(12)  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.

Romans 13:12-14

Explanation:

The night is far spent.   The time where we will realize our redemption is drawing near.  We don’t know exactly when it will happen, but the truth is that for all of us it is immenent.  This is the “day” that the Holy Spirit is referring to in this passage. 

Morning is coming.  Let’s get ready to act like it’s about to be day.  He gets really practical when he talks about two description of “walking honestly, as in the day”.

Live according to that “day” culture not this one.  There is a “day” culture that is coming. Every action of man will be revealed.  Have you ever heard of someone doing something wrong “in the broad daylight”?  We say that because most of the time people try to do things they want to get away with at night time rather than the day time.  We are called to “walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”

Rioting and drunkeness speak of a party lifestyle and all of the sexual and unclean evil that goes with it.  Often the partying leads to the strife and envying.

Live like Christ.  We are called to live like Jesus.  Don’t make provision for the flesh.  Make it hard to do the wrong thing. 

Application:

It’s so important to live rightly because of the day we live in.  Believers are called to share Christ with those around us.  Those without Christ must respond to Christ in repentance and salvation.  We don’t know how much time we have.  Therefore let us live with urgency and accountability, imitating Christ as our example and the source of our spiritual power.

Response:

How do you need to respond?  Is there a work of darkness that you need to drop?  Is there a person you need to share Christ with?