ESOCS Devotional 4 November 2022
TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 1:19-36
MEMORY VERSE: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Our conducts are the determining factor: whether we are Christians or not. Our conducts are the products of what we have in our minds. As Christians, we are reminded that it is highly expedient that we are continually conscious of living the life of Christ. Christ’s life is the standard our heavenly Father has set for us. We are told to aspire to be like Him in everything we do or say. His gospel tells us everything about Him. He is the paradigm shift from Adam, the natural man. He is the perfect example of the spiritual man that our God wants us to be.
We are reminded that as Christians we have the citizenship of a highly imperial kingdom – the heavenly kingdom of the dear Son of the living God, into which we have been called out of the darkness of this present world (1 Pet. 2:9). Therefore, we should live a life of high integrity. Our lifestyle should be conducted by high moral values and ethical standards. We are to possess impeccable character that befits the calling we have in Christ, and as priests, princes, and princesses who are an holy nation, and whose status is not ordinary or common but that of royalty; and as joint heirs with Him (1 Pet. 2:9; Rom. 8:17). We should stand out in the crowd because we have an attitude that is a quintessence, that is, a perfect example for others to follow or imitate.
Every kingdom operates by rules. The over-riding rule given to us as Christians is that our conduct should be worthy of the gospel of Christ. In other words, we should apply the rules of the gospel of Jesus Christ to our business transactions, style of living, kinds of clothes we wear, the way we talk, the kind of things we talk about, the kind of friends we make, the kind of places we go, and in all areas of life. The gospel of Christ should be the means by which we regulate our lives. It is the thing that should make us different from others in humility rather than pride, honesty and not dishonesty, peaceful and friendly co-existence with others and not quarrelsome, chastity and not unbridled immorality, showing true and sincere love to others and not to hate them, and many more.
If we moderate our lives by the gospel and allow it to influence our lifestyle, it would enable us to do good continually. It would make us have peace with our God as we do things that are right in His sight. We would be able to maintain the covenant He made with us in Christ Jesus our Lord; and this will make us truly become His people and He our God (Jer. 32:38). Thus, it will be well with us; and shall be better for it. Our greatest desire should be to be like Jesus Christ our Lord. To be like Him is the most beautiful thing that could happen to us.
CHALLENGES
- Do a stock-taking of your conduct and find out if it agrees with the scriptures.
- What efforts will you make to make the gospel rule over your life?
PRAYERS
- Pray to God to grant you a willing heart to allow the gospel to control your life.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 4 November 2022
