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 Point
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 Devotional, written by Pastor E.A
Adeboye
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