakungenxa yamathemba akhe ngekusasa, nesifiso sakhe ngesiphetho esihle. Akakwamukelanga ukucwengwa phakathi nomsebenzi wakhe, futhi akakwamukelanga ukuthenea nokusetshenzwa. Wayekholwa ukuthi uma nje umsebenzi ayewenza wawumanelisa uNkulunkulu, futhi konke ayekwenza kuthokozisa uNkulunkulu, ekugcineni wayelindelwe umklomelo. Azikho izinto adlula kuzo mathupha emsebenzini wakhe—konke kwakungenxa yakho, akwenzekanga ngenxa yokufuna inguquko. Yonke into emsebenzini wakhe yayinokuhweba, yayingabandakanyi umsebenzi noma ukuthoba kwesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Phakathi nenkambo yomsebenzi wakhe, alukho uguquko olwenzeka esimweni esidala sikaPawulu. Umsebenzi wakhe wawungukukhonza abanye, futhi wawungakwazi ukuletha izinguquko esimweni sakhe. UPawulu wawufeza ngokuqondile umsebenzi wakhe, ngaphandle kokupheleliswa, wagqugquzelwa umklomelo. UPetru wayehlukile: Wayedlule ekuthenweni nasekuthini kubhekanwe naye, futhi wayecwengiwe. Injongo nesisusa somsebenzi kaPetru kwakwehluke kakhulu kokukaPawulu. Nakuba uPetru engenzanga umsebenzi omkhulu kakhulu, isimo sakhe sedlula ezinguqukweni eziningi kakhulu, futhi ayekufuna kwakuyiqiniso noguquko lwangempela. Umsebenzi wakhe wenziwa ngesizathu esimayelana nomsebenzi. Nakuba uPawulu enza umsebenzi omkhulu, konke kwakuwumsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, futhi nakuba uPawulu abambisana nalo msebenzi, akazange edlule kuwo awuzwe. Ukuthi uPetru wenza umsebenzi omncane kwakungenxa yokuthi uMoya oNgcwele awenzanga okuningi kangako ngaye. Inani lomsebenzi wabo alizange linqume ukuthi baphelelisiwe yini; okwakufunwa ngoyedwa kwakuwumklomelo, futhi okomunye kwakuwukuthi agcine ethole uthando oluphezulu lukaNkulunkulu, nokuthi enze umsebenzi wakhe njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, ngezinga lokuthi aze ashiye isithombe esihle ukuze anelise isifiso sikaNkulunkulu. Babehlukene ngaphandle, neziqu zabo zazihlukile. Wawungeke ukwazi ukubona ukuthi ubani kubo owayephelelisiwe ngenxa yomsebenzi omkhulu ababewenzile. UPetru wayefuna ukuba umfanekiso womuntu othanda uNkulunkulu, ukuba umuntu olalela uNkulunkulu, ukuba umuntu ovumayo ukulungiswa nokucwengwa, ukuba umuntu ofeza umsebenzi wakhe njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Wayekwazi ukuzinikela kuNkulunkulu, ukunikela ngoqobo lwakhe ezandleni zikaNkulunkulu, alalele uNkulunkulu aze afe. Yilokho anquma ukukwenza, futhi yilokho akufeza. Lesi yisizathu esibalulekile esenza isiphetho sakhe sehluka kwesikaPawulu. Umsebenzi owenziwa uMoya oNgcwele kuPetru kwakungukumphelelisa, futhi umsebenzi owenziwa uMoya oNgcwele kuPawulu kwakungukumsebenzisa. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi izimo nemibono yabo ngezinto kwakungafani. Bobabili babenomsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele. UPetru wawenza wawubhekisa kuye lo msebenzi, futhi wawunika abanye; uPawulu wonke lo msebenzi wawunika uMoya oNgcwele nabanye, akazuzanga lutho kuwo. Ngale ndlela, ngemva kokubona umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele iminyaka eminingi, cishe uguquko lwalungekho kuPawulu. Wayelokhu esesimweni semvelo, wayesewuPawulu ofana nowasekuqaleni. Kwaba ukuthi nje ngemva kokubekezelela ubunzima bomsebenzi iminyaka eminingi, wayesefundile ukusebenza, wafunda ukubekezela, kodwa imvelo yakhe endala—imvelo yokuncintisana okukhulu nokusebenzela inzuzo—kwakusekhona. Ngemva kokusebenza iminyaka eminingi, wayengasazi isimo sakhe esonakele, futhi a wayengasilahlile isimo sakhe esidala, sasisesobala emsebenzini wakhe. Wayenolwazi lomsebenzi oluningi, kodwa lolo lwazi lulodwa alukwazanga ukumguqula, futhi asikwazanga ukuguqula imibono yakhe ngokuba khona nokubaluleka kokufuna kwakhe. Nakuba asebenzela uKristu iminyaka eminingi, futhi engaphindanga wahlupha iNkosi uJesu, enhliziyweni yakhe lwalungekho uguquko olwazini lwakhe ngoNkulunkulu. Okusho ukuthi akasebenzanga ukuze azinikele kuNkulunkulu, kodwa, kahle hle, wayesebenzela ikusasa lakhe. Ngoba, ekuqaleni wahlukumeza uKristu, wangazithoba kuKristu; ngokwemvelo wayeyisihlubuki esasimelana ngamabomu noKristu, engumuntu owayengenalo ulwazi ngomsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele. Ekupheleni komsebenzi wakhe, wayengakawazi umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, wayenza nje ngokwakhe elandela imvelo yakhe, engayigqizi qakala intando kaMoya oNgcwele. Ngakho imvelo Yakhe yayinobutha kuKristu futhi yayingalilaleli iqiniso. Umuntu ofana nalona, oshiywe umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, owayengawazi umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, naye owayephikisa uKristu—angasindiswa kanjani? Ukuthi uyasindiswa noma cha, akuncikile ekutheni mningi kangakanani umsebenzi awenzayo, noma ekuthini uzinikele kangakanani, kodwa kunqunywa ukuthi uyawazi yini umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, ukuthi angakwazi yini ukuphila ngeqiniso, nokuthi izinto azifunayo ziyahambisana yini neqiniso.
