Open Heavens 22 March 2018

NECESSITY OF HOLY LIVING – Thursday March 22^nd 2018

Memorise: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1^st Peter 1:15

Read: Hebrews 12:13-17(KJV)

¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 7-8, Galatians 4:21-5:15, Hymnal: Sing hymn 15

Message:-

Today, we will be reflecting on the necessity of holy living to the success of our Christian journey. Looking at this topic through the eyes of the book of Leviticus helps us to better understand God’s mind-set concerning it. The book of Leviticus reveals the holiness of God and His love for His people in a way found nowhere else in the Bible. Today, this book is still calling on God’s people of all ages to embrace holiness as a way of life. In reality, holiness is the only kind of life approved by God. The purpose of Leviticus was to show the Israelites how to live in ritual and moral purity. Whenever they met God’s standard of purity, He approved of them, so much so that He came to live amongst them. However, whenever they forsook the lifestyle of holiness, He would in turn abandon them to the hands of their enemies. From the example of the children of Israel, it is obvious that holy living is necessary for a continuous, unbroken fellowship with the Almighty God.

Open Heavens 22 March 2018

To understand the necessity for holy living as a Christian, we have much to learn from the instructions on holy living in the book of Leviticus. First, we must understand something about God’s holiness. Leviticus 11:44 and 1^st Peter 1:16 both contain the same message from God on holiness: “You have to be holy because I am holy.” Holiness is the nature of God, and because He cannot change, He remains holy forever. 

 Open Heavens 22 March 2018: [Thursday] Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Necessity of Holy Living

Since He cannot behold sin, it is therefore necessary that anyone who will come to Him must live holy (Habakkuk 1:13). Secondly, holy living becomes necessary when we consider the great price paid for our redemption from sin (1^st Peter 1:18-19). As a true Christian, when you think about the agony, pain, deep sorrow and emotional trauma of the passion of Christ, you will not want to do anything that would amount to crucifying Him the second time. Thirdly, all Christians have the honourable duty of presenting only their best to God in every situation they find themselves. In light of this, Romans 12:1 tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. You need to understand that the view of some that the salvation received when we become born again cannot be lost under any circumstance is at variance with the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:26 says:

“For if we sinwilfully after thatwe have receivedthe knowledge of the truth, thereremaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”

Rccg Open Heaven and Open Heavens Devotional 2018

Hence, a holy lifestyle is not an option, but rather a necessary condition for a successful Christian life.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Prayer Point

Father, help me walk inholiness as a lifestyle for the rest of my life in Jesus’ Name.

Sing hymn 15

NEARER MY GOD TO

THEE

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee;

E’ en though it be a cross

That raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee.

Though, like a wanderer

The sun gone down,

Darkness comes over me,

My rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I’d be

Nearer, my God, to Thee

Nearer, my God, to Thee

Nearer to Thee.

There let me see the sight,

An open heaven;

All that thou sendest me,

In mercy given;

Angles to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to Thee

Nearer, my God, to Thee

Nearer to Thee

Then, with my walking thoughts

Bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs

Bethel I’ll raise,

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee