Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)
Read Romans 13:11-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11Besides 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; Verse 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; Verse 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Verse 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Devotion
The question “Why is everything good or worth having either fattening, expensive or illegal?” makes me laugh. However, it’s not really a laughing matter. What we spend our time, money, and energy on matters. We are to put off earthly desires and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t want to be conformed to the world (Romans 12:1-2), but rather, put off the clothes that belong to the night and put on daytime armor. When the shower water hits your head, renew your baptism and hold onto the light. All around us the forces of darkness make their stand against God, but the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. After 2,000 years, we continue to wait for the Lord’s return—the day is near. In our impatience, we may stumble into the darkness and trip over our own two feet. God help us!
Prayer
Light of the World, continue to shine on us and keep us close to you. May the world see in us the light that points to you. Amen.
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