Romans 13:!2 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light."
Armor is something designed to protect. It is a buffer between us and what would harm us. It is interesting then that the armor we are called to put on here is an armor of light. How can light protect us?
The word for 'light' here is used as a metaphor and means, "God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly reason, mind, the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth."
In a dark world, light cannot be hidden. The works of darkness, those that we are to cast off, are evil and wicked. Though we try and hide them, they will tarnish our reputation and destroy our testimony. However, the armor of light is the protection offered by a pure and honest life. If we live a life open to the view of all, especially mindful of God's eye on us, how drastically different would things look?
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
Contingent
Romans 13:10 "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Psalm 1:2-3 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
This verse in Psalms is so familiar that I'm afraid it can quite easily lose its power in our minds. Read it again, and truly let those promises sink in. What would your life look like if whatever you did prospered because of God's favor? It truly blows my mind when I think about it! And who wouldn't want this promise to come true?
However, this promise is contingent on something - our meditation on God's law day and night. Does this mean that we should be constantly mulling over the Levitical commandments regarding sacrifices and Jewish holy days? I don't think so. Paul makes it very clear that the root of every word in the Torah, every command ever given, is love.
Therefore, if I desire the fulfillment of the promise of Psalms 1, then my thought ought to be constantly on the law of God, which is briefly summed up in this - "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40
Psalm 1:2-3 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
This verse in Psalms is so familiar that I'm afraid it can quite easily lose its power in our minds. Read it again, and truly let those promises sink in. What would your life look like if whatever you did prospered because of God's favor? It truly blows my mind when I think about it! And who wouldn't want this promise to come true?
However, this promise is contingent on something - our meditation on God's law day and night. Does this mean that we should be constantly mulling over the Levitical commandments regarding sacrifices and Jewish holy days? I don't think so. Paul makes it very clear that the root of every word in the Torah, every command ever given, is love.
Therefore, if I desire the fulfillment of the promise of Psalms 1, then my thought ought to be constantly on the law of God, which is briefly summed up in this - "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Simple, Yet Difficult
Romans 13:8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
The Christian life is not complicated. The commands we've been given as New Testament believers are quite simple & straightforward. Yet it seems at times we can't accept that simplicity. For some bizarre reason, want more rules and restrictions of our own making. Perhaps the reason is, while the Christian life may be simple, it is far from easy.
When we find ourselves incapable of fulfilling that one, simple command, what is easier - to humbly admit our need for Christ's power? Or to create our own rules that we know we can follow alone? Humbly seeking Christ's power is not our natural reaction in most circumstances. Yet it should be.
Do I truly believe that love will fulfill the law? Do I humbly realize my inability to love in that way? Am I meekly submitting my will to Christ, receiving His power, so that I can love as He would have me?
The Christian life is not complicated. The commands we've been given as New Testament believers are quite simple & straightforward. Yet it seems at times we can't accept that simplicity. For some bizarre reason, want more rules and restrictions of our own making. Perhaps the reason is, while the Christian life may be simple, it is far from easy.
When we find ourselves incapable of fulfilling that one, simple command, what is easier - to humbly admit our need for Christ's power? Or to create our own rules that we know we can follow alone? Humbly seeking Christ's power is not our natural reaction in most circumstances. Yet it should be.
Do I truly believe that love will fulfill the law? Do I humbly realize my inability to love in that way? Am I meekly submitting my will to Christ, receiving His power, so that I can love as He would have me?
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Overcome
Romans 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Christians can be some of the most depressed individuals you'll ever meet. Where is the joy that belongs to a child of the King? Far too often, it is overcome of evil. The word "of" here means "by or under". Evil will attempt to smother you, to bury you under its demonic weight. There is so much evil in this world, we will be overwhelmed if we focus on its filthy presence.
The solution to this is a heavenly perspective. If we truly believe that the One Who lives inside of me is greater than he who is in the world, it will be impossible to be crushed under the weight of evil in this world. Instead, living in the strength of His might, we will overcome.
The Christian's destiny is to overcome. Do you feel like an overcomer today? Why or why not? When was the last time you did feel that way? This is God's will for you. Seek it today.
Christians can be some of the most depressed individuals you'll ever meet. Where is the joy that belongs to a child of the King? Far too often, it is overcome of evil. The word "of" here means "by or under". Evil will attempt to smother you, to bury you under its demonic weight. There is so much evil in this world, we will be overwhelmed if we focus on its filthy presence.
