When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, '' What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God ? I beg you, don't torture me!'' For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man.
Many time it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.''
'' Luke 8 : 34, 35 When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.''
Dear people, as we read in these Scriptures, there was this certain demon-possessed man, who, because of the demons inside him, had been living near the tombs and never wore clothes.
But this man came back to his right mind, and dressed up properly, the moment the evil inside was driven out and he was set right from inside.
Many times people tried to even chain him in order to make him behave, and keep him under guard, but that which was inside of him was what was even breaking those hard chains that were tied up on the outside, and took him to the devil's solitary places.
Until Jesus commanded those demons to leave him, he was held captive by them and no efforts made on the outside, could save him in anyways.
Dear people, many times we bind ourselves with hard chains of self-righteous acts, and religious practices thinking that our acts will please God, and will keep us from all harm, where as inside of us our hearts are far from the light of God.
We donate to orphanages, give huge contributions to churches, we do every kind of possible righteous act to be called a ''Good Christian.'' But our hearts are in captivity of the world and its desires.
There are many among us, who harm their own household members, but go out and preach peace to the outsiders.
Who plot evil schemes to their own blood relations, but go and sober those who are victims of similar schemes.
Who eject the poison of evil tongues on their own , but go out to counsel others in distress.
Who count every penny when it comes to providing their own people, but trumpet their giving to the poor.
Most of us see these things happening in our daily lives. Don't we?
''Jeremiah 9:3 ''They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,'' declares the Lord. ''
'' Proverbs 30:11-13 There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;''
Dear people, just like the hard chains and outside security measures could not hold the demon-possessed man from going to the tombs, our efforts of self righteousness cannot keep us safe from the evil one, nor it can bring us any closer to God.
It's only when His word dwells in us, that we can come back to the right positions and have fellowship with God.
There are many among us, who harm their own household members, but go out and preach peace to the outsiders.
Who plot evil schemes to their own blood relations, but go and sober those who are victims of similar schemes.
Who eject the poison of evil tongues on their own , but go out to counsel others in distress.
Who count every penny when it comes to providing their own people, but trumpet their giving to the poor.
Most of us see these things happening in our daily lives. Don't we?
''Jeremiah 9:3 ''They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,'' declares the Lord. ''
'' Proverbs 30:11-13 There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;''
Dear people, just like the hard chains and outside security measures could not hold the demon-possessed man from going to the tombs, our efforts of self righteousness cannot keep us safe from the evil one, nor it can bring us any closer to God.
It's only when His word dwells in us, that we can come back to the right positions and have fellowship with God.
When Jesus rebuked the demons to come out of him, its only then that the man gained back his right mind. And was able to sit at the feet of Jesus.
But the human efforts of tying him up in hard chains did not do any good for the man.
Similarly, acts of self righteousness will not fetch us any good, neither give us a citizenship in the kingdom of God, when our hearts and souls are captive of sin.
What God requires of us is not acts of charity and goodness. But our hearts.
God's kingdom cannot be attained by the deeds of our hands.
Let us look into some Scriptures in Mathew and understand how the kingdom of heaven is like :
'' Matthew 13: 44 - 45 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. ''
Jesus here speaks about Kingdom of heaven and he says it is like a hidden treasure and also compares to a merchant looking for a pearl of great value.
People, a treasure is something which is not accumulated by the toil of our hands or our efforts.
As well as a valuable precious pearl is something which is not formed or created by human labour.
But the human efforts of tying him up in hard chains did not do any good for the man.
Similarly, acts of self righteousness will not fetch us any good, neither give us a citizenship in the kingdom of God, when our hearts and souls are captive of sin.
What God requires of us is not acts of charity and goodness. But our hearts.
God's kingdom cannot be attained by the deeds of our hands.
Let us look into some Scriptures in Mathew and understand how the kingdom of heaven is like :
'' Matthew 13: 44 - 45 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. ''
Jesus here speaks about Kingdom of heaven and he says it is like a hidden treasure and also compares to a merchant looking for a pearl of great value.
People, a treasure is something which is not accumulated by the toil of our hands or our efforts.
As well as a valuable precious pearl is something which is not formed or created by human labour.
Similarly kingdom of heaven cannot be formed by our human toil or acts of self righteousness.
'' Isaiah 45 : 24 In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength. ''
Our Lord Jesus, who is the Living Word, alone can make us righteous and bring us into the kingdom of heaven. It's only by having Him in our hearts, we can become citizens of kingdom of heaven.
There are many among us who trust their self righteousness and flatter about themselves.
'' Psalm 36 : 1-2 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked : There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. ''
To those of us who flatter too much about ourselves, so that others cannot make out our sinfulness, the title that the word of God gives is ''Wicked.''
Word of God doesn't call such people righteous!
Dear children of God, let not the legions of the kingdom of darkness blind your eyes, and deceive you by binding up in the chains of self righteousness, while they make their dwelling inside you!
'' John 3: 5 Jesus answered, ''I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.'' ''
If Spirit of God has to dwell inside you, you must devote your heart to God, and get rid of all kinds of evil inside you.
