Open Heaven 22 December 2022
MEMORISE: 2 Peter 2:2 – And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 36:20-23 (KJV)
20 And when they came to the nations to which they went, they profaned My holy name in that men said of them, These are the people of the Lord, and yet they had to go forth out of His land.
21 But I had regard, concern, and compassion for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they went.
22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations to which you went.
23 And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name and separate it for its holy purpose from all that defiles it—My name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them—and the nations will know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service], when I shall be set apart by you and My holiness vindicated in you before their eyes and yours.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
When we refuse to let the light of Jesus shine through our lives by the way we live, we hinder others from coming to the glorious Lord.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is sometimes mocked on account of many so-called believers.
Romans 2:24 tells us:
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Don’t let this be your testimony, where heaven would say that you are the one hindering someone from coming to the knowledge of the Most High.
God’s will is that all men would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
It is a dangerous thing for you to be the reason someone would not choose to come to Christ. Hophni and Phinehas – sons of Eli the priest, abused their positions until the people started to despise the Lord’s offering.
Their end was not good (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 4:11).
Romans 14:13 says:
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
It is better not to be known as a Christian than to be known as one, but still be living like a sinner.
While you may be deceiving yourself, you are also putting a stumbling block on the way for sinners who should come to know the Lord.
As long as they keep seeing the way you live, they would think, “Well, his life is not different from mine. Why should I become a Christian?”
Don’t claim to be a Christian if you won’t live like Christ.
Many people have used their lives to hinder the salvation of others. These people will receive the judgement of God if they do not change.
God did not give His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, so that someone somewhere would be playing games with the souls of men.
If He paid the high price by giving Jesus Christ for us so we can be saved from eternal damnation, then you can be sure that He will do anything possible – including disgracing a hypocrite who claims to be a Christian – so He can save more sinners.
Don’t stand in God’s way. Live a life that pleases God, so you would be found to be on His side when He is fighting all the demons keeping people in the prison.
KEY POINT: Don’t claim to be a Christian if you won’t live Christ
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 13, James 1, James 2, James 3
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Don’t Cause Others To Stumble – written by Pastor Enoch Adeboye
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Open Heaven 22 December 2022
