DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday 27 December 2023
TOPIC: Shun Their Feasts
TEXT: Galatians 5:19-26 (KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
KEY VERSE
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
(Galatians 5:24)
DCLM Daily Manna 27 December 2023 MESSAGE
Most criminal and evil activities easily attain their crescendo during frenetic end-of-year activities. In the mad rush to make money, buy and sell, and feed the carnal lust of lost man, caution is conveniently thrown to the wind. God and His laws are wantonly set aside for riotous revelry, to celebrate the out-going year while welcoming the new. All what mankind witnesses are festivals that are always characterised by “works of the flesh” which Apostle Paul identifies as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, drunkenness, idolatry, revellings, murders, strife, vainglory, etc.
The accompanying warning from the Lord is that those who practise them “shall not inherit the kingdom of God”. The Apostle does not leave us without revealing what the Lord desires to make us fit for heaven. He classifies them as the “fruit of the Spirit”. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 26 December 2023 – Learn from Their Mistakes
Possession of the fruit of the Spirit from the Lord will empower us to overcome the temptation to join the rat race that entraps multitudes of people during periodic feasts. We must run the race for the kingdom of God with patience and spiritual vigour. The Lord desires nothing less from all. He is looking for sober comportment from man at all times and seasons.
He does not approve of sinful behaviours and profane pleasures that destroy the body and damn the soul. God “did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). We should reciprocate this benevolence by honouring His call to decent and holy living, made possible by His unmerited grace.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In all seasons, let His Spirit lead.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 9-11
