Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Saturday, July 31, 2021

Theme: THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM

Text: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8-10.

Comment: Because of the influence of satan the devil, many people indulge in various ungodly behaviours in their days of ignorance. Even after conversion, they still will continue to strive against errors due to imperfection of man. While the convert should not be seen to be deliberately breaking the laws of God, he should be ready to acknowledge his faults and to refrain from doing so again. It is on the basis of sincere repentance that forgiveness can take place. The fact is that those who come to God must do so on the terms He has laid down. The attitude of the Pharisee who adopted a holier-than-thou attitude and was praising himself while praying was condemned by the Lord. But the Samaritan who saw himself as a sinner with nothing good to be proud of spiritually was commended. (Luke 18:9-14)  The sub-text to the penitent attitude of the Samaritan was that he was determined not to sin again. The Bible says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” – Galatians 6:3.