Weekly Devotional - September 28th

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for

now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is

near. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let

us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Romans 13:11-14

There are several perspectives from which to interpret the concluding passages of this chapter in Romans. One interpretation is that Paul is alluding to the fall of Jerusalem, while another suggests that he is referring to the completion of God’s plan for creation and, by extension, the fulfillment of a believer’s salvation. The latter interpretation appears to be more accurate. In relation to the days leading up to our physical death and our subsequent transition into glory, Paul contrasts two types of behavior through the metaphors of day and night. Paul is right; the fulfillment of a believer’s salvation draws nearer with each passing moment, which is truly encouraging news. He refers to the time that has already elapsed as night, noting that the dawn is rapidly approaching with the coming of our Lord. By nature, we are children of darkness, and that darkness has hidden us for too long as we indulged in its wickedness. However, Paul instructs us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ relying on the cross for our justification rather than our own merits. We should steer clear of those things that create idols, which can drive a wedge between us and Christ. Instead, we are called to walk uprightly in the light of day—not cloaked in our own garments, but in His.