September 2, 2020 Open Heaven Devotional :- No More Pretense
Read previous Open Heaven Devotionals here
Topic: No More Pretense
Memorise: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 7:21
Read: Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 22-23
MESSAGE:
There are over two billion Christians in the world today. However, not all will make it to heaven according to today’s memory verse.
Pretense is the key reason for this looming failure. Many ‘Christians’ are not Christlike at all; a lot of them live in sin, yet keep a pious appearance to deceive others. They forget that God is all knowing and will reward everyone according to their works. They forget that this world is temporal whereas the world to come – Heaven for the redeemed and hell for the condemned, will last for eternity.
Also Read: Open Heaven 1 September 2020 – His Arms Are Wide Open
How is your standing in Christ? Your work, position or title in Church does not matter; if you continue in sin, you are on the road to perdition (Ezekiel 18:20). Be sincere with yourself today and repent. This kind of penitence is the difference between Saul and David. 1 Samuel 15:30 gives the account of Saul when he sinned:
“…he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.”
And 1 Chronicles 21:16-17 gives the account of David when he sinned:
“…Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered?…”
While Saul was concerned about his reputation with the elders, David called them to join him to pray for forgiveness. Are you a Saul or a David?
Don’t allow the devil to rob you of the opportunity you still have to repent, confess and forsake your sins. Stand by your decision no matter what.
On the last day, true Christians will be separated – the holy ones to Heaven and the pretenders to hell. Where will you be?
Reflection:
Who are you really worshipping: people or God?
Hymn 12: I Am Thine O Lord
1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.