Shine Down

Shine Down:

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Romans 13:12) 

I've always loved the way this verse instructs us to "put on the armour of light". It never ceases to paint a vivid picture in my mind. This verse may have you wondering what it means to cast off the works of darkness and put on an armour of light. Well, as you may have noticed, every verse is a treasure chest of hidden knowledge and beauty. So, let's dive in! 

The Greek New Testament has always mesmerised me, because of all the meaningful words. The word here for darkness in the Greek it is σκότος and it means darkness (of course). Let's not move on just yet, there is more to this verse (isn't there always?). 

Skotos also depicts spiritual darkness (i.e. sin, erroneous ways, and misery). Spiritual darkness can be the result of living in a sinful habit such as deceit or bitterness. Oftentimes, the works of darkness mentioned in Romans 13:12 are any deeds done in secrecy. When you try to hide what it is that you're doing, that's most likely a big warning flag. If you're afraid to bring whatever it is into the light, it is quite possible that this may be a work of spiritual darkness. 

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46) 

Jesus came as the Light to set us free from walking in darkness. The misery brought from the works of darkness cannot overcome the saving Light of Jesus. 

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) 

Now that we've established what the darkness is, how do we walk in the light? What about the armour of light? How do we wear it? 

The word light in Romans 13:12 is the Greek word φως. Phōs is the word used for things that radiate light, luminaries, a light giving object. This word is used of God in 1 John 1:5 to depict that He is the One true and pure Light. 

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) 

Completely unadulterated by the dark. There is absolutely no darkness, not even a trace, in Him. Therefore, we can conclude that the Lord's Spirit (the Spirit that lives inside us) also contains no hint of even the slightest darkness. He is purely glory, and completely blameless. 

"For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6) 

The powerful and mighty Spirit of God within us has the authority to overcome any darkness. No matter how bad of a darkness you might have formerly walked in (or with which you're currently struggling), Jesus forgives it all. What Jesus forgives no longer has a hold on us. No more "skotos misery"! 

When Jesus redeems us, He fills us with the Holy Spirt. The phōs light of God is shining in us. So, it would seem fitting to put on the armour of light, or as I like to call it the phōs armour! 

The Holy Spirit has the power to transform you, so cast off the darkness, and lay it at the foot of the Cross. Claim your forgiveness in Jesus Christ. No longer are you ruled by spiritual darkness, but now you are covered in Holy Spirit illumination! God doesn't desire us to live in the mire of skotos misery, but rather to embrace the "eleutheria life" of Salvation we talked about yesterday! 

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:9) 

May you live and love and walk continually in the Light of the Lord. Let the lovingkindness of Christ lead you and cover you. Begin every day reminding yourself that you (yes, you!) are a child of God. Fully forgiven, radically redeemed, and lavishly loved. 

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8) 

May Ephesians 5:8 be your anthem of joyous new life. Be blessed today, every one of you.

-The Introverted Evangelist