Romans 13:11-14, “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. 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. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
During this recent issue of Covid-19, it has become too common for my family to stay up too late at night. School for the kids doesn’t start (in our house) till 9:30-10:00 am and Sis. Jennifer and I have become more relaxed concerning bedtime. Because of this, the events of the next morning are equally as common. The kids want to sleep in and when they finally awake they lounge around for a little while before showing any excitement for the day. Almost every morning I hear Sis. Jennifer say, “It’s time to get up kids, the sun is shining and we have lots to do.” In our study verses, we find the Apostle Paul doing something similar. Because of the environment of this world (that wears you down) and their dealing with their own carnal nature, the disciples are often found in spiritual slumber and sleep. The Apostle knew this and was led of the Spirit to exhort the children of God to get up and serve God. In verse 11 Paul says the time is “now.” The alarm clock is going off and it’s time to get started. How many times do we say, I will get started tomorrow? The Apostle encourages us to get started “now.” The “night” is over and the sun is shining. If we keep putting off, we will soon lose all the day.
In verse 14, we read about the clothes the Apostle beseeches them to wear. Not the grave clothes of sin, but the clothes The Lord Jesus Christ has provided (and is providing). When Paul says “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” he is calling on the hearer/reader to live a life obedient to God’s commands, to do what the Lord has told us to do. The Bible, which came from God, is sufficient to instruct us concerning our lives. In Colossians 3:12, the Apostle provides some specifics concerning these garments, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
In verse 13 we read, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day;…” Awake, get the right clothes on and “walk honestly.” By this we understand that there are many activities the child of promise could participate in and do that simply are not, as folks used to say on a more regular basis, an honest way of living. Rioting, drunkenness, chambering (unlawful cohabitation, what people today call shacking up before marriage), and wantonness (unbridled lust and lasciviousness) are not pleasing to God. The Apostle exhorts the reader to separate themselves from such actions.
Dear child of grace, this portion of scripture is just one of many that call on us to live a life to the glory of God. Will we waste our times hugging the pillows of the world or will we awake to show forth our love for God to the world? Now is a good time to start; and a faithful service to God will be a blessing to you and others around you. You may think, “Br. Ronnie that would cost me a lot.” But remember what David said in 2 Samuel 24:24, “neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” If it’s good, it should cost us something. But I assure you, the Lord is able to give you much more than you will ever give up to serve Him faithfully. Amen!