Romans 13:11-14
Scripture: Romans 13:11-14 (ESV) “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.”
Devotion
As I get older, I am more and more prone to nodding off during a TV show. At first you dip in and out of consciousness but you’re still vaguely aware of what’s happening. Then before you know it, your wife pokes you awake at the end of the episode and says something respectful like “You’re snoring”. When you wake up, you have no idea what happened on the show, and you have completely lost the train of the storyline. That is what spiritual sleep is like too.
Paul reminds us that we have this kind of struggle. We have a tendency to become spiritually sluggish, as if we’re asleep to what really matters. These verses are an urgent message to the Romans that is strikingly relevant for us today: it’s time to wake up! Salvation is closer now than ever before, and each moment brings us nearer to meeting our Lord.
This passage calls us to throw off anything that belongs to our old, night-time selves—those deeds we might hide in darkness, thinking no one sees. Instead, we’re urged to get dressed in the “armor of light.” This isn’t about literally wearing something different, it’s about embracing a life that reflects goodness, truth, and integrity.
Walking “properly as in the daytime” means living openly and honestly, without partaking in behaviors like excessive partying, immoral actions, or petty conflicts. Why hide when you’re doing the right thing? By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, we’re invited to adopt His character and actions, making no room for our selfish desires. Our lives should reflect the calling we have been given in Christ. We are to walk in the light.
Because the stark reality is: Jesus is coming back soon and we need to live like it. Are you going to be hidden in darkness, or will you be found in the light?
Prayer
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Heavenly Father, awaken our hearts to Your presence and Your coming kingdom. Help us to shed the remnants of our old ways and clothe ourselves in the light of Your Son. May our lives be transparent and true, showcasing the transformation You’ve worked in us. Empower us to live every day with the urgency and purity that reflect Your love and holiness. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge
Consider areas of your life that might still be shrouded in darkness—habits or behaviors you wouldn’t want brought into the light. Today, focus on one of these areas and take a concrete step toward transparency and integrity. Let your actions today be as though they were seen by all, as a testimony to your faith in the light of Christ.