Nakuba uPetru ambulelwa ngemva kokulandela uJesu, endalweni wayelokhu engumuntu owayezimisele ukuthobela uMoya oNgcwele nokufuna uKristu. Ukulalela kwakhe uMoya oNgcwele kwakumsulwa: Wayengafuni udumo noma umcebo, kodwa wayelalela iqiniso. Nakuba kunezikhathi ezintathu lapho uPetru aphika khona ukuthi uyamazi uKristu, nakuba alinga iNkosi uJesu, lawo maphutha amancane awasho lutho ngesimo sakhe, futhi awalithintanga ikusasa lakhe, futhi awasho ukuthi isilingo sakhe sasingesomphiki kristu. Ubuthaka bobuntu yinto wonke umuntu anayo emhlabeni—ingabe ulindele ukuthi uPetru ehluke? Ingabe abantu ababambelele emibonweni ethile ngoPetru ngenxa yamaphutha amaningana awubuphukuphuku awenza? Ingabe abantu abamhloniphi uPawulu ngenxa yomsebenzi awenza, nazo zonke izincwadi azibhala? Umuntu angakwazi kanjani ukubona aze afinyelele engqikithini yomuntu? Ngempela labo abanomqondo bayakubona lokhuo kungabaluleki? Nakuba iminyaka eminingi yezinto ezibuhlungu uPetru adlula kuzo kungalotshiwe ngayo eBhayibhelini, lokho akusho ukuthi uPetru akadlulanga ebunzimeni, noma ukuthi uPetru akazange apheleliswe. Umuntu angawuqonda kanjani ngokugcwele umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu? Okulotshwe eBhayibhelini akukhethwanga uJesu mathupha, kodwa kwahlanganiswa izizukulwane ezalandela. Ngale ndlela, ingabe konke okwalotshwa eBhayibhelini akukhethwanga ngenxa yemiqondo yomuntu? Ngaphezu kwalokho, isiphetho sikaPetru noPawulu asembuliwe ezincwadini ezilotshiwe, ngakho umuntu wahlulela uPetru noPawulu ngemibono yakhe, ngokuvumelana nezinto azithandayo. Futhi ngenxa yokuthi uPawulu wenza umsebenzi omningi kangaka, ngenxa yokuthi “iminikelo” yakhe yayimikhulu, iningi lamethemba. Ingabe umuntu akagxili kuphela ezintweni ezilula? Umuntu angakwazi kanjani ukubona phakathi engqikithini yomuntu? Ingasaphathwa eyokuthi uPawulu ubelokhu ekhonzwa izinkulungwane zeminyaka, ubani ongalokotha ngokuvele aphike umsebenzi wakhe? UPetru wayewumdobi nje, ngakho umnikelo wakhe wawungaba kanjani mkhulu udlule okaPawulu? Ngokomnikelo, uPawulu kwakufanele aklonyeliswe ngaphambi kukaPetru, futhi nguye okwakufanele amukelwe uNkulunkulu. Ubani owayengacabanga ukuthi endleleni uNkulunkulu aphatha ngayo uPawulu, uNkulunkulu wamane wenza ukuthi asebenzise izipho zakhe, kuyilapho uNkulunkulu aphelelisa uPetru. Ngakho nakanjani ngeke kube iNkosi uJesu yazenza kusukela ekuqaleni izinhlelo ngoPetru nangoPawulu: Kunalokho, benziwa baphelela noma bafakwa emsebenzini ngokwezimvelo zabo. Ngakho, abantu babona izithelo zomnikelo womuntu, kuyilapho uNkulunkulu ebona ingqikithi yomuntu, kanye nendlela umuntu ahamba ngayo kusukela ekuqaleni, nesisusa sokufuna komuntu. Abantu balinganisa umuntu ngokokubona kwabo, kodwa isiphetho somuntu asinqunywa izinto zakhe eziseceleni. Ngakho ngithi indlela oyithatha ekuqaleni eyempumelelo, futhi umbono wakho ngezinto ubulokhu umuhle, ngakho ufana noPetru; uma umgudu ohamba kuwo kungowezehluleki, noma yiliphi-ke inani olikhokhayo, isiphetho sakho sizofana nesikaPawulu. Kunoma yikuphi, ikusasa lakho, kungenandaba ukuthi uyaphumelela noma cha, konke kunqunywa ukuthi indlela oyikhethayo ilungile yini noma cha, kunokuzinikela noma inani olikhokhayo. Ingqikithi kaPetru noPawulu, nemigomo yabo, kwakuhlukene; umuntu akakwazi ukuthola lezi zinto, futhi uNkulunkulu ongazazi zonke. Ngoba into uNkulunkulu ayibonayo yisiqu somuntu, kuyilapho umuntu engazi lutho ngengqikithi yakhe. Umuntu akakwazi ukubona ingqikithi ekumuntu nesimo sakhe sangempela, ngakho uyakwazi ukubona isizathu sokwehluleka nokuphumelela kukaPawulu noPetru. Into eyenza abantu abaningi bakhonze uPawulu esikhundleni sikaPetru ukuthi uPawulu wasetshenziselwa umsebenzi wasobala, futhi umuntu uyakwazi ukubona lo msebenzi, ngakho abantu bayakubona “okwafezwa” uPawulu. Izinto uPetru adlula kuzo azibonakali kumuntu, futhi lokho ayekufuna umuntu ngeke akuthole, ngakho umuntu akakhangwa lutho kuPetru.
