Introduction

We are going to look again at Romans 13:11-14. Do you remember the image that is presented? As I read the text take note as to how someone is be roused from sleep to get up, put off the clothes of the night, put on the clothes for the work of the day.

We have a basic exhortation in this text: live in the light, not in the darkness. We want to consider this exhortation today. We will cover the following three things: the ground, the details and the impact of this exhortation.

1A. The ground of the exhortation to live in the light, not darkness

We begin with the ground to get back into the context. It is grounded in knowledge that we should have regarding the time (v. 11a, "do this understanding the time").

We are to be informed and thoughtful as Christians. We are not to be just emotional or fervent about the faith but we are to be emotional/fervent with good understanding. Knowledge keeps the kettle from boiling over; it turns the burner down so the kettle will simmer (it should not turn the burner off or eliminate the boiling within). Hence, many exhortations in Scripture call us to earnest learning (to fervent learning).

Per this passage, we are to know the time. We are to have an understanding deep in our souls regarding the unfolding of time on this earth.

We are to know two particular things and these ground the overall duty. We are to know that our salvation is nearer and that our salvation is present. Though these two things sound contradictory, they are consistent with one another in that they reveal the time in two distinct ways (no either/or but a both/and).

1) The first looks toward the future in a chronological way in which the days from here to there are running out (11b). There is urgency here. We should know that the great end of our hope is closer than when we believed. Each day we inch closer and closer to it. Each day is another step of progress toward that goal so each day is given a special value and meaning. But the days are running out. We have much to do. Hence look to your duty, says Paul, it is high time.

2) The second looks at the future as present ahead of time. If the first basis looks from the now to the future, this second basis sees the future in the present. It is not simply that the days are running out but that the day has come (v. 12a, the night has spent itself, the day has arrived; cf. has come, v. 11, put on the armor of light, v. 12b, daytime, v. 13 with 1 Thess. 5:4-8). We are in the dawn of the new day. The eternal day of our salvation has already begun. We taste now of heaven. For example, we commence the heavenly feast now in communion. Now each Lord's day we sample the eternal Sabbath rest that is promised at the end of history.

Both perspectives are motivating. If the first motivates to duty by culturing a sense of urgency and value in our unfolding days, the second motivates to duty by cultivating our tastes and desires for glory (reminding us of this resource for experiential knowledge). We have the Spirit as a foretaste of glory (Rom. 8:23). We know what heaven will be like. It will not be different in kind but only in fullness and magnitude from what we now enjoy when we fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the communion of the saints.

As you understand the time and sense this urgency, get up from slumber and engage the warfare as a soldier. Furthermore, fight on with gratitude basking in the sun of God's love. Do your duty from the joy of fellowship (of which and to which this basis points). Bask in the morning sunlight, be refreshed, and thereby serve as a good soldier with vigor, vitality, vigilance and diligence.

So I can say, "good morning" to you. This greeting has special meaning on the lips of a Christian. Good morning, yes, it is a good morning. This new day brings me closer to glory. This morning reminds me that I am already in the light of the new, final, and eternal day of salvation. In the word of God and with the saints of God, I taste of heaven and from that resource I go to the task of the Christian warfare. I am prompted by these considerations to live in the light, not darkness (Live, seize the day.  Eat drink and be merry to the glory of God knowing the time!)

2A. The details of the exhortation to live in the light, not darkness

We can organize these details by hanging them on three hooks.

1B. First, there is a conflict of ages.

The darkness is still present. We live in the light of day but those who dwell in darkness surround us. Fallen history continues. This is a distinct nuance of the two age scheme: there is the present evil age (2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 1:4) and the fact that believers are citizens of heaven now (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 1:3: 2:6; believers are in but not of this world). The texts on both aspects should be pondered. There is a conflict of ages. So the duty to live in the light is both negative and positive (the radiance of high noon is not yet). There is inevitable tension in the life of the Christian. (We desire to live now and run our race to finish our work while at the same time we desire to leave and be with Christ which is far better, Phil. 1:21-23). We do not want to die yet sometimes the longing for the Lord overtakes us and we groan for our adoption in the resurrection (cf. Rom. 8:23).

Longing, longing for Jesus                                 

I have a longing in my heart for Him               

Just to be near Him, to feel His presence           

I have a longing in my heart for Him

2B. Second, some things are to be put off and guarded against

1) Put off slumber (v. 11b, put off laziness as 12:11 but put off lack of alertness and attentiveness to the most important things, to what is going on versus going around in daze or as if in a trance regarding the time). 2) Put aside deeds of darkness (v. 12b; how contrary to go around as children of the day doing works of darkness). 3) Do not participate in three pairs of evil (v. 13b, orgies and drunkenness stress excesses of food and drink, sexual immorality and debauchery stress excesses of sex, sexual misbehavior and impropriety, and finally, dissension and jealousy stress strife on the outside between persons with envy on the inside, which suggests that often the root cause of strife is jealously). 4) Then in verse 14b Paul says, "and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof" (trans. by Murray). Do not prepare the way for the lusts of the flesh to run wild.

This is all part of putting off the nightclothes (put off, put aside, do not, do not).

3B. Third, some things are to be put on in positive conduct

The details are as follows. 1) First we have "do this," which takes us back to 12:1 because an inclusio is suggested by the use of age beginning chapter 12 (v. 2) and ending chapter 13 (v. 11). Thus a unit (12-13) is marked off as included in the word "this" by using the age concept like bookends ("do not be conformed to this age" with "the time"; cf. Moo, 826). What we are to do in light of the day refers to the duties in the section immediately preceding verse 11 and all the duties from 12:1 forward. 2) Second, we are to put on the armor of light (v. 12b). Recall that this is the clothing appropriate for our daily work and it is protective. 3) Third, we are to behave decently as in the daytime (v. 13a, by analogy you do not go about your business of the day in your underwear, which would be indecent). 4) Thus, we need the right clothing for godly work in the morning of the new day that has dawned. Remarkably then, Paul says, "clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14a). Jesus is to be so embraced that "his character is manifested in all that we do" (Moo). He is to be visible everywhere we go. Others see us in terms of the clothes we wear whether work clothes or tennis clothes. So they may say "he is a bricklayer or he is a tennis player." As a Christian you are to so present yourself that it can be said of you: "there goes a Christ-one." Christian is a noble term that should be worn with grace and dignity.

Granted those who are blind cannot see the radiance of the sun but they still feel its warmth. To the blind we should appear wearing Christ as our clothing so even if they cannot see Him they still sense His warmth; we are to objectively embody Christ to eyes that subjectively cannot behold His glory.

3A. The impact of the exhortation to live in the light, not darkness

1) Knowing the time stirs our hearts

Knowing that the time is getting shorter cultivates a sense of urgency. It lights the flame of the fire of fervency. It is not death that is said to be closer each day but salvation in the redemption of the body, a point that is so much fuller. So, again, we have a job to do, a task to complete, and a race to finish while the time is running out. With fervency, urgency, and passion live in the light.

2) Knowing the time protects our lives

Knowing that the time involves a conflict of ages intensifies the need for alertness. "Awake my soul and sing of Him who died for thee" is a good way to address oneself. Again, there are many darts of the evil one and many arrows of word and deed that will cut us deeply if we do not pay attention to the time. Put on the godly armor like the breastplate of righteousness for solid and sure protection. Isn't it good to know that righteous living is not only right but also safe? It protects, upholds, builds, and advances life.

3) Knowing the time focuses the mind

Knowing that heaven is ours now calls for heavenly mindedness. We have been seated in heaven with Christ! This calls for a biblical and spiritual mind set that leads to all out war against sin in your life (Col. 3:1-5). Of course, we deny the spirit of heavenly mindedness if we are of no earthly good.

This means that perfection is the standard at which we aim. What else can be said when we read that we are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?

Murray states it well when he says: "nothing less than the complete negation of vice and the perfection of purity and virtue exemplified in Christ make up the habitude required of the believer." Perfection is our standard and goal. Jesus, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ is our standard and goal. The Westminster catechism summarizes His qualities and what we should wear as garments out in public: Christ is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. So we are to be.

Of course we can squarely face this standard and pursue this goal because of His death and resurrection in our place. By faith and in repentance clinging to Christ as our great high priest, we face the perfection of His law, of His holy character and work to imitate it knowing His gentle forgiveness and encouragement all along our frail way. The gospel is a marvelous package of things.

So, live in the light means having your path enlightened by Christ. Consider Him. Pondering the perfection of the Lord Jesus you are transformed into that same image from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Christ is put on in a radical way in the changed life guided by His law under His rule as prophet and priest (cf. Rom. 13:8-10; Matt. 11:28-30).

And then you know what happens? There is a fringe benefit. There and then you find yourself your true humanity and what it means to be a human being on the face of God's earth. You find yourself there because you exist with a design, which is to image God and thus to glorify Him.

Well then, it must be gratitude that is at bottom here as motivation to get up, put off the nightclothes, and put on the clothes of the day, day clothes appropriate for the task of warfare against enemies without and within. Gear up the mind. Straighten feeble knees, it is high time to awake and engage the enemy in full stride (to mix images, we run a race across a battlefield in service to the Lord Jesus Christ).

Conclusion

Commit yourself to Christ as your priest, clinging to Him for forgiveness day in and day out. Commit yourself to Him as your prophet for His instruction that waters your soul to its deepest roots. Commit yourself to Christ as your king to live under His authority by His law in pursuit of obedience from the heart.

Absorb His word, law, and love into your life. Partake of Him as the bread of life, of your life. Here you are renewed daily in the inner man and made into His likeness. Here you put Him on as a garment. This is how you live in the light instead of darkness.