PAID IN FULL!: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 16TH OCTOBER, 2018.

MEMORISE:
for ye know grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your Sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2nd Corinthians 8:9

READ: 1st Timothy 2:3-6 (KJV)

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

MESSAGE:
In ancient times, a ransom was a price paid to secure the freedom of a slave, captive or prisoner. It had to be paid in full in order to cancel a debt or obligation, set one free from liabilities and charges, or secures an exemption from punishment.

A ransom is associated with redemption, atonement, deliverance and salvation. In every situation requiring the payment of a ransom, victims are helpless because they cannot effect the payment of their own ransom.

In the same sense, humanity was in a hopeless and helpless situation because we lacked what was requiring to pay the price for our liberation from the penalty of sin. Thank God that Jesus Christ stepped in as a substitute for all humanity, paying our ransom in full.

The ransom he paid is effective for anyone on the face of the earth who by faith in the word of God receives salvation as a gift of God through Jesus Christ. Matthew 20:28, Jesus said;
‘’Even as the Son of man came not to be ministerd unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.’’

Through his suffering, painful death on the cross and glorious resurrection on the third day, He paid in full every price demanded for the redemption, atonement, deliverance and salvation of humanity. Therefore, if you are still under any form of bondage, receive your freedom now in the mighty name of Jesus.

Now that Jesus Christ has paid our ransom in full and completely wiped away everything contrary to our destiny in God, what next?  The answer is found in Romans 6:22: “ But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.’’

God expects that having freed you from the shackles of sin, you will not return to its bondage again. You ought to remain free by walking in holiness, exercising the power to live above sin that God has deposited in you (Romans 6:14).

The end result of staying true to this is everlasting life. 1st Peter 1:15-16 says, ‘’But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.’’

 We are called out of sin to live a holy life. Jesus paid your ransom in full; now, show appreciation and reciprocate His love by living holy as from today.

ACTION POINT: Thank the Lord for the ransom He paid in full on your behalf.

Think over any area of life where you are in bondage and prayerfully ask for deliverance.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 1-2, Luke 7:8-35

AUTHOR :Pastor E. A. Adeboye

HYMN 7 : WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE
1.Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angles with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful,
Wonderful story of love.

2.Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s Mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3.Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.