DCLM Daily Manna, Monday June 22, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – Life, Not Religion

Topic: Life, Not Religion [Monday June 22, 2015]

Text: Jeremiah 9:1-11

Key Verse: “Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:6).

Israel had been a backslidden nation. Several years back, a righteous king, Josiah, had arrived the stage with sweeping reforms to restore righteousness in the land. He enthroned true worship by removing the idolatrous priests who had been burning incense in high places at the instance of the past kings of Judah. He broke in pieces the images of idols and drove away the workers with familiar spirits and wizards to enable the people return to the true God and His worship. Sadly, at the death of King Josiah, the people returned to their old ways.

In our text, Prophet Jeremiah itemized the abominations prevalent in Israel for which God was not pleased. The prophet said that the people were “all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men” (verse 2).

Today, our society is in the same lamentable situation Israel was at that time. There is corruption in high and low places, idolatry of all kinds, and immorality is at its peak. The values that were held sacrosanct years ago have been thrown overboard. Even in unlikely places, worship centres, evils abound. These things that made Jeremiah shed tears are also the concern of genuine men of God today who labour day and night to draw men from the scourge of sin.

The redeemed of the Lord must warn sinners of the imminent judgment of God as did Jeremiah. The purity of one’s Christian faith should be seen by doing what is right; loving others and ceasing from sin. So, the practice of the Christian faith must not be limited to a mere church attendance. Our changed lives must be righteous and holy, a sure signpost for others to take after.

Bible in One Year: Ezra 1-3

Thought for The Day: The reality of man’s religion is evident in his character.

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.