Topic: DO NOT BE MERCILESS – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 8 July 2021 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]
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DO NOT BE MERCILESS
‘’And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.’’ Luke 10: 31-32 KJV
The man was going down from Jerusalem instead of going up. We are called to go up. Then robbers attacked him, beat him up, and left him for dead on the highway. A priest came, saw this wounded man but crossed to the other side. His religion restrained him from coming close to the dead because he would be unclean. That is what the law says. The law makes demand on you that you can’t keep. The priest knew that the man needed help, but he did not help him. That is because he did not believe in grace but the law.
After the priest, another Levite passed. You see, every priest must be a Levite but not every Levite is a priest. Priests are taken out of the tribe of Levites. Hence, Levites are like assistants to the priest. So, a Levite came, saw the same man who had been left for dead and walked away; he refused to get involved. You will be shocked to know that many in the church are like the Levite and the priest- legalistic and religious believers. How can you say you are a believer and still behave like someone who has never encountered grace?
Why are you so quick to pass judgement on people? When did you become the Holy Ghost? No one can save any person except God. Transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit. Somebody can be in church for 20 years and is still not transformed. But so long as he is coming, leave the person; one day the Holy Spirit will penetrate. So, don’t drive anyone away from the house of God.
Grace accepts people the way they are. When you are merciless, it means that you have not encountered the grace of God.
Further Reading. Luke 10: 25-37
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 36-37; Evening- Acts 15:22-41
