Today’s Devotion
Topic: Set Christ Apart As Lord In Your Heart!
Text: 1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. Amen
The leader of the early church in Jerusalem, Apostle Peter, admonishes us this morning to “set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts”. Why is the apostle saying this?, ” religious folks may wonder. “Why is it that necessary to set Christ Apart in our hearts, especially after we have already received Him as Lord and have the covinction that, He lives within us. What other “setting Christ Apart” is the Apostle talking about?”.
Well beloved, it is one thing knowing you have a gold bar in your closet and not stressing about its safety, and it’s another thing to know the value of the gold bar in your closet hence keeping it well; the way gold ought to be kept.
Christians are the most susceptible to compromises. We love this world that we profess to hate. We evangelise to unbelievers and show them the way to salvation only to lose it ourselves because we love the things of this world.
We try so hard to be neutral everywhere we go. Keeping low our faith, lest some atheist identifies Jesus in us and teases us for being people of faith. What’s more, the modern day Christian youth desires to be seen as “cool” so much such that he dresses like the world, speaks like the world and loves all the world offers (music, drinks, fashion and lifestyle)
“What could be wrong with that?” he may ask; because to him, as far as he has Jesus living in His “inside” and he prays to Him in his closet everyday, there should be no problem what he shows when his friends are around. That one is just for him to “fit in”. That’s all!
Precious One, the admonishing words of the Apostle is very profound. Jesus Christ is not like one of those lesser gods heathens put under their beds to work for them. (May the Lord forgive us even for this comparison). He is the Most high God, All things were made through Him. The King of kings and the Lord of Lords. He is greater than our minds can imagine.
Love took Him to the cross and love is still the only reason He lives in our hearts today. Love explains why He forgives and still identifies with us. Let us stop taking Him for granted and HONOR HIM AS LORD IN OUR HEARTS. AND THIS HONOR MUST TRANSLATE INTO ALL WE DESIRE, DO AND SAY.
It is our privilege to have the gift of salvation, we do not even deserve it, so as to go about disregarding Christ by living anyhow.
When people question your uncompromising position in Christ, be prepared to give an answer with gentleness and respect. You love Jesus as Lord and prepared to live for Him the rest of your life, Period. Those who do not agree with you, can have themselves to blame for missing out on all the goodness that’s found in Christ. But you, are sold out to God.
Begin to pray now. Enough of the compromises. Ask the Lord to forgive you. Ask for grace to set Him apart as Lord in your heart and not be ashamed of Him. Make a decision to stop hanging out places that induce your compromise and to shun bad company. IF JESUS IS LORD OF YOUR HEART, THEN STOP INTERFERING AND LET HIM BE!
SEE YOU AT CHURCH!
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