The "Woke" Christian (full)

Scripture Reading:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 NIV

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, [5] not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; [6] and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. [7] For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. [8] Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Hii! How are you today?? Permit me to share with you this important message.

In the world today, without even putting in much effort, we are able to clearly see that, the things God frowns upon, the reason why He gave His life - sin - has become the order of the day. Purity, avoiding sexual immorality, is now frowned upon. If you make up your mind to live a chaste life, a life pleasing to God, worthy of the sacrifice of Christ, you are seen as "un-woke". I've heard Christians say with boldness that they are struggling with impurity, but it's okay because we are all sinners and we are all "trying our best". Ermm...what??

In Genesis 5:24, the Bible without mincing words, clearly states that Enoch walked FAITHFULLY with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. He was so faithful to God, in spite of all the "woke preachers" of his time.

Child of God, the God we serve is not one that appreciates mediocrity. There are deeper depths to God than the child's play we are embarking on.

It is clearly written, that the time when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth has come (John 4:23-24). What is worshipping in truth?? Worshipping in truth is worship that aligns with the the Word of God, because the word of God is truth. It means you are taking the Word of God, the only thing that tells us who God is, and you are applying that knowledge to worship.

Worship does not only entail going to Church, singing "worship songs" and speaking in tongues. True worship is a lifestyle. It means that, we are aware of who God is, and because of that we live our lives in alignment with such knowledge. When we say that, we worship God for who He is, that is what it means. It means, I am aware that God is Holy, and in Him is no darkness at all; I am aware that because of His holiness, He wants us who are born of Him to be holy as He is; I am aware that He is so holy, His eyes cannot behold sin, so I live my life everyday making a conscious effort to avoid sin; fleeing sexual immorality when I should, avoiding bad company because it corrupts good morals, etc.

Therefore, I live my life on the foundation of this knowledge. It is living life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. You can only worship in truth, if you know the truth. Who is the truth?? Jesus Christ! HE is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). SO worshipping in truth is acknowledging the Lordship of Christ, accepting His sacrifice and living life worthy of the sacrifice, getting to know God through the Word and living life aligned to such knowledge.

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.

Child of God!! I'm sounding an alarm! This is not because I am perfect, or I have it all together. Nope. I am finding my way just like you, yearning for more and more of God just like you. But God has placed this message on my heart, not only for me, but for the world and it needs to get out.

Listeenn, the enemy has not changed his ways, we are not ignorant of his devices because we've seen them over and over again. It may look different, but it ain't! Just like in the garden, he comes with smooth words, twisting the Word of God into half-truth, making us question what God has said, making us wonder if God is keeping us away from some pleasure, or making us wonder whether we are missing out on something wonderful, and ultimately succeeding in deceiving us (Genesis 3:1-6).

Remember that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, not against our leaders who are making evil decisions in these last days, pushing the evil agenda of the enemy; not wrestling against that lady in your workplace who loves using the least opportunity she gets to look down on you, or cause you trouble; or that boss who is always looking for means and ways to have sex with you, withholding a promotion that you have rightly earned. God says our fight, is against principalities and powers, against wickedness in high places. So we should, put on the full armour of God so that we can stand against anything thrown our way (Ephesians 6:11-18).

So Child of God,

• NO!! ABORTION IS NOT OKAY! IF YOU DON'T WANT A BABY DON'T HAVE SEX! ABSTINENCE IS THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAVE AS A CHILD OF GOD, IF YOU'RE UNMARRIED! OTHERWISE USE CONTRACEPTION! MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES.

• NO!! HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT THE WAY A PERSON IS BORN, OR HOW YOU "FEEL INSIDE"! GOD FROWNS ON IT AND IT'S EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD! ALLOW GOD TO HELP YOU.

• NO!! SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE IS NOT A CHOICE YOU CAN JUST MAKE, BECAUSE IT'S YOUR BODY! DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLYGHOST? DO YOU NOT KNOW SOMEONE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR YOU, SO YOU ARE NO LONGER OF YOUR OWN BUT BELONG TO GOD??

• NO!! PORNOGRAPHY AND MASTURBATION IS NOT OKAY, BECAUSE IT'S "BETTER" THAN ACTUAL SEX! THAT'S A LIE FROM THE PITS OF HELL. THE DEVIL IS LYING TO YOU. IT IS NOT BETTER! IT IS EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. IT BREAKS GOD'S COVERING OVER YOU AND LEAVES YOU OPEN, LIKE A CITY WITHOUT WALLS. DON'T DO IT.

• NO!! SLEEPING WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND DOES NOT SHOW THAT YOU LOVE HIM! SLEEPING WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND DOES NOT SHOW THAT YOU LOVE HER. LOVE IS PATIENT. IF YOU LOVE HIM/HER, WAIT. DO IT RIGHT. TREAT THEM WITH HONOUR AND RESPECT. LET THE FEAR OF GOD ABOUND IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP.

The above are only a few of the challenges being faced in the present world. Child of God, read your Bible. Don't allow anyone to deceive you. The truth is written in black and white. These days, people are getting "cancelled" on social media or in society because they are standing up for God, they are standing up for the things of God. Don't be deceived, God cannot be mocked.

If you have made mistakes along the way, no worries. Jesus' blood is still available for the remission of sins. Go back to God. Renew your relationship with Him. He's ever ready to help us. He's waiting.

This message is not only for you, but for me and every child of God out there. God is working on certain things: correcting falsehoods, pulling down strongholds, raising up a remnant for Himself. Do not harden your heart when you hear His voice today. Let's do this together. You are not alone. Be part of what God is doing in this season.

It doesn't necessarily have to be sexual immorality or promiscuity, it can be any sin that easily entangles, anything at all. We are going to be renewed, and imbued with fresh power and anointing from God to overcome any challenges, we are going to pull down strongholds, and bring into captivity any thought that raises itself against the knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit is our helper. We will make God proud, and make it to heaven.

Read the scripture reading above, over and over again. Let it sink in. Let it minister to you. God loves you.

Prayer:

Father I come before you in the name of Jesus, I thank you for my brother or sister that came all the way here to listen to Your word. Lord, thank you for the victory on calvary, and the privilege to be called Your own. Lord we ask for strength, even as we have the desire to live a life that is pleasing in Your sight. You see our hearts, You know our desire to live for You. Help us Lord. Because our strength is really not enough, and can never be enough. We pray for boldness to stand for Your Word, stand for what we know is right. Sweet Holy Spirit, we yield to Your rebuke and Your teaching and Your leading. Continue to reveal Jesus to us, make Him tangible in our lives even as You prepare us for His return. Thank You ABBA, in Jesus' name, amen.

A WORD A DAY