11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:11-14 KJV)
Put on Christ
We are taught here a lesson of sobriety and godliness in ourselves. Our main care must be to look to our own hearts. Four things are here given as a Christian’s daily guide: when to awake, how to dress, how to walk, and what provision to make.
Now it is high time to awake (Romans 13:11)—to awake from the sleep of sin, spiritual deadness, and careless security. A sinful condition is a sleeping condition, and we must often be stirred to wakefulness. Christ’s command to His disciples is, “Watch” (Matthew 26:41). Be concerned for your souls and your eternal state; avoid sin, be diligent in what is good, and live in constant expectation of the Lord’s coming.
We must consider the time we live in. It is “gospel time,” the accepted time and working time. The light of truth has long shone upon us; shall we sleep in it? “You are all children of the light and of the day; let us not sleep as others do” (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6). It is a time of great work and great danger; we are surrounded by enemies and snares. “The Bridegroom is coming” (Matthew 25:6); therefore it is high time to awake, for our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The eternal happiness we look for is now closer than when we began our Christian journey; so let us quicken our pace. The nearer we are to heaven, the more earnest and active we should be in our walk with God (1 Peter 4:3).
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Romans 13:12). Therefore, let us prepare ourselves and put on proper clothing for the day. Clearer light of the gospel is breaking forth; the day of complete salvation is approaching. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness—sinful deeds that spring from ignorance, seek concealment, and end in destruction. Those who are of the day must lay these aside and detest them, for eternity is at the door (2 Peter 3:11,14).
Instead, we must “put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Christians are soldiers in the midst of enemies; therefore, they must be armed with the graces of the Spirit, which protect the soul against Satan’s temptations and the evils of the world. This armor is called “the armor of light”—bright, honorable, and suited to those who live in the day (Ephesians 6:13).
We must also “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). This stands in opposition to the base desires listed in verse 13—rioting, drunkenness, and lust. To put on Christ includes putting on His righteousness for justification, as one is found clothed in his garments (Philippians 3:9), and putting on His Spirit and grace for sanctification (Ephesians 4:24). Christ is the believer’s covering and adornment—holy, strong, and enduring. Without Him, we are naked and exposed; all else is as filthy rags. By baptism we have professed to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27); let us now do so in truth, owning Him as Lord to rule us, Jesus to save us, and Christ as the one anointed by the Father for this work.
When we are awake and dressed, we must not sit idle or withdrawn, but walk as those who live in the light. “Let us walk properly, as in the day” (Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Ephesians 5:8). Our conduct must be becoming to the gospel, bringing honor to God and making religion attractive to others.
We are warned against three pairs of sins. First, “not in rioting and drunkenness.” We must avoid all excess in eating and drinking, public or private, for “those who are drunk are drunk at night” (1 Thessalonians 5:7; Luke 21:34).
Second, “not in chambering and wantonness.” This forbids all unchastity—adultery, fornication, and every impurity of thought, word, or action that violates the law of purity (Exodus 20:14).
Third, “not in strife and envy.” These are works of darkness as well. While even the best may be envied or opposed, it ill becomes followers of the humble and peaceable Jesus to be contentious or jealous. Where there is drunkenness, there is often impurity, strife, and envy; “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? They that tarry long at the wine” (Proverbs 23:29-33).
Finally, “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14). Our chief concern must be for the soul, not the body. This does not forbid proper care for bodily needs, but it condemns anxious worry and indulgent desire. We must not be overly concerned with comfort or pleasure (Matthew 6:31), nor gratify the body’s sinful appetites. It is right to ask for daily bread, but sinful to ask for meat to satisfy lust (Psalm 78:18). Those who walk in the Spirit must not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).