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| Copyright Protected. Kelvin Joseph. |
"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light."
Jesus calls us to be a light to the world by doing good so that people will give GOD the glory for what they are seeing. Then, in John 18:12 Jesus says that He is the Light of the world and that those who choose to follow Him will never walk in darkness. Why would Jesus say that we are to be the light of the world and then later say that He is the light of the world?
It's because He is giving us a portrait of worship - doing as He did in order to bring Glory to GOD! One of the most attractive characteristics of Jesus is that He never asks us to do or endure anything that He Himself has not already experienced.
Jesus wanted to show the Jews that worship wasn't about meeting at the temple, it's not about paying the right tax - it's about walking in worship. It's about embracing our redeemed identity in Christ in order to wear the armour of light.
Why then, do we find ourselves walking in darkness?
I believe that it's because we misunderstand worship. Worship cannot be an event, or even a series of events. It's not the time that we spend at church, or the act of singing songs. Worship is an ongoing choice to bring Glory to GOD by offering Him our lives in a personal relationship with Him.
All too often worship becomes a slave to the music, when actually music should serve worship. This means that when I sing songs in worship, I am expressing my worship and glorification to GOD through music.
When we understand this we can apply elsewhere too - for example: GOSSIP...
When someone wants to gossip to me it's easy to get sucked in and hear them out, but that would be choosing accept the gossip and to put aside the armour of light. Instead, I should rather choose my words to build that person up and encourage them without engaging in a conversation that is bringing someone else down.
This does two things: firstly, it encourages that person immediately; and secondly, it creates an environment where GOD is glorified. WHY??
Jesus was the ultimate encourager! His GRACE is the biggest motivational agent for change in our world. When we build into others, we do as Christ did. When we do as Christ did, we're putting on the armour of light! When we shine The Light, people will give glory to GOD in heaven.
Encouraging people, as Jesus did, doesn't have to be from a pulpit or a place of man-made authority. Jesus told His followers at the end of Matthew that He would give them the authority to train and encourage others in this way of life!
May I encourage you today to put on the armour of light - Christ - and live within His righteousness to worship and bring glory to Him in your everyday life!
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