“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day,…”Romans 13:11-13
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary has these eye popping words to share.
13:11-14 “Four things are here taught, as a Christian’s directory for his day’s work. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time. Also the salvation nigh at hand. Let us mind our way, and mend our pace, we are nearer our journey’s end. Also to make ourselves ready. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must put off; clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of darkness. Observe what we must put on; how we should dress our souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must reckon himself undressed, if unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan’s temptations, and the assaults of this present evil world. Put on Christ; that includes all. Put on righteousness of Christ, for justification. Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ, for sanctification. The Lord Jesus Christ must be put on as Lord to rule you as Jesus to save you; and in both, as Christ anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling, saving work. And how to walk. When we are up and ready, we are not to sit still, but to appear abroad; let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, who ever sees us. Walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the works of darkness. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts these all together, Pr 23:29-35. See what provision to make. Our great care must be to provide for our souls: but must we take no care about our bodies? Yes; but two things are forbidden. Perplexing ourselves with anxious, encumbering care; and indulging ourselves in irregular desires. Natural wants are to be answered, but evil appetites must be checked and denied. To ask meat for our necessities, is our duty, we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts, is provoking God,” Ps 78:18.
He had more to say! What say you?
thedailylily.com 
I say that I need spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit to ascertain, identify and discern that fine line wherein i am going overboard.
At times the lust of the flesh comes on in a sudden flash of temptation…..anger, pride, etc……and one knows they have to make a choice right then and there to either give in or reject that reaction as in “casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the purpose of God” as in 2Cor10:5
And sometimes in certain sets of circumstances, oneself is driven along, not really recognizing the pressure of an excessive appetite or a difficult situation that is like a driving force.
In any event, when eyes are opened and the truth of the situation is revealed, God provides a way of escape from the temptation [trial, testing]..
I thank and praise God for that; that He has provided a way of escape….repentance and running to the throne of mercy and grace that I may obtain compassion and help in the time of need.
Recently I heard a Pastor speak about a story we all have heard many times. Zachaeus, Luke 19: 1 – 10. Zachaeus was a swindler, thief, and decided to change. He definately wanted a change and he received it from the Lord Jesus. If he had not wanted help he would not have received help from the Lord. If you are 90% willing to do something to change, it will happen. Zachaeus climbed the Sycamore tree waiting to see the Lord. No ‘hap in circumstance’ that Jesus was walking along and suddenly stopped right under the tree where he was perched. When we are finally ready to change are spiritual garments, we admit it. We know we need to change course. We will do what ever it takes. Or are we in need of change, but don’t know it. Or, do we repeatedly feel sorry for not doing anything, but continue in what needs to be changed. Just feeling sorry never gets you into the new clothing Jesus wants you to wear. True confessing is taking God’s viewpoint and we DO something about it. Are you willing to turn from it (whatever it is) and put on what Jesus is extending to you to put on – walking in garments of truth, walking in garments of freedom from whatever is enslaving you. Scripture says, Philippians 4:13 NKJV – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. SO take a risk and trust Jesus, He holds out your new garments but You have to do something to put them on. The Pastor said that he has come to the point that if someone is ready, really ready he is more than ready to help, otherwise it won’t happen. Of course we all need to ask Lord where do I need change? What do I need to do to make it happen?
I feel many answers are found when one puts into practice Job 42:10!
Thank you for sharing your insight, Sara, and the scripture from Job.
As read Romans 13:11-13, it says to me that sleeping means I am oblivious to what is going on around me and. And that is the epitome of self-centeredness. Sleeping is something I would do by myself. But to wake up to those around me is throwing off a deed of darkness.
How hopeful is that verse in Job 42:10 where the Scripture indicates [paraphrased] that the LORD turns the captivity of the sufferer when he/she takes attention from one’s own suffering and prays for their friends’ needs.
Oh and in addition to Job 42:10 it shows…the graciousness of our God…to give the sufferer who has turned from self-ills to pray for others….double his/her prosperity.
What a glorious God of grace…a New Wave of Glory of God’ manifest Presence, Power and Goodness. Thank You Lord Jesus.
it seems this is saying turn some lights on in your house, open the doors and let others come in. I don’t see where God needs to do anything. Get me out, get me in…it says for me to stop living in darkness, wear, (stay in light/truth) some light and behave myself.
I had a dream recently where three stray cats wanted to come in my house via garage/back door and when I put the key to the door a big spider and web showed the story of the cats. I quickly left the door locked and drove to front of house in brilliant light and cats scattered. This scriptures warns it is already the hour to awaken…..
