Is it the end time? Some Christians ask today. Answer: Arise and shine!

As a watchman for God I have been watching history being made, just as prophesied. Has the end time started, I have also asked. Yet, I know a lot of souls are not ready for the end time machine to start its engine. Even the younger members in our families all over the world. They are all saved and will go to heaven, but some may not be sufficiently fortified to face the tribulations. Some Christians believe they will be raised first to heaven (rapture) before the tribulations so there is no need to prepare for the hard and terrible times. I too, once believed that this pre-tribulation rapture is for all Christians.

But it does not make sense. (1) If Christians do not have to go through the end time tribulations, then there is no need for the apostle John to have the instruction from Jesus to write the last book of the Bible, the Revelation. (2) What makes Christians so special? We are all saved by faith through grace, a gift from God, not due to any merit on our part. No one is deserving to be saved. (3) What is the purpose of Christians living on earth? We are purposed by God to help those who are unsaved and still have a chance to be saved! Why? Because God loves the whole mankind and does not wish anyone to go to hell and be separated from God forever. What is the point of those Christians who are still alive, living on earth when tribulations start? I believe those Christians who witness the end time will be required to stay behind to take care of the unsaved who still have a chance to be saved.

The Bible clearly states that there is an appointed time for everyone to live and die (Ecclesiastes 3:2). There is 100% chance (either yes or no) that the end can start anytime. A Christian is required to live like it can start any moment, according to Jesus. What happens if it starts and we or some members in our families are not ready? The problem is many members in many families are baby Christians and are not ready for end time. The tribulations require Christians who can walk supernaturally, spiritually and physically, and live divine, with discernment and intelligence and wisdom to rise above all manmade systems and access limitless resources for that time. Many Christians do not know that and cannot do it yet.

So I have been praying to the Lord for redeemed time for the number of Gentile Christians required to do this task to get ready. Otherwise how else can they help others if they themselves need help? I believe God hears prayers and knows the condition we are in. There are remnants to be saved in the tribulations. The Gentile Christians allowed to stay alive at that time in the number planned by God, are expected to help the remnants get through the tribulations and be saved. That is why I am hopeful that the end time machine has not yet started its engine. (Romans 11:25 “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.“)

On the other hand, I have observed that the events of the world are forcing their way ahead and trying to accelerate the process heading the end. All observant sober Christians would have noted that too. Some who have escaped oppressions from one realm to another realm now find that they seem to have nowhere to go if the last free realm loses its ground. Some are in despair and some are weeping. Where is the promised land on earth? (Read Matthew 11:12 From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.)

Over a decade ago, I received these words about God’s righteous and just nature. I prayed these verses and meditated and proclaimed them. Lately they have emerged clearly in my spirit. I pray you too, receive revelations at a time like this wherever you are, my dear brethren and friends.

The verses are quoted according to their chapter sequence. I would urge each of you to pray and ask the Lord’s Spirit to reveal to you the correct spiritual sequence and meditate and pray them. Open your Bible and read each verse with its context as well, always bearing in mind that Jesus has fulfilled the righteous requirement for those who believe in Him. Some verses speak of the ungodly hypocrites, and what will happen to them. Jesus spoke of the wheats and the weeds are allowed to grow up together because uprooting one prematurely may uproot the other too. History shows that Christians are similarly adversely affected because we live in their neighborhood, like Abraham’s nephew, Lot’s case. Jesus did not ask God to take Christians out of this world.  We are in the world though not of the world. We really need wisdom and understanding of how to apply the words of God to live the super-abundant powerful kingdom of God lives Jesus has promised, and train our children to be strong and wise and ready anytime.

My brief notes are in brackets at the end of each verse.

Isaiah 1:21 [ The Degenerate City ] How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. (God reprimands the once godly city which has turned against God’s way)

Isaiah 1:26 I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (God will first restore the righteous and truthful judges and counselors. This is the good news!)

Isaiah 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. (This is a promise of God for restoration after just and righteous legal and administrative officials are installed)

Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help. (God’s intention for His people is good. But He found evil and oppression in their midst. Read the context to see the lifestyle of those leaders).

Isaiah 16:5 In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.” (A prophecy about establishing Jesus’ throne of mercy, truth, and righteousness).

Isaiah 28:17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place. (A prophecy about Jesus and His power over Satan—the father of all lies, death, and hell).

Isaiah 32:1 [ A Reign of Righteousness ] Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. (This is the kingdom of God, wherein the anointed king and his officials reign in righteousness and justice. How can this happen? Isaiah 31:4-5 promises that the Lord of hosts will come down to fight and defend Jerusalem, deliver and preserve it.)

Isaiah 32:16 [ The Peace of God’s Reign ] Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. (Read 32:15-19, which prophesies the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, that will bring supernatural peace, security, protection, and rest for God’s people, while for those outside God’s protection, “hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths.” This is a serious contrast between the two realms and kingdoms.)

Isaiah 33:5-6 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure. (Continue to worship, honor, and revere God, He will give wisdom and knowledge which are essential for the stability and strength of our times.)