UPetru wapheleliswa izinto adlula kuzo, ukusetshenzwa nokucwengwa. Wathi, “Kumele nganelise isifiso sikaNkulunkulu ngazo zonke izikhathi. Konke engikwenzayo ngikwenzela ukwanelisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu, akunandaba ukuthi ngiyasolwa noma ngiyahlulelwa, ngiyajabula ukwenza lokho.” UPetru wanikela ngoqobo lwakhe kuNkulunkulu, emsebenzini wakhe, amazwi, nempilo yonke konke kwakungenxa yokuthanda uNkulunkulu. Wayengumuntu ofuna ubungcwele, lapho ekhula ekwazini, lwalujula nothando lwakhe ngoNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakhe. Ngaleso sikhathi, uPawulu, yena, wenza kuphela umsebenzi wangaphandle, futhi nakuba wayesebenza kanzima, wayesebenzela ukwenza umsebenzi wakhe ngendlela efanele nokuthola umklomelo. Ukube wayazi ukuthi wayengeke athole lutho, wayeyowuyeka umsebenzi wakhe. UPetru enhliziyweni yakhe wayenendaba nothando lweqiniso enhliziyweni yakhe, futhi lokho kwakungokoqobo futhi kufezeka. Wayengenandaba nokuthola umklomelo, kodwa wayenendaba nokuthi isimo sakhe semvelo siyoguquka yini. UPawulu wayenendaba nokusebenza kanzima, wayenendaba nomsebenzi wangaphandle nokuzinikela, nezimfundiso abantu abajwayelekile ababengazazi. Wayengenandaba nezinguquko ezazenzeka ekujuleni kuye nothando lweqiniso ngoNkulunkulu. Izinto uPetru adlula kuzo zazingenxa yokuthi azuze uthando lweqiniso nolwazi lweqiniso lukaNkulunkulu. Ulwazi lwakhe lwalungolokumenza asondelane kakhulu noNkulunkulu, futhi nokuphila okungokoqobo. Umsebenzi kaPawulu wawungenxa yalokho uJesu ayemphathise khona, futhi ukuze athole izinto ayezilangazelela, futhi lezi zinto zazingahlangene nokuzazi yena noma uNkulunkulu. Umsebenzi wakhe wawumayelana nokuphunyuka ekusolweni nasekwahlulelweni. UPetru wayefuna uthando olumsulwa, nokwakufunwa uPawulu kwakuwumqhele wokulunga. UPetru wawubona iminyaka eminingi umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, futhi wayenolwazi lwangempela ngoKristu, kanye nolwazi lwangempela ngaye. Ngakho wayenothando olumsulwa ngoNkulunkulu. Iminyaka eminingi yokucwengwa yaluphakamisa ulwazi lwakhe ngoJesu nangokuphila, futhi uthando lwakhe lwalungenamibandela, kwakuwuthando oluzenzakalelayo, wayengafuni mbuyiselo, futhi engafuni zinzuzo. UPawulu wasebenza iminyaka eminingi, kodwa wayengenalo ulwazi olunzulu ngoKristu, futhi wayenolwazi oluncane ngaye. Empeleni nje wayengenalo uthando lukaKristu, futhi uhambo aluthatha lwalungenxa lokuthola umklomelo ekugcineni. Wayefuna umqhele omkhulu, hhayi uthando olumsulwa. Wayengafuni ngendlela ngokukhuthala, wayenza nje; wayengawenzi umsebenzi wakhe, kodwa waqhubeka nezinto azifunayo ngemva kokubanjwa ngumsebenzi kaMoya ONgcwele. Ngakho, ukufuna kwakhe akufakazi ukuthi uyisidalwa esifanele sikaNkulunkulu; kwakunguPetru owayeyisidalwa esifanelekile sikaNkulunkulu owenza umsebenzi wakhe. Umuntu ucabanga ukuthi bonke labo abanikela kuNkulunkulu kufanele baklonyeliswe, nokuthi uma benikela kakhulu kuthathwa kalula ukuthi kufanele bathole umusa kaNkulunkulu. Ingqikithi yombono womuntu isekuhwebeni, futhi akafuni ngokukhuthala ukwenza umsebenzi wakhe njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. KuNkulunkulu, ukwanda kokufuna kwabantu uthando lweqiniso nokumlalela ngokugcwele uNkulunkulu, okuphinde kusho ukwenza umsebenzi wabo njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, kwandisa amathuba akhe okwemukelwa uNkulunkulu. Umbono kaNkulunkulu ukufuna ukuthi umuntu abuyele emsebenzini wakhe nasesikhundleni sakhe sasekuqaleni. Umuntu uyisidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, ngakho umuntu akufanele adlulele afune izinto kuNkulunkulu, akufanele enze okungaphezu kokwenza umsebenzi wakhe njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Ikusasa likaPawulu noPetru lalilinganiswa ngokuthi babengakwazi yini ukwenza umsebenzi wabo njengezidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, hhayi ngenxa yobuningi bomnikelo wabo; ikusasa labo lalinqunywa yilokho ababekufuna ekuqaleni, hhayi ngenxa yobuningi bomsebenzi abawenza noma okwakucatshangwa abantu ngabo. Ngakho, ukufuna ukwenza umsebenzi womuntu ngogqozi njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu yindlela eya empumelelweni; ukufuna indlela yothando lweqiniso lukaNkulunkulu kuyindlela efanele kakhulu; ukufuna uguquko esimweni somuntu esidala, nothando olumsulwa lukaNkulunkulu, kuyindlela eya empumelelweni. Indlela enje eya empumelelweni eyokubuyisa umsebenzi wokuqala kanye nokubukeka kwasekuqaleni kwesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Kuwumgudu wokubuyisa, futhi kuyinhloso yawo wonke umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu kusukela ekuqaleni kuya ekugcineni. Uma okufunwa umuntu kuthunazwe yizimfuno ezinomhobholo nokulangazelela okungenamqondo, umthelela okuwufezayo-ke ngeke kube yizinguquko esimweni somuntu. Lokhu kuyaphikisana nomsebenzi wokubuyisa. Nakanjani akuwona umsebenzi owenziwe uMoya oNgcwele, ngakho kufakazela ukuthi uNkulunkulu akalwamukeli lolu hlobo lokufuna. Kubaluleke ngani ukufuna kokungavunywa nguNkulunkulu?
Umsebenzi owenziwa uPawulu wakhonjiswa phambi komuntu, kodwa lwalumsulwa kangakanani uthando lwakhe ngoNkulunkulu, lwalujule kangakanani uthando lukaNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakhe—lokhu akubonakali kumuntu. Umuntu ukwazi kuphela ukubona umsebenzi awenza, wazi ngawo ukuthi nakanjani wasetshenziswa uMoya oNgcwele, ngakho umuntu ucabanga ukuthi uPawulu wayengcono kunoPetru, ukuthi umsebenzi wakhe wawumkhulu, ngoba wayekwazi ukunakekela amabandla. UPetru wathembela ezintweni adlula kuzo, wazuza idlanzana labantu phakathi nomsebenzi wakhe. Ngaye kunezincwadi ezimbalwa ezaziwa kancane, kodwa ubani owaziyo ukuthi lwalujule kangakanani uthando lwakhe ngoNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakhe? UPawulu wamsebenzela usuku nosuku uNkulunkulu: Uma nje kwakusenomsebenzi okwakufanele wenziwe, wayewenza. Wacabanga ukuthi ngalokhu wayezokwazi ukuzuza umqhele, agculise uNkulunkulu, kodwa futhi wayengafuni izindlela zokuziguqula emsebenzini wakhe. Yonke into ekuphileni kukaPetru engasanelisanga isifiso sikaNkulunkulu yamenza wangakhululeka. Uma ingasanelisanga isifiso sikaNkulunkulu, khona-ke wayezozizwa enecala, wayezobheka indlela efanele ayengazama ukwanelisa ngayo inhliziyo kaNkulunkulu. Ngisho nasezintweni ezincane kakhulu futhi ezingabalulekile ekuphileni kwakhe, wayedinga ukwanelisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu. Wayengakudambisi ukuzikhandla uma kuziwa esimweni sakhe esidala, wayenomfutho ezintweni ezijulisa iqiniso kuye. UPawulu wayefuna kuphela ukuzenzela igama. Wayefuna ukubukisa phambi kwabantu, wayengafuni ukwenza inqubekela-phambili ekungeneni kwakhe. Wayenendaba nemfundiso hhayi okungokoqobo. Abanye bathi, “UPawulu wamenzela umsebenzi omningi uNkulunkulu, kungani uNkulunkulu engamkhumbulanga? UPetru wamenzela umsebenzi omncane uNkulunkulu, akanikelanga kakhulu emabandleni, ngakho kungani apheleliswa?” UPetru wayemthanda ngokwezinga elithile uNkulunkulu, okwakuyilelo elalifunwa uNkulunkulu; abantu abanjalo abanobufakazi. Kuthiwani ngoPawulu? UPawulu wayemthanda ngaliphi izinga uNkulunkulu, uyazi? Wawuphathelene nani umsebenzi kaPawulu? Futhi wawuphathelene nani umsebenzi kaPetru? UPetru akenzanga umsebenzi omningi, kodwa uyazi ukuthi yini eyayisekujuleni kwenhliziyo yakhe? Umsebenzi kaPawulu ugxile ekondleni emabandleni futhi nokwesekwa kwamabandla. UPetru wabona uguquko esimweni sokuphila kwakhe; wabona uthando lukaNkulunkulu. Manje njengoba usuwazi umehluko eziqwini zabo, usungabona ukuthi ubani ekugcineni owayekholwa ngempela kuNkulunkulu, nokuthi ubani owayengakholwa ngobuqotho kuNkulunkulu. Omunye wabo wayemthanda ngempela uNkulunkulu, omunye engamthandi ngempela; omunye waba nezinguquko esimweni sakhe, omunye akazange; omunye wasebenza ngokuzithoba, futhi wayengabonwa kalula abantu, futhi omunye wayekhulekelwa abantu, futhi emkhulu; omunye wayefuna ubungcwele, omunye engabufuni, nakuba wayehlanzekile, wayengenalo uthando olumsulwa; omunye wayenobuntu bangempela, omunye engenabo; omunye wayenomqondo wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, omunye engenawo. Yilowo umehluko phakathi kwengqikithi kaPawulu nekaPetru. UPetru wahamba ngendlela yempumelelo, okuphinde kube indlela yokuthola ukubuyiswa kobuntu obuvamile nomsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. UPetru umele bonke abantu abaphumelelayo. UPawulu wahamba ngendlela yezehluleki, futhi umele bonke abazithobayo futhi bazikhandle ngokuzenzisa, abangamthandi ngempela uNkulunkulu. UPawulu umele bonke labo abangenalo iqiniso. Ekukholweni kwakhe kuNkulunkulu, uPetru wayefuna ukwanelisa uNkulunkulu kukho konke, wayelalela konke okuvela kuNkulunkulu. Engakhonondi ngisho nakancane, wakwazi ukwamukela ukusolwa nokwahlulelwa, kanye nokucwengwa, usizi kanye nokuntula ekuphileni kwakhe, akukho okwaqeda uthando lwakhe lukaNkulunkulu. Ingabe lolu akulona uthando lwakhe olukhulu lukaNkulunkulu? Ingabe lokhu akukhona ukugcwaliseka komsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu? Noma kusekusolweni, ekwahlulelweni, noma osizini, uhlale ukwazi ukulalela kuze kube sekufeni, futhi yilokhu okufanele kufezwe isidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, lobu ubumsulwa bothando lukaNkulunkulu. Uma umuntu engafeza okungaka, kusho ukuthi uyisidalwa sangempela sikaNkulunkulu, futhi akukho okungcono okwanelisa isifiso soMdali. Zicabange ukwazi ukusebenzela uNkulunkulu, kodwa awumlaleli uNkulunkulu, awukwazi ukumthanda ngempela uNkulunkulu. Ngale ndlela, ngeke ugcine nje ungawufezanga umsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, kodwa uyohlulelwa nawuNkulunkulu, ngoba ungumuntu ongenalo iqiniso, ongakwazi ukulalela uNkulunkulu, uyihlongandlebe. Unendaba kuphela nokusebenzela uNkulunkulu, awunandaba nokuphila ngeqiniso, noma ukuzazi. Awumqondi futhi awumazi uMdali, awumlaleli futhi awumthandi uMdali. Ungumuntu ngokwemvelo ongezwani nokulalela uNkulunkulu, ngakho abantu abanjalo abathandwa uMdali.
