Bible League: Living His Word The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.— Romans 13:12 NLT It's still dark, but it's getting brighter. It's still night, but the morning light is just about ready to make its appearance. You can tell because Jesus Christ, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16), is already shining with the Father in the bright light of heaven, where He said He would be (John 14:28). Soon, however, He will return to the earth bringing all the blazing light of heaven with Him. When He does, the light will defeat every bit of darkness that is left on earth. When He does, the darkness won't stand a chance. The figures signify that the present era—the time between Jesus Christ's first appearance and His second appearance—is drawing to a close. It's been drawing to a close ever since Paul wrote his letter to the Roman church. Indeed, it's been drawing to a close ever since Jesus left and the Holy Spirit took His place (John 16:7). The enlightenment of the Gospel is what's doing it. It's been dispelling the darkness of sinful ignorance all over the world. So, it's just a question of time. The darkness of sin may try to reassert itself, may try to delay the inevitable arrival of Jesus Christ, but it cannot possibly succeed. You need to be ready. You need to be ready for that glorious day. You don't want to be surprised by Jesus with any dirty clothes of dark deeds. Rather, you'll want to greet Him in your shining armor of right living. After all, you're a child of the light and the day. You don't belong to the darkness and the night anymore (1 Thessalonians 5:5). It's only fitting that you should greet Jesus with the shining armor you've been wearing to battle the darkness. It's only fitting that you should have it on so you're ready to join Him in the final and ultimate battle (Revelation 17:14). Put on, then, your shining armor. Put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:13—17). Put them on because that final battle will soon be here. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 38, 39 Ezekiel 38 -- The Malice of Gog NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 39 -- God's Judgment upon Gog and Israel's Victory NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Peter 4 1 Peter 4 -- Living for Christ and Partaking in His Sufferings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion You will fold them up like a cloakand discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever. Insight What does it mean that Christ is changeless (“you are always the same”)? It means that Christ's character will never change. He persistently shows his love to us. He is always fair, just, and merciful to us who are so undeserving. Challenge Be thankful that Christ is changeless—he will always help you when you need it and offer forgiveness when you fall. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ephesians 1:7 The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, forever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and forever? Hell is my portion as a sinner--there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me--can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may yet be clear. Forever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and forever, forgiven by virtue of his substitutionary pains and death. What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to him who of his own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through his blood. What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive forever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul. Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Joshua 22:20 'Did not Achan the son of Zerah act unfaithfully in the things under the ban, and wrath fall on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.'" Exodus 23:2 "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. Romans 14:7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 1 Corinthians 8:9,12 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. • And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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