THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS PART II (1THESS. 5: 5-11)
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
We give God the glory for granting us the privilege to be alive till this time and for the grace to continue from where we stopped last week. You will recollect that we started with what darkness and night may represent in the life of the Christians here on earth. Today by the grace of God we will be looking at the characteristics of the children of light.
Knowledge: - the children of light are enlightened having turned the eye of their heart to Him who is the light of the world i.e. Jesus Christ (Jn. 8: 12). Knowledge is the general awareness or possession of information, truths, facts, ideas or principles. The children of light are knowledgeable about God and His kingdom. They study the bible daily and meditate on the word of God and they also apply their studies to their situations all the time. The children of light are not ignorant of the devices of the devil and his agents (2Cor. 2: 11).
Holiness: - holiness is the state or quality of being holy. God is holy and commanded all His children to be holy as well (Lev. 11: 44, 45; 19: 2; 1Peter 1:15, 16). He clothed Himself with holiness like a garment and all who belong to Him would cloth themselves with garment of holiness in terms of their character in relationship with God and their neighbors. No shady deals, no deceit, no corruption and always trust worthy.
Joy: - joy is the feelings of great happiness or pleasure especially of an elevated or spiritual kind. Children of Light are filled with joy and happiness to glorify God. They never look somber because their strength comes from the joy of the Lord (Neh. 8: 10). You will always find expression of joy of the Lord in them regardless of what can be seen by the naked eye. This they always do to shame the devil and also in expectation of the everlasting joy in the kingdom of God where they will spend eternity.
Future glory: - the children of God will see light in God’s light. They cannot be caught un-aware by anyone. They have the hope of future glory that will perpetually keep them in the love of God and so be encouraged to keep Christ’s commandments no matter the situation. This is what the bible says in Romans 8: 16-18. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings, in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
It is expedient that you, reader, behold the Light, receive the Light and put the Light to use in your life that you may not walk in darkness here and at eternity. Remain blessed in the Lord.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: - Father in heaven, please make me knowledgeable that I may apply my heart to wisdom IJN
Tuesday: - I rebuke every form of darkness in my life IJN
Wednesday: - Father, kindly cloth me with holiness that I may not be doomed forever IJN
Thursday: - I shall no longer have sorrow in my heart IJN
Friday: - Lord Jesus, let not your light grow dim in Seed of Life IJN
Saturday: - God of all nations, let the future glory of Nigeria be brighter than now IJN
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
We give God the glory for granting us the privilege to be alive till this time and for the grace to continue from where we stopped last week. You will recollect that we started with what darkness and night may represent in the life of the Christians here on earth. Today by the grace of God we will be looking at the characteristics of the children of light.
Knowledge: - the children of light are enlightened having turned the eye of their heart to Him who is the light of the world i.e. Jesus Christ (Jn. 8: 12). Knowledge is the general awareness or possession of information, truths, facts, ideas or principles. The children of light are knowledgeable about God and His kingdom. They study the bible daily and meditate on the word of God and they also apply their studies to their situations all the time. The children of light are not ignorant of the devices of the devil and his agents (2Cor. 2: 11).
Holiness: - holiness is the state or quality of being holy. God is holy and commanded all His children to be holy as well (Lev. 11: 44, 45; 19: 2; 1Peter 1:15, 16). He clothed Himself with holiness like a garment and all who belong to Him would cloth themselves with garment of holiness in terms of their character in relationship with God and their neighbors. No shady deals, no deceit, no corruption and always trust worthy.
Joy: - joy is the feelings of great happiness or pleasure especially of an elevated or spiritual kind. Children of Light are filled with joy and happiness to glorify God. They never look somber because their strength comes from the joy of the Lord (Neh. 8: 10). You will always find expression of joy of the Lord in them regardless of what can be seen by the naked eye. This they always do to shame the devil and also in expectation of the everlasting joy in the kingdom of God where they will spend eternity.
Future glory: - the children of God will see light in God’s light. They cannot be caught un-aware by anyone. They have the hope of future glory that will perpetually keep them in the love of God and so be encouraged to keep Christ’s commandments no matter the situation. This is what the bible says in Romans 8: 16-18. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings, in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
It is expedient that you, reader, behold the Light, receive the Light and put the Light to use in your life that you may not walk in darkness here and at eternity. Remain blessed in the Lord.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: - Father in heaven, please make me knowledgeable that I may apply my heart to wisdom IJN
Tuesday: - I rebuke every form of darkness in my life IJN
Wednesday: - Father, kindly cloth me with holiness that I may not be doomed forever IJN
Thursday: - I shall no longer have sorrow in my heart IJN
Friday: - Lord Jesus, let not your light grow dim in Seed of Life IJN
Saturday: - God of all nations, let the future glory of Nigeria be brighter than now IJN
Comments
Post a Comment