Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth:
As Paul was listing some of the trials he faced in the ministry, he wrote, “As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; . . . in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians 6:4, 7). In the spiritual battle, it’s nice to have weapons of righteousness.
All people are born into a world war of good against evil. The good side’s battle plan, God’s Word, reveals that, while this war is fought in many arenas, our fight is ultimately “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Normal, physical weapons are of no avail in such a battle. We need weapons of righteousness.
Christians, by God’s grace, have the privilege of fighting on the winning side (Revelation 20:7–14). As we know, “it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). We are trained and equipped by God to complete our assigned missions in that battle (Psalm 144:1; Ephesians 6:10). Paul refers to the instruments God equips us with as “weapons of righteousness.”
In what way are the weapons linked to “righteousness”? God told the Israelites that their power to defeat the evil nations in Canaan was not due to their own righteousness (Deuteronomy 9:4–6), and in a similar way we Christians are issued our spiritual weapons due entirely to Christ’s righteousness, not our own (Philippians 3:9). “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). To enter a battle without God’s righteousness assures defeat (see Numbers 14:42).
There is no “neutral” side in the spiritual war. All people must choose to join one side or the other, for “no one can serve two masters” (Luke 16:13). Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:50), but He also declared, “Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters” (Luke 11:23). Those statements leave no middle ground—you’re either on one side or the other. So Paul commands, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:14–16).
Second Corinthians 6:3–10 provides the context of Paul’s reference to weapons of righteousness. Here Paul describes the tough life of a devoted warrior for Christ. The hardships he faces are of every kind—spiritual, emotional, and physical—and they are continuous. That’s why he must always carry his “weapons of righteousness” in both hands—right and left are equally occupied.
God has equipped us for the battles we face. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5).
Any gift from God that has power to destroy evil can be described as a “weapon of righteousness.” Here are a few things that can be called a weapon of righteousness:
The Bible. All God’s words are true and righteous (Psalm 119:160, 172) and useful for “training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). That makes the Bible an effective weapon for Christians. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus used God’s Word to defeat Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4:1–11). The word of the Lord is pictured as a sword coming out of His mouth, having power to strike down the nations (Revelation 19:15, 21). God’s Word is one of the “weapons of righteousness” against the forces of hell.
Faith. The Old Testament tells of heroes “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies” (Hebrews 11:33–34). This should not surprise us, since Jesus revealed that even a small amount of faith has enough power to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
Prayer. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Scripture is full of examples of the power of prayer. Summarizing the time of the judges, Nehemiah 9:27 says, “When they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.” By prayer the drought was begun and ended during Elijah’s day (James 5:17–18). By prayer the enemies of Elisha were struck blind (2 Kings 6:18). By prayer Samson achieved victory over the Philistines (Judges 16:28–30).
Goodness. Goodness is another weapon of righteousness. We are instructed to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Sometimes it seems that evil is more powerful, or at least more prevalent, but it is only temporary. One believer, taking a stand on the side of goodness, can turn back much evil. It is important that we “add to our faith goodness,” which empowers us to defeat the evil of the world and the evil within our own sin nature (2 Peter 1:4–5).
Love. All our other weapons of righteousness are worthless without this one, the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30–31); it is even greater than faith (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Love empowers Christians by uniting us, giving us understanding, encouragement, and joy (Colossians 2:2–3; Philemon 1:4–7). We are to trust in God’s love, and it will protect us from evil (Psalm 17:7; 52:8; 61:7) just as surely as it cleansed us from sin and defeated Satan’s plans against us (Psalm 103:10–12; John 3:16; Revelation 12:10).
In addition to the weapons of righteousness, Christians are supplied with the “full armor of God” to empower us mere humans to stand against Satan himself and all the forces of hell (Ephesians 6:10–17). Our protective gear includes the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the shield of faith, plus one offensive weapon, our sword, the Word of God (verse 17). We, the church, are to be on the offense, God’s army against whom the gates of hell cannot prevail (Matthew 16:18).
War is marked by death. Our Savior conquered death, then gave to us that same power over death and all other threats. Therefore, we “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39).
Terwyl Paulus van die beproewinge wat hy in die bediening in die gesig gestaar het, opgenoem het, het hy geskryf: “As dienaars van God beveel ons ons in alles aan: in groot volharding, in moeilikhede, ontberinge en benoudhede, … in waarheid en in die krag van God, met die wapens van geregtigheid in die regter- en linkerhand” (2 Korintiërs 6:4, 7). In die geestelike stryd is dit lekker om wapens van geregtigheid te hê.
