THE PARADOX OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

MEMORISE: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Eph. 2 : 6.

READ : JOHN 15 : 18 – 19

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 11 : 1 – 14 :27; PSALM 33 : 1 – 11

There are people with dual citizenship in this world. Some others migrate and renounce the citizenship of where they are coming from to take up that of another land. The nature of a believer is close to this. Before becoming born-again, you were born to exist in this physical world, but when you give your life to Christ, you now exist at a higher spiritual realm of God in addition to being present in this physical world. John 1 : 12 – 13 says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This dual contrasting existence of every child of God poses some challenges especially in a world that is hostile to the ways of our native land. The ways and manners of our native land are outlined for us in the Bible. These Bible traditions which form the pattern for our life are not going to be popular in this world but rather, demon-inspired fashions, styles and behaviours will continue to be the norm.  

The unfortunate thing is that some people of God have lost their identity and are occupied with the fashion of this world which will pass away. Our Lord made it very clear from our Bible reading for today that the world will not love us because we are not of the world. We are also instructed in 1 John 2 : 15 not to love the world or the things that are in the world. We need to be clear about our identity. We are told that though we are in this world, we are not of the world. We therefore ought not to be bugged down by the affairs of this world but rather by that of our native land – Heaven. 

We are to exhibit the culture of Heaven right here in this world. Our affections ought to be on the things above (Colossians 3: 1 – 2). Beloved, what is your affection set on? What are those things you are seeking? Remember, friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4 ). This means if you claim to be a child of God, and yet you love the world and its ways and methods of evil doings, in reality you’re an enemy of God. Please examine your life and ways this moment; you may not have been like that from the beginning, but by not being sober and vigilant you exposed yourself to the subtlety of the wicked one. Turn to God now with godly sorrow and repentance, and he will forgive you and restore you to spiritual fervency again. Let it be known to you that the trumpet is about to sound. May you really be ready in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT:
In whatever area of life this message affects you, repent, cry to God for mercy and amend your ways. Pray for the revival of holiness and power in the Church.

AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.