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Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. This week, we shall focus on: Godliness: Gateway to Greatness!
We discovered from Scriptures that godliness engenders greatness. All godly people in Scriptures ended up with proven greatness. Joseph, the godly boy, became a prime minister in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-44). Daniel received the obeisance of the king because he took a stand for godliness (Daniel 2:46). Also, righteousness is not just our right standing with God but our right doings on the earth (Zechariah 5:4).
No one can actualise his/her heritage of greatness in Christ without godliness. So, it is a responsibility to take, not something to wish (Daniel 1:8). Therefore, godliness is the sure foundation for a great future in the Kingdom. The Bible says, If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do (Psalm 11:3; see also 2 Timothy 2:19-21). We have a great future in Christ but it takes godliness to see it come through.
Anyone that does not believe in godliness does not believe in greatness (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10). Without the fear of the Lord at work in us, our journey to enthronement has not begun. We cannot taste greatness without appetite for godliness; our appetite for godliness is our highway to greatness (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Lack of access to divine secrets is one of the great causes of ungodliness and it is access to His secrets that makes stars in the Kingdom.
What are the Forces that Work Ungodliness?
The spirit of disobedience: The force behind disobedience is the spirit of disobedience and this spirit makes us go against God (Ephesians 2:1-2). However, to counter this spirit, we need the spirit of obedience (Ezekiel 36:27).
A lying spirit: The lying spirit comes in to rob people of their eternal heritage and redemptive dignity. But the Holy Ghost is called the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). The Spirit of truth is the only way to counter the lying spirit (1 Kings 22:22). Many have lost great opportunity because of their unstable character.
Practical Ways of Overcoming the Siege of Ungodliness:
Keep a right company: The Bible says, Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Godliness stands the risk of being corrupted through wrong association. For instance, you do not have to be a smoker of cigarette, just keep company with a smoker and you will be smelling smoke wherever you go. No matter how anointed, keeping wrong companies wrecks destinies (2 Samuel 13:3-5). No matter how strong anybody may be, evil association will corrupt the fear of God in their lives (Proverbs 13:20). Watch the company you keep so you do not sell off your destiny.
Keep/follow the rules of godliness: Flee all appearances of evil before it overtakes you. Do not hang around it; otherwise, it will overrun you. It is written, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3:12; see also Romans 14:12). Remember, everybody is absolutely responsible for the outcome of his/her life. Our choice is what defines our lot; therefore, we should believe God to make right choices in the steps we take and the things we do.
Engage the violence of faith when confronted: We cannot resist the devil without the weapon of faith. Scripture says, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16; see also James 4:7). How do you resist him? You take the shield of faith and you quench all the fiery darts of the devil.
What are the Benefits of Godliness? It Engenders Access to Fresh Unction: The Bible says, Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment (Ecclesiastes 9:8). Godliness engenders access to fresh oil/unction. Please know that God cannot anoint anyone with new wine until his/her life is renewed; otherwise, there will be fermentation. If you want new wine, then be committed to a new life.
It Guarantees Supernatural Prosperity: It is written, And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years (Malachi 3:3-4). Not every offering is pleasant to the Lord. If you steal and give from what you have stolen, it will not cancel the fact that you stole. So, that curse is still standing and until it is lifted, there is nothing you do that will prosper. Therefore, it takes godliness to offer acceptable sacrifice that will return abundance of blessings.
It Guarantees Eternity with Christ: The Bible says, If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19). Eternity with Christ is our most valuable asset (Revelation 22:15). God cannot tell us to be what He has not empowered us to be because His commandments are not grievous (1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 5:3). So, He would not tell us to be what He has not enabled us to be.
In conclusion, behind every testimony of greatness in Scriptures is the fear of God, either stated directly or picked by implication. We cannot run our businesses in the fear of God and not be distinguished; the fear of God is the beginning of our journey to greatness.
However, you must be born again. If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again! For further reading, get my books: Walking In The Newness Of Life, Conquering Controlling Powers and The Blood Triumph.
I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have three services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. respectively.