FROM THE INSIDE OUT
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Psalm 119:1-2,4-5,7-8
Matthew 5:43-48
The biggest struggle in being Christian is, perhaps, not in keeping God’s commandments. It is in keeping one commandment in particular: to love those who hate and despise you. God calls us to love them because He loved us at our worst, not our best. If we are being honest, we continue to disappoint God with our actions, even when we claim in public that we are Christian. So, we are called on to be who we claim to be—Christ-like. What did Christ do? He forgave those who persecuted Him. He died for those He loved. He bore the Cross so that we do not have to bear the shame of condemnation. He was spat on so that He would wipe away the impurities of our sins. He was tortured so that we may be free from the pangs of sin and death. I can go on.
There has to be something in us that helps us to draw closer to God and realise the dream of union with God. And it is found in the Book of Deuteronomy: Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God today commands you to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul’ (Deuteronomy 26:16). You cannot serve God unless you give Him all your heart and soul. You cannot claim to be for God if your whole being is not in it. You cannot give God only a portion of yourself, your time, your interests and your desires and expect Him to give Himself completely to you. 99.9% is not good enough. Your commitment has to be total. He wants the whole of you, and He wants you to be like Him. ‘You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48). Not by your strength and standard but by the grace of God. The first step lies with you. The rest lies with God. The first step you must take is the step of trust in God. Trust that in forgiving others, God will give you strength and grace to continue to walk in protection, favour and blessings. Trust that if you go all the way with God, in keeping His commandments, He will meet you at your point of need.
And also, don’t look back. Often, we start well, and then we look back. We put ourselves in the occasion of sin (with certain people, places or things). And we become doubting of ourselves and the grace of God. ‘Now is the favourable time: this is the day of salvation’ (2 Corinthians 6:2). You are hearing this word today because you need to make a decision. You need to come closer to God, and you need to allow Him to transform you from the inside out; to make you (spirit, soul and body) one with Him and to give you the courage to forgive and to live in mercy and love. Amen. We fear to choose Christ and commit totally to Him because we are afraid we will not be consistent, we will fail or we will have to give up something we desire. God doesn't want to steal your joy. He wants to give you joy, which adds no sorrow. Will you trust Him?
Task: Prayerfully read Psalm 51.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Eternal Father, give me the strength I need to do away with evil in my life today, walk steadily with You, forgive those who hurt me, and live free from the slavery of my sinful passions through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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