Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Saturday, May 8, 2021

Theme: “BE STRONG, FEAR NOT”

Text: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” – Ephesians 4:14, 15.

Comment:  In a bid to escape the economic, social and health problems they see, some professed Christians drift to various organizations, clubs and societies, who of course give them false assurances of quick solutions to their problems, though they leave the hapless victim worse than before. Christians are warned thus: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”, said Christ the Saviour of mankind. (Matthew 10:16; 2 Corinthians 2:11) Apostle John also highlighted the fact that Christians are in the midst of people of a perverse disposition when he said, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19) We are enjoined in the Scriptures to hold fast to the truth so as to withstand the various currents of ideas, philosophies and religious persuasions that we may come across so as to do things that are pleasing to God by His grace.  And in his letter to the Christians in Colosse St. Paul stated: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” – Colossians 2:6-8.