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TOPIC: INTEGRITY IS THE WORD
[DCLM DAILY MANNA 6 OCTOBER 2018 DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR WILLIAM FOLORUNSO KUMUYI]
Text: 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand” (1 Samuel 12:4).
MESSAGE:
When Satan came before the Lord with the sons of God, he was asked if he had considered Job’s life of integrity as someone “who feared God and eschewed evil”. Satan expectedly tried to hinge Job’s righteousness on God’s blessings and preservation (Job 1:8-11).
The text today deals with Samuel’s valedictory address to Israel. He had presented himself for public scrutiny and had challenged them to testify against him in any area he might have erred as a leader. Their verdict was unanimous – he had lived a blameless life. And God was a Witness to that.
The life of Samuel presents a worthy model and challenge to all ministers as well as born again Christians. Today, many hide under the mask that “nobody can be perfect” and so, they continue the downward journey of sin and degradation. But man was created in the image of God, to live a holy life like his Maker.
Salvation from sin is the beginning of a true and living relationship with God. For a real child of God, living a holy life is not optional. It is the requirement to get to heaven. It is what pleases God. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, “…were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). Paul and his associates lived “holily, justly and unblameably” before the brethren (1 Thessalonians 2:10). Same for Daniel (Daniel 6:4). So, anyone accepting his shortcomings instead of praying to God to get rid of them will only have himself to blame eventually and eternally. God’s unchanging standard remains – “Be ye holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
Thought For The Day: No holiness, no heaven.
Bible Reading In One Year: John 2-4
