Thursday, 25^th May 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. How does God see man?

The Christian landscape has witnessed a remarkable surge in the establishment of churches worldwide. The growth in the establishment of churches in our part of the world has seen the birth of several engaging programs and activities for church members; the church is abundantly engaged in programs and gatherings. Regrettably, these statistics have failed to make a significant impact on the societies we live in. While the numbers may indicate growth, unfortunately, there remains a lack of authentic Christianity within the body of Christ to influence the societies we live in. To be authentic is to be genuine. To be authentic is to be real. Authentic Christianity is therefore a sincere and wholehearted adherence to the teachings of the Bible and to its practice.

The opposite of authentic Christianity is false Christianity.

God, in rejecting Saul as king over Israel, instructed Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to offer a sacrifice and to anoint the one he would choose as the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:2-3). In a series of events, the sons of Jesse are presented one after the other before Samuel. Samuel, in his haste, was deceived by the appearance of the sons of Jesse that were presented: “…he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him’.” Eliab and the other six who came before Samuel appeared more fitting to be kings in place of Saul. None of them was chosen by God because “…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” They were all rejected because they were not genuine. They looked good on the outside, but their inner selves were vastly different. It was obvious that the hearts of these men were not aligned with the Lord.

Their appearance contradicted what their hearts truly believed.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, our generation is in need of authentic Christians. The society we live in is in need of those of us who claim Christian identity to show forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We have the appearance of Christians, but what resides in our hearts is completely different. The claim to Christianity is more than a mere association; it demands unwavering obedience to the Word of God and abiding in it regardless of our circumstances.

 

FURTHER READING – Galatians 5:22-24

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so  

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Are you a Christian at certain times only or at all times?

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to reject any temptation to be what contradicts my Christian confessions. Grant me grace to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit at all times in Christ Jesus, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Joshua 11; Isaiah 15; 2 Timothy 1