Awakening to the Urgency of Our Faith

The Apostle Paul urges us to cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. Now here again is the most interesting point: put on again is in the same tense, put on at once, put on once and for all. You notice that he doesn't put as the opposite or the parallel to the works of darkness, he doesn't say the works of light, he says the armor of light. [00:35:49]

The Apostle uses a tense here which carries the meaning cast off once and for all. That's a better translation, not just cast off, but cast off once and for all. That's the exhortation, really, and yet it carries at the same time the idea that you go on doing that, you do it once and forever, and you keep it like that, you don't let it come back as it were. [00:30:46]

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are constantly, perpetually in a war, that we are fighting, that we are soldiers. Every Christian is a soldier. We are all in the midst of this tremendous battle. Life to the Christian is a constant warfare. He's fighting the good fight of faith, and that is why it is essential that he should be clothed with armor, with the whole armor of God. [00:42:27]

The Apostle tells us in detail once more how we are to live. He's been telling us already, but he sums it up again. This, you see, is expert teaching, and if we learn nothing else, let's try to learn from the Apostle how to teach. And there is no doubt about it, the whole art of teaching is repetition. [00:02:49]

The Apostle emphasizes the importance of our spiritual attire. We are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, which signifies living in a way that is consistent with our identity as children of God. This involves a conscious rejection of sin and a commitment to righteousness. [00:32:02]

The Apostle Paul urges us to examine ourselves, ensuring that our lives are governed by Christian principles rather than worldly influences. This self-examination is crucial to avoid drifting away from our spiritual moorings. The call to awaken is a call to discipline, to stir up the gifts within us, and to engage in a life of active faith. [00:17:17]

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the doctrine which we've already believed. Indeed, his whole case is based on that. He introduces it with the word "knowing." If we don't know these things, well then his appeal falls to the ground. But he assumes that we know these things, and we've considered what those things are. [00:01:59]

The Apostle Paul tells us to put away once and forever the works of darkness. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness. Have you noticed how the scriptures, when they deal with sins, have a fondness for referring to them as works? You remember the example in the fifth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Galatians. [00:32:02]

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for a practical application of our faith. This involves a conscious effort to live in a manner that reflects our identity as children of the light. The message is clear: we must not be complacent or lethargic in our spiritual journey. Instead, we are called to discipline ourselves, to be vigilant and alert. [00:05:28]

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our faith is not merely theoretical but demands action. We are to examine ourselves, ensuring that our lives are governed by Christian principles rather than worldly influences. This self-examination is crucial to avoid drifting away from our spiritual moorings. [00:17:17]

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of our spiritual attire. We are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, which signifies living in a way that is consistent with our identity as children of God. This involves a conscious rejection of sin and a commitment to righteousness. [00:32:02]

The Apostle Paul urges us to cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. Now here again is the most interesting point: put on again is in the same tense, put on at once, put on once and for all. You notice that he doesn't put as the opposite or the parallel to the works of darkness, he doesn't say the works of light, he says the armor of light. [00:35:49]