Topic: Be A Positive Influence [December 2, 2016]
Text: Galatians 2:1-10
Key Verse: “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:4,5).
Four ministers were discussing the merits of various translations of the Bible. One ranked the King James Version best because of its simple, beautiful English. Another liked the American Standard Version best because it is more literal and comes nearer the original Hebrew and Greek.
The third liked Moffatt’s Translation best because of its up-to- date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent when asked to express his opinion. He replied, “I like my mother’s translation best”. The other ministered wondered what he was driven at. “Yes”, he replied”mother translated the Bible into everyday life and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw”. What a positive influence the mother was to this man who later became a minister of the gospel! Paul the apostle was an uncompromising minister of the gospel who relied on the daily guidance of the Holy Spirit.
He was so consistent in his preaching that the Christians at Antioch saw the need to compliment his ministry by giving him Barnabas and Titus to be his companion. He preached Christ as the Saviour to the Gentiles and to the Jews. He emphasised on His vicarious death as the only remedy for the sin of man. His message was to the generality of the Gentiles and to people of high reputation to whom he expounded the truth without fear of persons. Paul was a positive influence who boldly resisted the negative influence of some so-called brethren who attempted to make his converts among the Gentiles put their trust in circumcision, instead of trusting on the finished work of Christ on Calvary for their salvation.
To make a positive impact today, we must be uncompromising in the preaching of the gospel. Many so-called Christians today are not abiding in the truth of the Bible. We must identify them, avoid and resist them, so as to keep the Church of Christ holy.
Thought for the day: When light shines, darkness is banished.
Bible Reading in one Year: Daniel 11-12
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.
