THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT, THE DAY IS AT HAND
12 THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT, THE DAY IS AT HAND. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Romans 13:12-14 (NKJV)
This was the admonition given by Apostle Paul.
The believers therefore should cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Whatever deed that is not in line with the biblical principles or injunctions should be cast off, while the principles found in the Bible should be imbibed.
Armour of light means a defensive covering for the believer. Now, What could a defensive covering be? The defensive covering of a believer is the Word of God. Abiding in the Word of God; that is, practicing or living in line with God's Word is a defence or a covering for a believer (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:22-25).
If you stepped out of the light of the Word of God, the Bible, you have stepped into darkness which is the arena of the devil. As long as you are keeping the Word of God, living in line with it, you are secured and preserved. Thus, putting on the armour of light is to walk in the light of God's Word—the principles found in the Bible (Psalm 119:105).
What is so much difficult for many professed believers is walking or abiding in the Word of God. That is, being practical about the Word of God, the Bible. This is the core of Christianity and It is through it that God could be given a place or a chance to operate in your life.
Also, the practicing of the Word of God is the legitimacy of your sonship or daughterhood of God. If you are practicing the Word of God, that is, you are living It; God sees you as a legitimate or bonafide child, son or daughter, of His. The professed believers who are in this group or category are the ones God relates with intimately. He reproves them when they erred. He is strict in His dealings with them because of the love He has for them:
6 FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7 IF YOU ENDURE CHASTENING, GOD DEALS WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS THERE WHOM A FATHER DOES NOT CHASTEN?" (Hebrews 12:6,7 NKJV).
If you are not regularly being treated as explained in the above passage by God, It means you are not yet fully received as a true son or daughter of God. You might claim that you are born-again, which may be true, but in the sight of God, He has not yet seen you as His bonafide or legitimate son and daughter of His. Thus, He, God, might not be severed in His dealings with you or in the way He treated you.
Those who are not practicers or doers of God's Word are not yet considered a true or bonafide sons or daughters of His. God would still be reserved or cautious in His relationship with them—the believers who are not ardent or zealous or unreserved doers or practicers of His Word.
The truth about the condition of the believers who are not being regularly chastised or disciplined is, such believers are considered illegitimate: "BUT IF YOU ARE WITHOUT CHASTENING, OF WHICH ALL HAVE BECOME PARTAKERS, THEN YOU ARE ILLEGITIMATE AND NOT SONS [daughters]" (Hebrews 12:8 NKJV).
This is where believers are differentiated in their relationship with God (Malachi 3:17,18). It is not God Who determines or puts you in the group or category you belong in your relationship with Him, but you yourself. Your response to the Word of God, the practice or the doing of it, determines the group or category of the children of God you automatically fall into or belong.
If you are the type of believer who is indifferent or lacking in interest to the Word of God, the practice or the doing of it; God might still not see you as someone who is ready for a serious relationship with Him. Thus, where the main consecration of a believer begins is the practicing or doing of God's Word—the principles found in the Bible. It is from this point you started getting God's attention.
An example of what is being shared here is:
Where the Bible says you should flee youthful lust or abstain from all appearance of evil or sin (2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:22); you go ahead and practice It—do exactly what the Bible says you should do. It could also be on obedience to Giving or being submissive to the authority under which you are—God's delegated authority over your life or whatever. God wants exact or absolute obedience to His Word.
READ: Acts 15:20,29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Peter 2:11
This is how to be a doer or practicer of the Word of God, the Bible, and doing It would endear you to the heart of God.
I will enjoin you to go and start practicing or living by the principles of the Bible, then, you would see a change manifesting in your relationship with God and in your life in general.
Peace.
Note:
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