Shaken from Sleep

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light, because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

So live by the truth.

The truth is that death has no hold.
When your mind argues you can't help it; sin is ingrained in your nature, its not truth. You can't live in darkness any longer, when the Spirit dwelling inside you is Light. The corrupting decay of this world's death is repelled from the radiance of the Spirit, so abide in that light. Remain within that sphere of untouchable purity.

Fear has been cast out.
Step into the light with no hesitation, because you have nothing to be afraid of. If you expose your failure to the light, nothing but forgiveness and supportive hands will lift you up, because that light is made up of perfect love. Confess with honest open hands, and experience your life of freedom and beauty again.

Temptations are not failures.
Temptations play with the weakest parts of your spirit, but when you are weak, you are at your strongest, because you have nothing to rely on, nothing to grasp at, but the strength of God. The Spirit dwelling in you, is the Spirit that called the universe into existence out of nothing. And with that power, nothing is insurmountable. Nothing is invincible.

The past can't touch your future.
The victories of today's success do not redeem yesterday's miserable failures - only the pure blood of the one who gave us our redemption does that. But the new mercy of this victorious morning erases your guilt, and sets you on your feet to press forward.

You are loved.
Perhaps if this concept could be grasped in a stronger and surer way, we would not struggle so much. We would pour out our souls with eagerness, we would use every ounce of strength we had to follow the truth, and bring honor to God. We only understand human love, and that love is tainted with self-interest.

You are weak.
You cannot leave behind your love of darkness on your own. You cannot vanquish the evil of your heart with your own hands; you have to give it to the capable hands of God. You don't have to prove your desire for a new life by staring into the face of the enemy with no one by your side - Christ has passed that test for you. Surrender, and put on the armor of the Spirit. We can be radiant, but not until we step out from the darkness and allow ourselves to be broken down, stripped bare, and clothed in beautiful Light.

The truth is, the end has already been written. The night is nearly over, and the day is almost here. This battle will be won by the Army defending truth.

So are you going to fight with them?