Anglican Daily Fountain 4 October 2023 (Devotional Today)
Welcome to Today’s Daily Fountain Devotional of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Daily Fountain is a daily reading devotional for all Anglicans and Non-Anglicans to read, study, share and discuss the Word of God on a daily basis.
TOPIC: FLESH AND SPIRIT AT WAR
TEXT: Galatians 5:14-26(KJV)
5:14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
5:15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
5:16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
5:17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
5:18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
5:19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
5:20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
5:21. 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.
5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
5:24. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
5:25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
5:26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Anglican Daily Fountain 4 October 2023 STUDY:
Christians generally, whether in a leadership or followership position, should emulate the characteristics of Christ in service: In humility, He left His glory to come and die a shameful death for humankind. This is the mind that should be in us all (Phil. 2:5-8)-to obey the Great Commission of ‘Go ye’ (Matt. 28:19-20). This was the attitude found in Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (the first black Bishop). He is a bishop, evangelist and missionary. He sacrificed his life, comfort and all to see to the spread of the gospel of Christ in West Africa and particularly in Nigeria, even in the face of opposition and challenges. This is serious example for us as leaders in various spheres of life(v.28).
We should be conscious of our responsibility to heed to God’s instruction in feeding, tending and taking care of the sheep of God purchased with the blood ofJesus (vv. 28,33-35;John 21:15-21;1Pet.5:2-3). We are to ensure that none gets missing, either by their own ignorance and carelessness or as prey to the enemy. We are in perilous time (vv. 29-30) where false teachers who distort the word of God are everywhere (Matt. 7:15; 2Pet. 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:1-2).
There is therefore the need for stability in the word of God and maintenance of a balanced gospel. Again, we should be good examples and imitators of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; 4:16; Phil. 3:17) like Apostle Paul and Bishop Ajayi Crowther. We must examine our attitudes towards wealth and comfort (Luke 12:15)and learn to care for brethren. When we do this, we attract others to Christ and fulfil the ministry of reconciliation given to us, just like Bishop Ajayi Crowther.
PRAYER: Lord, give me the strength and grace to be an effective witness in advancing your kingdom.
