This morning, we continue our study of the armour of God.
Our study to date:
- Part one - Holy War
- Part two - The Enemy
- Part three - A Command
- Part four - When?
- Part five - The Belt of Truth
- Part six - The Breastplate of Righteousness
- Part seven - The Shoes
- Part eight - The Shield
- Part nine - The Helmet
- Part ten - The Sword
- Part eleven - Prayer
If you missed any of the issues in this series, you can find them at our website
http://gleaningsfromtheword.com Simply follow the Armour Of God link.
This morning we leave the New Testament book of Ephesians to look at some lesser-known
pieces of the armour of God. We'll start with the armour of light.
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake
up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds
of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us behave decently, as in the
daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery,
not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus
Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Romans 13:11-14 NIV
Few believers would deny we're in the last days. There is no way of knowing if
Jesus is coming today or in a hundred years or in ten thousand years but He has
promised to return.
Knowing that, we're called to be vessels of light, to wear the armour of light
and to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does that mean?
Walk the talk. Separate ourselves from the filth of the world. We do not do that
by separating ourselves from the people of the world. We do it by choosing not
to participate in the filth. We're called to love the drunkard, but we don't have
to drink with them. We're called to love the prostitute but we don't have to sleep
with her. We're called to work in the world but we don't have to participate in
unethical or illegal behaviour.
That means we stand out. That's not always a comfortable thing to do. Few of
us like to be scorned or laughed at. We don't relish the thought of being thought
of as fanatics or judgemental. So how do we stand out with grace? We share our
lives with them. We love them even if they never choose to accept Jesus. We estavlish
deep relationships with individuals. We do it with love, not out of a sense of
being holier than they are. Without Jesus we'd be no different than they are.
With Him we are redeemed; forgiven; cleansed; purified; sanctified; justified;
restored; gifted; transformed and in preparation for all eternity. Without Him,
we're just wallowing in our own dirt.
Until next time, wear the armour of light to show others that they too can have
hope.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
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