“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Phil. 3:7–9.
The story is told of a man who was asked, “Are you a christian, do you attend regular church service?” “Oh, certainly not” he replied with some excitement he retorted. “Why should I be a member of a church? It is quite unnecessary; the dying thief on the Cross wasn’t a member of a church, and he went to Heaven.” Assuming this man may perhaps have been baptized and at least obey some other injunctions of Christ teachings in the bible. When asked, his reply was also amazing. “Oh, no; that is another needless ceremony! I am as safe as the dying thief was, and he never baptized, he never attended church or give tithes yet he made heaven.”
Almost out of frustration, the young man questioning him turned to him once more and said. “Let me remark, my friend, before you go any further, that you seem to be on pretty intimate terms with the dying thief. You seem to derive a great deal of inspiration and consolation from this dying thief’s career. But, mind you, there is one important difference between you and him. He was a dying thief—and you are a living thief, you sure still have ample chance to mend your ways.”
You must defeat the great temptation facing Christians who have been saved and serve God faithfully for many years to begin to focus on themselves rather than on God. It is easy to begin to rely on our own strength to win the battles we face. The victories of the past, however, were not won in our power, and if we allow ourselves to take credit for them, glorifying our own righteousness rather than God’s, we are on the path to failure and defeat. If we are found with only our own righteousness, we are doomed. However, the balance therefore is, we must become committed to God, His Church and our neighbours and brethren as part of our surrender to His righteousness and not by any means living based on our self righteousness any more like the man in our story who seemed to be conceited and fixated by the thief on the Cross. Let this be your consciousness in the new month.
FURTHER READING:
“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John. 4:19-21.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph. 2:8-9.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life and Your faithfulness. I forcefully resist the wiles and strategies of the devil against my life in the name of Jesus. I enforce my kingdom authority in the earthly realm, and in the heavenlies. The hand of the Lord is strong and mighty upon me and all I lay my hands upon to do. The lines are fallen for me in pleasant places, my heritage is blessed to the glory of God.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Isa. 45:1-25.
Isa. 46:1-13.
Isa. 47:1-15.
Isa. 48:1-22.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“Your Attitude Determines Your Access To Higher Altitude.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria.
http://www.thefortresschurch.com.
email: info@thefortresschurch.com.
