25 May Open Heaven
MEMORISE: Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
READ: 1 John 3:4-10 (KJV)
God wants His children to be aware of the several roadblocks on their journey to the promised land. Chief among these is the devil. He puts obstacles in our path so we can reject the ways of the Lord (1 Peter 5:7-9). He uses sin as a weapon of destruction knowing fully well that no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27).
Seeing these obvious threats to the success of our pilgrimage, God always provides an escape route for us (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In today’s Bible reading, John describes sin as a transgression of the law. It is definitely not a Christian virtue. As a matter of fact, sinners belong to the devil because he has been sinning from the beginning (1 John 3:8). The whole duty of Satan is to lure people into disobedience against God, thus truncating their journey to eternal life. He told Adam and Eve that eating the forbidden fruit would not affect their relationship with God. Eventually, they were sent from the blissful garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-24).
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven here
Today, he has introduced the concept of non-essentials to the Christian faith. For instance, the devil convinces people that a sip of alcohol once in a while does not matter; and that premarital sex is not bad as long as the couple would eventually marry each other, without regard for Hebrews 13:4! What about lies?
Many Christians now lie with impunity and it is termed white lies. These are very little foxes that destroy the vine of faith. This is a timely warning for Christian pilgrims to guard against seemingly insignificant habits that can exclude one from the hope of eternal life. May the Lord grant us the grace to run with patience the race that is set before us.
25 May Open Heaven – ACTION POINT: Examine your life for socially acceptable behaviours that are not Christ-like. They could deny you of eternal life ultimately. Do away with them all immediately.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145.