What a true man of God Job was. Having just listened to a lecture by BSF I learned that God test much through bitter times. Through testing we learn about who we are, what/whom are our idols are and the bitter times show us our selfish sense of entitlement and lack of gratitude and lack of trust in God. God wants us to depend upon Him which Job did. Nothing teaches us better than being deprived for a time of what we consider as our basic needs. Somehow though we confuse our wants and desires for needs. The speaker went on to say that Satan uses the same trials but his trials are to bring out the worst in us. That is what Satan wanted to do to Job. Job chose not to buy into Satan’s plan. Satan would have brought about Job fulfilling his legitimate needs in illegitimate ways. His dependence on someone/something other than God. Job is a role model for all who face bitter times. Job chose to be clothed in the light of God. When we obey God, are dependent on God we will be blessed by God. Job at the end even though things were tough could have grumbled and whinned, but instead he pressed through and focused on his friends and prayed for them. Thus showing he was bringing them to God in prayer even before hisself – He was unselfish, and he was humble! Man suffering much praying for the ones who hurt him, bringing their names to God for healing.
Rena, didn’t Job’s friends give him bad advice? Wonder why?
1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT
New Living Translation
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness.
I think there was no unity of spirit between Job’s friends and Job (who had walked with the Lord for many years doing the will of God). World wisdom and spiritual wisdom don’t mix. Looking only on the outwardly circumstances from a worldly viewpoint Job’s friends accused him and gave carnal advise because that is all they could give standing wise in their own cleverness. They didn’t even know the truth about God. God in the end had Job pray for his friends so that He God would not deal with them for their folly or lack of good sense.
Some comments on Job’s “friends”. . Even though he lost everything he refused to curse God. But his “friends” [comforters] continued to accuse him of some transgression because they reasoned that all this misfortune must be due to Job’s sin of some sort. Job continued to maintain his innocence but his “friends” continued until the end to accuse him.
The Lord rebuked the friends because they had not spoken rightly about God and Job.
They had to repent and offer sacrifices for their accusations and mis-spoken words.
The accusing spirit is of the evil one as seen in the opening chapters of Job.
Then that lovely verse in 42:10…”after Job had prayed for his “friends” and evidently forgiven them, the Lord gave him success again and doubled his prosperity.”
What hope!
Yeap, sounds like friends of Joel and Victoria Osteen and other ministers. Everybody that has their God has their opinion. I think in the book of Judges and others we read words like this…”…all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Seems like the only answer for anyone seeking God truth ‘eat dirt’ and pray. I love how gossip seems to be the prayer of today. Let’s have lunch and gossip! Of course we would never, ever call it that. And, we think by saying a few mumble bumble words, I’m sorry, after attacking another’s character is the answer. I am in shock with people telling me how forgiven they are while on a steady diet of gossip and character attacks. Maybe we all need these gods that forgive and give us vain imagination telling us we are A-ok.
Job’s friends did their best like our best! Whee! Trick or treat?
Responding to my trick OR treat? Thessalonians 2:9-13 gives us beauty in my humble opinion…the best chocolate with benefit! “When you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.”
I would say God’s Word works from inside out so it is not more words it is the armor of light!
Some encouraging footnotes for Job 42: 10,11 (NLT) says: “Would the message of the book of Job change if God had not restored to Job his former blessings? No. God is still sovereign. Jesus said that anyone who gives up something for the Kingdom of God will be repaid (Luke 18: 29, 30). Our restoration may or may not be the same kind as Job’s, which was both spiritual and material. Our complete restoration may not be in this life–but it will happen. God loves us, and He is just. He not only will restore whatever we have lost unjustly, but He also will give us more than we can imagine as we live with Him in eternity. Cling tightly to your faith through all your trials, and you, too, will be rewarded by God–if not now, in the life to come.”
Amen, footnotes…Eternity is the answer.
Tammy, the footnotes of Luke 18 when Jesus speaks (gives up for the Kingdom of God) gives a real clear orbit point yet so often jettison over like a chocolate peppermint pattie! How many of us can reveal the filling or do we like showing the chocolate of how much we think we know. Unless I misunderstand a lot which I know some think I do, did Job go out and sin or make so called mistakes, etc etc etc. did he live the flesh life from Galatians 5 while calling it giving up for the Kingdom? Does it say Job was foolish in words, deeds or action? I am thinking of Christians being persecuted by losing their material goods, family members and lives for the Kingdom ownership, even now at we read and hear news…are they the “job” recorded for us to study…..
