December 30, 2008

Make No Provision for the Flesh To Fulfill Its Lusts

And [do] this, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation [is] nearer than when we [first] believed. The night is far spent the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to [fulfill its] lusts. (Romans 13:11-14 NKJV)

It is time to awake out of sleep for your salvation is nearer now then when you first believed. What could this mean but that each day draws us closer to heaven? Surely, this does not speak of Christ for He had completed His work, and it is doubtful that Paul refers to physical deliverance from persecutors. Instead, Paul wants us to live like short-timers. He wants us to be careful how we live.

Paul describes this as putting off the works of darkness, and putting on the armor of light. I like this picture for it paints both sides of the picture. It is not enough to put off sin. To put off sin without replacing it with righteousness only prepares the heart for failure and more bondage.

Notice how Jesus answers the Pharisees when they tell Him they want to see a sign from Him before they will believe. “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. "Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds [it] empty, swept, and put in order. "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45 NKJV)

To put of the works of darkness without putting on the armor of light is to practice the sin of the Pharisees. Their sins are many, hypocrisy not being the least, but unbelief tops the list. To turn from sin without turning to God is self-reformation and not true repentance. The end of this path is deception and despair.

Be careful to put on the armor of light. Do that through prayer and meditation. Spend time speaking with God about His Word. Pray for power to live in holiness. Expose your sins by reading the Holy Script. Do this knowing your time here is short. Amen.