Topic: Are you still canal?
Bible Reading: Psalm 119:1-48; 1 Corinthians 3.
Memory Verse: ”For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV).
A Christian driver took me to somewhere in Lagos state in Nigeria and on the way had to stop to ease himself. Because he said he was so pressed, he eased himself right on the road side as it was raining heavily. A few minutes after we got to our destination, he got a call from an acquaintance of his who said he saw him on the road. He denied to the man. it was not him to the caller. And this driver told me how he attended night vigils, prayed for long hours and believed he was a true Christian. Based on what he did and his action, I counselled him on what the Bible says about liars in Revelation 22:15. Though he knew the verse but he did not feel remorseful!
Unfortunately, this is how many Christians behave. They tell lies, commit adultery, cheat others and still do not feel remorseful that they have committed any sin against God. Such are canal Christians They are believers who are still dominated by their old sinful, fleshly nature instead of their new spiritual, holy nature. Such believers engage in sinful acts without any remorse. Thus, Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV), “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Are you truly born again? If you are one of those that still commit the sins that they were committing when they were unbelievers or have even added new ones, then your transformation is not complete no matter how well you package yourself as a Christian. You are still canal! And while you may deceive others by your outward appearance, on the judgment day, there will be no covering and all your works will be judged and your true nature will come out clearly leading to where you will end up! Concerning all people on the last day, the Bible says Romans 2:15-16 (NASB), “in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, [16] on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus.”
So where will you end up after your sojourn on earth? it is better to plan appropriately now and make any amendment that will complete your transformation rather than remaining canal and missing heaven. On the other hand, if you have not given your life to Christ, you can do so now and shed every element of carnality by repenting of all your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour with a promise to forsake the sinful life and live a life of holiness for the rest of your life.
Prayer point: Father, please search and reveal every fabric of carnality in me and help me to forsake it completely in obedience to your word in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero