Scripture to Read: Romans 13:12
As we continue from yesterday’s devotion, God tells us in Romans 13:12 that this present evil age is almost finished. Remember that this was written about 2,000 years ago, and as the first readers received God’s Word, there was an excitement that Christ’s return was near. God is eternal, and as His Word says in 2 Peter 3:8, But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. God is not limited nor locked by time, so as He led Paul to write that this present evil age is almost done, He was, and is, right. The coming of our Lord is incredibly near and even if our Lord waits another 2,000 years, we must choose to live as if His return could be today. That is God’s point, that we live each day for Him, expecting the return of our Lord for His church at any time. The sad truth is that too many believers have fallen asleep spiritually; that is why God tells us, as we saw in yesterday’s devotion in Romans 13:11, to make sure we are all spiritually awake and living for Him. God tells us in Romans 13:12 to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” We are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10–18), and unless we walk into the spiritual battlefield prepared, we will soon be defeated by the deeds of darkness (our ugly fleshly nature—Romans 6:12–14).
Challenge & Application
· What did you learn about the urgency that each believer should live with daily?
· How are you laying aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!