READ Romans 13:8-14

I would like to focus upon Romans 13:11-14 this morning.  "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."

1.  The believer is to know the time (v.11).

2.  It is time to awaken out of sleep (v.11-12).

3.  It is time to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light (v.12).

4.  It is time to walk straight (v.13).

5.  It is time to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and to make no provision for the flesh (v.14).

vs. 11 "And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Even when the sun is high in the sky, it is time to get up.  The thought is that God’s people need to awake from spiritual lethargy. Our salvation is nearer now than when we were saved. He quite possibly may be referring to the Lord’s impending return. It is closer today than when we first were saved. Heaven is closer today than yesterday.

vs. 12 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."  He uses a double analogy here and in the following text.  Just as we get up in the morning and put off our night clothes, he urges, "...let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."  It is of interest how sin is likened to darkness as Jesus noted in John 3:19. We are told to put on the armor of light. Light is universally representative of righteousness, goodness, and truth. Paul notes that the virtue of spiritual light becomes armor unto us. It protects us from a myriad of problems both physical and spiritual. 

vs 13 "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." Believers are to walk in an honorable manner, just as though it were broad daylight and everyone around can see you.  Specifically, we are to walk honorably or decently (1) not in rioting. The word has the idea of carousing or wild partying, and (2) not in drunkenness. The idea is of intoxication whether it be alcohol or some other improper substance. Also, a Christian is prohibited from (3) chambering and (4) wantonness. Both are related. They refer to immoral sexual conduct. The word "chambering" refers literally to a bed or a bedroom. "Wantonness" is a word referring to unrighteous sexual conduct such as fornication, adultery, and other forms of sexual sin.  God’s people, in walking honorably, ought not to engage in immorality of whatever sort. Finally, it says to not allow (5) strife and (6) envying. Strife (i.e., fighting or bickering) and envying are not walking honorably as a Christian. The word translated as "envying" in this context has the thought ranging from envy, to jealousy, to indignation, to a spirit of rivalry. None is appropriate for a Christian.

vs. 14 Finally, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."  Even as we put off dirty clothes and put on clean, we

likewise, are commanded to put on the Lord Jesus. Paul refers not to salvation, for these were already brethren. Rather, he is referring to the day-to-day practice of putting on the new man as noted in Ephesians 4:24.  The other half of the command is to make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. The word translated as "provision" has the sense of forethought.  In referring to the flesh, the Apostle is referring to our Adamic nature. The flesh operates on the basis of want, desire, and feeling. If we will not allow ourselves to think about sinful desires first, we will be strengthened in not actually doing them.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How aware are you of the importance of living daily for the Lord? What practical things can you do to make the most of each day in living for the Lord?

2.  What is the logical outcome if you make provision for the flesh? What safeguards do you need to have in place to resist sin’s temptation?

3.  Practically speaking, what does it mean for you to “put on the armor of light”?

4.  How would your witness for Christ be impacted if you made a conscious decision to put on Christ every day?  How does one put on Christ?