Alle mense word gebore in ‘n wêreldoorlog van goed teen kwaad. Die goeie kant se strydplan, God se Woord, openbaar dat, terwyl hierdie oorlog in baie arenas gevoer word, ons stryd uiteindelik “nie teen vlees en bloed is nie, maar teen die owerhede, teen die magte, teen die wêreldheersers van die duisternis van hierdie eeu en teen die bose geeste in die hemele” (Efesiërs 6:12). Normale, fisiese wapens is van geen nut in so ‘n stryd nie. Ons het wapens van geregtigheid nodig.
Christene het, deur God se genade, die voorreg om aan die wenkant te veg (Openbaring 20:7–14). Soos ons weet, “die Here red nie deur swaard of spies nie, want die stryd is aan die Here” (1 Samuel 17:47). Ons word deur God opgelei en toegerus om ons toegewyse missies in daardie stryd te voltooi (Psalm 144:1; Efesiërs 6:10). Paulus verwys na die instrumente waarmee God ons toerus as “wapens van geregtigheid”.
Op watter manier word die wapens gekoppel aan “geregtigheid”? God het vir die Israeliete gesê dat hul mag om die bose nasies in Kanaän te verslaan nie te danke was aan hul eie geregtigheid nie (Deuteronomium 9:4–6), en op ‘n soortgelyke manier word ons Christene ons geestelike wapens gegee geheel en al as gevolg van Christus se geregtigheid, nie ons eie nie (Filippense 3:9). “God het Hom wat geen sonde gehad het nie, vir ons sonde gemaak, sodat ons in Hom geregtigheid van God kan word” (2 Korintiërs 5:21). Om ‘n stryd sonder God se geregtigheid te betree, verseker nederlaag (sien Numeri 14:42).
Daar is geen “neutrale” kant in die geestelike oorlog nie. Alle mense moet kies om by die een kant of die ander aan te sluit, want “niemand kan twee here dien nie” (Lukas 16:13). Jesus het vir Sy dissipels gesê: “Wie nie teen julle is nie, is vir julle” (Lukas 9:50), maar Hy het ook verklaar: “Wie nie met My is nie, is teen My; en wie nie saam met My versamel nie, verstrooi” (Lukas 11:23). Daardie stellings laat geen middelgrond nie – jy is óf aan die een kant óf aan die ander. Paulus beveel dus: “Moenie saam met ongelowiges in ‘n juk trek nie. Want wat het geregtigheid en goddeloosheid in gemeen? Of watter gemeenskap het lig met duisternis? Watter harmonie is daar tussen Christus en Belial? Of wat het ‘n gelowige in gemeen met ‘n ongelowige? Watter ooreenkoms is daar tussen die tempel van God en afgode? Want ons is die tempel van die lewende God” (2 Korintiërs 6:14–16).
Tweede Korintiërs 6:3–10 verskaf die konteks van Paulus se verwysing na wapens van geregtigheid. Hier beskryf Paulus die moeilike lewe van ‘n toegewyde kryger vir Christus. Die ontberinge wat hy in die gesig staar, is van alle soorte—geestelik, emosioneel en fisies—en hulle is voortdurend. Daarom moet hy altyd sy “wapens van geregtigheid” in albei hande dra—regs en links is ewe veel besig.
God het ons toegerus vir die gevegte wat ons in die gesig staar. “Want hoewel ons in die wêreld leef, voer ons nie oorlog soos die wêreld nie. Die wapens waarmee ons veg, is nie die wapens van die wêreld nie. Inteendeel, hulle het goddelike krag om vestings af te breek. Ons breek argumente af en elke aanstellerigheid wat teen die kennis van God opgestel word, en ons neem elke gedagte gevange om dit aan Christus gehoorsaam te maak” (2 Korintiërs 10:3–5).
