Topic: THE JOY OF HOLINESS  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 15 May   2022

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ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL

BY: ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA

SUNDAY MAY, 15TH, 2022.

THE JOY OF HOLINESS

Hebrews 1:9 (KJV, GNB & TPT) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. *You love what is right and hate what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions. *For you have cherished righteousness and detested lawlessness. For this reason, God, your God, has anointed you and poured out the oil of bliss on you more than on any of your friends.”

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There are often times when it appears that people of the world have more joy than we do; however, that is not the case. Sometimes, sin will appear so pleasurable that it may seem that only by following the sinful ways of this world will we really have joy. But the devil is a liar and the seeming joy that people of this world appear to have is temporal. It is inferior. It cannot in anyway be compared to the joy that we have in God and derive in following His ways.

When you choose to live a life of holiness, you may feel the same way Jesus felt while going through His suffering and the cross, but you must know like we studied yesterday, that there is a joy that is set before you. In the end, you will experience the joy of the Lord in a way that will far exceed that of those who love evil and continue to live waywardly. Think of how Joseph felt after he became the Prime minister of Egypt. Was his trusting and following of God’s ways throughout his trying times worth it in the long run? A very big YES! When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, for example, she was indirectly attempting to steal the greater joy of his future by giving him temporal and counterfeit joy in the present; but thank God that Joseph was wise. I also want you to know that you are not wasting your time by choosing a life of holiness and one that follows God’s ways.

Never be deceived into deeming sin and the ways of this world as pleasurable and joyful. They are evil and destructive and they lead to bitterness and regret. But following God and His ways will bring you the highest joy possible in the end; just like our text above says of Jesus.

Prayer:
I receive Your grace, dear Lord, to keep my eyes on the joy that is set before me and to keep loving your ways and a life of holiness.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN
Songs of Sol.1-8

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