The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 18 May 2019 – Outward Impression

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TOPIC: Outward Impression

READ: Galatians 6:11-18 King James Version (NKJV)

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!

12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

THE MESSAGE:

As today’s passage shows, the intruders were concerned about maintaining a good face so as not to offend the majority. They focused on salvation rooted in the observation of the law rather the grace and downplaying the place of the cross. You need to separate pleasing men and pleasing God. In pleasing men, you have to please God first. You must define your motive. Is it to make men happy and make God sad? Making men happy and God sad is the ultimate goal of outward impression.

The ultimate aim in outward impression is to compel people to do what you want, not what God wants; to follow the crowd. The aim is to avoid persecution and the end result is to boast in the flesh.
We are living in a time when the cross of Jesus Christ is an offence to many.

A time where some Christians are avoiding being cajoled or denied their rights for the sake of their faith! Do not follow the crowd but stand with Paul and boldly boast about the cross of Jesus Christ no matter the cost. For what counts is new creation. Do not trade your faith for cheap popularity.

PRAYER: O Lord, please, help me not to follow the crowd but to live daily to please You all the days of my life in Jesus Name.