Enige gawe van God wat die krag het om die bose te vernietig, kan beskryf word as ‘n “wapen van geregtigheid.” Hier is ‘n paar dinge wat ‘n wapen van geregtigheid genoem kan word:
Die Bybel. Al God se woorde is waar en regverdig (Psalm 119:160, 172) en nuttig vir “oefening in geregtigheid” (2 Timoteus 3:16). Dit maak die Bybel ‘n effektiewe wapen vir Christene. “Want die woord van God is lewend en kragtig en skerper as enige tweesnydende swaard en dring deur tot die skeiding van siel en gees en gewrigte en murg; dit beoordeel die gedagtes en gesindhede van die hart” (Hebreërs 4:12). Jesus het God se Woord gebruik om Satan se versoekings te verslaan (Matteus 4:1–11). Die woord van die Here word uitgebeeld as ‘n swaard wat uit Sy mond kom en die mag het om die nasies neer te slaan (Openbaring 19:15, 21). God se Woord is een van die “wapens van geregtigheid” teen die magte van die hel.
Geloof. Die Ou Testament vertel van helde “wat deur geloof koninkryke verower het, geregtigheid gepleeg het en verkry het wat belowe is; wat die bekke van leeus toegemaak het, die woede van die vlamme geblus het en aan die skerpte van die swaard ontkom het; wie se swakheid in krag verander is; en wat magtig geword het in die oorlog en vreemde leërs op die vlug gejaag het” (Hebreërs 11:33–34). Dit behoort ons nie te verbaas nie, aangesien Jesus geopenbaar het dat selfs ‘n klein hoeveelheid geloof genoeg krag het om berge te versit (Matteus 17:20). “Elkeen wat uit God gebore is, oorwin die wêreld. Dit is die oorwinning wat die wêreld oorwin het, naamlik ons geloof” (1 Johannes 5:4).
Gebed. “Die gebed van ‘n regverdige is kragtig en doeltreffend” (Jakobus 5:16). Die Skrif is vol voorbeelde van die krag van gebed. Nehemia 9:27 som die tyd van die rigters op en sê: “Toe hulle verdruk was, het hulle na U geroep. Uit die hemel het U hulle gehoor en in u groot barmhartigheid aan hulle verlossers gegee, wat hulle uit die hand van hul vyande gered het.” Deur gebed is die droogte begin en geëindig gedurende Elia se tyd (Jakobus 5:17–18). Deur gebed is die vyande van Elisa met blindheid geslaan (2 Konings 6:18). Deur gebed het Simson die oorwinning oor die Filistyne behaal (Rigters 16:28–30).
Goedheid. Goedheid is nog ‘n wapen van geregtigheid. Ons word opdrag gegee om “die kwaad met die goeie te oorwin” (Romeine 12:21). Soms lyk dit asof die kwaad kragtiger is, of ten minste meer algemeen, maar dit is slegs tydelik. Een gelowige wat ‘n standpunt aan die kant van die goedheid inneem, kan baie kwaad afwend. Dit is belangrik dat ons “goedheid by ons geloof voeg”, wat ons bemagtig om die boosheid van die wêreld en die boosheid in ons eie sondige natuur te verslaan (2 Petrus 1:4–5).
Liefde. Al ons ander wapens van geregtigheid is waardeloos sonder hierdie een, die grootste gebod (Markus 12:30–31); dit is selfs groter as geloof (1 Korintiërs 13:1–3). Dit is ‘n vrug van die Heilige Gees (Galasiërs 5:22). “Want die Gees wat God ons gegee het, maak ons nie lafhartig nie, maar gee ons krag en liefde en selfbeheersing” (2 Timoteus 1:7). Liefde bemagtig Christene deur ons te verenig, ons begrip, bemoediging en vreugde te gee (Kolossense 2:2–3; Filemon 1:4–7). Ons moet op God se liefde vertrou, en dit sal ons van die bose beskerm (Psalm 17:7; 52:8; 61:7) net so seker as wat dit ons van sonde gereinig het en Satan se planne teen ons verydel het (Psalm 103:10–12; Johannes 3:16; Openbaring 12:10).
Benewens die wapens van geregtigheid, word Christene voorsien van die “volle wapenrusting van God” om ons as blote mense te bemagtig om teen Satan self en al die magte van die hel te staan (Efesiërs 6:10–17). Ons beskermende toerusting sluit die borsharnas van geregtigheid, die helm van verlossing en die skild van geloof in, plus een aanvalswapen, ons swaard, die Woord van God (vers 17). Ons, die kerk, moet aanvallend wees, God se leër teen wie die poorte van die hel nie kan standhou nie (Matteus 16:18).
