SCRIPTURE
Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)
Put on the armor of light
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
DEVOTION
Today, I really hear Spirit reminding us to be consistent in our character and behavior. One of the biggest complaints that I hear from my non-Christian friends is that Christians are “hypocritical.”
When I ask my non-Christian friends what they mean by this they say things like, “It seems to me that Christians are one way on Sunday and another way during the week.”
OUCH! WHAT TERRIBLE BAD NEWS!
It seems to me that sometimes Christians forget that our non-Christian friends are watching us 24/7/365. They want to see how the good news impacts us—not just in church—but also on the job, in our homes, and around the town.
They are watching to see if our behavior is as honorable on Tuesday as it is on Sunday. They are watching to see if we do the same things in the darkness, as we do in the light. They are wondering if we take Jesus with us everywhere that we go!
Often, I hear Christians excuse our poor and sinful behaviors by saying, “Well, we’re not perfect!”
In response to this comment I often say, “While we are not perfect, we ought to be passionately pursuing perfection with everything we’ve got!”
As Christians, we are called to a life of personal holiness. We are to do our level best, with the help of Spirit, to be the most honorable and consistent Christians that we can possibly be.
If we are engaging in behaviors that we would not feel comfortable doing with our pastor, or with Jesus, we should immediately forsake that behavior!
Jesus died on the cross to show forth God’s great love for us, to save us from our sin, and gift us with eternal life!
The good news is that we are all wrapped up in God's grace! God's love gave Jesus to forgive our sin with no strings attached; but that doesn’t mean that we should abuse God's gift!
Just because we know that God can—and will—forgive us when we repent, doesn’t mean we should continue to knowingly and repeatedly sin just for the fun of it!
Paul said this another way in Romans 6 when he stated, "So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not!...Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection (The Message)."
Jesus was gracious enough to lay down his life for us in an incredibly extravagant display of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness! In response to that great and extravagant gift, we are called to be “little Christs” or CHRISTians; and as such it is our most fervent desire to become like Christ!
I’ve heard it said that when sharing the good news, we should only use words if necessary! In other words, the best way to share the good news is to live the good news!
As we share the love, joy, peace, hope for the future, and attitude of gratitude that are a natural by-product of a Spirit filled life, our non-Christian friends will want what we have!
This is why Paul said, “Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day…”
Friends, let us recommit to living honorable lives Monday through Sunday so that the entire world may know—and believe—that Jesus is able to change even the chiefest of sinners into a “saint!”
Will you confess your sin today in the Name of Jesus and receive the forgiveness, grace, and mercy of God?
Holy God, thank you for your love, grace and mercy! I repent of my sin and I am very, very sorry. Please forgive me, purge me, and then fill me with the Holy Spirit. As you work in me, I know I will become more and more like Jesus! Please be glorified in me and help me to share your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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PUT ALL OF YOUR HOPE IN JESUS--If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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