DCLM Higher Everyday 27 November 2024 — Gifts Without Godliness
DCLM Higher Everyday 27 November 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Gifts Without Godliness
Topic: Gifts Without Godliness
Text: 1Corinthians 13:1-13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Key Verse: “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away” (1Corinthians 13:8).
Message
There was a boy in a secondary school. He was one of the school fellowship leaders. He was very eloquent, and dynamic in public speaking. He could hold the fellowship spell bound and gain people’s attention for hours. Most young people enjoyed going to fellowship because of him. A few months before the final school certificate examination, he was discovered to be involved in immoral relationships with some female students in the fellowship and it became a big scandal in the entire school. His life was the opposite of godliness.
Also Read: Open Heaven 26 November 2024 – God Can Create a Way
Why share this with you? The fundamental reason why we are Christians is to have the godly character. Our text places godliness above gifts in spiritual value. Righteousness separates us from the crowd and shows our identity as born-again children of God. Skill and talent are good for the work of God but they don’t last forever. Godly character is the only evidence that we are children of God.
Quote: Have the godly character
Challenge: Godliness brings respect and honor.
Prayer for today: Help me, Lord, to pay attention to godliness.
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)
