June 01, 2021: SOAP #4198:  Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 13:11 And do this [from previous verse, love our neighbor], understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

OBSERVATION:  The “works of darkness” are to be put off.  The “armor of light” is to be put on.  It is not enough to just “put off” the one, we must “put on” the other!

Nine of the ten commandments tell us what NOT to do, things to be “put off.”  Both of the new commandments given by Jesus tell us what to do, things to be “put on:” 1.  love God and 2.  love our neighbor.  Here Paul not only tells people what to put off, but what to put on. 

APPLICATION:  The key for Leon is found in verse 14.  I must put off thinking about what my flesh wants to do.  I must fill my mind with God’s Word.  With my thoughts filled with the Word and influenced by the Holy Spirit, my actions will follow.  My inward thinking has great influence on my outward actions.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of what I am reading in the Word.  Show me how to apply it in my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!