FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER, 2020
Focus Scripture: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” – Galatians 5: 26
Admonition
I bring you greetings from the Throne of Grace in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
We made mention of the strives among Christian denominations, vis-à-vis the members, yesterday and the implication of that is just that we aren’t showing ourselves as true followers of Christ Jesus. In fact, we are said to be carnal and working as men. The book of 1 Corinthians 3: 3 puts it this way: “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” The overall implication of this is that we are not in Christ Jesus because by striving and envying, we do not exhibit the required fruits of the Spirit because strives and envying are well mentioned amongst the works of the flesh, not amongst the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 19 – 21).
The question therefore now is why the strives, envying and the in-fighting? Do we war among ourselves because of the Gospel of Christ? Definitely not! Most of these abominable things occur because as said yesterday, we want the approval and honour from men, and sadly, it doesn’t matter, whether God and His Christ approve or not. We strive and envy in order to massage and boost our egos and feel important in the eyes of others. We do these and many others because we want to be in the good books of the church elders, pastor and founders. Yet, we want to bear much fruits and FINISH STRONG. The question in relation to our Tuesday lesson is how can we hope to bear much fruits when we don’t walk in the Spirit? Shall we remain in sin and say grace should multiply? (Romans 6: 1)
Our Focus Scripture this morning seems very apt an admonition and if we put this in our hearts at all times, the likelihood of playing down strives, envying, in-fighting and other works of the flesh is very high. There are no titles in heaven and no one spends money there. We should learn to be content with whatever gift we have and use it within the limit of the grace we have in Him to His glory. The book of 1 Corinthians 7: 20 advises that everyone must stay in their calling. There is no need interfering in whatever ways with other people. None of these things will follow us to heaven. And if we do those forbidden things because of some pecuniary gains, please read 1 Timothy 6: 6 – 10.
As we close this morning, lack of contentment by which we fall into many temptations and sins and fall away from the way of the Spirit is the reason many people cannot walk in the Spirit and abide in Christ. 1 Timothy 6: 6 counsel thus: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” The “GREAT GAIN” attached to these two virtues are the fruits of the Spirit which we will bear because we are godly (abiding in Christ). Therefore, if we truly desire the fruits of the Spirit, being contented is very important because with it, we won’t strive with anyone nor envy anyone. We won’t covet pecuniary gains and would rather seek God’s approval in lieu of man’s approval. Without being contented, we will neither bear any fruits of the Spirit nor FINISH STRONG. We pray that will not be our testimonies in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Till Monday when we shall meet again on this beautiful journey of FINISHING STRONG together, please, keep keeping on in Him!
N. B. We will like to welcome your feedback, either by way of comments under each daily devotional or as a private message. You could reach us through bwgospelministries@yahoo.comor via 07064694037. Please, feel free to ask any questions or add to what the Holy Spirit daily dish out to us, remember, “iron sharpeneth iron.”
Jesus loves you!