Oorlog word gekenmerk deur die dood. Ons Verlosser het die dood oorwin en toe aan ons dieselfde mag oor die dood en alle ander bedreigings gegee. Daarom is ons “meer as oorwinnaars deur Hom wat ons liefgehad het. Want ek is versekerd dat geen dood of lewe of engele of demone of die hede of die toekoms of enige magte of hoogte of diepte of enigiets anders in die hele skepping ons sal kan skei van die liefde van God wat daar in Christus Jesus, onse Here, is nie” (Romeine 8:37–39).
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today;
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10
Prayer
Lord , Thank You For the Holy Spirit that You have sent to Us , after Jesus Left to Prepare a Place for Us , to be with You one Day . Thank You in Jesus name . Amen and Amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Maar God het dit aan ons deur sy Gees geopenbaar, want die Gees ondersoek alle dinge, ook die dieptes van God.
1 Korintiërs 2:10
Gebed
Here, dankie vir die Heilige Gees wat U na ons gestuur het nadat Jesus weg is om vir ons ‘n plek voor te berei, om eendag by U te wees. Dankie in Jesus se Naam. Amen en Amen.
Bible Teaching of the Day
To be indecisive usually means to have a difficult time making up one’s mind. Indecision can also apply to team collaboration in which no solution is reached. An indecisive issue is one that is not clearly marked out. We are indecisive when we are irresolute or lack strong conviction about a matter. Indecisiveness is common when we have to make a decision that will result in unpleasant consequences. There are times when remaining indecisive is wise. We may lack all the information, for example, or the issue is of little importance and an opinion would only be divisive. However, for the most part, indecision shows a lack of willingness to commit to absolute principles and to speak up for those principles. In that sense, indecision is a weakness (John 12:43).
Several places in Scripture show the folly of indecision. Lot’s wife perished because of her inability to decide between Sodom and obedience to God (Genesis 19:26). Joshua reminded the people of Israel of the necessity of choosing sides concerning their worship, and he clearly stated his decision: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). On Mount Carmel, as the prophet Elijah confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal, he addressed the fence-sitting, indecisive Israelites: “Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing” (1 Kings 18:21). Under conviction by the Holy Spirit, Felix refused to make a decision and sent Paul away until a time more “convenient” (Acts 24:25). Jesus warned us that “no one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
Romans 14:5 addresses indecisiveness about personal convictions: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” God has given us His Word to instruct us in vital matters (Psalm 32:8; 119:105), but He leaves room for personal opinion and conviction in lesser matters as we strive to be pleasing to Him in all things. What the Bible does not condone is wishy-washiness. When we pray for wisdom, we are to believe that God hears and will answer (1 John 5:15; James 1:5). When we ask in harmony with God’s will, we must “ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). In other words, faithless prayer is spiritual indecisiveness.
We must seek wisdom in order to know what issues are worth being decisive about (Proverbs 2:2–6). Social media blazes with scorching opinions on every subject, but many of those fueling the fires would benefit from being more indecisive. Our culture has substituted opinion for truth and passion for conviction. We need not have a hard and fast opinion on every subject, nor feel pressured to “take a side” when we lack all the information or education on an issue. Taking time to hear all sides of a matter is a mark of wisdom (Proverbs 18:13, 17).
But when it comes to the basic tenets of the gospel or the infallibility of God’s Word, we must not be indecisive (2 Timothy 3:16; John 17:17). More information is available to us than ever before in history, so there is no excuse for a Christian to be ignorant about God’s standards on the moral, civic, and relational topics of our day. Much spiritual indecisiveness is motivated by the fear of man, not a lack of knowledge (Galatians 1:10).
When we adopt the mindset that our opinion can challenge the time-tested declarations of God, we are creating an atmosphere of indecision where it need not exist. Simply because a biblical standard makes us uncomfortable or conflicts with political correctness does not mean we should be indecisive about it.
The minds of healthy Christians are settled on the things that matter and humbly teachable on the things that don’t. They continue to study to show themselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15) so that they form godly convictions about even the “gray areas” of life. They are careful not to judge others who serve God differently (Romans 14:1–4), but they are decisive about God’s plan for their own lives. When we live in ways that are true to those convictions, we will not be shaken by every new idea or cultural whim (Matthew 7:24–27). Indecisiveness about what God has declared to be true has no place in the life of a Christian.
