Bible Studies
Romans 13:11-14 - Putting on the Armor of Light
Key Verses: (NRSV)
- 11: “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers." - Now is the moment to prepare for salvation. We can no longer delay or put off what needs to be done - open our hearts today to the glory and hope that awaits us.
- 12: "The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." - Temptations that dominate our lives and the inward focus towards our pain, suffering, and selfishness must be laid aside. The hope that lies ahead depends on the action we take today.
- 13: "Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy." - All sin must be set aside, even the "little" sins that we have accepted as our shortcomings and weaknesses.
- 14: "Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - These words from Paul have changed the lives of millions of people by deciding that now is the time to begin the life of holiness that Christ offers.
- What time is it?
Promises of the Gospel:
St Augustine lived a life filled with a focus on fulfilling his insatiable sexual desires. Nothing seemed to curb his appetite for the flesh. Even while he began studying about Christ he would cry out "Lord, grant me chastity, just not yet."1 The failings, weaknesses, shortcomings, and sinful behaviors we face in life will continue to have control over us as long as we choose to allow them to. Paul says that "now (is) the moment for (us) to wake from sleep." Now is the time to allow the hope of Christmas to fill our hearts. For Augustine, the moment he chose to take charge of his life and to put on the armor of light was the moment he read these verses from Romans. As we light the first Advent candle let us decide today to allow the light of Christ into our hearts so that His Hope will guide us into a glorious tomorrow, living an honorable life worthy of His love.
1EMPOWERED BY THE LIGHT, RICHARD A. HASLER, CSS Publishing Company, 1995, 0-7880-0472-7
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Gary, this is a beautiful and meaningful Bible Study/Devotional. I was blessed by reading it.
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