Tammy, as you read scripture, footnotes, study, meditate, seek and ask and share…I am reminded how many levels are in Gods Word and it comes to me thru a little song we sang since childhood, “deep and wide x2 there’s a fountain flowing deep and wide….” Do you remember?
I agree Rena on your comment on Jobs friends…Also, I thought Howell’s description below of “saints” might give us a view of Jobs friends as well as ourselves as we endeavor to deal with the words given in blog such as lay outside darkness, dress in light and behave properly.
“SAINTS DO NOT POSSESS an extra layer of muscle. They are not taller, and they do not sport superior IQs. They are not richer, and their parents are not more clever than yours or mine. They have no bat-like perception that enables them to fly in the dark.
They are flesh and blood, just like you and me, no stronger, no more intelligent. And that is the point. They simply offer themselves to God, knowing they are not the elite, fully cognizant that they are inadequate to the task, that their abilities are limited and fallible.”
– James C. Howell
Servants, Misfits, and Martyrs
“did Job go out and sin or make so called mistakes, etc etc etc. did he live the flesh life from Galatians 5 while calling it giving up for the Kingdom?”
Job 1:1 (NLT) says: “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless–a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil”….
Job 1:8 (NLT) “Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless– a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
Job 1: 22 (NLT) “In all this, Job did not sin by blaming God”
Job 2: 3 (NLT) ” Then the Lord asked satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless–a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”
Sara, I don’t see any verses here that indicate that Job went out and sinned, made mistakes or lived the flesh life. Does my comprehension need a checkup?
Yes, I do remember the song….”Deep and Wide”
Tammy, dosen’t Job’s character description put a little fire thought in your soul when we begin to compare ourselves to him? I do understand by faith we have the righteousness of Christ. We are to put off the old man to be a Job church. Forgive me for thinking and asking but when is this going to happen? Maybe it is being built and we will see, hear and be a part of a church without spot or wrinkle.
Most interesting to find your note comments here this am, Tammy. Upon my morning thoughts before daylight I thought, have I really put off the old man and put on the new? (Ephesians 4) Would God speak about my character in such noble terms calling me the finest lady in the whole earth? Nope! That is a shameful thought. Maybe, I put off but forgot to put on. I most often look to the daily lily to find my answers first thing as I sip my hot coffee. Tammy, what does our new outfit look like?
I do think the characteristics of Job in some way depicts a picture of the perfect church. I just love, love, love the newness of church in daily sharing His Word of life lessons through this awesome tool called Internet provided to us for such a time as this.
Sara your comment above, “Maybe we all need these gods that forgive and give us vain imagination telling us we are A-ok.” is very sobering. Bowing to these ‘gods’ looks directly opposite to the saints above who, “simply offer themselves to God,… “. Pride vs humility.
“Tammy, dosen’t Job’s character description put a little fire thought in your soul when we begin to compare ourselves to him? ” Yes, it does Sara.
“We are to put off the old man to be a Job church. Forgive me for thinking and asking but when is this going to happen? Maybe it is being built and we will see, hear and be a part of a church without spot or wrinkle.” Good question, Sara. I pray you are right about it being built now and us being a part of a church without spot or wrinkle. I wonder, as I ponder all of this, could some scripture in Philippians be an encouragement for us? Read with me: (Phil 3: 8-21 NLT) “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
“Tammy, what does our new outfit look like?” Good question again, Sara. I’m not thinking our new outfit will change, if we aren’t willing to obey God’s Word. Maybe the footnotes for verses 9 & 10 will help here?? “Paul gave up everything–family, friendship, and freedom– in order to know Christ and his resurrection power. We, too, have access to this knowledge and this power, but we may have to make sacrifices to enjoy it fully. What are you willing to give up in order to know Christ? A crowded schedule in order to set aside a few minutes each day for prayer and Bible study? Your friend’s approval? Some of your plans or pleasures? Whatever it is, knowing Christ is more than worth the sacrifice.” OUCH
Tammy, you are an inspiration! When we study, meditate, interact with one another which shows Father God our love to him and one another by searching in unison for Him! Guess what? We will surely find Him! You have found Him and that is the very reason without fail others will come to find him. God’s Word says they will know us by our love.
“This is how love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”1John 4 NLT
Thanks for the goad of notes again.. I will go and study!