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Om besluiteloos te wees, beteken gewoonlik om dit moeilik te vind om jou besluit te neem. Besluiteloosheid kan ook van toepassing wees op spansamewerking waarin geen oplossing bereik word nie. ‘n Besluitelose kwessie is een wat nie duidelik uitgestippel is nie. Ons is besluiteloos wanneer ons besluiteloos is of nie sterk oortuiging oor ‘n saak het nie. Besluiteloosheid is algemeen wanneer ons ‘n besluit moet neem wat onaangename gevolge tot gevolg sal hê. Daar is tye wanneer dit wys is om besluiteloos te bly. Ons mag byvoorbeeld nie al die inligting hê nie, of die kwessie is van min belang en ‘n mening sal slegs verdelend wees. Vir die grootste deel toon besluiteloosheid egter ‘n gebrek aan bereidwilligheid om jou tot absolute beginsels te verbind en vir daardie beginsels op te staan. In daardie sin is besluiteloosheid ‘n swakheid (Johannes 12:43).
Verskeie plekke in die Skrif toon die dwaasheid van besluiteloosheid. Lot se vrou het omgekom weens haar onvermoë om tussen Sodom en gehoorsaamheid aan God te besluit (Genesis 19:26). Josua het die volk van Israel herinner aan die noodsaaklikheid om kant te kies rakende hul aanbidding, en hy het sy besluit duidelik gestel: “Kies vandag vir julle wie julle wil dien, of die gode wat julle voorvaders anderkant die Eufraat gedien het, of die gode van die Amoriete in wie se land julle woon. Maar ek en my huisgesin, ons sal die HERE dien” (Josua 24:15). Op die berg Karmel, toe die profeet Elia Agab en die profete van Baäl gekonfronteer het, het hy die besluitelose Israeliete aangespreek: “Elia het voor die volk uitgegaan en gesê: ‘Hoe lank sal julle op twee gedagtes twyfel? As die HERE God is, volg Hom; maar as Baäl God is, volg hom.’ Maar die volk het niks gesê nie” (1 Konings 18:21). Onder oortuiging deur die Heilige Gees het Felix geweier om ‘n besluit te neem en Paulus weggestuur tot ‘n tyd wat meer “gerieflik” is (Handelinge 24:25). Jesus het ons gewaarsku dat “niemand twee here kan dien nie” (Matteus 6:24).
Romeine 14:5 spreek besluiteloosheid oor persoonlike oortuigings aan: “Die een beskou die een dag as heilig as die ander, en die ander as elke dag as gelyk. Elkeen moet in sy eie gedagtes ten volle oortuig wees.” God het ons Sy Woord gegee om ons in belangrike sake te onderrig (Psalm 32:8; 119:105), maar Hy laat ruimte vir persoonlike menings en oortuiging in kleiner sake terwyl ons daarna streef om Hom in alles te behaag. Wat die Bybel nie goedkeur nie, is wispelturigheid. Wanneer ons vir wysheid bid, moet ons glo dat God hoor en sal antwoord (1 Johannes 5:15; Jakobus 1:5). Wanneer ons in ooreenstemming met God se wil vra, moet ons “in geloof vra sonder om te twyfel, want die twyfelende is soos die branders van die see wat deur die wind gedryf en voortgesweep word” (Jakobus 1:6). Met ander woorde, ongelowige gebed is geestelike besluiteloosheid.
Ons moet wysheid soek om te weet oor watter kwessies dit die moeite werd is om beslissend te wees (Spreuke 2:2–6). Sosiale media brand met skroeiende menings oor elke onderwerp, maar baie van diegene wat die vure aanwakker, sal baat vind by meer besluiteloosheid. Ons kultuur het mening vir waarheid vervang en passie vir oortuiging. Ons hoef nie ‘n harde en vaste mening oor elke onderwerp te hê nie, en ook nie gedruk te voel om “‘n kant te kies” wanneer ons nie al die inligting of opvoeding oor ‘n kwessie het nie. Om tyd te neem om alle kante van ‘n saak te hoor, is ‘n teken van wysheid (Spreuke 18:13, 17).
Maar wanneer dit kom by die basiese beginsels van die evangelie of die onfeilbaarheid van God se Woord, moet ons nie besluiteloos wees nie (2 Timoteus 3:16; Johannes 17:17). Meer inligting is vir ons beskikbaar as ooit tevore in die geskiedenis, dus is daar geen verskoning vir ‘n Christen om onkundig te wees oor God se standaarde oor die morele, burgerlike en verhoudingsonderwerpe van ons tyd nie. Baie geestelike besluiteloosheid word gemotiveer deur die vrees vir die mens, nie ‘n gebrek aan kennis nie (Galasiërs 1:10).
