Open Heaven 5 May 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Topic: Living Holy Among the Ungodly
Memorise: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8
Read: Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (KJV)
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
Open Heaven 5 May 2019 – Living Holy Among the Ungodly
Bible in one year: Genesis 39:7-12, Exodus 1-3, Jeremiah 31:1-14, Hymn: Sing hymn 10
Open Heaven 5 May 2019 Message:
People often cite their environment as the reason why they live a sinful lifestyle, but this is untenable before God.
A good number of people who found themselves in ungodly environments still maintain their loyalty to the Holy God, and they testify against such people on the last day. Indeed, living holy among ungodly people is possible. Joseph is one example of someone who lived a righteous life in the midst of the ungodly.
As seen in today’s Bible reading, he lived under the same roof with an ungodly person who happened to be his boss, and yet he kept his integrity. Nowadays, some people who profess to be born again easily give in when pressured by their superiors to do ungodly things at work. They do this either to gain a promotion or because they fear losing their job, forgetting that the Holy Spirit said those who will live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2nd Timothy 3:12). They also ignore His admonition in 1st Timothy 6:6 which says:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Open Heaven 5 May 2019 – Living Holy Among the Ungodly
Sadly, in spite of what the Lord said in Mark 10:29-30, many people believe that to be born again is to escape a life that will experience persecutions. For such people, living a holy life is not a possibility.
What is holiness? It is simply obedience to the word of God. When you are obedient to God’s word, you demonstrate faith in him, and your life will be pleasing in His sight. That is what holiness is all about. It was disobedience that took Adam from a position of glory to labouring under a curse. Take a cue from Joseph who in the face of deadly pressure said in Genesis 39:9:
“….how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Daniel is another person whose life showed that living a godly life in the midst of ungodliness is possible. His actions in today’s memory verse demonstrate that living a holy life is a matter of personal decision.
Some people would not want to join the police force because they believe all policemen are corrupt. This is not true! You can be a police officer and decide not to be corrupt. Some run away from being accountants so that they are not tempted to falsify figures. How wrong they are! You don’t need to be an accountant before you steal the funds of an organisation.
Open Heaven 5 May 2019 – Living Holy Among the Ungodly – Pastor E.A Adeboye
A governor who purposes in his heart not to embezzle public funds will maintain his integrity, whereas a messenger could end up stealing cans of coffee in his or her custody. Irrespective of your location, with Christ in you, you can live a holy life and enjoy the promotion that it brings, just like Joseph and Daniel did.
Open Heaven 5 May 2019 Prayer Point
Father, grant me grace to live in obedience to Your word even in the midst of ungodliness.
Open Heaven 5 May 2019 Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.