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Devotional for the week – 7 December 2009 Sermon Title: Whose Side Are You On? When you are living in darkness, morals are easily compromised as one cannot see well in darkness. It is very much like a black painting where everything in it is also in black. You will not be able to make out one thing from another. If there are grey areas, you will not be able to make that out too. Darkness deludes. We need light to enable us to see a picture clearly. Colossians 1:11-12 tells us that: (i) We are being strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience; (ii) We will joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. We can count on this promise to endure against the temptation of sin and experience the joy of having God in our life. If we stay away from God, our natural bodies will lust after sin, our inner conscience will be suppressed and we will find ourselves justifying sin. For instance, many things will be permissible as we justify it on the basis of being open minded. We will be living in self-delusion and be on the road to self destruction. Matthew 7:13-14 urges us to enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. However, small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. When you live in sin, you will feel that there is very little in life to think about and all that is important is joy and fulfillment. To live in God’s truth is to stay close to God. When one lives a life apart from God, in theory one should feel free. However, in reality, you will discover that you will end up fretful. When you are faithful to God, normally you will find that you are in the minority. However, be encouraged, Matthew 7:14 tells us that few stay on the narrow road but it is the narrow road that leads to life! Colossians 1:12 also tells us that we are not alone. There is more than one saint in the kingdom of light. We are also never alone. God has promised us endurance and in Romans 8:31, the writer reminds us that if God is with us, who can be against us? Finally, we have our blessed Lord Jesus who is always with us and is supreme. Colossians 1:15-18 reminds us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. Jesus is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Jesus is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. Some pre-believers feel that in life, you need more than one god, as life has many complexities. This may explain why some people worship many gods! However, you really only need one God as our God is sufficient. He is supreme over all. Christians do not have to worry about things like feng shui and placing furniture in the right way so as to avoid bad luck befalling. Having the privilege of being God’s child, we have responsibilities. Isaiah 42:6-7 instructs us that the LORD has called us in righteousness and that through His enabling and guidance, we are to be a light for non-believers, to open their eyes and free them from the prison of sin through the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. How are you living up to your calling? Prayer Response Dear God, thank you for reminding me that I am saved by your grace. Please help me to live up to my calling and be a witness for you to my non-believing friends and family. Help me to endure the temptation of sin so that my non-believing friends and family will be able to see Christ’s character within me. May your name be glorified! Amen. Devotional based on a sermon by Pastor Joshua Loo
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