''Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you'' - 1 Corinthians 6:17
There is an African fable about five inseparable friends - four fingers and a thumb who lived together on the same hand. One day, they noticed a gold ring lying next to them and conspired to take it. The thumb said it would be wrong to steal the ring, but the four fingers called him a self-righteous coward and threatened him. However, instead of bowing to their threat, the thumb decided to maintain a safe distance from them and all their unwholesome practices. This is why, the fable ends with this saying "the thumb still stands separate from the other fingers".
There are two types of people in the world - the fingers and
the thumb. God expects a visible margin of safety to exist between these two
sets of people in every generation (1 Corinthians 6:17, Psalms 1:1, Ephesians
5:11). Then, the question is, what does the fingers and thumb represent in this
context?
The fingers represent people who lack the fear of God and can do anything to satisfy their personal appetite for riches and power. One of their popular slogan is ''It is not really bad, after all everyone is doing it''. These people are ready to mortgage their birthrights for a plate of pottage like Esau. They cut corners and engage in unwholesome practices just to meet their needs or to keep body and soul together.
On the other hand, the thumb represents people who value their right standing with God more than any earthly riches and power. They would rather loose their jobs or positions with their integrity intact rather than keep it or even get promoted without integrity. People around them may call them ''fools'' but they prefer that name than to have God shut the gate of eternity against them. These are people like Job, Daniel, Noah and Joseph who will rather die in purity than compromise their integrity for any earthly gains.
Beloved, which group do you belong to? Please be sincere with yourself. Are you a finger or a thumb? if you are a finger, then, you need to repent today. But, if you are a thumb, then, I say "a big congratulations to you!". But, please make conscious effort to maintain a visible margin of safety between you and all the fingers around you. Please don't ever take the evil carrots the fingers are dangling before you. Always remember that anything acquired through dishonest means will definitely dwindle away (Prov 13:11, Jer 17:11).
''Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity will diminish; but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall increase..' - Prov. 13:11 (BST)
"Walking In Integrity" is the title of a wonderful song that describes how to maintain a visible margin of safety with the fingers in our world today.
Observe my trust in you and my integrity.
Examine me, and put me to the test;
My mind and heart refine,
That my soul might be blessed
Refrains:
But as for me,
Determined I shall be
To walk eternally In my integrity.
I do not sit with wicked men of lies.
I hate the company of those who truth despise.
With evil men, take not away my life;
My soul, with those whose hands
Are full of bribes and strife.
May God help us to keep walking in integrity until we finish
our race on earth in Jesus name, Amen.
On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I want to invite you to the September 2022 Holy Ghost service. Date: Friday - September 2, 2022. Theme: Covenant Keeping God. Time: 7pm. Venue: Km 46 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria.
Happy New month. Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
Instagram: @lawontaiwo
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment