The Time Is Now to Cast Off Darkness and Put on Light

October 22, 2018

The Time Is Now to Cast Off Darkness and Put on Light

Romans 13:11–12

Jacie Gregory

Central Truth

The day of Christ's return is drawing nearer every day. If He came today, would you be asleep? Let us be ready for His return at any moment by putting off darkness and putting on light.

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Has something ever happened to you by surprise? Like maybe you forgot your best friend's birthday, and you get a notification from Facebook the day of . . . just me? God's Word tells us the day of Christ's return will be much like this. Let us not be caught red-handed when it comes. Matthew 24:36 says, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows . . . ." All we know is "salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).

The time of Jesus' return is drawing nearer to us every day; therefore, it is time to wake up from our spiritual sleep. You might be thinking, what does it mean to wake up from our sleep? Here are a few verses that might shed "light" on your understanding:

"Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. . . ." (1 Corinthians 15:34)

". . . Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise . . . ." (Ephesians 5:14-15)

In Romans, Paul is writing to the Christian Church. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, God is calling us to come awake: to walk away from a life marked by sin/darkness and into a life marked by wisdom/light.

What are these works of darkness we are to put off? Colossians 3:5 says they look a lot like "sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness . . . ." In contrast, what is the armor of light? "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience . . . ." (Colossians 3:12)

Do you ever feel like you do things even though you don't want to do them? Imagine being able to live your life free from that slavery—no longer hiding your evil deeds, but bringing them to the light, finding healing, and walking in a Colossians 3:12 kind of way. This is what God calls us to.

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. . . ." (Romans 13:12) The time is now. What are you waiting for?

This month's memory verse

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

– Romans 12:18

1. If Jesus came back today, would you be ready? Why or why not?

2. What are the ways you are actively trying to put off the ways of darkness and put on the ways of light? Read Colossians 3.

3. To help keep you accountable, have you let your community know your ways of darkness (or sin patterns) and how you're putting on the armor of light? Allowing other believers in your life to be aware of how God is refining you is part of "living in the light."

4. Are there ways you are "asleep" spiritually? Are you apathetic in pursuing growth in your relationship with Christ? What is one spiritual discipline you could add to your life to help you grow in your walk with Jesus (e.g., daily reading of God's Word, prayer, memorizing Scripture, serving, etc.)?

5. If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ as personal savior and Lord of your life, then forget these questions. Jesus Christ knows you, loves you, and took your place on a cross. His sacrifice covers every single way you don't measure up to God's perfection in the past, present, and future. All you have to do is accept the gift. See John 1:12; John 3:16-18; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; John 5:24; 1 Peter 3:18.