Topic: Teach thyself first
Bible Reading: Psalm 109-112; Romans 2
Memory Verse: “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?” Romans 2:21 (KJV).
Several years ago, a lady who was a worker in a Pentecostal church was preaching to a family friend of hers that she used to buy clothes and other accessories from. However, she was fond of inflating prices of items bought from her family friend before giving the bill to her husband. This kept going on until the unbeliever friend decided not to send inflated invoices to her friend’s husband anymore! And of course her friend did not take it easy! Imagine, the unbeliever showing the believer friend of her unjust behaviour! When you are preaching the gospel to others, does your behaviour reflect the message you are passing to others? Or does it show you as an hypocrite? The word of God is clear. Romans 2:21 (KJV) says, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?”
The unbeliever friend in the testimony above said then that the elder of the church was doing things that they who were not going to church knew was not good and would not do them! She further said, if her family friend’s behaviour is typical of church goers, then it was better for her not to go to church! This is the example that Apostle Paul referred to in Romans 2:24 (KJV), “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”
Is God’s name blasphemed by any of your actions? Are your actions reflective of a child of God who is expected to bear the fruit of the Spirit? This is a wake up call for you to examine yourself and identify any area where you are blaspheming the name of God particularly by your behaviour and quickly repent and ask for mercy from God Almighty and He will forgive you as long as you do so in sincerity. Remember also that time is of essence and no one knows what tomorrow will portend. As a true child of God, you must live everyday as if it is your last on earth getting ready to meet our Lord Jesus Christ any moment. Remember the warning in Isaiah 55:6 (KJV), “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” May you obey his call today in Jesus name.
Prayer point: Father, search me and reveal to me anything in my life that is contrary to your will and give me the grace to address it urgently.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero