Judgement during grace?- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lev 24-27

JUDGEMENT DURING GRACE?

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

MEMORIZE: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17)

READ: John 1:14-17

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Many people today have turned scoffers. God has suddenly become too slow for them. They argue that in the Old Testament, God judged sin instantly but that in the New Testament, God is too merciful and too slow to act. Does this mean that God has changed or is no more as powerful as He was during the Old Testament? No! The above scripture tells us that God is not slack.

What makes Him appear slow is His mercy. We live in a time of grace (John 1:14-17). Yet, God still does certain things instantly during this grace period so that men do not continue in evil, thinking that there will be no reprisals for sin. Sin always has negative consequences. Are you living in sin? Quit today before it finds you out!

Gehazi fell on the wrong side of the Consuming Fire and he instantly became a leper (2 Kings 5:20-27). When the first branch of the RCCG started and blossomed in Osogbo, the pastor there decided to steal it from the Mission. The founder, Pa Akindayomi went there and asked him what he was trying to do. He took credit for all the effort and labor that got the church to its level of growth, but Papa differed, saying it was Jesus who brought the people into the church. But the man would not agree and was bent on turning it into his personal church.

Papa left him and there was a sudden rushing mighty wind which filled the church. Everyone thought it was preparing for a downpour, but when they peeped outside, there was no rain or cloud. By the following morning, the disobedient pastor was covered from head to toe with leprosy! When God’s power comes down, what you get depends on which side of the divide you fall.

Even today, many believers are experiencing the other side of God - judgment. Some know this while others think it is the devil fighting against them. If you touch God’s anointed, you are calling for the other side of God. If you manipulate figures, steal church money, live in fornication or secret sin, you could become a victim of God’s instant judgment in a time of grace. Repent and ask God not to be a negative example.

ACTION POINT:
Ask for the Spirit of prompt obedience in today’s church as a deterrent of God’s judgment in time of grace.