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11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:11-14 NRSV)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend! I trust the blessings of this season of preparation have been yours. As we pray please pray for the world; too many people dying in senseless violence. Our prayers for former president Jimmy Carter and his health; he is hospitalized not long after his surgery. Pray for his healing. Pray for the summit and all leaders present.
As I read the passage for today my mind raced to the old Chicago Transit Authority song by the same title as today's devotional. It seems the group had time on their mind as another song, "25 or 6 To Four" was about time; a groggy band member wanting not to get up from sleep asked another what time it was, and he replied, "It's 25 or 6 to Four." And that became another one of their hits. The title song of today's devotional is about the hustle and bustle of daily life with people not caring enough for the other. It's still a timely (no pun intended!) song and could be tied to the message from Paul to the Romans in today's passage.
The urgency of every Christian is to make sure his or her neighbor is right (saved) with God. Paul knew that his time on earth was running out and so he urges people to "wake from sleep." Again, the challenge to the church is apathy or indifference to the reality of our spiritual situation. Salvation was not a certificate to hang on our walls; it was a daily process of growing in the Lord, doing and serving as much as we could. Salvation was an action of joy and love. Paul saw it as something that would grow in us the more we did for God and for others. I spoke briefly about sanctification earlier in one of my devotions, as a process that begins at the moment of our salvation and continues to bless us each day until the day we graduate into the presence of the Lord. For Paul, the darkness of "the night" was drawing to a close, and "the day" which refers to the appearance of the Lord Jesus (think Advent!) was getting closer, so Paul says, "let us then lay aside the works of darkness (sinful things) and put on the armor of light (evidence of salvation in our lives, words, and actions). Paul saw this as an opportunity to shine as being set apart and different from the world, living "honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provison for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
Long story short; advent can only work in us if we wake up to the reality of the need we have for Jesus to guide us and use us. So, if you're resting or slumbering in the deeds of yesterday or the deeds of your parents, wake up! And get to work!
PRAYER: Loving Father, bless us as we seek to prepare for Your birth and Your return for us. Make us worthy as we seek to work in the light of the day. Let us be a blessing to others. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Let people really know what time it is in your heart!
Blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
