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. 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. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

(Romans 13:11-14)

We are in an increasingly dark hour in our nation. It doesn’t take much to illustrate our sliding morality. Paul says it like this about his day (and ours): “The night is far gone; the day is at hand.”

So what are we to do? We must put on our armor. Paul would repeat this idea to the Ephesians in chapter 6. The enemy is coming in like a flood. Is it time to sit around idly and play games? To be unclothed and unarmed? To not go on the offensive? To rouse occasionally to the things of God?

And he says we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” This phrase (“put on”) is also repeated multiple times in Paul’s letters. It is an idea that expresses complete readiness. Total covering. Absolute preparedness.

And, it’s an active word. We are not to sit around, hoping that something will happen. We must wake up to the reality around us. We must aggressively clothe ourselves with what matters—what will protect us—what will equip us for battle—what will help us advance the kingdom of light into the kingdom of darkness surrounding us.

In addition we must give no room for the things of the flesh. “Make no provision” or “give no thought to” these deeds. We must give it no room. No space. No allotment of time or attention. Don’t let it breathe. Suffocate sin. Don’t open the door and give it a foothold in your thoughts.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Give it no room.

 

©2012 Bill Elliff.  Originally posted on Bill Elliff’s Blog, on Nov. 27, 2102.