Title: Weapons of Righteousness/Romans 6:12-14
Content: Weapons of Injustice vs. Weapons of Righteousness/Romans 6:12-14
1. Spiritual battles we face every day
Two long swords are on display at Asan Memorial Hall. These long swords are among the treasures designated as Treasure 326. It is a treasure not because it is of high value because it is adorned with gold or precious stones. The real reason is that Admiral Yi Sun-sin used it directly in the war to save the country from Japanese aggression. Because it was the sword that Admiral Yi Sun-sin used as his weapon, the swords are regarded as treasures among treasures. Just as the long sword became a precious treasure because it was used as a weapon by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, our lives become a precious life when used by God. When our hands and feet, language, and talents are used by God, our lives become like treasures. On the other hand, when we are used as instruments of evil forces, our lives become evil.
2. A life of giving to sin as a weapon of unrighteousness: verses 12-13
No one in life wants to be used to spread sin. Everyone wants to be used as God's righteous instrument. In order to become a life that is used as God's righteous instrument, there are things that must be overcome first. It is about overcoming evil desires. In other words, we are fighting a spiritual battle so that we do not live a life that is driven by evil desires. Desire itself is not evil, but human desires always have the potential to become evil. Therefore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we need a spiritual battle not to become a slave to evil desires. So let's first consider what evil desires are.
First, covetousness is an evil desire. There are characteristics of a person who is greedy. When we indulge in covetousness, we cannot be satisfied and we cannot be grateful. Therefore, in order not to fall into the lust of covetousness, we must be content with our present state of affairs. And thank you from the bottom of your heart.
Second, any desire that is not honorable under the sun is an evil desire. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. I couldn't be honest. Because of what God said. But Adam and Eve ignored the dishonest thing. people are watching The world is watching. Above all, God is watching. Everything that is not honorable under the sun is an evil desire.
Third, the desire to dominate others is an evil desire. Do not dominate others in the name of love, and do not try to dominate others in the name of success. It is an evil desire to dominate others.
If you fall into lust and become a person in a hurry to satisfy your lust, sin will rule your life. We are not presenting ourselves as an instrument of iniquity by declaring, “Now I present myself as an instrument of unrighteousness.” If I simply live according to my evil desires, it is naturally given as an instrument of injustice. Therefore, we must realize the reality of evil desires and take on an active battle against lust in the name of Jesus Christ on the cross. We must seek the filling of the Holy Spirit every day so that we do not fall into evil desires.
3. A life presented to God as an instrument of righteousness: verses 13-14
If we overcome our lust and win, we can be used as God's righteous instruments. The most important thing for me to be used as God's righteous weapon is,
First, it is the belief in the fact that I give what I have to a precious God. In order to live a wonderful life that presents myself as God's righteous weapon, the most important belief is that I give my time, my language, and my material things to a precious God. Although this belief seems easy and obvious, it is not. Although it is said that it is given to God, the invisible God is naturally forgotten and we become accustomed to visible people and visible organs. When my offering to a venerable God fades, the “me” language is emphasized in the church. The language of dream disappears, and the language of “I did this” increases. Then I will not be able to present myself as God's righteous weapon. Only those who acknowledge that they give themselves to the exalted God will be used as instruments of God's righteousness by giving their part to God.
Second, it is to be specific. It is to give us something concrete. The Holy Spirit is challenging us today to be a specific part of us dedicated to God. I am giving my hands, feet, and language. “There is an expression that the devil makes abstract, and the Holy Spirit makes concrete.” When you become abstract, nothing happens. ‘I will do a good deed.’ ‘I give my all.’ These words are empty and empty, because they are not concrete and abstract. The devil tempts us to stay in the abstract. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit encourages us to be specific. By giving our specific parts to God, we can be used as God's righteous instruments.
Third, worship is completed with a concrete dream. On Sunday, the first day of the week, believers gather together to worship God. And worship is completed by giving my specific things to God for a week. Worship is completed by realizing what I have to offer to God and giving it concretely. When our hands and feet become instruments of God's grace, and our materials become concrete materials that deliver God's grace to people, our worship will be complete.
Dear saints, I bless you in the name of Jesus that you will be praised for living this week and uploading completed worship services through concrete offerings to God.
question and share
◎ Evil desires destroy lives. Let's share when we can fall into covetousness, dishonest desires, and lust for domination.
◎ What I have given to God is the weapon of righteousness. Let's share the experience of giving what I have to the exalted God and what I have in my weapons of righteousness.
◎ Let us pray together earnestly to supply our hands, feet, and materials so that they can be used abundantly as weapons of righteousness in the various worship services that are completed by giving.