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 19 of 33 THEREFORE The admonition before us is required by the compelling facts that have already been affirmed. First, it is high time to awake out of sleep. Second, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Third, the night is almost gone. Fourth, the day is at hand. No person persuaded of these realities will continue to live close to the world, for it will be seen as foolish to do so. However, because of the enormous influence of the flesh, we must be stirred up to action, for it is easier to fall asleep in this evil world than to stay awake. "US" We must never allow the world to rob us of the "us" perception. This is the family of God, the sanctified ones, or those who have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. The greatest obligation is laid upon the saints because the greatest benefits have been given to them. The inheritance belongs to them alone, and thus they must live in such a manner as to be ready to obtain it. CAST OFF " . . . cast off the works of darkness." Other versions read, "lay aside the deeds of darkness" (NASB), "put aside the deeds of darkness" (NIV), "let us put off the works of the dark" (BBE), "throw off the works of darkness" (NAB), "So don't live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes" (NLT), and "throw off everything that belongs to the darkness" (NJB). WHAT ARE "WORKS OF DARKNESS?" "Works of darkness" are activities that result from NOT knowing the Lord. They are both developed and expressed without an awareness of God, or a desire to please Him. They do not spring from the knowledge of God, and have nothing whatsoever to do with fellowship with Him. These are "works" that allow a person to remain aloof from God – in fact, they can only be done apart from a consciousness of Him. – Tomorrow:
"Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness . . . "
The Spirit consistently takes the things revealed and moves us to act upon them. It is not enough to merely know these things intellectually. They must be translated into living, else they will hold no benefit for us. The truth of God that is held within the confines of a creed or theological position brings no advantage, for faith cannot work in such constricted surroundings. Therefore, the Spirit arouses us to an appropriate response to the truth. Remember, only when the truth is known, or realized, does it bring us freedom. Knowing the truth takes place when we embrace it and act upon it.
The word "therefore" also means that no response, other than the one specified, is acceptable to God. Those refusing to do this cannot be pleasing to God, profession notwithstanding. Those who leap forward to respond in faith will be given the grace necessary to fulfill this word.
Let it be clear. This is not a denominational "us," but a family-of-God "us." These are the ones who have "received the atonement," or reconciliation (Rom 5:11). This is the church, which is Christ's "body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all" (Eph 1:23). There are certain responsibilities that are placed upon the people of God, and they need to hear them. It is altogether too common for sectarian requirements to be placed upon believers, while Divine essentials are withheld from them.
The text before us is a case in point. You will find that very few believers are admonished in this area. The very words will sound strange to those whose religious contacts are largely limited to the organized church. This is, however, the way in which the Spirit speaks "to the churches."
The strength of these words is apparent. Yet, you will be hard pressed to find a religious environment where they are taken as seriously as the language demands. It is not unusual to find "works of darkness" flaunted in religious gatherings, musical concerts, and even congregational and/or board meetings. However, they are out of place anywhere – on the job, in the home, in the school, or in places of business.
The words "cast off" are aggressive. They mean to get rid of, not merely lay aside to be put on at some other time. There is nothing casual about these words. Imagine, if you will, that your clothes were on fire. Would you not cast them off with zeal and speed? So it is with "the works of darkness." We are to rid ourselves of them with dispatch, not allowing them to linger in our lives. Some, in removing themselves from the Lord, have "cast off their first faith" (1 Tim 5:12). They should have rather "cast off the works of darkness" in order that they might be saved.
These are "works," or human expressions, that primarily relate to this world, and in which no place is made for faith. They can only be done when one is NOT living by faith. They blend easily with the world and all that is in it, which has been summarily cursed by God.
The "works of darkness" are tainted by the flesh. They call for the activity of the "old man," or "the flesh," which has no place in the life of faith. These are works that can only be done prior to the coming of the Lord, who will usher in eternal light, thus removing the environment in which these works are accomplished. "The works of darkness" belong to our former lives, when we walked in the darkness. There is no place for them now.
The reasoning of this verse is as follows. The time is coming when works of darkness will have no environment in which to be expressed. That will be the time of "the day," which is moving in fast upon us. The "night," in which these works are done, is "far spent," and will soon be gone. In view of this, let us rid ourselves of all works that will not survive the blazing light of Christ's glory! Let us do it with zeal. Let it be done now, before it is too late!
If we dare to postpone the doing of this, we must remember how time is moving along with great rapidity. The night is passing. Day is coming.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for speaking so clearly about the need to throw off works that are related to the night. I know Your children are children of the day, and therefore I ask for grace to rid myself of anything that is of the night.