Living Out the Text: Being steadfast
Reading this text today immediately brought the word ‘steadfast’ to my mind. So I thought, what is steadfastness, and what does that mean to me practically? Steadfast is defined by Merriam Webster as, “firm in belief, determination, or adherence: LOYAL.” To be steadfast is to remain loyal to Messiah Himself; and this text says I do that by being alert (verse 11), putting on the armor of light (verse 12), without drunkenness, lewdness, being argumentative, or envious (verse 13), and following the law of Jesus, not of my own fleshly desires (verse 14). I know I can grow in understanding what it is to be closer to Jesus by reading the Bible and prayerfully considering the meanings and how it applies to me specifically.
Amanda Cunningham
Reading this text today immediately brought the word ‘steadfast’ to my mind. So I thought, what is steadfastness, and what does that mean to me practically? Steadfast is defined by Merriam Webster as, “firm in belief, determination, or adherence: LOYAL.” To be steadfast is to remain loyal to Messiah Himself; and this text says I do that by being alert (verse 11), putting on the armor of light (verse 12), without drunkenness, lewdness, being argumentative, or envious (verse 13), and following the law of Jesus, not of my own fleshly desires (verse 14). I know I can grow in understanding what it is to be closer to Jesus by reading the Bible and prayerfully considering the meanings and how it applies to me specifically.
Amanda Cunningham
Spiritual Practices: Keyword Listing
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
- Love - discover how love is the fulfillment of the law
- Law / commandment - discover the connection between love and the law
Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
At the end of this passage, Paul says that we should "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." This is kind of an unusual phrase to us. What it means is that we should strive to live like Jesus and to reflect him in all that we say and do. When we put on Christ we try to do what the would do and say what he would say if her were living our life today. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help me put on you
Overview
At the end of this passage, Paul says that we should "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." This is kind of an unusual phrase to us. What it means is that we should strive to live like Jesus and to reflect him in all that we say and do. When we put on Christ we try to do what the would do and say what he would say if her were living our life today. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help me put on you
Prayer Response
Abba Father, I want to live my life according to the pattern of Jesus Christ, yet the temptation to satisfy the desires of the flesh can be so strong. Help me to put off the works of darkness and instead put on the life of Jesus. Show me how he would live in my life and circumstances and grant me the courage and the strength to do what he would do in my place. In Jesus name, amen.
David W. Dalton
Abba Father, I want to live my life according to the pattern of Jesus Christ, yet the temptation to satisfy the desires of the flesh can be so strong. Help me to put off the works of darkness and instead put on the life of Jesus. Show me how he would live in my life and circumstances and grant me the courage and the strength to do what he would do in my place. In Jesus name, amen.
David W. Dalton