The "Woke" Christian #2

Scripture Reading:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 AMP

For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; [4] that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God's purpose and separated from things profane], [5] not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will; [6] and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you. [7] For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. [8] So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

Hii there!! This is a continuation of the series "The Woke Christian". Please refer to issue #1 in the column "A Word A Day" in order to understand the following passage. So from #1 we learned what worshipping in spirit and in truth means. we continue from the last passage. Thank you. 

God, who is obviously not one to appreciate mediocrity tells us straight in the face, that our "righteousness" is like filthy rags before Him (Isaiah 64:6). Why?? Because we are corrupt, corrupted by the disobedience that occurred in the garden. Our hearts are evil, and deceitful above all things. You don't need to look far, look at all the evil in the world; the sons of men are evil. Sometimes it's frightening to think about the inconceivable wickedness in the world. It's shocking.

Child of God, this goes to say that there's nothing we can do to please God, He is God. Him and us, "we no dey the same level". Remember, HE IS GOD. So what does He do?

Realising that we using our strength in an attempt to please Him is useless, He decided to help us. By sending His son to die in our stead, made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we can be born again by acknowledging His sacrifice, and become the righteousness of God (2Corinthians 5:21). Simple stuff. Then He again, gives us His Holy Spirit to help us grow and live a sanctified life. So Yes, we were sinners, but no more! Because by His blood, we are born again, born of the Spirit, born anew.

Does it mean we will not make mistakes?? NOPE!

As long we remain in the flesh on this earth, we will make mistakes. It is clearly written, that the flesh and the spirit are in a constant tug of war, such that the right thing we want to do, we are unable, and the wrong thing we don't want to do is what we sometimes find ourselves doing. So what is the solution to this?? Walk in the Spirit! Because once you walk in the Spirit, you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18). Walking in the Spirit means you keep in step with the Spirit, whatever He tells you, you do. When He says, "Flee, trouble is coming", you don't sit and start praying, YOU FLEE. When He says, "don't say anything in response to that insult", you don't say "Naa, I have to teach him a lesson". As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they...are the sons of God.

So then what is wrong if I say I'm "trying my best"?

Everything is wrong because if your best was enough in the first place, then there's no need for the Spirit of God. Your "best" should have been able to save you from your sins. But it didn't. So what should we do? WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. Rely on the Spirit of God, listen to His rebuke, guard His teachings with your life, and depend on the Word of the Lord. David said "Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against You" (Psalm119:9-11).

It is the Word of God in you that will transform you, help to renew your mind so that you do not conform to the ways of the world. If you do not read the Word, meditate or think about it everyday, there will be no transformation in your life. And it may get so bad you will begin to believe the lies of the enemy that your strength is needed to save your soul from sin. It may even get to the point where it will be almost impossible to differentiate right from wrong, and you will believe that "staying woke" is the way to go.

#3 in this series will be out soon. Stay tuned.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for our lives today. It is such an honour to receive your word and give it freely. I pray that Lord at the end of this series, hearts will be turned to you; your people will be encouraged to long for you, and we will be able to possess the nations for you. In Jesus' name, amen.

A WORD A DAY