No Time To Waste

Romans 13:11–14 ESV

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

1.  WAKE UP!

1 Thessalonians 5:5–8 ESV

5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Quote: The present time, while Christ is absent and Satan is at work, is described as the night. Since “the day” is almost here, Paul urged his readers to put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Christians are soldiers in a conflict who need to be alert and equipped for battle. Upright, Christ-honoring living is often referred to as being in the light. John A. Witmer, “Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary

2. Put on the armor of light.

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

3. Walk in the light.

4. Walk like Jesus.

“Put on the Lord Jesus" (Romans 13:14) means to consciously and daily clothe oneself with the character, virtues, and mindset of Jesus Christ, rather than fulfilling selfish desires. It is a metaphor for imitating Him, relying on His strength, and letting His presence dominate one's actions, thoughts, and habits.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 6:16–19 ESV

16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

So what will you do with the remaining time? Will we follow what the scriptures say here and live according to them, Or will we waste the time chasing selfish and sinful desires? Jesus is coming and is almost here…We have been instructed to be ready for His return by living as He has called us. I admonish you please stop wasting time, Jesus is coming.