Knowing God Devotional is an online daily devotional written by Andrews Baah Kwafo, the president of The Bible Daily Network.
Did you know that almost everybody on this Earth has debts to pay for? Maybe you are shocked to hear this, but that’s what the Bible says. In Romans 13:7, we are told to give to everyone what we owe them. However, the preceding words in the scripture didn’t state that “money” is the only thing to think about regarding debt! There is more to that!
Inspired by the Holy Ghost, Paul tells us in Romans 12:18 that we should live peaceably with all men, as much as it depends on us. Wait a minute! The scripture doesn’t say you will have a peaceful life on a silver platter. It says that as far as any situation that may cause chaos depends on your response, resolve to peace. So, it’s your responsibility to guard the peace you have in Christ when it comes to relating with others.
The Bible says that you should not repay evil for evil for any bad thing another person does. And in fact, that Biblical command has no exceptions. In other words, it does not matter how terrible you feel or how bad you have meant to take revenge; you must let go.
The Bible says in Romans 12:14 that you must bless those who persecute you and not curse them. God knows how easy it is to curse instead of blessing anyone who makes your life miserable. That is why He inspired Paul to emphasise “bless” twice in that same verse.
The goal is not to show others that “Yeah, you are rich.” Instead, the goal is to see every child of God soar higher in the fulfilment of divine purpose so that Christ will fill the whole universe. That cannot be done entirely if some believers are lagging behind.
God’s love does not know compromise against scriptural standards. No! Right is right, and wrong is wrong; there is no middle ground between them. Dear friend, do not take your leniency in tolerating people’s sins and claim it is love. No! Correct what is wrong by the empowerment of the Spirit, even if it means confronting sin on the pulpit as a preacher.
According to Romans 12:8, some people have that divine gift to show mercy to people with cheerfulness in their hearts, Wow! That’s interesting. Usually, when it comes to showing mercy to someone, it’s about making the person go scot-free for his wrong actions. People who do that usually do it out of sympathy, not cheerfulness. But the Bible says you can have that gift.
Dear man of God, refuse to raise a people who you want to only listen to your sermons. You are not a secluded unit in the body of Christ. You need others. Be your brother’s keeper in Christ. There is no need to tear one another down because of earthly reasons.
While Paul in Romans 12:2 cautions believers not to conform to the pattern of the world, 1 John 2:16 opens up what’s in this world that forms its pattern. They are the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. If you look at what is going on in the lives of worldly people very carefully, you’ll be able to discern that at least one of these three things is at work in their lives.
In his book “The Burden of Freedom,” Myles Munroe once said, “Irresponsibility is freedom’s greatest enemy.” When you are not responsible for using what God has given you well, you’ll misuse it. Be responsible, and serve the Lord with your body.
There are some things you should not do when God’s Word is being preached. One of them is having a divided attention; another important one is looking unto the preacher with a familiar mindset. For that, avoid it at all costs.
Sometimes, it’s better to ignore studying the background of a servant of God, especially those you are close with, listen to, or probably work with. Knowing too much of their private formative lives can breed familiarity in your heart, and you’ll be the one to lose. Be careful in how you relate with God’s servants.
