Wisdom For The Day Devotional 19 September 2022 By Bishop Mike Okonkwo – His Grace Is Better Than Your Credentials
TOPIC: His Grace Is Better Than Your Credentials (TREM Devotional 19 September 2022)
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (KJV)
MESSAGE:
In the scriptures, we are told about how the prodigal son demanded his portion of the father’s wealth and went into a far country where he squandered everything. According to the bible, when things became extremely difficult for him, he came back to his father. The father received him and began to celebrate him even with all his misdeeds. The prodigal son came back to lean on the Father’s mercy. He knew that he had no other argument. He had no other plea but the blood and the Father’s Mercy. The beauty of the father’s embrace was that the father said I am not going to bring you home without a garment so that people will not see you naked.
The fattest cow that was killed represents the blood of the lamb. It is the blood that gave him access.
Another interesting part of the story is that of the elder brother who hath been at home faithfully serving the father. The Bible recorded that as he was returning, he heard music and was wondering what was going on. When they told him that the brother came back and the father was celebrating for him, he was offended. And he said: “…Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.”(Luke 15:29-30 KJV).
The elder brother said I’m qualified! I’ve been faithful. I stood with you. I have never disappointed you but this one who is a mess, you are killing the best cow for him.
Why was the elder brother not celebrated, even before the brother came? He was celebrating his credentials. Was it wrong for him to live right? No. But living right is not so that God will bless you. It is to appreciate what God has done for you. He has already done everything.
Further Reading:
Luke 15:11-32
Daily Bible Reading:
Morning – Ecclesiastes 1-3
Evening – 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Wisdom For The Day Devotional was Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.