Abanye abantu bathi, “uPawulu wenza umsebenzi omkhulu, wathwala umsebenzi omkhulu wamabandla wanikela kakhulu kuwo. Izincwadi eziyishumi nantathu ezabhalwa uPawulu zaphakamisa iminyaka eyizi-2 000 yeNkathi Yomusa, zingezesibili kuphela emaVangelini Amane. Ubani ongaqhathaniswa naye? Akekho ongacubungula isAmbulo sikaJohane, kuyilapho izincwadi zikaPawulu zinika ukuphila, futhi umsebenzi awenza wazuzisa amabandla. Ubani omunye owayengafeza izinto ezinjalo? UPetru wenza umsebenzi onjani?” Lapho umuntu elinganisa abanye, kuhambisana nomnikelo wabo. Lapho uNkulunkulu elinganisa umuntu, kuhambisana nesimo sakhe. Phakathi kwalabo abafuna ukuphila, uPawulu wayengumuntu owayengayazi ingqikithi yakhe. Wayengathobekile nakancane futhi engalaleli, futhi wayengayazi ingqikithi yakhe eyayiphikisana noNkulunkulu. Ngakho wayengumuntu owayengadlulanga ezintweni eziningi, wayengakaze alenze iqiniso. UPetru wayehlukile. Wayazi ubuthakathaka bakhe, nokukhohlakala kwesimo sakhe njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, ngakho wayenendlela ayengayisebenzisa aguquke isimo sakhe; wayengeyena omunye walabo abanemfundiso kodwa bengaphethe iqiniso. Labo abaguqukayo bangabantu abasha abasindisiwe, bayafaneleka ukufuna iqiniso. Abantu abangaguquki bangabalabo ngokwemvelo asebephelelwe yisikhathi; bayilabo abangasindisiwe, okusho ukuthi labo abenyanywe futhi baphindwe bachithwa uNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu ngeke abakhumbule ngisho umsebenzi wabo umkhulu kangakanani. Lapho uqhathanisa lokhu nezinto nokufuna kwakho, kungakhathaleki ukuthi ekugcineni ufana noPetru noma noPawulu kufanele uzazi. Uma lingekho iqiniso kokufunayo, futhi namanje usazithwele futhi usenenkani njengoPawulu, usazikhukhemeza njengaye, khona-ke uyoba yisonakali esiyisehluleki. Uma ufuna okufana nokukaPetru, uma ufuna ukwenza noguquko kwangempela, ungenakho ukuzidla nokuba nenkani, kodwa ufuna ukwenza umsebenzi wakho, khona-ke uyoba isidalwa sikaNkulunkulu esinqobayo. UPawulu wayengasazi isimo noma ukukhohlakala kwakhe, ingasaphathwa eyokwazi ukungalaleli kwakhe. Akazange aveze ukungamlaleli kwakhe okucasulayo uKristu, futhi wayengazisoli ngokwedlulele. Wayechaza kafushane kuphela, futhi ekujuleni kwenhliziyo yakhe wayengazithobi kuNkulunkulu. Nakuba awa endleleni elibangise eDamaseku, akazange azibukisise. Wayaneliswe ukuqhubeka esebenza, engacabangi ukuthi ukuzazi nokuguqula isimo sakhe esidala kwakuyizindaba ezibaluleke kakhulu. Wayegculiswe ukukhuluma iqiniso nje, nokondla abanye kuyikhambi kunembeza wakhe, nokuziduduza nokuzixolela ngokungaqhubeki ukuhlupha abalandeli bakaJesu. Okuwukuphela komgomo ayenawo kwakuwukufuna umqhele wekusasa nomsebenzi wokuwelela kwesinye isimo, wayefuna inala yomusa. Akafunanga iqiniso elanele, wayengafuni ukuba neqiniso elijulile ayengaliqondi ekuqaleni. Ngakho kungathiwa wayengenalo ulwazi oluyiqiniso ngaye, akakwamukelanga ukusolwa noma ukwahlulelwa. Ukuthi wayekwazi ukusebenza akusho ukuthi wayenolwazi ngesiqu sakhe; wayegxile emikhubeni yangaphandle kuphela. Ngaphezu kwalokho, wayengaphokopheleli uguquko, kodwa ulwazi. Umsebenzi wakhe wawungumphumela wokubonakala kukaJesu endleleni eya eDamaseku. Kwakungeyona into ayevele enqume ukuyenza ekuqaleni, nomsebenzi owenzeka ngemva kokwamukela ukucwengwa kwesimo sakhe esidala. Kungakhathaleki ukuthi wayesebenza kangakanani, isimo sakhe esidala asizange siguquke, futhi umsebenzi wakhe awuzange umshwelezele ngezono zakhe kodwa wamane wabamba iqhaza elithile emabandleni angaleso sikhathi. Umuntu ofana nalona, onesimo esidala esingakaguquki—okusho ukuthi ongakaze athole insindiso, futhi owayengenalo iqiniso—wayengakwazi nhlobo ukwamukelwa iNkosi uJesu. Wayengeyena umuntu owayegcwele uthando nokuhlonipha uJesu Kristu, futhi wayengeyena umuntu owayefuna