The solution to this is a heavenly perspective. If we truly believe that the One Who lives inside of me is greater than he who is in the world, it will be impossible to be crushed under the weight of evil in this world. Instead, living in the strength of His might, we will overcome.
The Christian's destiny is to overcome. Do you feel like an overcomer today? Why or why not? When was the last time you did feel that way? This is God's will for you. Seek it today.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Rejoicing in Hope
Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
There's a reason that Christians can find joy no matter where they are and no matter what is going on in their life. We have an eternal hope. We're looking forward to that heavenly country. Whatever happens on this earth only matters in as far as it will affect eternity. Therefore, joy is ever present, even through sorrow, because we know this is not the end.
Prayer, direct communication with the God of the universe, is a way to remind ourselves of these things. That's why Paul doesn't tell us to start praying for ten minutes a day. No, rather he expects that we are already praying (continue) and that it is happening on a constant basis ("instant: to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing").
If I truly believed that this earth will pass away, and that my hope is in Heaven, how would my life be different?
There's a reason that Christians can find joy no matter where they are and no matter what is going on in their life. We have an eternal hope. We're looking forward to that heavenly country. Whatever happens on this earth only matters in as far as it will affect eternity. Therefore, joy is ever present, even through sorrow, because we know this is not the end.
Prayer, direct communication with the God of the universe, is a way to remind ourselves of these things. That's why Paul doesn't tell us to start praying for ten minutes a day. No, rather he expects that we are already praying (continue) and that it is happening on a constant basis ("instant: to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing").
If I truly believed that this earth will pass away, and that my hope is in Heaven, how would my life be different?
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Conform or Transform
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
This verse has been used for many things, sometimes to extremes. "What is the world doing? They're driving cars. Therefore to not conform to the world, I will not drive a car." This kind of logic is a misinterpretation of this Scripture. When the whole verse is taken into consideration (along with its context) we realize that it has to do with our inner man.
The verse lays out 2 options. These 2 options are opposites and they have to do with our mind, how we judge or understand (our thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires). Being conformed to this world would mean that my mind thinks the way the world thinks. My thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires line up with the world's thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires. However, if I allow God to renew my mind, it will be transformed and suddenly my thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires will line up with God's thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires. My way of thinking will mirror His way of thinking and not the world's.
When my mind is renewed & transformed, then and only then, will I be able to examine and recognize as genuine, what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God. How can I renew my mind today?
This verse has been used for many things, sometimes to extremes. "What is the world doing? They're driving cars. Therefore to not conform to the world, I will not drive a car." This kind of logic is a misinterpretation of this Scripture. When the whole verse is taken into consideration (along with its context) we realize that it has to do with our inner man.
The verse lays out 2 options. These 2 options are opposites and they have to do with our mind, how we judge or understand (our thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires). Being conformed to this world would mean that my mind thinks the way the world thinks. My thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires line up with the world's thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires. However, if I allow God to renew my mind, it will be transformed and suddenly my thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires will line up with God's thoughts, feelings, purposes, and desires. My way of thinking will mirror His way of thinking and not the world's.
When my mind is renewed & transformed, then and only then, will I be able to examine and recognize as genuine, what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God. How can I renew my mind today?
Friday, December 22, 2017
Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
This verse literally changed my life. Viewing yourself as a walking, breathing offering to God dynamically changes your perspective on life. Surrendering yourself completely to Him, seeking to live in a way that is holy and acceptable to God, and viewing it as nothing more than what should reasonably be expected of you.
This verse means even more when read in light of the last verses from the last chapter. Chapter 11 is all about how we've received mercy and grace, and how, as Gentiles, we've been grafted into the family of God. The the chapter ends with a proclamation of how incredible God is, how His wisdom and knowledge are beyond compare, and how all glory and honor belongs to Him forever.
"I beseech you therefore..." In light of what I just said, with chapter 11 in mind, I plead with you, give yourself to God as a living offering. Will I do this today?
This verse literally changed my life. Viewing yourself as a walking, breathing offering to God dynamically changes your perspective on life. Surrendering yourself completely to Him, seeking to live in a way that is holy and acceptable to God, and viewing it as nothing more than what should reasonably be expected of you.
This verse means even more when read in light of the last verses from the last chapter. Chapter 11 is all about how we've received mercy and grace, and how, as Gentiles, we've been grafted into the family of God. The the chapter ends with a proclamation of how incredible God is, how His wisdom and knowledge are beyond compare, and how all glory and honor belongs to Him forever.
"I beseech you therefore..." In light of what I just said, with chapter 11 in mind, I plead with you, give yourself to God as a living offering. Will I do this today?
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