CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 675

“His Righteousness”

2 Cor 6:18, 7:1 (NIV) “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
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Morality deals with the right and wrongness of human actions. It deals with how these actions affect the individual person, others, and society as a whole. When the definition of right and wrong is no longer based upon the absolute foundational truth of God’s Word, morality becomes gray and indistinct. God’s Word remains steadfast, clear, solid, and true in spite of the changing societal norms for moral living. God will hold His children accountable to His standard of morality and purity. This is why He exhorts us to seek first not only His kingdom but also His righteousness. God expects us to keep ourselves from becoming polluted by the world.

The world environment is given to rationalizing moral infractions based upon the accepted norms of the day. Some things are considered to be ‘little white lies’ or ‘petty theft’ or ‘everyone is doing it’ behavior. God’s Word, however, makes no such distinction. ‘Do not steal’; ‘Do not lie’; ‘Do not commit adultery’. It is either theft or it isn’t. You have either lied or you told the truth. Even our secret lustful thoughts are not exempt from God’s absolute standards for purity and moral living. There is no in-between or gray area for wiggle room rationalization with God.

God calls our attention to the ‘little things’ of impurity and immorality because it is in these areas of compromise that Satan begins to poison our hearts and draw us away from intimate fellowship with a Holy God. If we cannot be trusted with the little things, God will not entrust us with the true riches of His Holy Spirit and we will be robbed of the immense blessing and spiritual authority and power that comes from the abiding presence of Jesus Christ.

Be honest with yourself and be aware of the temptation to compromise your morals in the little things of life: Taking a newspaper from the vending machine before the door closes on someone else’s purchase; Grazing at the salad bar or in the grocery store before paying; Taking office stationary or supplies for personal use; Avoiding taxation through ‘under-the-table’ cash deals; Falsifying time cards or working on personal matters on company time; Padding an expense report; Enjoying that lustful second look at a member of the opposite sex; Being entertained by internet, television, movies, books, or music that exhibit sinful practices with impunity … and the list goes on and on. Our world society seems to value purity in everything from water to precious metal. Why is it not equally valued in our personal relationship with God?

Call out to God to rekindle the fire in your heart such that you will have an intense desire to be pure and holy in His presence. Submit yourself to the Holy Spirit’s refining fire and let Him show you the impurities and dross in your life that you need to cast away so that in the day of the Lord’s coming, you can be presented to God without blemish and free from accusation (Col 1:22).

Through prayer and fasting learn to discipline your flesh to be subject to God’s moral law for purity and righteousness. Seek first His kingdom and seek first His righteousness. Be sanctified and set apart for God. Make this your year of purification.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God