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 20 of 33 Tomorrow:
" . . . let us put on the armor of light."
I In spiritual life, things are always abandoned IN ORDER THAT we might appropriate something better yea, something that is required, and without which we cannot experience victory. Victory is far enough from you that you will have to leave something to obtain it. Abraham had to leave Ur of the Chaldees to enter Canaan. Israel had to leave Egypt in order to enter the promised land. Peter, Andrew, James, and John had to leave their nets and boats to follow Jesus. Matthew had to leave his seat of customs to follow the Master. That is the nature of the kingdom of God and of Christ. We are turned FROM darkness TO light, and FROM the power of Satan UNTO God (Acts 26:18). The Thessalonians turned FROM idols and TO God (1 Thess 1:9). Not only do "old things" pass away, all things "become new" (2 Cor 5:17). That is the nature of spiritual life.
In the text before us, unacceptable things are put off in order that necessary things may be put on. Thus we are exhorted to CAST OFF the works of darkness," and "PUT ON the armor of light." One of these activities cannot stand on its own. They are like a two legged activity. Men may attempt to hop about on one of the legs, attempting to only put off the works of darkness without putting on the armor of light. Another individual may hop upon the other leg, making every effort to put on the armor of light without first putting off the works of darkness. In both cases, one-legged efforts will require more strength than the person has, and he will soon wear out. Both must be done, else the person will not be able to stand.
There are other exhortations that highlight this principle of spiritual life: i.e., putting off one thing AND putting on another. We are exhorted to "put off the old man," AND "put on the new man" (Eph 4:22-24). Also we are told to "resist the devil," AND "draw nigh unto God" (James 4:7). Again, we are to "cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit," AND "perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord:" (2 Cor 7:1). We "escape the pollutions of the world" AND become "partakers of the Divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). From one point of view we are "dead" AND, at the same time "our lives are hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). We are to reckon ourselves to be "dead indeed unto sin," BUT "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" Rom 6:11) at the same time!
The lack of effort on one side of the "AND" renders all effort on the other side vain. It is useless to attempt to "put on the armor of light" if we do not first "put off the works of darkness." If we are serving sin, we can neither serve God nor enjoy the protection He provides. If, on the other hand, we attempt to "put off the works of darkness" WITHOUT the prospect of "putting on the armor of light," the task will appear hopeless and spiritual fatigue will cause us to despair.
Contrary to common perceptions, light cannot blend with darkness. Good cannot merge with evil. Righteousness cannot intermingle with unrighteousness. Scripture says it this way. "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" (2 Cor 6:14-16). There can be no blend of these competing and contradictory things! There really are no such things as a "carnal Christian" or a "holy devil." You cannot be "carnal" and "spiritual" simultaneously. The involvement in one moves one away from the other. It is not possible to "walk in the flesh" and "walk in the Spirit" at the same time. That would be the same as Jesus sinning or the devil doing righteousness. It is simply not possible. I say this understanding that every believer has a contrary law within them, "warring against" the law of their mind (Rom 7:21,23). That is the part we "put off," for we cannot "put off" what does not exist. Such inclinations are "put off" when they are refused expression. Holy impulses are "put on" when they are obeyed.
It is not possible to do "the works of UNighteousness" with one hand, and put on "the armor of light" with the other. A person CANNOT serve two masters. Two conflicting purposes cannot be served simultaneously. The Lord Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye CANNOT serve God and mammon" (Matt 6:24). Therefore, all men are to cease such efforts, and do so immediately.
This is a Kingdom principle that is virtually unknown among professed Christians. All manner of activity is being expended that requires the adoption of worldly wisdom and manners within a supposed religious setting. It is found in the world of "Christian education," church organization, professional religious careers, and supposed Christian music. Concessions are being made to the flesh, rather than crucifying it (Gal 5:24). Devoted efforts are being made to mingle the flesh with the Spirit in order to attract people to Christ. Preaching is being "dumbed down" to make it more palatable for those who are carnal. Services are shortened to accommodate the flesh. Music is adopted that appeals more to the disinterested and juvenile.
It is all foolhardy, and no good will come from it. Before a person can appropriate the things of God, he must let go of the things of the world. Before one can draw near to the Lord, the devil must be resisted. Before we can live "soberly, righteously, and godly," we must "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts," as the grace of God teaches us (Tit 2:11-12). In keeping with this principle, we "CAST OFF the works of darkness" IN ORDER that we may be able to "PUT ON the armor of light." We do not cast them off out of a mere sense of obligation or duty, but in order that we may appropriate and wear "armor of light."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to energetically and immediately thrust from myself all that is associated with darkness, in order that I may be able to put on the armor of light.