“Walk worthy of your calling”

Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen, 07 Dec 2014

Rom 13:11-13
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.

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.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Christmas is in 18 days. If Jesus should come in 18 days to you, how would you live? Some would clean their yard and house. Others would prepare the best room in the house for Him, and tell the children to behave in the best way.

The hour has come to wake up from our sleep, and we must act as we read in verse 11.

There is something God commands that we do. Each one should awake out of their sleep. Some are quite awake physically but fast asleep spiritually.

There are those who think Christmas is a time to booze, or a time to give way to their passions. Others put up beautiful decorations, but they don’t know what Christmas is about.

But at Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Son of our Heavenly Father into this world, who became man. He wasn’t born in a palace, but in a smelly stable with animals.

Through Him all things were created (John 1:3; Col 1:16). If Jesus comes to you even now, wouldn’t you turn away from all your sins at once? Surely this great celebration of Him coming to you should transform your life. We do so many things to enjoy Christmas, yet we ignore this great event of the Creator of us all being born into this world to save us.

God says it is enough, the time for sleeping is over. Not only old people die; death comes to the young people too.

Our text says, ‘therefore let us put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light’.

The works of darkness are clear, orgies, strife, unbelief etc. Have you cast these works of darkness off?

The prince of this world, satan, is ruling those who do his works, watching pornography and walking in darkness. Job said that he had made a covenant with his eyes not to look upon a young woman, a virgin (Job 31:1). Who is ruling in your life?

It’s not enough to just reject evil deeds, but you must be clothed with the armor of light. If you depart from darkness you must put on the armor of light. Satan will tempt you again after you have chosen to follow Jesus. Woe to you if you’re found without the armor of light.

Do not neglect the fellowship of God’s children (Heb 10:25). Do not neglect God’s Word (Eph 6:17). If you go to battle without the necessary weapons you’re a fool and would be defeated. That’s why you should feast on God’s Word.

Lastly, walk worthy of your calling, as a Christian, so that when people come into your house they might know that saints live there; that you are a child of light and not of darkness.

There’s a German song which says that if there was a window to your mind and anyone could see your thoughts, would you go and buy something to cover the window? But before God you’re made of glass and He can see everything, and one day He will reveal your whole life (Luke 12:3; 2Cor 5:10). He sees every single thought you think (Heb 4:13). That’s why you should walk worthy of your calling.