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)
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"
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.
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