THE PARADOX OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: 06/02/2014
Yesterday’s message was titled “YOUR FIRST LOVE”, while today’s
message is titled “THE PARADOX OF THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE” as given by Pastor E. A Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional
(Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Ephesians 2:6: “And hath raised us up together;
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” and read John 15:18-19. Our Bible in one year
for today has been taken from Isaiah11:1-14:27 and Psalm 33:1-11 (Adeboye, 2014).
The message is quoted below for
our usual discussion. God bless you for your contribution to this discussion in
Jesus Name
“There
are people with dual citizenship in this world. Some others migrate and
renounce the citizenship of where they are coming from to take up that of another
land. The nature of a believer is close to this. Before becoming born-again,
you were born to exist in this physical world, ut when you give your life to
Christ, you now exist at a higher spiritual realm of God in addition to being
present in this physical world. John 1:12-13 says:
”But
as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
This
dual contrasting existence of every child of God poses some challenges
especially in a world that is hostile to the ways of our native land. The ways
and manners of our native land are outlined for us in the Bible. These Bible traditions
which form the pattern for our life are not going to be popular in this world
but rather, demon-inspired fashions, styles and behaviours will continue to be
the norm. The unfortunate thing is that some people of God have lost their
identity and are occupied with the fashion of this world which will pass away.
Our Lord made it very clear from our Bible reading for today that the world
will not love us because we are not of the world. We are also instructed in 1
John 2:15 not to love the world or the things that are in the world.
We
need to be clear about our identity. We are told that though we are in this world,
we are not of the world. We therefore ought not to be bugged down by the
affairs of this world but rather by that of our native land — Heaven. We are to
exhibit the culture of Heaven right here in this world. Our affections ought to
be on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2). Beloved, what is your affection set
on? What are those things you are seeking? Remember, friendship with the world
is enmity with God (James 4:4). This means if you claim to be a child of God,
and yet you love the world and its ways and methods of evil doings, in reality
you're an enemy of God. Please examine your life and ways this moment; you may
not have been like that from the beginning, but by not being sober and vigilant
you exposed yourself to the subtlety of the wicked one. Turn to God now with
godly sorrow and repentance, and he will forgive you and restore you to
spiritual fervency again. Let it be known to you that the trumpet is about to
sound. May you really be ready in Jesus‘ Name.”
Today’s action point is that in
whatever area of life this message affects
you, repent, cry to God for mercy and amend your ways. Pray for the revival of
holiness and power in the Church.”
I pray that this message will not
come against us in condemnation in Jesus Name, Amen
The devotional today is very wonderful. "Love not the world,and the things that are in it". This basically would mean wear clothes,but dont run after fashion like tommorow wont come. This means desire to have a car,but dont make it a do or die affair. It could mean also desire to be rich and prosper but dont get it by all or crooked means. So the factnis that in all that you do, put heaven,God,Jesus and the Holy Spirit in Focus.
ReplyDeleteI am born of God and by his Spirit in me I overcome this world. In Christ I live, move and have being. Gloy!!
ReplyDeleteWe are in the world but not of the world! Father Lord, help me to dwell in your presence, focus on you and work with you every moment of my life in Jesus name. Good morning brethren.
ReplyDeleteGod Please Let me always remember that though I am in the world I am not of the world. Let me cherish spiritual things more than worldly things in Jesus name
ReplyDeleteWe are citizens of heaven by the rebirth we underwent through Jesus, our Lord.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, let us as believers, completely renounce earthly citizenship: as the Bible has stated, we are in this world, but we are not of this world.
There is no middle ground, it's either we set our affections on the things which are above or we keep them on things which are on the earth. May we all continue to abide and grow in the knowledge of the love of God. Shalom
This message reminds us again the faithful saying of our Lord in Mark 8:36 ''what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?''. We should avoid the temptation of seeking worldly accolades, acceptance, recognition, acknowledgement,etc at the expense of the divine pleasure. It would be two costly on the day of reckoning. May the Lord help us to set our faces as flint as we journey through this terribly corrupting world.
ReplyDeletehat shall it profit a man to gain the world and to lose his soul
Wonderful message to help maintain focus on our haevely goal. Thank you Daddy G.O for this insightful message.
ReplyDeleteWonderful message to help maintain focus on our heavenly goal. Thank you Daddy G.O for this insightful message.
ReplyDeleteHeaven is real and hell is real, only the citizens of heaven on earth will inherit God's kingdom while those without same identity will go to hell. May I not loose my heavenly citizenship in Jesus name. Amen
ReplyDeleteI will not lose my heavenly citizenship in Jesus name. Thank you daddy for keeping us fit with this message .
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This message is just so timely. God bless Daddy G.O
ReplyDeleteIt is such a singular delight that daddy GO at his heigth of attainment can still be projecting this pure undiluted message of salvation! We follow you sir, just as you follow Christ! Heaven is my goal , ambition and destination!
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