iqiniso, ingasaphathwa eyokufuna ukuqonda imfihlakalo yokuba sesimweni somuntu. Wayenekhono lokukhuluma ilumbo, futhi owayengeke anikezele kumuntu ophakeme kunaye noma oneqiniso. Waba nomona ngabantu noma amaqiniso ayengahambisani naye, noma abanobuthi kuye, wakhetha abantu abaneziphiwo abaletha isithombe esikhulu nolwazi olunzulu. Wayengakuthandi ukuxoxa nabantu abahlwempu ababefuna indlela yeqiniso futhi wayenendaba neqiniso kuphela, futhi wazikhathaza ngabantu abakhulu bezinhlangano zenkolo ezazikhuluma kuphela izimfundiso, futhi zinolwazi oluningi. Wayengenalo nhlobo uthando ngomsebenzi omusha kaMoya oNgcwele, wayengenandaba nenqubekela-phambili yomsebenzi omusha kaMoya oNgcwele. Kunalokho, wayeseka leyo mithetho nezimfundiso okwakuphakeme kunamaqiniso ajwayelekile. Kule ngqikithi yangaphakathi nakho konke ayekufuna, akumfanele ukubizwa ngomKristu owayefuna iqiniso, ingasaphathwa eyenceku ethembekile endlini kaNkulunkulu, ngoba ukuzenzisa kwakhe kwakukukhulu kakhulu nokungalaleli kwakhe kwakukukhulu kakhulu. Nakuba aziwa njengenceku yeNkosi uJesu, wayengafanele ukungena emasangweni ombuso wezulu, ngoba izenzo zakhe kusukela ekuqaleni kuya ekugcineni ngeke kuthiwe zilungile. Angabonakala njengomuntu owayezenzisa, ongalungile, owenza ukungalungi, ophinde futhi asebenzele uKristu. Nakuba engeke abizwe ngomubi, angabizwa kufanele ngendoda eyenza ukungalungi. Wenza umsebenzi omningi, kodwa akumele ahlulelwe ngobukhulu bomsebenzi awenza, kodwa ngezinga nangengqikithi yawo. Singayithola ngale ndlela kuphela ingqikithi yale ndaba. Wayehlale ekholwa ukuthi: “Ngiyakwazi ukusebenza, ngingcono kunabantu abaningi; ngicabanga ukwedlula wonke umuntu ngomthwalo weNkosi, futhi akekho ophendula ngokujulile njengami ukuze ukukhanya okukhulu kukhanye kimi, ngakho ukuphenduka kwami kujule kunakho konke.” Ngaleso sikhathi, yilokhu ayekucabanga enhliziyweni yakhe. Ekupheleni komsebenzi wakhe, uPawulu wathi: “Ngikulwile ukulwa, ngiliqedile ibanga, sengibekelwe umqhele wokulunga.” Ukulwa kwakhe, umsebenzi, nebanga lakhe kwakungenxa yomqhele wokulunga, futhi akazange aphokophele phambili ngentshiseko; nakuba wayengashampuzi emsebenzini wakhe, kungashiwo ukuthi umsebenzi wakhe wawumayelana nokulungisa amaphutha akhe, ukulungisa amacala kanembeza wakhe. Wayethemba ukuthi wayezoqeda umsebenzi wakhe, aqede inkambo yakhe, futhi alwe ukulwa ngokushesha, ukuze awuthole ngokushesha umqhele wokulunga ayewulangazelela. Ayekulangazelela kwakungekhona ukuhlangana nenkosi uJesu ngezinto adlula kuzo kanye nolwazi lweqiniso, kodwa nokuqeda umsebenzi wakhe ngokukhulu ukushesha, ukuze athole umklomelo womsebenzi wakhe lapho ehlangana neNkosi uJesu. Wasebenzisa umsebenzi wakhe ukuziduduza, nokwenza isivumelwano ngenxa yomqhele wangenkathi ezayo. Ayekufuna kwakungelona iqiniso noma uNkulunkulu, kodwa kwakuwumqhele kuphela. Ukufuna okunjalo kungaba kanjani sezingeni elifanele? Okwakumkhuthaza, umsebenzi wakhe, inani alikhokha, nayo yonke imizamo yakhe—wonke amaphupho akhe amakhulu ayengena kukho konke, futhi wayesebenza ngokuphelele ngokuvumelana nezifiso zakhe. Kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe, kwakungekho nokuncane ukuzimisela enanini alikhokha; wayemane enza isivumelwano. Imizamo yakhe ayenziwanga ngokuzimisela ukuze enze umsebenzi wakhe, kodwa yenziwa ngokuzimisela ukuze afeze isivumelwano. Ingabe ibalulekile ngempela leyo mizamo? Ubani oyoncoma imizamo yakhe engahlanzekile? Ubani onendaba nemizamo enjalo? Umsebenzi wakhe wawugcwele amaphupho ekusasa, izinhlelo ezimangalisayo, futhi ungenayo indlela yokuguqula isimo somuntu. Umusa wakhe omningi wawunokuzenzisa; umsebenzi wakhe wawungaphilisi, kodwa uchuma ngokungeyikho; wawuwukwenziwa kwesivumelwano. Umsebenzi ofana nalona ungamhola kanjani umuntu ukuze abuyise umsebenzi wakhe wokuqala?
