Topic: It Is Not By Your Performance [Friday September 29, 2017]
“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy”(Romans 9:16 KJV)
In the book of Luke 18:9-14, Jesus spoke a parable to illustrate the fact that we are not to trust in our own righteousness and works but in the mercy of God. The parable underscores the problem of the body of Christ today. Many believers are still in Mount Sinai. They are yet to come to Mount Zion. In Hebrews 12:21-24, the scriptures declare that we have come unto Mount Zion and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood that speaks better things than that of Abel. Beloved, we have come to the Mount of mercy. The Mount of grace! On this mount, God is not looking at your performance.
This Mount of Grace is where the New Testament believer is called to stand. This is where we need to stand in the month of October. With or without your performance, God has already blessed you. So don’t come to God reeling out your achievements to Him. If you come to God flaunting your works of righteousness like the Pharisees, then, you don’t really know Him. “I am more committed than every person in the church. I give more than every other person”. Your works! Your performance! You are coming with your works to a holy God whose laws you cannot keep.
Unlike the Pharisee, the Publican came and could not lift up his head. ‘Nothing I have can please you. Both my good and bad amount to nothing before you. But I come to you because of your mercy.’ And Jesus said this man went home justified more than the Pharisee who came to God flaunting his works and qualifications. Those who received miracles from God were those who never came by their works. As we prepare our hearts and minds for our month of consecration, the month of October, I implore you not to approach God based on your performance. Approach him on the platform of his grace and mercy and watch him do incredible things in your lives.
Further Reading: Luke 18:9-14, Hebrews 12:18-24
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 7-8; Evening- Ephesians 2
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
