DCLM Sincere Milk 18 September 2023 — Burden For The Lost

DCLM Sincere Milk  18 September 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Burden For The Lost

Topic: Burden For The Lost

Text: Ezra 10: 6- 8

6Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

7And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;

8And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.

Key Verse: “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.” Ezra 10:6

Message

A burden is a heavy load or anything one has to bear or put up with. It can also refer to a problem or a responsibility that causes someone a lot of difficulty, worry or distress. In our Bible passage, Ezra was having the pain, a heavy load in his mind and a form of emotional trouble because his people Israel were disobedient to God. They were carried away into captivity because of their sins and had to suffer greatly in the hands of idolatrous nations.

The world today is not better than the rebellious Israel; evil is still multiplying and the people have no regard for the word of God.
Hell-fire awaits the people that are living their lives in disobedience to God’s word. Believers must not be comfortable seeing large number of people, including some of our family members, friends and neighbours living in sin.

We must do something. Every Christian should therefore take it upon himself or herself to prayerfully seek to lead sinners to forsake their evil ways, accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, so that they can escape hell fire.

Further Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Prayer for today: O Lord, please plant the burden for sinners in my heart and help me to bring them to Jesus.

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)