MEMORISE:
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Hebrews 1:9
READ: Romans 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
MESSAGE
During a Solemn Assembly at the Redemption Camp, Nigeria, the Lord instructed me to teach my children who were present some pairs of "two-legged" divine instructions which every Christian should adhere to. What we see today is that most Christians are obeying one of these instruction pairs while deliberately ignoring the other. Today, we will be considering the pair instructions revealed in our memory verse.
While it is easy for every Christian to love righteousness, hating iniquity is what is beginning to fade away. Christians are beginning to give consideration to and show sympathy for iniquity. Issues that are clearly called out as iniquity in the Bible are being tolerated by Christians and have even become subjects of discussion in the Church of God. Such acts of iniquity include sexual immorality like fornication, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality and the likes. These two passages of Scripture reveal the danger of harbouring such disposition:
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1:28
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:32
Based on the truth contained in these verses, a lot of Christians have fallen from the position of grace, and God has given them over to a reprobate mind. Although they are usually still able to speak all the right Christian words and phrases, their doctrines and principles are no longer in line with the Scriptures. Some have even gone ahead to start their own congregations where these false doctrines are being taught. The Lord warns us against false prophets in Revelation 2:20. The only way to avoid falling prey to false prophets and ensure you remain on the straight and narrow path is to have a personal relationship with God. You need to study the word of God yourself to know what it says is right and wrong. Your Christian life should not be built on your pastor's interpretation of Scriptures. I pray that you will grow in your knowledge of God as you study your Bible more.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please grant me grace to be diligent in doing Your bidding when it is convenient and when it is not.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 4-5, Acts 16:16-40
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.
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