Romans 13:11-13 (WEL) Also, this, knowing the time, that now [is] the time to wake up from sleep, for now, our deliverance is nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day is at hand. Therefore, let us put away the deeds of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us live honorably as in the daytime, not in carousing, drunkenness, orgies, uncontrolled lust, heated arguments, or envying. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make any preparations for the flesh to [fulfill] its sinful desires.
V11 Also, this, knowing the time, that now [is] the time to wake up from sleep, for now, our deliverance is nearer than when we believed.
This is the imminence of the Rapture. The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus to Jerusalem (Zechariah 14) is later. Paul gives no date for the Rapture. He does not know it. He does know that Jesus will come to deliver the church (believers). We must always be ready. Paul expected the Rapture (deliverance) soon in his life.
Our lights of witness and life must always be bright. We must live according to God’s worldview, way of life, and rules. If we love Him, we obey Him. The standards are written in the writings of the Apostles.
V12 The night is almost gone; the day is at hand. Therefore, let us put away the deeds of darkness, and put on the weapons of light.
The night refers to the kingdom of darkness, sin, and everything God hates. The day refers to the kingdom of light and everything God loves. We are exhorted to live according to God’s way (Galatians 5:22-23), not the ways of darkness (Galatians 5:19-21). The weapons of light are found in Ephesians 6:10-18.
V13 Let us live honorably as in the daytime, not in carousing, drunkenness, orgies, uncontrolled lust, heated arguments, or envying.
The daytime refers to the kingdom of lights and its characteristics. That way is honorable. The carousing, drunkenness, orgies, uncontrolled lust, heated arguments, and envying refer to the characteristics of the kingdom of darkness. We are not to live that way anymore.
Our lifestyle should reflect the fruits of the Spirit, not the flesh:
Galatians 5:19-25 Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sin, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, contentions, provoking jealousies, hot angers, pushing to be first, dissensions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also conform to the Spirit.
V14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make any preparations for the flesh to [fulfill] its sinful desires.
Flesh refers to the desires of the flesh as seen in Galatians 5:19-21. To put on the Lord Jesus is an illustration of living, talking, acting, thinking God’s ways as seen in Galatians 5:22-23. Do they see Jesus in me?
We learn:
- The Rapture is imminent.
- We are to live holy lives.
- We are to live doing God’s will and glorifying God.
Questions:
- Are you ready for Jesus’s return?
- Are you living a holy life?