Wanneer ons die denkwyse aanneem dat ons opinie die tydgetoetste verklarings van God kan uitdaag, skep ons ‘n atmosfeer van besluiteloosheid waar dit nie hoef te bestaan nie. Bloot omdat ‘n Bybelse standaard ons ongemaklik maak of bots met politieke korrektheid, beteken dit nie dat ons besluiteloos daaroor moet wees nie.
Die denke van gesonde Christene is gevestig op die dinge wat saak maak en nederig leerbaar oor die dinge wat nie saak maak nie. Hulle gaan voort om te studeer om hulself goedgekeur voor God te toon (2 Timoteus 2:15) sodat hulle goddelike oortuigings vorm oor selfs die “grys areas” van die lewe. Hulle is versigtig om nie ander te oordeel wat God anders dien nie (Romeine 14:1-4), maar hulle is beslissend oor God se plan vir hul eie lewens. Wanneer ons op maniere leef wat getrou is aan daardie oortuigings, sal ons nie geskud word deur elke nuwe idee of kulturele grillerigheid nie (Matteus 7:24-27). Besluiteloosheid oor wat God as waar verklaar het, het geen plek in die lewe van ‘n Christen nie.
Today’s Devotional
God’s desire for all who know Him is for us to become more like Christ. We do this by first growing in our knowledge of Christ. It stands to reason that we cannot grow to be like someone we don’t know. The deeper our knowledge of Christ, the deeper our understanding of Him, and the more like Him we become. Among other reasons, we are to know and understand Christ so that we will be secure in the faith.
The Apostle Paul reiterates this truth in Ephesians 4:14-16: “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” This fact is repeated once more in 2 Peter 3:17-18: “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” These passages show us that growing in the knowledge of Christ will preserve us from faith-destroying error.
Of course, knowledge alone will not produce a Christlike character. The knowledge we gain from God’s Word must impact our hearts and convict us of the need to obey what we have learned. Romans 12:1-2 tells us emphatically that the process of filling our minds with the knowledge of God not only brings us closer to Christlikeness, but obedience to that knowledge aligns us with the perfect will of God: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The natural consequence of knowing and obeying God is that He becomes greater and greater, while we become less and less as we yield control of our lives to Him. Just as John the Baptist knew that “[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), so the Christian grows to reflect more of Christ and less of his own nature. Luke sums it up best when he describes what Jesus told His disciples: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). The cross was an instrument of death, and Jesus encourages us to take up our cross in order to put to death our old sin nature upon it. God wants us to forget about this world and all its temporary pleasures and be obedient to His Word. Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1), and the Bible is God’s written Word. Therefore, conforming to the Word of God is conforming to Christ.
It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ starts by receiving Him as Savior from our sins. Then we grow in our knowledge of God by reading the Bible daily, studying it, and being obedient to what it says. This process causes us to grow and occurs over an entire lifetime in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.
Vandag se Bemoediging
God se begeerte vir almal wat Hom ken, is dat ons meer soos Christus moet word. Ons doen dit deur eers te groei in ons kennis van Christus. Dit spreek vanself dat ons nie kan groei om soos iemand te wees wat ons nie ken nie. Hoe dieper ons kennis van Christus is, hoe dieper ons begrip van Hom, en hoe meer soos Hy word ons. Onder andere redes moet ons Christus ken en verstaan sodat ons veilig in die geloof sal wees.
Die apostel Paulus herhaal hierdie waarheid in Efesiërs 4:14-16: “Dan sal ons nie meer kinders wees wat heen en weer geslinger en heen en weer gewaai word deur elke wind van lering en deur die slinksheid en listigheid van die mense in hulle dwaling nie. Maar terwyl ons in liefde die waarheid betrag, sal ons in alles opgroei in Hom wat die Hoof is, naamlik Christus. Uit Hom sal die hele liggaam, saamgevoeg en saamgebind deur elke steunpilaar, groei en opbou in liefde, volgens die werk van elke lid.” Hierdie feit word weer eens herhaal in 2 Petrus 3:17-18: “Geliefdes, noudat julle dit weet, moet julle op julle hoede wees dat julle nie meegesleep word deur die dwaling van wettelose mense en uit julle veilige posisie val nie. Maar laat julle toeneem in die genade en kennis van onse Here en Verlosser Jesus Christus. Aan Hom behoort die heerlikheid, nou en tot in ewigheid! Amen.” Hierdie gedeeltes wys vir ons dat groei in die kennis van Christus ons sal bewaar van geloofsondermynende dwaling.
Natuurlik sal kennis alleen nie ‘n Christusagtige karakter voortbring nie. Die kennis wat ons uit God se Woord verkry, moet ons harte beïnvloed en ons oortuig van die noodsaaklikheid om te gehoorsaam wat ons geleer het. Romeine 12:1-2 sê vir ons nadruklik dat die proses om ons gedagtes met die kennis van God te vul, ons nie net nader aan Christus-gelykvormigheid bring nie, maar gehoorsaamheid aan daardie kennis bring ons in lyn met die perfekte wil van God: “Daarom vermaan ek julle, broeders, op grond van God se barmhartigheid: Gee julle liggame as lewende, heilige en aanneemlike offers aan God. Dit is julle geestelike daad van aanbidding. Julle moet nie langer aan hierdie wêreld voldoen nie, maar word verander deur die vernuwing van julle gemoed. Dan sal julle kan onderskei wat die wil van God is, naamlik sy goeie, welgevallige en volmaakte wil.”
Die natuurlike gevolg van die ken en gehoorsaamheid van God is dat Hy groter en groter word, terwyl ons minder en minder word soos ons beheer oor ons lewens aan Hom oorgee. Net soos Johannes die Doper geweet het dat “[Jesus] moet meer word, maar ek minder word” (Johannes 3:30), so groei die Christen om meer van Christus en minder van sy eie natuur te weerspieël. Lukas som dit die beste op wanneer hy beskryf wat Jesus vir Sy dissipels gesê het: “As iemand agter My aan wil kom, moet hy homself verloën en sy kruis elke dag opneem en My volg. Want elkeen wat sy lewe wil red, sal dit verloor; maar elkeen wat sy lewe vir My verloor, sal dit red” (Lukas 9:23-24). Die kruis was ‘n instrument van die dood, en Jesus moedig ons aan om ons kruis op te neem om ons ou sondige natuur daarop dood te maak. God wil hê ons moet van hierdie wêreld en al sy tydelike plesiere vergeet en gehoorsaam wees aan Sy Woord. Jesus is die lewende Woord (Johannes 1:1), en die Bybel is God se geskrewe Woord. Daarom is om aan die Woord van God te voldoen, om aan Christus te voldoen.
Dit is belangrik om te besef dat om meer soos Christus te word, begin deur Hom as Verlosser van ons sondes te ontvang. Dan groei ons in ons kennis van God deur die Bybel daagliks te lees, dit te bestudeer en gehoorsaam te wees aan wat dit sê. Hierdie proses veroorsaak dat ons groei en vind oor ‘n hele leeftyd in Christus plaas. Slegs wanneer ons die Hemel vir ewig saam met God binnegegaan het, bereik hierdie proses sy hoogtepunt.
The Collectors of Manna – Women of the Word // Gaarders van Manna – Vroue van die woord
Dilize Light has Managed a TruLight Ladies Group on Telegram for the Past 6 Years and from Today . she will be Sharing her Manna with the Ladies in The TruLight Daily Manna Platform . Dilize is the only Daughter of Pastor Dirk and has been part of the Ministry since the age of 11 . Dilize is also the Radio Host for the Popular TruLight Top 10 that airs on TruLight Radio XM saturdays at 17h00′
Dilize Light bestuur die afgelope 6 jaar ‘n TruLight Damesgroep op Telegram en van vandag af sal sy haar Manna met die Dames deel op die TruLight Daaglikse Manna-platform. Dilize is die enigste dogter van Pastoor Dirk en is deel van die bediening sedert die ouderdom van 11. Dilize is ook die radio-aanbieder vir die gewilde TruLight Top 10 wat Saterdae om 17:00 op TruLight Radio XM uitgesaai word.
Hiervoor Het Ek Jesus:
Daar is net nooit ń probleemvrye seisoen in ons lewens nie, maar soms is die aanslag angswekkend.
God weet presies wat jy vandag in die gesig staar. Jesaja herinner ons daaraan dat God se kennis van ons so intiem is dat dit is asof ons name op die palms van Sy hande geskryf is. Ons kan soms die behoeftes van ander verwaarloos, selfs diegene wat die naaste aan ons is, God is bewus van elke detail van ons lewens. En Hy het sy Gees aan ons gegee om ons te lei, te vertroos en te versterk.
Dink aan die uitdagings wat jy op hierdie oomblik in die gesig staar, en skryf dan hierdie woorde langs elkeen as ‘n herinnering aan Sy getrouheid en sorg: “Hiervoor het ek Jesus.
Die lewe kry perspektief in die lig van Christus.
For This I Have Jesus:
There is never a problem-free season in our lives, but sometimes the onslaught is terrifying.
God knows exactly what you are facing today. Isaiah reminds us that God’s knowledge of us is so intimate that it is as if our names are written on the palms of His hands. We may sometimes neglect the needs of others, even those closest to us, but God is aware of every detail of our lives. And He has given us His Spirit to guide, comfort, and strengthen us.
Think of the challenges you are facing right now, and then write these words next to each one as a reminder of His faithfulness and care: “For this I have Jesus.”
Life gains perspective in the light of Christ.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV = Movie Time – Amazing Love: The Story of Hosea
A Youth Pastor (Sean Astin) and his wife (Erin Bethea) take 5 teens on a weekend camping trip. A conflict results between two of them and creates tension in the camp. To try and resolve this, the Youth Pastor tells the teens the story of the Old Testament prophet, Hosea. At first the teens don’t want to hear it, but as he proceeds with the story, they become more interested. The story flashes back to Israel and shows Hosea’s great commitment to God and unconditional love for his wife. This movie offers real inspiration through the character of Hosea and also has a touching gospel presentation showing the great love of Christ.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
TruLight Radio XM 24/7
Program
GMT / UTC +2
Saturday
6:00 Wake up with the Lord
8:15 Principals of Living
9:15 Hope of the Heart
10:15 Dacus Report
11:15 Growing Hope
12:15 Unshackled
13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:00 Knowing Jesus Christ
15:15 Live in the Light
16:15 Renewing my Mind
17:00 The TruLight Top 10 hosted by Dilize Light
18:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
19:00 Gaither Homecoming Show
20:00 God will Provide Testimonies
21:00 The Daren Streblow Comedy Show
21:30 Good Old Country Gospel
21:45 Bible Reading
22:00 Nightsounds
VISIT THE WEBSITE
https://TruLightRadioXM.org.za
TruLight Ministry News
TruLight Ministries orders from God since 2012 . Teach Them , Comfort Them and Warn Them!
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TruLight Ministries opdrag vanaf God sedert 2012. Leer hulle, Troos hulle en Waarsku hulle!
At TruLight Ministries, we have developed a valuable online platform known as End Time Prayers, House of Prayer, exclusively for you. This resource website is designed to provide you with a comprehensive collection of prayers and spiritual guidance to navigate through the challenging times we are living in. 2. Discover the incredible resource website, End Time Prayers, House of Prayer, brought to you by TruLight Ministries. This platform has been meticulously crafted to offer you a wide range of prayers and spiritual support tailored specifically for the current era we find ourselves in.
Available in titles in both Afrikaans and English, such as Prescription Prayers for the End Times, Prayer Studies, The 2 Way Prayer, Prayer of Thanksgiving, Prayer for Healing, and Prayer for Deliverance. Whether you are looking to strengthen your faith, find comfort in times of need, or simply express gratitude, these titles provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you on your spiritual journey.
Visit Website – www.endtimeprayers.co.za
Bible Prophecy in the News –
UK and France Push Toward Palestinian State Recognition, Amid Revelations of Hamas Ties and Legal Contradictions
While presented as a humanitarian and diplomatic gesture, critics argue the move rewards Hamas, violates existing peace agreements, and even contradicts international law—all while exposing deep inconsistencies in the very framework used to define Palestinian identity and statehood.
JEZEBEL VISITS THE WESTERN WALL
The Doctrine of Demons called Christian Zionist Evangelical Leader Paula White-Cain Visits Western Wall, Expresses Solidarity with Israel
“It is my honor to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and this sacred land. This is not just a visit—it is a spiritual alignment with God’s promises and the covenant of His people.”
https://sheriffofthechurch.co.za/doctrines-of-demons/the-christian-zionist-movement
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