The Armor of Light

Bible Text: Romans 13:12-14 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2005, Romans

INTRO

A. LAY ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS (vv. 12-13).

1) The clothing metaphors.

“lay aside” & “put on” –

2) Deeds of darkness.

a) What “darkness” indicates.
In the Bible, darkness represents:

– love of sin, John 3:19

– spiritual blindness, 1John 2:11

– the demonic realm, Eph. 6:12

Christians by God’s grace are no longer in the darkness, Col. 1:13.

b) What are the “deeds of darkness”?

(1) carousing – orgy, revelling, carousing
drunkenness –

(2) sexual promiscuity – to engage in immoral sexual activity
sensuality – behavior completely lacking in moral restraint, esp. in the                     sexual realm. Such have no self control.

(3) strife – “Strife” – strife can be viewed here either as to,
1) its cause: to express differences of opinion, with at least some                     measure of antagonism or hostility.
2) its result – conflict resulting from rivalry and discord.
jealousy – a strong feeling of resentment and jealousy against someone.

B. PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT (vv. 12, 14).

1) “put on the armor of light” – Cf. Eph. 6 “put on the armor of God”.

a) “armor”-
This teaches us that the day of battle is not over.

This armor is designed to be worn at all times, in all places.

Armor is viewed as having both defensive and offensive uses.

b) “light”-
Some meanings of light:
(1) the nature of God – 1 Jn. 1:5

(2) the light of salvation – Jn. 8:12

(3) the light of moral purity – Eph. 5:8-10 this is the focus here in  Romans, notice that it is in contrast to the “deeds of darkness”

2) “Behave properly as in the day” (v. 13).

3) “put on the LJC and make no provision for the flesh” (v. 14).

a) BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PUT ON CHRIST?

To put on Christ = we put on His character.
To put on Christ = to put on the new man: Col. 3:10, 12-15.
To put on Christ = to walk by the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit and                     manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

Notice we are to put on Christ in three fold manner: Lord, Jesus, Christ.

b) “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

CONCLUSION