Christian Living
Welcome back to the concluding part of this blog post. I apologize for the delay in delivering this last part-my PC has been acting up!
In parts 1-4, we learnt that God sends us opportunities to increase us;
1. When we serve selflessly
2. When we receive and act on an unusual instruction.
3. When we give to the poor.
4. When we give an unusual freewill offering.
5. Divine connections and relationships can also be God’s way of increasing us.
We’d also said that usually, success is defined by wealth, power or prestige gotten through hardwork and dedication.
So with ‘divine opportunities’ we are saying God is the one sending these opportunities to us. Does that mean that we have no role to play? Does God send divine opportunities to everyone? Yes, He sends to everyone that serves Him in truth and in Spirit. And that has nothing to do with just building a tent in a church and living there. Has nothing to do with just going to church every day of the week.
The Bible tells us that God knows those that are truly His, does whose hearts are upright towards Him, because He searches not just the actions of men, but their intent.
1 John 2:5 reads;
‘But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him’. Amplified.
There are traits and virtues that people who truly reverence God exhibit. These are the virtues that attracts divine opportunities for increase. All the characters (people) we have mentioned as examples in the course of this blog post series exhibited most of these virtues and if we must receive divine opportunities for increase from God, we too must imbibe and exhibit these attributes.
The virtues for Divine Increase include;
1. Fear of the Lord
2. Excellence
3. Integrity
4. Fairness and Justice
5. Love
6. Dedication and commitment to a divine cause.
7. Hardwork.
8. Humility
At any point in time, mediocrity, greed, pride, gluttony, strife, laziness, insincerity, are killers of growth.
Sometimes colleagues, friends or relations want to discourage us from working in integrity as double standards is fast becoming the norm fearfully even among Christians.
Proverbs 6:16 says;
‘These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him: A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil, A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.”
AMPLIFIED.
So whose words are we going to obey? The world’s or God’s?
Of all the virtues we’ve listed above, probably the most critical and central is the fear of The Lord. Because when we have deep reverence for God, we’ll work in integrity, love, fairness, humility, with excellence and selflessly.
These traits will always attract divine opportunities to us .
Help us dear Lord.
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