CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS VIEWS IN IUO
ABOUT THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH.. DAILY MEDITATION
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DAILY ⓂANNA* *THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER, 2022*
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DAILY ⓂANNA* *THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER, 2022*
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</div><div>_It is advisable that you prayerfully and meditatively read the text first_</div><div>
</div><div>*SELFISHNESS IS DAMNING*</div><div>*TEXT:* MATTHEW 18:1-6</div><div>
</div><div>*📖 READING*</div><div>*MATTHEW 18:1-6*</div><div>
</div><div>[1]At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?</div><div>
</div><div>[2]And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,</div><div>
</div><div>[3]And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. </div><div>
</div><div>[4]Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. </div><div>
</div><div>[5]And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. </div><div>
</div><div>[6]But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. </div><div>
</div><div>🔑📖KEY VERSE:_*”At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (MATTHEW 18:1).*_</div><div>
</div><div>In his book, _”The Purpose Driven Life”,_ Rich Warren says, “Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose. Until we understand that our lives begin with God as Creator and exist only because God wills it so, life will never make sense. We were made by God and for God”.</div><div>
</div><div>The text centres on the question the disciples of Jesus asked Him: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” In response, Christ called a little child unto Him and told them that except they are converted and become like little children, they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. He that receives a little child in His name actually receives Him.</div><div>
</div><div>The disciples of Jesus had from time to time argued about who should be the greatest among them (Mark 9:33, 34). Even the sons of Zebedee, James and John, had to employ the service of their mother to press further their desire (Matthew 20:20-22). The question they asked here was no doubt motivated by “self”. This carnal nature was eventually subdued when they became sanctified (Acts 2:1).</div><div>
</div><div>Self gives rise to strife, envy, discord, judgmental attitude, resentment and all kinds of distortions. It brings disorder and chaos to an otherwise peaceful and cordial atmosphere and relationship. Self is pride-motivated. It pays for man to realise that whatever he has – wealth, wisdom, beauty, strength, intelligence, anointing, etc. – is given to him by God. Therefore, he must not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).</div><div>
</div><div>✍🏽THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:_*Heaven belongs to the humble.*_</div><div>
</div><div>THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*PROVERBS 18-20*</div><div>
</div><div> *MEDITATION*</div><div>
</div><div>*The enemy within*</div><div>
</div><div>*1. The spirit behind the question on highmindedness*</div><div>a. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?”. Innocent question? NO👌</div><div>b. It was a presumptuous question that was based on assumption that they were already fit for heaven. Costly assumption👌</div><div>c. They were not interested in what they must do to enter heaven but who of them will be the greatest. It is centred on self comparison and ego.</div><div>d. It is a question that wants to know the secret of self elevation above their mates in heaven and not in service. They were not satisfied with making heaven. They wanted special recognition.</div><div>e. The question will give them opportunity to know who is superior and who should be inferior among them. This is a spirit that is contrary to the Spirit of Trinity where there is mutual respect and honour for each other in the Godhead.</div><div>f. It is satanically motivated because that was the heart Lucifer originally exhibited that turned him to Satan, Luke 14:13-14. He want to be seen, called, respected and exalted *above others*.</div><div>g. By the way, after entering the heavenly Jerusalem and all sorrows gone, why should they be interested in who will be the greatest there? That is carnality in action, the enemy within.</div><div>h. This problem of self and pride have scattered families, destroyed churches and nations.</div><div>
</div><div>*Question*</div><div>Do you have this kind of spirit of self and pride that passionately desires to be exalted above others?🤔</div><div>
</div><div>*2. The Scriptures on the qualifications for heaven*</div><div>a. Jesus, rather than answer “who”, answered “what” qualify someone for heaven to start with. </div><div>b. There must be conversion first. A mere religious person, no matter how strict in morals, cannot have the heart that will qualify for heaven. “Except ye be converted”, v3.</div><div>b. Conversion is not enough. They must have have childlike (not childish) disposition and character or else, with conversion only, none will still be able to enter, v3.</div><div>c. The key childlike trait is humility and they must humble themselves regularly and deliberately. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself…” v4.</div><div>d. One way of exemplifying that humility is the way we receive and treat the other “little ones” in Christ who you think are not as great as you are, v5.</div><div>
</div><div>*Question*</div><div>What are the godly traits of a little child? Do you have those traits?</div><div>
</div><div>*3. The sanctification to be qualified*</div><div>a. It is clear from the text than man needs something deeper than salvation in order to be childlike and remain childlike. There is an enemy within that must be severely death with after conversion.</div><div>b. The experience needed is sanctification of the heart which is mentioned and illustrated in different parts of the Bible, Matthew 5:28, John 17:17, I Thessalonians 5:23. Observe that all those prayers for sanctification prayers were not for sinners but converted people. </div><div>
</div><div>*Question*</div><div>Do you have a deeper experience of holiness than what you had at conversion?</div><div>
</div><div>*Prayer points*</div><div>Ask God to purge you from all roots and fruits of carnality in the heart🙏</div><div>Tell God you want to be more childlike and ask for that spirit of childlike humility and character🙏</div><div>Ask God for sanctification of your heart🙏</div><div>Pray that believers will not be content with salvation but will have hunger for greater holiness and possess it🙏</div><div>
</div><div> *HYMN* All things are possible</div> -
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