MOMENTS OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
CUSTOMS WHICH ARE NOT LAWFUL FOR US TO RECEIVE OR OBSERVE
Text:
Acts 16:20-21 (KJV)
"And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans."
INTRODUCTION
One of the most interesting accusations ever made against the apostles was not that they stole money, organized a riot, or attempted a political coup. Their offense was simple: they were teaching a lifestyle different from the culture of the day.
The Romans complained:
"These customs are not lawful for us to receive or observe because we are Romans."
Ironically, what the Romans rejected as strange was actually the pathway to salvation. The culture of Rome was colliding with the culture of the Kingdom of God.
Today, the situation has almost reversed itself. Many Christians have become so comfortable with worldly customs that if Paul and Silas returned today, some church members might accuse them of being "too spiritual," "too holy," or "too old-fashioned!"
The question before us is this:
What customs are common today that are not lawful for a genuine follower of Christ to receive or observe?
1. THE CUSTOM OF CALLING EVIL GOOD
Isaiah 5:20
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil."
We live in a generation where sin has hired a public relations officer.
Immorality is now called freedom.
Lying is called wisdom.
Greed is called ambition.
Pride is called self-confidence.
Rebellion is called self-expression.
The world now puts perfume on corruption and sells it as progress.
A Christian must never allow society to rename what God has already defined.
When God calls something sin, no amount of rebranding can convert it into righteousness.
A poisonous snake remains a snake even if somebody hangs a necktie around its neck.
2. THE CUSTOM OF CELEBRATING WHAT SHOULD BE REPENTED OF
Romans 1:32
"Who knowing the judgment of God... not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
There was a time when people hid their sins.
Today many advertise them.
Some even livestream their foolishness and wait for applause.
The world has turned many shameful acts into entertainment.
What once produced repentance now produces followers and subscribers.
Believers must be careful not to celebrate what grieves the Holy Spirit.
Not everything trending is worth following.
Even dead fish follow the current.
It takes a living fish to swim against it.
3. THE CUSTOM OF COMPROMISE FOR ACCEPTANCE
Daniel 1:8
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself."
Many people would rather be accepted by society than approved by God.
They adjust their convictions to fit into every environment.
They become spiritual chameleons.
They change color depending on who is watching.
In church they sound like angels.
At work they sound like philosophers.
Among unbelievers they sound like comedians.
On social media they sound like pagans.
Daniel teaches us that holiness is not situational.
God is looking for believers who remain believers even when nobody is watching.
4. THE CUSTOM OF MATERIALISM AND THE WORSHIP OF THINGS
Luke 12:15
"A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
Modern culture often measures success by possessions.
People no longer ask, "Are you righteous?"
They ask, "What are you driving?"
Some judge spirituality by wristwatches, bank accounts, and designer labels.
Yet heaven has never used a luxury car as the qualification for entering the Kingdom.
Many have become servants of things they once prayed to own.
The tragedy is not having possessions.
The tragedy is when possessions possess you.
5. THE CUSTOM OF PRAYERLESSNESS
Luke 18:1
"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Many people check their phones before speaking to God.
Some know every celebrity update but cannot remember the last chapter of the Bible they read.
The average battery receives more attention than the average soul.
When a phone battery drops to ten percent, panic begins.
When spiritual life drops to zero percent, many feel nothing.
Prayer is not an outdated custom.
It is heaven's communication system.
The believer who abandons prayer is like a soldier entering battle without ammunition.
6. THE CUSTOM OF FOLLOWING THE CROWD
Exodus 23:2
"Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil."
The majority is not always right.
The broad road is crowded, but it still leads to destruction.
Noah stood against the crowd.
Elijah stood against the crowd.
Daniel stood against the crowd.
Jesus stood against the crowd.
Sometimes the crowd is simply a large collection of people moving confidently in the wrong direction.
A Christian is not called to be popular.
A Christian is called to be faithful.
7. THE CUSTOM OF RELIGION WITHOUT TRANSFORMATION
2 Timothy 3:5
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."
Many people have adopted church customs without experiencing Christ.
They know church vocabulary but lack spiritual reality.
They can quote Scripture but cannot obey it.
They attend services but avoid surrender.
They wear Christianity like a uniform but never allow it to transform their hearts.
God is not seeking religious actors.
He is seeking transformed disciples.
LESSONS FROM THE ROMAN COMPLAINT
The Romans rejected Christian customs because they were Romans.
Many believers today reject biblical customs because they want to be worldly.
The early church stood out because it was different.
The modern church often struggles because it desperately wants to blend in.
The Gospel was never designed to fit comfortably into every culture.
It was designed to transform culture.
The church must influence the world rather than allowing the world to influence the church.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, expose every worldly custom that has found a place in my life in Jesus' name.
2. Lord, give me courage to stand for biblical truth even when it is unpopular.
3. Father, help me to reject every habit that dishonors Christ.
4. Lord, let my life reflect the culture of Heaven and not the culture of this world.
5. Holy Spirit, make me a light in this generation and keep me faithful until the end.
Golden Thought
"A custom may be common among men and still be condemned by God. The believer's standard is not culture, popularity, or public opinion, but the eternal Word of God."
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ
Email: cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
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08058140045