Isaiah 33:10 “Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up. (God will take action.)

Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Isaiah 33:15-16 (The righteous will be protected and given high and secure places, food and drink. )

Isaiah 56:1 [ Salvation for the Gentiles ] Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this…

Isaiah 58:2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. (This verse singled out the dishonest religious hypocrites elites)

Isaiah 59:9 [ Sin Confessed ] Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! 59:14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter.

(Isaiah 59 describes the blackness and darkness of men who run to evil with thoughts full of inequity and their consequences. e.g. 59:13 “In transgressing and lying against the Lord,
And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off…” and the good news is that God intervenes. Read 59:15-21.)

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

(Where is the Spirit of the Lord? In every born again Christian! 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”)

Amos 5:24 But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

Kainotes, Nov 6, 2020

CHOOSE

Today I ponder on the legacy we shall each leave behind. There is always a point where each of us must make a crucial decision that will be etched into our history. I walked through the histories of many great men and women in the past. A few years back I was invited to write the life story of one special woman who gave her best years to others (strangers in a remote land). I met some who know her well in her past life as a successful banker and the people group in the remote backwater war-ravished land whom she has loved so dearly and relentlessly that she has given up her past life decades ago to become one of them. I asked her why? She said she loves them because she knows Jesus loves them. A childhood friend of hers said he believed she wanted to leave a legacy behind.

Your choice may be to continue staying in the comfort of your vineyard at the safe shady valley below with gentle breeze or to continue climbing up to the high summit where there is strong wind and brilliant light from the sun. I pray you choose right.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 30:18-20  18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Joshua 1:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

a fitting confession for a king to declare

1 Timothy 1:11-13 King James Version (KJV)

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

King James Version (KJV)Public Domain

healthy aging: brevity of life, longevity factor, ever presence of my God

My dear brethren, when asked once, in his mid-60s, what surprised him most in his old age, Billy Graham answered without hesitation: “the brevity of life.” The brevity of life has caught up with even centenarians. Looking back this watchman too is shocked at the speed of time. After walking with the Lord for a long long time how did Enoch feel? What did he talk to God about? I sometimes ask. 365 years seem a long time to us. But most men lived long before the flood. Adam lived 930 years. Methuselah lived 969 years old. Noah lived 950 years. God talked to them. They talked to God. After the flood, some men lived to over a hundred years though not as long. Abraham 175 (born 1946 years after Adam), Isaac 180.

One thing that stands out is the relationship they had with God. Being able to hear God and talk to God is something that we all need today. Can we? Yes. God has given every born again believer the Holy Spirit who lives in us and talks to us. We are joined to the Lord and one spirit with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:17) There are many teachings on how we can hear God today. We can enjoy the longevity of life span on earth and not miss out our daily walk with God engaging in friendly two way conversation with Him, just as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses and many others did. God called Abraham His friend.

To live to such old age one needs to be healthy and youthful. God has set man’s life to be one hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3) Moses lived to 120. His eyes were not dimmed nor his natural vigor diminished. (Deuteronomy 34:7) David testified in his psalm that his youth was renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5) Sarah lived until 127 and died. After that Abraham (137 and above) married again and had other sons.

One man that stood out was Caleb. Caleb was known for his strength in his spirit, soul (mind and will) and body wholly. God described Caleb this way, “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” (Numbers 14:24) At 85 Caleb was as strong as he was at forty including his strength for war, going out and coming in, because he wholly followed God and held fast to God’s promises spoken to him through Moses. (Joshua 14:6-14)

When we sum up the lives of all these men of faith in the Bible, we can see that the significance of life is the “quantity in terms of quality”. Quality can only come from their relationship with God. They had lived in the presence of God.

My first spiritual breakthrough after being born again for thirty years was knowing God in the spirit just as Jesus has emphasized that God is Spirit (John 4:24). Since then I have walked with a new passion and assurance in the spiritual reality of God and the truthfulness of His words which are spirit and life (John 6:63). Looking at all the past miracles God has done in my life I too hold fast to the promises and prophecies that the Lord has spoken. I am looking forward to this year with increasingly renewed strength to live in the ever presence of my God. I pray that you too, expect the same with confident hope. Age is no excuse.

Bible verses Joshua 14:6-14
6 Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”

13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. 15 And the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim).

Then the land had rest from war.

Watchman’s Resolution: be trained to be like the Master.

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,” (Luke 1:68-70 NKJV) This is good news! Today the watchman is reminded of the power of God’s word, which is seed, to be sown in the believers’ hearts in order to germinate and grow into a plant that bears fruits in every aspect of our lives. The fruit will be good, acceptable and perfect for it will align with the will of God. The seed, like any seed in the natural law, will take time. First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn. This law has not changed. That’s how the earth has been sustained. I pray we all understand this truth and live this truth, burning with a passion to read God’s words and store the words in our hearts until the time of harvest.