Okuwukuphela kwento uPetru ayeyifuna kwakuyinhliziyo kaNkulunkulu. Wayefuna ukwanelisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu, ngisho ebunzimeni noma ekuhluphekeni wayesafuna ukugcwalisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu. Akukho okudlula lokho okungafunwa ikholwa likaNkulunkulu. Okwakufunwa uPawulu kwakungenxa yenyama yakhe, imicabango yakhe, kanye namacebo akhe. Wayengesona isidalwa sikaNkulunkulu esifanelekile, wayengeyena umuntu owayefuna ukugcwalisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu. UPetru wayefuna ukuzithoba ekuqondiseni kukaNkulunkulu, futhi nakuba umsebenzi wakhe wawungemkhulu, isisusa sakhe nendlela ayihamba kwakulungile; nakuba engakwazanga ukuzuza abantu abaningi, wayekwazi ukufuna indlela yeqiniso. Ngenxa yalokhu, kungashiwo ukuthi wayeyisidalwa esifanelekayo sikaNkulunkulu. Namuhla, ngisho noma ungesona isisebenzi, kufanele ukwazi ukwenza umsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, uzithobe kukho konke ukuqondisa kukaNkulunkulu. Kufanele ulandele noma yini eshiwo uNkulunkulu, uzwe zonke izinsizi nezindlela zokucwengwa, futhi nakuba ubuthaka, enhliziyweni yakho kusafanele ukwazi ukuthanda uNkulunkulu. Labo abathwala isibopho ngokuphila kwabo bazimisele ukwenza umsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, futhi umbono wabantu abanjalo ngokufuna ulungile. Laba ngabantu uNkulunkulu abadingayo. Uma wenze umsebenzi omningi, abanye bathola izimfundiso zakho, kodwa wena awuzange uguquke futhi awukhiphanga bufakazi, futhi awukaze uzwe ukuthi kunjani ukuphelelwa ukuphila, ayikho into onayo ekhipha ubufakazi, ngakho awuyena yini umuntu oguqukile? Ingabe ungumuntu ofuna iqiniso? Ngaleso sikhathi, uMoya oNgcwele wakusebenzisa, kodwa lapho Yena ekusebenzisa, wasebenzisa ingxenye yakho engasebenza, akayisebenzisanga engeke isebenze. Uma ufuna ukuguquka, khona-ke uyopheleliswa kancane kancane phakathi nenqubo yokusetshenziswa. Kodwa uMoya oNgcwele awunasibopho ekutheni uyogcina uzuziwe yini noma cha, lokho kuncike kulokho okuphokophelayo. Uma lungekho uguquko esimweni sakho, lokho kusuke kungenxa yokuthi unombono ngokufuna ongemuhle. Uma unganikwa umklomelo, lokho yakho, ngoba wena awulenzanga iqiniso, awukwazi ukugcwalisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu. Ngakho, ayikho into ebaluleke ukwedlula izinto odlule kuzo, futhi ayikho into ebucayi njengokungena kwakho! Abanye bayogcina bethi, “Ngikusebenzele kakhulu, futhi nakuba kungabanga yimpumelelo ebatshazwayo, bengikhuthele emizamweni yami. Angeke nje ungivumele ngingene ezulwini ngidle isithelo sokuphila?” Kumele wazi ukuthi ngifisa uhlobo olunjani lwabantu; abangcolile abavunyelwe ukungena embusweni, abangcolile abavunyelwe ukungcolisa umhlabathi oNgcwele. Nakuba kungenzeka wenze umsebenzi omkhulu, futhi ususebenze iminyaka, uma ekugcineni useokungcola okuthunazayo—akubekezeleleki emthethweni weZulu ukuthi ufuna ukungena embusweni Wami! Kusukela ekusekelweni komhlaba kuze kube namuhla, angikaze ngilokothe ngivule intuba elula yokungena embusweni Wami ngenxa yalabo abazincengela Kimi. Lona umthetho wezulu, akekho ongawephula! Kumele ufune ukuphila. Namuhla, labo abayopheleliswa bawuhlobo olufana noPetru: Yilabo abafuna uguquko esimweni sabo semvelo, abafuna ukufakaza ngoNkulunkulu benze nomsebenzi njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Abantu abafana nalaba kuphela abayopheleliswa. Uma ufuna kuphela imiklomelo, ungafuni ukuguqula isimo sokuphila kwakho kuphela, yonke imizamo yakho iyoba yize—lokho iqiniso elingenakuguqulwa!
