Showing posts with label book of Ephesians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book of Ephesians. Show all posts

July 22, 2015

How does a watchman for God uses the sword of the Spirit?

How does a watchman for God watch? After all these years, the watchman realizes it is a spiritual and not physical watch that matters. Jesus has spoken clearly that the flesh (physical and soul realm) profits nothing in the matters of the Kingdom of God. It is the Spirit that gives life. The words that He (God) has spoken, are spirit and life. (John 6:63) Having traveled to some distant spaces over a span of time, the watchman has increasingly observed that it is the power of God (through His words and His Spirit) that transform lives inside out. This is the only transformation that gives victorious lives. No one can really partake the promised abundant life without going through this transformation process. The words of God become spirit and life and feed us when we feed on His words and submit to His Spirit as children of God. Sons of God are led by the Spirit of Christ. Jesus spoke of this requirement from the beginning of His ministry on earth. No one can see the Kingdom of God unless born again. No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 3:3, 5; 4:24)

A watchman for God watches from his position in the Kingdom of God. His (or her) position must be in Christ Jesus. Otherwise, all the watching will be in vain. By positioning in Christ, he has put on the full armour of God: truth, righteousness, peace (from the Gospel), faith, salvation, the sword of the Spirit (the word of God), and praying in the Spirit. This is a standard basic requirement at all times and on every occasion. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

A watchman for God lives by the Spirit’s power. Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:15-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

Living by the Spirit’s Power

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is another standard requirement of how a watchman for God lives:
Ephesians 5:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

Living in the Light

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But how can anyone live the above standards of requirement for every believer of Jesus?
Here is the key: Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes
Ephesians 4:17-32 New Living Translation (NLT)

Living as Children of Light

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[a] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[b] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

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