DON’T BE DECEIVED: Devotion for Wednesday October 19, 2016

DON’T BE DECEIVED: Devotion for Wednesday October 19, 2016

Text: 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11    Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 6 verse 9

The Christian life starts when we realise that we have been living in sin and decides to change. The person accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on then Cross of Calvary making Him Lord and Saviour. Such experience is being born again. Such person is expected to severe his or her life from sin. The desire and appetite to sin should die in that person. Such deviation from sin distinguishes such as a Christian. If such person continues to romance sin, his or salvation becomes doubtful and if it continues, it becomes certain that such person is not a true believer.

Here in our scriptural reading, Paul describes the characteristics of unbelievers and asserts that people still living in sin cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Christians came out of all kinds of different backgrounds, including those mentioned in Ephesians 6:9 and 10. They may still struggle with evil desires, but they should not continue in these practices doing it willfully. Any Christian who says he is a follower of Jesus Christ but allows every kind of evil to permeate his lives is not a worthy Christian. People in that category will not share in the Kingdom because they persisted in their evil practices with no sign of remorse. Such people, if they think they are believers, need to reevaluate their lives to see if they truly believe in Christ. They shouldn’t be deceived by thinking that they will be saved because they attend church services, programmes and activities.

Our society today is a permissive type where some Pastors and Christians overlook or tolerate some immoral behaviour (greed, drunkenness, etc.) while remaining outraged at others (homosexuality, thievery, etc.). Christians must not participate in sin or condone it in any way; we cannot be selective about the sin we condemn or excuse. God expects His followers in any age to have high moral standards. What is your moral standard? We shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that any unrighteous man shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Don’t flatter yourself by thinking God will compromise His standard. He is a just God.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 5:3–5

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to steer clear of all unrighteousness so I will be an inheritor of your kingdom in Jesus name.