Last night the watchman was woken to read a passage in the Old Testament from the Book of Ezekiel. Here are some of the verses about the spiritual state some of God’s people are in. Are they relevant in today’s churches? (Those of you who read these are watchmen. This message is for prayers as you watch over the souls of men in your respective stations.)
(Bible verses are quoted from New King James Version (NKJV)unless otherwise annotated)

1. There exists a Rebellious House: “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house…” Ezekiel 12:2

2. Now is the time frame: Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.’” Ezekiel 12:28

3. The target is the religious hypocrites: O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord. Ezekiel 13:4-5

4. A warning against spiritual superficiality in God’s house: I will raise my fist against all the prophets who see false visions and make lying predictions, …
“This will happen because these evil prophets deceive my people by saying, ‘All is peaceful’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash! 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. Ezekiel 13:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

5. A warning about false belief perpetrated by the enemy using his agents to hunt and captive souls of men in churches: “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations…ensnaring the souls of my people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils…By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds…22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies,..And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life,.. (Ezekiel 13:17-23 New Living Translation (NLT))

6. The young remnants need prayers: Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand …” Ezekiel 14:22-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

Coming back to the word seed that Jesus has sown. We can see clearly that the above gloomy conditions need prayers. But prayers alone cannot sow word seeds. We need to speak the words of God. We need the laborers to sow the word seed and to harvest the field. The today’s questions that we must ask ourselves are:
Can I do something? What are my gifts? What training do I need to be equipped to be a laborer as sower or harvester? Let this be our new year resolution: be trained to be like the Master. (Luke 6:40, 7:22)

a horizontal outlook from a watchman

Today I woke with one thing in my mind: an outlook. An outlook can mean: a person’s point of view or general attitude to life: broaden your outlook on life.
a view: the pleasant outlook from the lodge window.
a place from which a view is possible; a vantage point.
the prospect for the future: the deteriorating economic outlook.

What is my outlook in the new horizon? I speak from my little horizon. The spot where I position in a time and a space in time.

Attitude: My general attitude to life will not change much. By adding one chronological year does add wisdom in the conventional sense, such as an increase in the knowledge in modern technology. Virtual reality put us increasingly into the world of the computer. The year has made an exponential difference in this aspect, which in turn impacts all other aspects of life. Overall I have benefitted from solid Biblical spiritual study.

Physical view: Well I have gained some views too by being a traveler. Looking out of different windows in the world has broadened my perspectives. I must admit that many parts of the world are truly beautiful to the eyes. The physical earth is still beautiful.

Vantage point: Spiritually yes. Two big international events took place in two important (as Biblical type) nations this year and confirmed spiritual promptings received beforehand. Changes ahead.

Prospect for the future: Do I see an economic outlook? Yes, I do. My only advice is for readers to read the story of Joseph again and ask the Lord which year you (as an individual) are in now. The fourteen years of prosperity and famine do not fall on the same chronological years for everyone. What about the globe? Or even one particular nation? You may ask. The same principle applies You have to ask the Lord which year now your nation or the globe is at.

Here are some photos I took over this year on the different horizons of life.  Take note that the horizons are not stagnant or fixed. There are at least two sides: my side of the perspective and the other side across the horizon. Someone stands at the other side and looks toward my side and it becomes his horizon. If I look far enough I may see myself there. Remember, the earth is round.
At different New Horizon I have stood. Have I?

But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God.

The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. 3 “Fill your stomach with this,” he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

4 Then he said, “Son of man, go to the people of Israel and give them my messages. 5 I am not sending you to a foreign people whose language you cannot understand. 6 No, I am not sending you to people with strange and difficult speech. If I did, they would listen! 7 But the people of Israel won’t listen to you any more than they listen to me! For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn. 8 But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are. 9 I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.”

10 Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. 11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”

12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me. (May the glory of the Lord be praised in his place!)[a] 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living beings as they brushed against each other and the rumbling of their wheels beneath them.

14 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong. 15 Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I was overwhelmed and sat among them for seven days.

A Watchman for Israel
16 After seven days the Lord gave me a message. He said, 17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately.

Footnotes:
3:12 A possible reading for this verse is Then the Spirit lifted me up, and as the glory of the Lord rose from its place, I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me.
(Above passage is quoted from: Ezekiel 3:1-17 New Living Translation (NLT))

A WARNING RECEIVED IN THIS WATCH
[ The Day of the Lord ] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
(2 Peter 3:10-11 NKJV)
Luke 12:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
A Warning against Hypocrisy
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
FEAR GOD
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, He’s the one to fear.

Footnotes:
12:5 Greek Gehenna.

God appeared to him twice: “for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up,”

So Solomon finished building the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do. 2 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had done before at Gibeon. 3 The Lord said to him,

“I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.

4 “As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 5 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever. For I made this promise to your father, David: ‘One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.’

6 “But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, 7 then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. 8 And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled and will gasp in horror. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’

9 “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why the Lord has brought all these disasters on them.’”
(1 Kings 9:1-9 )

John 9:3-5
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Romans 13:8-14 Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”[a] These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 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. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Footnotes:
13:9a Exod 20:13-15, 17.
13:9b Lev 19:18.

All the above passages are taken from Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT).