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  HAVING OUR LOINS GIRDED, THEREFORE
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: To dwell in God's kingdom, we must walk in His paths through
faith and good works, giving glory to God and attributing our success to
Him.

Topics: "Christian Living", "Spiritual Warfare"
Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 2:12

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of faith, good works,
and following the guidance of the Gospel to deserve to see God and dwell
in His kingdom. He highlights the qualities of those who are worthy to
dwell in God's tent, including walking without stain, practicing
justice, speaking truth, and not engaging in deceit or slander. St.
Benedict stresses the need to resist temptation from the devil by
casting it away and holding onto thoughts that align with Christ. He
also underscores the humility of those who fear the Lord and give glory
to God for any good in them, acknowledging that all success comes from
God.

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CONTENT
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Having our loins girded, therefore,

with faith and the performance of good works (Eph. 6:14),

let us walk in His paths

by the guidance of the Gospel,

that we may deserve to see Him

who has called us to His kingdom (1 Thess. 2:12).

For if we wish to dwell in the tent of that kingdom,

we must run to it by good deeds

or we shall never reach it.

But let us ask the Lord, with the Prophet,

"Lord, who shall dwell in Your tent,

or who shall rest upon Your holy mountain" (Ps. 14[15]:1)?

After this question, brothers and sisters,

let us listen to the Lord

as He answers and shows us the way to that tent, saying,

"The one Who walks without stain and practices justice;

who speaks truth from his heart;

who has not used his tongue for deceit;

who has done no evil to his neighbor;

who has given no place to slander against his neighbor."

This is the one who,

under any temptation from the malicious devil,

has brought him to naught (Ps. 14[15]:4)

by casting him and his temptation from the sight of his heart;

and who has laid hold of his thoughts

while they were still young

and dashed them against Christ (Ps. 14[15]:4; 136[137]:9).

It is they who,

fearing the Lord (Ps. 14[15]:4),

do not pride themselves on their good observance;

but,

convinced that the good which is in them

cannot come from themselves and must be from the Lord,

glorify the Lord's work in them (Ps. 14[15]:4),

using the words of the Prophet,

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

but to Your name give the glory" (Ps. 113[115:1]:9).

Thus also the Apostle Paul

attributed nothing of the success of his preaching to himself,

but said,

"By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).

And again he says,

"He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (2 Cor. 10:17).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/having-our-loins-girded-therefore/
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