Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. – Romans 13:12
Alarms make many different sounds, though some make no sound at all, merely gently illuminating the room with light. If the apostle Paul were choosing one, it would probably not be a quiet one! In his letter to the Romans, he almost shouts “wake up!” exhorting followers of Christ to godly living because soon Jesus Christ will return to claim His church.
Paul writes of the last hours of the night (this age) giving way to the dawning of a glorious new day. He wants you to get ready by putting off the garments of your old life in darkness, like sensuality, quarreling, jealousy, and immorality (Romans 13:13). He instructs you to put on the armor of light instead.
While armor is usually an implement of battle, interestingly, in God’s Kingdom war is no more. Isaiah provides a glimpse of that wonderful time: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4). Why is Paul telling you to put on armor in preparation for THAT peaceful day? He clarifies, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14).
Dress in preparation for life with Christ, “having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness… shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace… take up the shield of faith… take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:14-17). Pray for those sleeping in darkness in America to wake up to the opportunity to know Christ as Savior before that day arrives.
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