Live in the Light

Romans 13:13-14 - Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Keep Reading...

Where is the breeding ground for sin? The dark. It is light that shows the real dirt and filth that goes with sin. Ephesians 5:13 Light reveals sin's utter foolishness.

We are instructed in these verses to live in the light. Even when you're alone, act as you would in the daytime with lots of people around. Would you really get into perverse language and immoral behavior when there is a large group around you at work or school? So, Paul tells us to behave with a recognition that we are always in the light.

We are exhorted in Romans 13:11 to "understand the present time." This means that we need to be alert to the fact that Jesus is coming back. Would you want to be living in rebellion as Jesus comes back to get you? Of course not!

Instead of putting on your old deeds of darkness, you are called to put on Jesus… actually clothe yourself with Jesus. This is not a gimmick or a symbolic gesture. "Christ is in you. Your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness." Romans 8:10 So, if Christ is already in you… if he has already given you new life, then live like it. In other words, there is no reason to go back to your old way of living.

But you can feel the pull toward the sinful nature at times. Even when you know that Jesus is in you and on you, you battle wicked desires. What should you do? The Holy Spirit clearly says, “Stop thinking about how you feel the need to be gratified in a wicked way. Don’t give room in your mind for toying around with rebellion.”

Stop thinking about your sinful nature… about its wickedly attractive desires. Shut it down. Make an intentional move to fix your mind on Jesus, his beauty and his voice. Let his Words and worship run through your mind. The pull of the sinful nature will lose strength in your life.