1 John 1:5 reads, "…God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." And as John 1:1 says, the Word was God, so if we practice the Word, it means that we abide in the Light.
If we completely abide in the Light by practicing God's Word, we can receive whatever we ask (1 John 3:21-22). Now let's delve into three check points showing how well we are abiding in the Light.
Do you complain or grumble?
Many people blame others or the situations when things don't go as they want or they are faced with hardship. However, whether they receive blessings or not depends on themselves. God's children can receive blessings and dwell in the love of God who controls life, death, fortune, and misfortune if they really believe God and obey His Word in the Bible (Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 28).
However, some believers as well as non-believers are still suffering in difficulties. This is because they practice the untruth that is against the Word of God. They hate, complain, get angry, slander, and seek their own benefits, disobeying the Word. Nevertheless, many of them do not see their own problems that cause difficulties but just complain about and blame others or situations in everything. We cannot say that they are dwelling in Light.
The children of Light should do everything with thanks and joy no matter how small it is, and understand and serve others. Now check if you are talking about others' shortcomings. However right your words are, if you say them with discomfort, it is clear evidence that you have darkness remaining in you.
People of goodness blame themselves for hardship and try to give thanks in everything. Thus, children of God, who is Light, should cast off complaining, give thanks from their hearts, and rejoice. When they have such a heart and lips, the enemy devil and Satan will depart from them and the grace of God will come upon them.
When we understand other people and work with joy and thanks, we will bear the fruit of revival, receive blessings, and receive rewards in Heaven according to our deeds and devotion.
Do you obey in the spiritual order?
'To obey in the spiritual order' means that we obey God and obey His Word. God is almighty and our spiritual Father who created us and wants to bless us (Hebrews 12:9). Therefore, if God's children do not serve Him and worship idols made by men, and disobey His Word and live as they want, this is breaking the spiritual order.
If you disobey the rule and order of the world, you will face punishment. In the same manner, if you disobey the Word of God according to the spiritual law, Satan will bring accusations against you and you will meet with trials. Therefore, you must obey the spiritual order and the Word of God. In order for a church to revive and receive blessings, the church should also follow the spiritual order and thereby please God.
That is, the church members should obey the Word of God although a lesser man said it. They should be united in the truth and in the band of the Holy Spirit. They must not insist on their opinions and put fleshly order before the spiritual order. Of course, they must not ignore the fleshly order and act unbecomingly just because they are spiritually advanced.
They must always consider about what they should do to obey the Word of God and to be proper in the Lord's sight, and obey it just as Abraham the father of faith did.
Do you try to be united as one with spiritual love?
People often get irritated and argue with each other when they do not like the other's words or actions although they say they love each other. As the love cools down more, they even betray each other. The same applies to the love between parents and children and between siblings as well as the love between a man and a woman. Their love often changes and they betray when they think the love is not beneficial and gives them problems. They may blame each other and each other's shortcomings without thinking it is their own fault. But spiritual love is different.
If you dwell in Light, you may not see others' blemishes or spots and hold hard feelings. You may conceal their shortcomings, endure them, believe in their renewal, and encourage them. Even if they do the things that you do not like, you can still understand them, try to make peace, and keep peace with them. Even if you are in hardship, you may make others comfortable. Even if you do not have what you need, you can feel happy just seeing others having and enjoying what is theirs.
You may willingly sacrifice yourselves for others, humble yourselves, and serve others. You may love not just a few who love you but, anybody. This is the life of those who abide in Light and the key to receiving whatever you ask from God.
Even if someone seems to work diligently for his God-given duty, if he wants to be recognized for his efforts and contribution, or if he insists on his righteousness based on what he heard and knew about the truth and breaks peace and acts rudely, he does not have love and does not dwell in Light.
We may be recognized to live in Light only when we realize the love and grace of the Lord from our hearts; fulfill our duties with the heart of an unworthy slave; serve everybody; and work with thanks, joy, faith, hope, and love.
This is the spiritual love. When we dwell in Light with the spiritual love, Satan cannot disrupt our lives. God the Almighty will protect us, and blessings will overflow in our families, workplaces, and businesses. If Satan works, although you live in Light, it is that God wants to give you blessings. If you only rejoice, give thanks, and pray, God will cause all things to work together for good.
|
Manmin News 
11450
