Let Us Put On The Armour Of Light

                In Romans 13:12-14, quoted below we find our title, “…let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light …”   This title brings to my mind:  Ephesians 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Both verses from Romans and Ephesians are discussing the “…wiles of the devil …” Yet, we as Christians put “new titles” on some of these sins, so they will not be so devastating in our minds.  If we walk honestly with the Lord, none of these: “…rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying…” should ever be on our minds.

              So what are these?  “[R]ioting and drunkenness” is “Reveling; indulging in excessive feasting drinking of alcohol.”   It would be referred to as “Partying” in our days.   (We wouldn’t want anyone to know we were rioting.)  Another word we see is “chambering” which means “Wanton, lewd, immodest behavior.”  Wanton is “Wandering or roving in gaiety,” Lewd is “addicted to fornication or adultery.” 

              “Oh, but we have made those “lifestyle” choices.  Times have changed, and so has God.  He understands.”  God understands alright, He knows these as blasphemy to Him.

              We encourage our children to dress like chambering, wanton, lewd people who are noticed because of their choices.  As far as the world is concerned, it is their choice, (a wrong one, but it is theirs.)  

              Think about the young men and young women who have fought and died so we can lead our children to live a life without the “armour of light” and the “whole armour of God.”  However, as a Christian we are not entitled to those choices.  Our choice is to walk with the Lord modestly without allowing the lust of our flesh to be seen or shown.  Being rebels against the Lord is not good.  Being a rebel to the world (only in the sense of not following the world) is also not good.

              We as Christians are to put on Jesus Christ and follow Him.  We are to be honest in our walk, and in our talk.  We as Disciples of Christ must walk within the circles of the world.  While within these circles, we must be seen as honest, true to them, and to our Lord. 

Hebrews 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

This verse defines a Christian’s walk.  Live up to it.  Be what Christ expects from you.  Live Him.                                            

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Romans 13:12-14  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.