Ngenxa yomehluko ezingqikithini zikaPetru noPawulu kufanele wazi ukuthi bonke labo abangafuni ukuphila basebenzela ize! Ukholwa kuNkulunkulu futhi uyamlandela, ngakho kumele uthande uNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakho. Kumele ubeke eceleni isimo sakho esikhohlakele, kumele ufune ukugcwalisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu, kumele wenze umsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu. Njengoba ukholwa futhi ulandela uNkulunkulu, kufanele unikele ngakho konke Kuye, akufanele uzenzele izinqumo, kufanele uqikelele ukuthi uyasigcwalisa isifiso sikaNkulunkulu. Njengoba wadalwa, kufanele ulalele iNkosi eyakudala, ngoba awuzibusi, futhi awukwazi ukulawula ikusasa lakho. Njengoba ukholwa kuNkulunkulu, kufanele ufune ubungcwele noguquko. Njengoba uyisidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, kufanele unamathele emsebenzini wakho, ulondoloze indawo yakho, ungedluli emsebenzini wakho. Lokho akwenzelwe ukukuthiya noma kukucindezele ngemfundiso, kodwa kuyindlela ongenza ngayo umsebenzi wakho, futhi ingafezwa—futhi kufanele ifezwe—yibo bonke abalungile. Uma uqhathanisa isiqu sikaPetru nesikaPawulu, uyoyazi-ke indlela yokufuna. Ezindleleni ezahanjwa uPetru noPawulu, enye uyokupheleliswa, enye eyokususwa; uPetru noPawulu bamele izindlela ezimbili ezingafani. Nakuba ngamunye amukela umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele, ngamunye wakhanyiselwa uMoya oNgcwele, wamukela lokho akuphathiswe iNkosi uJesu, isithelo esisendleleni ngayinye asefani: Esinye kwakuyisithelo seqiniso, esinye kungesona. Ezingqikithini zabo, umsebenzi abawenza, owavezwa yibo, neziphetho zabo, kufanele kukwenze uqonde ukuthi iyiphi indlela okufanele uyithathe, iyiphi indlela okufanele ukhethe ukuhamba kuyo. Bahamba ngokucacile ezindleleni ezimbili ezingafani. UPawulu noPetru, babeyinhliziyo yendlela ngayinye, ngakho kwasekuqaleni bavela bezihamba lezindlela zombili. Yimaphi amaphuzu asemqoka kulokho uPawulu adlula kukho, kungani engaphumelelanga? Yimaphi amaphuzu asemqoka kulokho uPetru adlula kukho, wapheleliswa kanjani? Uma uqhathanisa izinto ababekhathazeka ngazo, uyokwazi ukuthi uhlobo olunjani lomuntu uNkulunkulu aludingayo, ukuthi iyini intando kaNkulunkulu, ukuthi siyini isimo sikaNkulunkulu, ukuthi umuntu onjani oyopheleliswa ekugcineni, futhi onjani ongeke apheleliswe, yisiphi isimo salabo abayopheleliswa, futhi yisiphi isimo salabo abangeke bapheleliswe—lezi zindaba zengqikithi zingabonakala kuPetru noPawulu. UNkulunkulu wadala zonke izinto, ngakho wenza yonke indalo ibe ngaphansi kombuso Wakhe, izithobe kuwo; uyolawula zonke izinto, ukuze konke kube sezandleni Zakhe. Yonke indalo kaNkulunkulu, kuhlanganise nezilwane, izitshalo, abantu, izintaba, imifula, kanye namachibi—konke kufanele kube ngaphansi kokubusa Kwakhe. Konke okusesibhakabhakeni nasemhlabathini kumele kube ngaphansi kokubusa Kwakhe. Akukho okunye okungakwenza, kumele konke kuzithobe ekuhleleni Kwakhe. Lokhu kwanqunywa uNkulunkulu, futhi kuligunya likaNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu uyala konke, futhi ulawula konke, isigaba ngasinye ngokohlobo lwaso, ukubeke ngokwezindawo zakho, ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu. Akunandaba ukuthi kukhulu kangakanani, akukho okungedlula uNkulunkulu, futhi konke kukhonza isintu esidalwe uNkulunkulu, futhi akunalutho olungalokotha lungamlaleli uNkulunkulu noma lufune izinto kuNkulunkulu. Ngakho umuntu, njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, kumele enze umsebenzi womuntu. Kungakhathaleki ukuthi uyinkosi noma umnakekeli wazo zonke izinto, akunandaba ukuthi isikhundla somuntu siphakeme kangakanani kuzo zonke izinto, usewumuntu omncane ngaphansi kokubusa kukaNkulunkulu, akekho ngaphezulu komuntu ongabalulekile, isidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, akasobe aba ngaphezu kukaNkulunkulu. Njengesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, umuntu kufanele afune ukwenza umsebenzi wesidalwa sikaNkulunkulu, afune ukuthanda uNkulunkulu ngaphandle kokwenza ezinye izinqumo, ngoba lumfanele uNkulunkulu uthando lomuntu. Labo abafuna ukuthanda uNkulunkulu akufanele bazifunele izinzuzo noma lokho abakulangazelela bona; lena indlela elungile yokufuna. Uma okufunayo kuliqiniso, okwenzayo kuyiqiniso, futhi okuzuzayo ukuguquka kwesimo sakho semvelo, nendlela ohamba ngayo ilungile. Uma ufuna izibusiso zenyama, futhi okwenzayo kuyiqiniso ngokomcabango wakho, futhi lungekho uguquko esimweni sakho, futhi ungamlaleli nhlobo uNkulunkulu osenyameni, usaphila ngendlela eyinqaba, futhi nakanjani okufunayo kuyokuphonsa esihogweni, ngoba indlela oyihambayo yindlela yokwehluleka. Ukuthi uyopheleliswa noma uyosuswa kuncike ekufuneni kwakho, okusho ukuthi impumelelo noma ukwehluleka kuncike endleleni umuntu ayihambayo.
Umthombo: IBandla LikaNkulunkulu USomandla
Awekho amazwana:
Thumela amazwana