RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OPTIONAL
Open Heavens 25 July 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor
E.A. Adeboye – righteousness is not optional
Memorise: As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that
pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. Proverbs 11:19
Read: Hosea 10:12, (KJV)
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break
up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain
righteousness upon you.
Bible in one year: Colossians 1-4, Psalms 19:1-6
MESSAGE
It is interesting to note that the righteousness that
mankind has detested from generation to generation, right from the fall, is not
optional! Many scholars have endeavoured to explain away what righteousness
entails and play down its importance to the point that sermons that encourage
righteous living are now scarce. Sweet and pet talks have replaced sermons that
demand righteous living. This is why St. Paul admonished his spiritual son,
Timothy thus:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
2nd Timothy 4:2-3
There are some lessons to be learnt from the above
scripture; firstly, sermons that will produce righteous living must contain
reproof, rebuke, exhortation and doctrine. Secondly, there is a time in the
life of a Christian pilgrim when he will have to make himself intentionally available
to reproof and rebuke. This is because, after a long stay in the Church
environment, which might have earned him titles, he might no longer be
teachable. Thirdly, righteous living required indoctrination; doctrines that
are sound. In other words, there are doctrines that are not sound. So,
believers must beware of doctrines of the devil.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils;”
1st Timothy 4:1
Today, some children of God make righteousness an optional
virtue to their own danger because the scripture cannot be broken. It says
“Fellow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord”
Hebrews 12:14
Beloved, it is true we shall be ultimately saved by grace.
This is why we must pray for that grace to live righteously without struggle,
because there is no grace is struggle. This is what makes the Christians faith
unique. Our God is able to help us live for Him if we are willing and obedient.
If we will not rationalise sin but admit it as it is and cry to God for help.
The Bible says:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Titus 2:11-12
I pray that as you desire righteousness today, the grace of
God will bring it upon your life in Jesus’ name. (25 July 2016 open
heavens)
Prayer Poin
Father, let your grace abound in my heart so that I may
begin to live life pleasing to you as from now in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily ckgod, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
No comments:
Post a Comment
Be the first to comment