This one is titled: Surrounding ourselves with the word of God.
We all kind of agree that we have an insight of what this article is talking about just from reading the title. Without further ado, let's briefly look at it in it's entirety.
The seed and it's ecosystem analogy
The environment a seed is planted in has a huge role to play in the growth and development of that seed.
A seed might have the best atmospheric conditions necessary to cause growth and development, but the soil factor might stand in the way. It might grow a little and because the root is not well grounded, it will only last a short while. A few days on, you'll wonder what ever happened to the flower that once caught the attention of pedestrians with it's colour and radiance.
Sorry to bother you with this basic biology, but this same thing happens to the budding Christian faithful today.
A man or woman who was once burning with the zeal for the gospel suddenly drops and becomes so cold that you no longer see any trace of God's nature in them.
They become a shadow of themselves. The word of God planted in them wasn't so rooted afterall.
Most of the time, we confess God with our lips. Might I also add that this is a social media generation as well.
We also confess God on our status updates, news feeds or whatever they name them these days. But these confessions don't go past our rooftops.
Prior to obeying the call to become Christians, we lead a certain lifestyle and did some things that are not supposed to be mentioned in us as new creation people. But today, we openly confess God and still struggle to stand on our confessions.
We also have churches today that teach people to be comfortable or embrace their old selves. They preach that change only happens "internally". This is the gospel that the world loves.
We all want to be Christians while still keeping our ungodly lifestyle.
Can darkness and light be together?
No! Tufiakwa [God forbid]!
2 Corinthians 6:16-17 says:
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you
This [Verse 17] is not a charge to run away from non-christians nor despise them whenever you meet them. It is a charge to truly change from your old ways.
Do you also know that a seed can be planted with the right soil and all the nutrients required, but another plant with thorns nearby can cause the untimely end of that plant?
Be vigilant and be watchful.
You should learn to guard your heart. As you pray daily for God to strengthen you, you should also be watchful for the tiny looking strings that might be strong cords that will pull you out of the race.
You have to surround yourself with the word of God. This does not literally mean pasting scriptures on the walls of your house and reading them daily. No.
Your choice of music, books, friends, places you visit and lots more should reflect or conform to the nature of God.
God is the core or centre-focus of a believer's life. Every decision revolves around him.
He (God) has a say in every aspect of your life. This is when we can truly say: "his life is our life". This is when we can really call ourselves children of God.
We work in God's light and become father pleasers.
James 1:22 says:
“But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
We might put up a façade and even speak in tongues in the churches. But if we still live our lives in the past, we deceive ourselves.
Be strong. Be prayerful and watchful because the devil will come to steal the very gift of salvation that God has given to you freely.
You'll be tested and might face some really serious situations but God's grace is sufficient for you in all situations.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the next one. Take care!
Thanks for reading: Surrounding Ourselves with the Word of God: The shield in our time of need, Sorry, my English is bad:)