Work towards his favour

By Funmi Komolafe

Our God is merciful and many of us have benefitted from his mercy and still continue to do so.

We ask for his mercy because we acknowledge that we have failed in some ways or have shortcomings that displease God.

For instance, a person who has made lying a habit and is conscious that lying is a sin needs to ask for the mercy of God.

Lying isn’t the only sin. A young girl who has had abortions and is unable to conceive after getting married needs to repent and ask for the mercy of God.

Even the man who has been paying for abortions for young girls is as guilty as the lady who committed abortion.

Why?  The word of the Lord is quite clear in Exodus 20 vs. 13-17 where sins are clearly listed as the Lord gave to his servant Moses for the children of Israel.

It states “  Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing  that is thy neighbour’s”.

When we talk about sin, it cuts across gender and social status. A married man who lures young girls to have sex with him because he is her boss or her lecturer  is also a sinner.

A married woman who also makes her boss in the office her unofficial husband,  also carries a burden of sin.

The list goes on and on and we all know when we commit sins. Some we deliberately commit, others we commit unconsciously but sin is SIN.

Let it be noted that for one to receive the mercy of God, the sinner must first admit he  has sinned, repent and then ask for the mercy of God.

Romans 3 vs. 23 reminds us “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”.

Sin can be a major obstacle to a break through.   Romans 6 vs1 &2 “ What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein”.

From the above passage of the Holy Bible, it is clear that sin and grace cannot work together.  Therefore, no amount of money a sinner invests in a church in cash or kind can save him or her from the judgment of God unless he repents and lives according to the word of God.

What we see these days is that people are trooping to churches for miracles without repentance  for sins and prayers for the mercy of God.   This may be the reason why many are   yet to have a breakthrough.

We all need to carry out a self-assessment in our sober moments,  admit sins we have committed and ask for the mercy of  God.

No matter how long ago you committed that sin, it still remains a sin.  It is  never too late to admit, confess and ask for   forgiveness and the mercy of God.

Sin and its consequences  –

We must at all times bear in mind that sin can attract the wrath  of God.  Let’s consider the case of Cain who killed his brother out of envy.

Genesis 4 vs. 9- 13 “ And the Lord said unto Cain.  Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my  brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done?  the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground”.

See God’s pronouncement on Cain .  Verses11 &12 “ And now  art thou cursed from the earth,  which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; When thou tilllest  the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be  in the earth”.

Cain reacts in verse 13  “ And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear”.

From the above passage it is clear that God can be angry  if we commit sins and remain arrogant about it.   Had Cain not answered the question arrogantly, had he confessed and repented, perhaps God would have forgiven him or given him a mild sanction.

We must also note that when we attract the  wrath of God, it could lead to a generational sanction as in the case of Eli and his sons.

That is why we must be careful not to offend God as the consequences of our actions may not be limited to the offender only but extended to his generation.

Brethren, by the grace of the Almighty God, you will not take steps that will attract the wrath of God upon yourself and your family.

His Favour – On the other hand, the favour of God brings joy, amazing testimonies and peace of mind.

Examples of people who found favour with God abound in the Bible. King David, though he committed murder and  adultery,  repented and still found favour with the Lord.

Joseph’s case was even neater. He was highly favoured by God.

When we find favour with the Lord, we have sweet stories to tell.  Our lives become a good example for others to emulate.

Abraham also found favour with the Lord  and God showed his generation great favour.

What is the secret of  the Lord’s favour?  Genesis 17 vs1 provides an answer. “ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect”.

See how Joseph handled the temptation that came his way.   Genesis 39 vs 9 “ There is none greater in this house than I:  neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how  then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?.

Note-  Joseph not only refused to betray his master but was also  concerned about the sin  against God.

Joseph  was imprisoned because of the lie of Potiphar’s wife but God was with him.

Genesis 39 vs. 21 “ but the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison”.   We  are all familiar with the story of the journey of his life and how God made him prime minister of Egypt.

Today, many people who work for others cannot be trusted. Business owners  have  become  victims of robbery, kidnapping or murder  because  those they have hired and paid  salaries collude with men of the underworld.

Brothers  and sisters,   there is a grave consequence for such activities, which may not be limited to the offender alone.

As we move closer to the ember months, people tend to be more desperate to make money thereby getting involved in sinful acts.

Let’s not forget that sin is the straight gate to hell  and salvation of the soul  is  the path to paradise.

Brethren, let’s remain faithful to our God and before this year comes to an end, that long awaited miracle will manifest physically in Jesus name.

Do have a blessed week.

 

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