Memorize: Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Read: 2 Kings 5:9-27
Salvation is free and it is obtained by grace. Jesus Christ already paid the price for our salvation on the cross. But the grace we received from the death of Christ is for us to have a new beginning so that we may live our lives through the attributes of Christ and not that of the first Adam.
For us to be saved ultimately therefore, there is work to do. We are expected to be born again and remain so whether anyone is watching or seeing us or not. Gehazi was an obedient servant in the face of Elisha; but once he turned his back, he was given to doing other things. Oh, that is in the old testament and Gehazi was not born again? True. But God is the same always. He will not deny Himself. Ananias obeyed the leadership of the church while he was in their presence and that was why he agreed to sell his belongings and bring the proceeds at the feet of Peter. But once Peter turned his back, he connived with his wife and did something else. Many today are saints within the Church premises and around the leadership but once they depart, they concoct all manner of things which should not be heard or spoken of. They are “holy Mary” in their dressing to Church but Jezebel after; righteous Paul in Church but the stealing Judas in the office; meek Moses in Church but uncontrollable Joab outside; holy servant in church but unruly and unforgiving master outside.
It is good to be obedient in the presence of the authority but much better to so be in their absence. Everyone that is not obedient in the absence of authority is simply a hypocrite. The hypocrite pretends to obey God when he sees the authority but obeys the devil immediately he is outside the sphere of control. The bane of hypocrisy is judgment. Gehazi was judged and so was Ananias. Everyone that lives hypocritical lives are bound to be judged someday. It is not only judgment in eternity, but also on earth. It is impossible to mock God: whatever a man sows he reaps. The things you do, if no man sees, God sees and He is calling you to repent and restitute your ways.
Pray:
Father, I thank you for the salvation of my soul through the death of Jesus Christ; I look up to you for your help in this life that I my live a righteous life through and through never to deny you, in Jesus name.
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