OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 30/08/2013 - A DEBTOR IN THANKS? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

A DEBTOR IN THANKS?

MEMORY VERSE

 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:4

READ

Ephesians 5:1-4

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

MESSAGE

To become a divine favourite, you must be ready to be different. When people are busy discussing things of no heavenly value, you will keep them at a distance. 2 Timothy 2:23 says such an individual must avoid foolish and unlearned questions, while Ephesians 5:4 says,

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, not jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”

Instead of saying anything that does not glorify God or make jest of people, God expects you to give Him thanks. In other words, in God's estimation, all the man hours wasted on filthy or immoral communication, gossips, exaggerations and jesting are seen as time for thanksgiving that was not given to God. This means if you have spent one hour speaking what does not edify yourself and others or glorify God, you have just robbed God of an hour of thanksgiving. By the time God uses this scripture to take stock of our lives; people will owe Him so much in thanksgiving. Stop complaining of the nation or of bad leaders; complaining does not stop them from their evil. Rather use such time to thank God and pray for them, this will deliver you something worthwhile.

Divine favourites do not waste their time in frivolities but use free moments to appreciate their God. They spend time discussing heavenly things. They are not only special but also peculiar. People must be able to look at you and say you are different. The definition of fanatical Christianity is actually that the fellow loves Jesus more than you do. If others decide to soil their hands in that business deal, you will remember according to Psalm 24:3-5, that your hands and heart must be clean, and so you would rather choose not to join them. You are special to God. You cannot afford to behave like others. Eagles do not eat dead animals. It is vultures that do that and may even prefer rotten ones. Are you an eagle or a vulture? Your Father is holy, how come you do not mind sinning? Be like the eagle you have been called to be and God will back you up. Separate from all shady deals. In any case, are you a debtor to God in thanksgiving?

KEY POINT

Thanksgiving is a work of righteousness, faith and love. It adds to your credit with God.