10/3/2018 0 Comments Grapes of WrathWhen we read the word “wrath” we tend to cringe. At least I do. We picture someone flipping out…going into a rage, being spiteful, mean, nasty, or even vindictive. We think this way because this is generally how people respond when they “pour out their wrath.” However, when Paul uses the word “wrath,” it’s important to distinguish it from human anger. We should understand the wrath of God as “directed against evil alone…nothing arouses it except evil, and evil always does.”
The essence of sin is godlessness. Sin is when people attempt to get rid of God- to make it without Him- to go against His righteous decrees. In reality, that’s impossible for us to do without facing the consequences of rebellion. Yet, many people still determine to live for themselves. This kind of person becomes callus and cold. They become numb to God, and this numbness causes them to suppress anything that even resembles God’s goodness; they reject the truth. God’s wrath is directed at this godlessness. Verse 19 tells us that His wrath is directed at people who have “suppressed the truth by their wickedness.” They had decided to live for themselves instead of for God. They deliberately stifled any truth that challenged their selfishness. Think about it…people cannot suppress something that they do not have. 1. Are there areas where sin is beginning to numb you? 2. Is there anything God is trying to tell you that you are trying to suppress? Challenge: Ask God to lead you through His Spirit as you go through your day. Ask Him to bring to mind the truth of the gospel and its implications for what you will encounter today. Tell Him “yes” to His will and ask Him for His power and protection to live this “yes.” Ask God to create and reveal opportunities to proclaim the good news today. KEEP PRAYING THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY.
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10/2/2018 0 Comments Proclaiming the TruthHave you noticed that lies are being paraded before us in an endless, morals-destroying stream? The truth is conspicuously absent from our world. It seems as if everyone, from politicians to corporations have a certain something they want from us. Whether it’s our money or our vote, or even both, there’s an incentive for some to hide or obscure the truth from others. And when our society lives in the dark, we should not be surprised at unrighteousness and dark deeds. The tendency for humanity is to “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18) in order to hide or excuse our rebellion against God. This tendency is played out on both a macro and micro scale every day. It happens on TV, in our school hallways, and in the break room at work.
Hand in hand with the breastplate of righteousness is the belt of truth. The breastplate was attached to the belt, as well as the sheath for the sword. If your belt fell off, your breastplate would fall off, and your robe would come loose. When we exchange the “truth about God for a lie” (Romans 1:25) unrighteousness will follow. Our enemy leads and traps many of us in this kind of living. We can succumb to doubt and begin to put away our faith, or simply suppress the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We can weave lies for our own benefit and allow ourselves to become captive to a defeated master. Truth and righteous living are inseparable, for when we know the truth Jesus revealed (John 18:37) about the Father of lights, we are set free from bondage to sin (John 8:32). At the same time, our dead heart of stone is exchanged for a living heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), and our greatest desire is no longer to gratify ourselves, but to glorify our God! Read your Bible daily, fasten God’s truth upon yourself, and guard your body with righteous living. 1. What is truth? 2. What are the dangers of not wearing the belt? Challenge: To have your belt tightened means you are ready for battle and ready to move. We need to be on duty at all times. We cannot afford to take a couple of days off spiritually. We must keep our armor on at all times, because the moment we take it off is the moment the devil will be there to hit us with full force. 10/1/2018 0 Comments The Breastplate of RighteousnessIn the armor of a Roman soldier, the breastplate served as protection for some of the most important parts of the body. Underneath the breastplate is the heart, lungs and other organs necessary for life. Therefore, if a soldier did not wear his breastplate, he was vulnerable to an attack that could result in death.
Likewise, if we are Christians do not protect ourselves with righteousness, we open ourselves up to attack from the enemy and can fall into sin. To be righteous means to obey God’s commandments and live in a way that is honorable to Him. Psalm 106:3 says, “How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!” Unfortunately, our sinful nature often gets in the way of living an upright life. When we decide to live based on our own desires rather than God’s, we make decisions that are harmful to ourselves and others. Romans 8:6 says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” How can we put on the breastplate of righteousness? We can start by being knowledgeable of God’s Word, which will allow us to understand how to live a righteous life. When trials and temptation come our way, we can base our decisions in His Word. In addition, through prayer, we can ask God to empower us to resist living in sin and to do what is right according to Him. 1 John 3:22 says, “And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey and do the things that please him.” As Christians, we can put on the breastplate of righteousness in our daily lives. In becoming aware of the decisions we make, we can determine whether or not they are based in God’s Word. In addition, we can ask Him to give us the strength to live righteously. Ultimately, this will allow us to withstand attacks from the enemy and live in ways that glorify Christ. 1. Where in your life have you believed lies and walked in unrighteousness? 2. Since we will never be perfect in this life, in what sense can we “put on the breastplate” of practical righteousness? Can’t Satan always bring an accusation against our imperfect behavior? Challenge: As Christians, we can put on the breastplate of righteousness in our daily lives. In becoming aware of the decisions we make, we can determine whether or not they are based in God’s Word. In addition, we can ask Him to give us the strength to live righteously. Ultimately, this will allow us to withstand attacks from the enemy and live in ways that glorify Christ. |
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