You need to get your inside right first!
If we continue to set our minds only on the self-righteousness, we are as good as this demon-possessed man, who was bound up in hard chains, with no clothes on, always accessible to the attacks of the enemy, never knowing what time he will be driven away to what kind of solitary places of the devil !
If the word of God is not in us, we will be easily accessible to the enemy, all the time !
If the word of God is not in us, we will be easily accessible to the enemy, all the time !
This man never lived in a home due to those demons.
Similarly though we live under a roof and inside four walls, if we don't have the word of God in us and don't live according to the word of God, we are as good as living near tombs, in solitary, away from our Father's presence.
'' Psalm 32:2 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. ''
We must put all our efforts to get rid of any deceit in our spirit.
'' Matthew 23:25 Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites ! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside also will be clean.''
So, we need to first get the inside clean, then the outisde also will be clean !
Similarly though we live under a roof and inside four walls, if we don't have the word of God in us and don't live according to the word of God, we are as good as living near tombs, in solitary, away from our Father's presence.
'' Psalm 32:2 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. ''
We must put all our efforts to get rid of any deceit in our spirit.
'' Matthew 23:25 Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites ! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside also will be clean.''
So, we need to first get the inside clean, then the outisde also will be clean !
Once the demons were cast out of this man, even the outside was also set right for him.
He came back to his right mind, wore clothes, and was sitting at the feet of Jesus, just like other normal people.
This hour if the Spirit of God is convicting you of your life style, dear precious child of the Most High God, get rid of this nudity called self righteousness!
This hour if the Spirit of God is convicting you of your life style, dear precious child of the Most High God, get rid of this nudity called self righteousness!
Clothe yourself and wear the righteousness of Christ Jesus and let His kingdom dwell inside you.
'' Job 24 : 13 - 17 There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths. When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up and kills the poor and needy; in the night he steals forth like a thief. The eye of the adulterer watches for the dusk; he thinks, ' No eye will see me,' and he keeps his face concealed. In the dark, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light. For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness. ''
If you are someone convicted by this above Scripture, and who begins your life in the dark hours, believing that doing some righteous acts will cover your acts of darkness and please God, then dear child of God, do not let the enemy deceive you any further.
Turn your heart this hour towards your Saviour and fall at His feet asking Him to set your inside right for you, and cleanse you from every filth, so that your outside too will get set !
'' John 3: 20-21 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.''
'' Luke 12 : 2-3 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. ''
Therefore dear people, refrain yourself from the acts of darkness, and live by light so that whatever you do will be known to the world as done through God.
Our acts of self righteousness will not do any recommendations to God to hide the sins of our hearts.
If you are someone convicted by this above Scripture, and who begins your life in the dark hours, believing that doing some righteous acts will cover your acts of darkness and please God, then dear child of God, do not let the enemy deceive you any further.
Turn your heart this hour towards your Saviour and fall at His feet asking Him to set your inside right for you, and cleanse you from every filth, so that your outside too will get set !
'' John 3: 20-21 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.''
'' Luke 12 : 2-3 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. ''
Therefore dear people, refrain yourself from the acts of darkness, and live by light so that whatever you do will be known to the world as done through God.
Our acts of self righteousness will not do any recommendations to God to hide the sins of our hearts.
'' Job 36 : 18-19 Be careful that no-one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress ?''
'' Jeremiah 9 : 23-24 This is what the Lord says : ''Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,'' declares the Lord. ''
'' Matthew 5 : 8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.''
'' Psalm 62 : 5-7 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. ''
Our honor depends on God. Not on the efforts of our hands.
'' Job 36 : 8-12 But if men are bound in chains held fast by cords of affliction, he tells them what they have done - that they have sinned arrogantly. He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge. ''
'' Jeremiah 9 : 23-24 This is what the Lord says : ''Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,'' declares the Lord. ''
'' Matthew 5 : 8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.''
'' Psalm 62 : 5-7 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. ''
Our honor depends on God. Not on the efforts of our hands.
'' Job 36 : 8-12 But if men are bound in chains held fast by cords of affliction, he tells them what they have done - that they have sinned arrogantly. He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge. ''
If you have been involved in doing many good deeds (of self righteousness), yet facing affliction in life, this is because you are harboring sin in your heart. And God is communicating the message across to you, through affliction that you ought to repent and obey Him and serve Him - serving God is by wearing the righteousness of Christ Jesus, God's own Son, who is the only way to reach God.
Let's Pray..
Father help us live by Christ's Righteousness, and not ours.
Help us not to trust in the deeds of our hands, but keep our hope in Your unfailing love, granted us in grace, through Christ Jesus.
As Your servant, I now release a wall of protection around every person who is brought here to read this message, and I cover each one of them with the blood of Jesus, and in the Name of Jesus break every chain of self righteousness that is binding Your people, blinding their eyes and minds, from serving You in truth and in Your light.
May the light of the Living God shine forth on the lives of God's people, and bring each one into the kingdom of God, and clothe them with righteousness in Christ Jesus.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
God bless You.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
God bless You.
