And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:11-12 NIV
Paul’s admonition to us here mimics that of Jesus in Mark 13:32-37. Jesus is returning for us. We don’t know when that will be. But we are called to be ready for it. To put off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
While We Wait
All too often, believers are guilty of believing that it is enough to come to Jesus, confess our sin, and seek forgiveness. If we do that, we will be saved and assured a place in God’s kingdom. But the Scripture paints a different picture. My salvation lies in the future, but it is getting closer all the time. And while I wait for it to come, I need to live appropriately. To remove the rags from my old life. And to be dressed like a child of the King. My life should reflect whose I am. This is not an optional activity reserved for a select few. Instead, it is the expected behavior of all believers in the Lord Jesus.
To be clear, this lifestyle change is not in order to be saved. There is nothing I can do that will accomplish that. Instead, it is a reflection of what has happened to me. My response is demonstrating the reality of God’s work in my life. Yes, it requires effort and a commitment on my part to live like that. But it is only possible through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in my life. And it should be my natural response to what he has done for me.
Mr Jarrett you have done a splendid task with these devotionals. I read them every morning & they are slowly giving me knowledge of what I’ve missed, by being a half-baked Christian. Because of your works my wife & my Pastor, I am becoming a changed man… Happy New Year
Thanks so much for your kind words, I am humbled by them. I do pray that our Lord will lead you ever closer to himself.