PUTTING ON CHRIST "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) Devotion 9 of 33 – Tomorrow:
"And do this . . . "
Other versions read, "And that" (KJV), "And this do" (NASB), "Besides this" (NRSV), and "This also" (DARBY). This is a call to involvement – a Divine summons to activity. What is it that is to be done? As exceedingly practical as it may appear, this refers first to the exhortation in verses seven and eight. "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." Second, it refers to the admonition that will follow in verses twelve through fourteen. There are things to be done, both with regard to this world and that which is to come.
The Spirit does not say "Try and do this," or "Do your best to do this." His words are like piercing arrows that provide us no alternative. "DO this!" Valid obedience is always preceded by determination – godly determination. When the convicted sinners on Pentecost cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we DO?", they were ready to respond. The only thing they lacked was direction, and that was provided to them (Acts 2:37-38). When the Philippian jailor cried out, "Sirs, what must I DO to be saved?", he was ready to DO whatever was required of him. Resolution and determination are twins that must visit the heart before true obedience can be rendered to God. Where these are not found, DOING is not the issue, but conviction.
Here is an area in which the contemporary church could improve: a determination to DO what the Lord commands. This is an attitude that responds like Abraham to the angel of God: "Here am I" (Gen 22:11). This is the same response Moses had when the Lord called to him from the middle of the burning bush: "Here am I!" The idea is, "Here I am, ready to listen to your voice, and ready to do what you command!"
This is the attitude conveyed in Eli's instruction to young Samuel, who did not yet know the Lord. When the Lord called to Samuel, Eli instructed him to respond, "Speak, LORD; for Thy servant heareth" (1 Sam 3:9). Samuel was to listen with a mind to yield to whatever direction was given to him.
This is the same spirit Isaiah had when he saw the Lord "sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." When a sense of forgiveness had gripped his heart, he heard the Godhead talking among themselves: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" At once Isaiah spoke up: "Here am I; send me" (Isa 6:1-8).
That is the kind of spirit that is reflected in this words, "This DO!" Such an attitude was exceedingly rare prior to Jesus Christ. There were a few notables who were known for their response to God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, the holy Prophets, and a few others. But this was not at all common.
In Christ, however, such a change has taken place that the favorable posture of soul is assumed. The Spirit speaks as though there was a readiness on the part of believers to obey God. He appeals to the "inward parts," where God desires that truth be found (Psa 51:6). He speaks to the "inner man" (Eph 3:16), the "new man" (Col 3:10), or the "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). When we are moved by this part of our being, we always do what is right, for the Holy Spirit is granting strength to the inner man.
In out text, the willingness of the believer is assumed, and thus they are urged into action. "Do this . . . knowing the time . . . awake out of sleep . . . cast off the works of darkness . . . put on the armor of light . . . walk properly . . . put on the Lord Jesus Christ . . . make no provision for the flesh." All of these are addressed to the "new man," and none of them are addressed to the flesh. They all assume reconciliation, justification, and a new creation. These are sanctified activities in which the regenerated are to engage, and do so insightfully as well as willingly. Those who imagine there is nothing to do must bow before this text and rethink their view.
Now, the Spirit will show us how reasonable it is to give to other the honor that is due to them, (verses 6-7), and to love our neighbor as ourselves (verses 8-10). He will show us that this is much more than "the second" greatest commandment. This is how new life from God is lived in this world. He will also show us WHY new life responds in this manner. Christ Jesus is to be "put on" in the affairs of this life as well as in our more immediate relationship with the God of heaven through faith.
There is no suggestion in all of Scripture that life that is not expressed in ordained ways will continue to stay with the individual. When, therefore, we hear the words "DO this," they are to be taken seriously and acted upon immediately.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I know that not every one who says "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who DO Your will. In the name of Christ, I ask for grace to be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only.