"The night is far spent, the day is at hand." Romans 13:12

A SENSE OF URGENCY

Not everyone has a feeling of "urgency" to live for the Lord. Paul certainly did! He made sure that his life was lived fully and well. He shared with his readers how they too could live significantly.

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand.
Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness,
and let us put on the armour of light."
Romans 13:12

1. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand"

a) Life is compared to but "a single day".

b) Paul saw his life as already "far spent".

c) All too soon, "the day is at hand".

d) And then death concludes the span of time we have on earth.

2. "Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness"

a) Paul was gripped by the use of his own imagery.

b) If life is indeed so short, then we must make use of every single hour.

c) The works of darkness must be cast away.

i) The works of darkness will cause indolence.

ii) The works of darkness will bring about spiritual death.

3. "And let us put on the armour of light"

a) Paul is making a veiled reference to spiritual battle (Cf. Ephesians 6:10-18).

b) Every believer has been given God's panoply (full armour).

c) This armour is here described as being characterized as "light".

d) The believer is called to arms! He must engage the enemy or be defeated and slain.

e) The battle has raged on from dawn and right through the night… Soon life's battles would be over! Every believer would do well to give heed to this admonition of Paul.