Open Heavens September 28, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 1-4

TRUTH LIBERATES

MEMORIZE: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28)

READ: Romans 1:24-28

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Luke 15:17). When things were no longer working for the prodigal son, he “came to himself”. He sat himself down and reasoned. He talked to himself. It was one moment of sober reflection. He compared his father’s servants with his state in a far country and saw several differences. The fact that he decided to tell himself the truth eventually got him off the hook. It is important to tell yourself the truth. Many people are still reveling in an ocean of lies and vanity. When will you tell yourself the truth? Some people are so used to lying that they have began to believe their lies.

There are several lies people have believed today. In fact, many have patterned their lives after such falsehood. One of them is that if you do not become financially wealthy, you have failed in life. You can be wealthy or materially successful but be a failure (James 5:1-6). Another lie is that the end justifies the means. If you adopt a foul means to achieve your ends, you will be building a mansion without a foundation. It will surely crumble. Some politicians think they are smart when they rig and get involved in all manner of election malpractices in order to be declared winner. No, they are not. Such people are not to be envied, but pitied because their evil will catch up with them. Another lie is that if you are smart enough, a crime can be covered for life. There is nothing hidden that shall not come to light. It is a matter of time! What are the lies you are living by? They will destroy you if you do not discard them today.

The prodigal son compared his past and present conditions and saw that the past was far better. Inability to compare past life outside Christ with present life in Christ is largely responsible for instability of the faith of many Christians. A young student in a boarding school was pressed down by witches and wizards every night to the extent that he began to jump from bed to bed, hostel to hostel, in a bid to avoid his enemies. He tried different things which never worked. He lived in perpetual fear until one day he gave his life to Christ. From that time, his enemies began to dread him. Such a person would never consider leaving Christ when he knows what he left behind. Are you born again? Have you been enticed to go back from following the Lord? Take stock of your past life of fear, intimidation, oppression, rejection and satanic manipulation, etc., and compare it with the benefits you have in Christ. One is definitely better!

ACTIONPOINT: When a liar begins to lie to himself; he has reached a point of no return. Ask God for the grace to be truthful to yourself.