This section in Paul’s letter to the Romans, is one in which we learn to apply some of the provisions being provided to us as we begin to seriously devote ourselves to walking with the power demonstrated by the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ when He came to present Himself a TOTAL SACRIFICE to God His Father, while satisfying Him totally for us. Let us listen in as our Pastor Teacher, Landis Fisher presses us toward the concluding verses of this thirteenth chapter in a message which he has titled: “Walking in the Armor of Light”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 50:1 – 6 (KJV)
Psa 50:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
Psa 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Psa 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Psa 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Psa 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8 – 14 (KJV)
Rom 13:8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12 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.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) God will make it possible for the ones who trust Him enough to obey His Word to be able to become free from debt, and He will assure that every believer is able to maintain “His standard of righteousness” just as He has promised to the ones willing to abandon their own ways in exchange for doing things His way.
2) In order to walk in the Armor of Light, we must be willing not only to agree with God’s facts about ourselves, but also to trust that He will meet us at the point of our needs as we do all diligence to serve one another in true love as He has demonstrated in His extravagant sacrifice of His Son to even make it possible for us to do so.
3) Let us set our hearts on doing God’s perfect will, while intentionally learning to shutdown the evil deeds of our own minds, toward our own selfish desires toward ourselves and others which are the devices of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
