Make Sure to Get Dressed in the Morning!

The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
As in almost every letter Paul has written, he instructs the Roman believers about being ready for the end times.  In the Old Testament this was called the "Day of the Lord".  Paul uses the analogy of sleep as a metaphor for being ready for Jesus' return. Sleep in this case is it not a good thing, but signals an unpreparedness.  Sleep will be described in this way:
1. Engaging in deeds of darkness which one would not do in the daytime.  Like everybody's mom says, "Nothing good happens after 10 o'clock!'
2. Certain types of behaviors that create spiritual apathy and lethargy.  I.e. Carousing, drunkenness, sexual immorality and dissension in the body of Christ.  
But instead he calls the believers to:
1. Put on the armor of light.
2. Clothe yourselves with Jesus Christ.
So Paul says, "the time is near" wake up.  Instead of wandering into darkness and allowing the desires of the flesh to weaken the desires of the Spirit, be proactive.  When he says "Clothe yourselves with Christ", I love how this commentator describes it,
"The illustration is from taking off and putting on clothes. When you get dressed every day, you dress appropriately to who you are and what you plan to do. Therefore, everyday, put on the Lord Jesus Christ!" Guzik
Being a follower of Christ is a daily dying to self and putting on Christ.  Make sure you get dressed tomorrow!


  



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