OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
DATE: MONDAY 25TH MAY, 2020.
THEME: ENEMIES OF CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS.
MEMORISE:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patient the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
READ: 1st John 3:4-10 (KJV)
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
MESSAGE:
God wants His children to be aware of the several roadblocks on their journey to the promised land. Chief among these is the devil. He puts obstacles in our path so we can reject the ways of the Lord (1st Peter 5:7-9). He uses sin as a weapon of destruction knowing fully well that no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27).
Seeing these obvious threats to the success of our pilgrimage, God always provides an escapes route for us (1st Corinthians 10:13)
In today’s Bible reading, John describes sin as a transgression of the law.
It is definitely not a Christian virtue. As a matter of fact, sinners belong to the devil because he has been sinning from the beginning (1st John 3:8).
The whole duty of Satan is to lure people into disobedience against God, thus truncating their journey to eternal life. He told Adam and Eve that eating the forbidding fruit would not affect their relationship with God.
Eventually, they were sent from the blissful garden of Eden (Genesis 3).
Today, he has introduced the concept of ‘non-essentials’ to the Christian faith.
For instance, the devil convinces people that a sip of alcohol once in a while does not matter; and that premarital sex is not bad as long as the couple would eventually marry each other, without regard for Hebrews 13:4! What about lies? Many ‘Christians’ now lie with impunity and it is termed ‘white’ lies.
These are very little foxes that destroy the vine of faith. This is a timely warning for Christian pilgrims to guard against seemingly insignificant habits that can exclude one from the hope of eternal life.
May the Lord grant us the grace to run with patience and race that is set before us.
ACTION POINT:
Examine your life for socially acceptable behaviours that are not Christ-like. They could deny you of eternal life ultimately. Do away with them all immediately.
AUTHOR: Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 131, 138-139, 143-145,
HYMN 9: HOLD THE FORT
1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing
Victory is nigh.
CHORUS
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.
2. See the mighty host advancing
Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling
Courage almost gone!
3. See the glorious banner waving!
Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph
Over every foe.
4. Fierce and long the battle rages
But our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
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