Put On Christ Series

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. - Romans 13:11

Advent always seems out of place while everything else that is going on around us. While people are rushing toward Christmas shopping with exitement. Sometimes we get so lost in the sentiment and traditions of Christmas that we have difficulty connecting with the themes of Advent. Advent is about waiting expectantly while longing for God to act. However, we must admit that we grow impatient and demand immediate satisfaction.

The first Sunday of Advent finds us not dreaming of the perfect Christmas or searching for a gift for the person who has everything, but rather looking to the future — to the second coming of Christ. Advent begins not with a baby in a manger but rather, looking forward to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let us walk our Salvation:

While they were waiting they believed that Jesus would return any day. Much of Paul’s writings reveal the presumption that Jesus would return within a short period of time. Expecting Christ’s return any day, he writes this passage and he mentions this verse 11, The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

We do not have that same sense of urgency today as Paul and the early believers. Nearly 2,000 years have passed and we are still waiting for Christ’s triumphant return. Advent reminds us that our faith is future oriented, moving forward to the future. Too often our focus is on the past, which makes it difficult to think about (ponder) what tomorrow will bring. Just focus on our salvation and the fulfillment of salvation. In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. 2 Cor. 6:2.=In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you. Isaiah 49:8. Luke 2:10-11.

Focus on the time:

On this first Sunday of Advent the apostle Paul encourages us to “know what time it is.” It is time for us to focus on Jesus, refraining from all other distractions commonly associated with Christmas. “Now is the moment for you to wake from sleep,” he writes to believers who might have been going through the motions without realizing the importance of the day.

The people had better wake up and pay attention, “for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first became believers,” Paul writes. We’ve been here before, working our way toward Christmas. It is easy to simply go through the motions, expecting nothing out of the ordinary to happen.

Let us put on the Armor of Light:

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 armor of light. Romans 13:12

Paul commands us to wake up, pay attention; “the night is far gone,” God is at work in our lives and in our world. We will not want to miss anything due to our inattention.

As we focus or refocus on Jesus we reject the “works of darkness.” There is evil in our world, causing us at times to stumble and fall, yet Paul instructs believers to live in the light of Christ. The light of Christ dispels the darkness. Paul uses the metaphor of suiting up with the “armor of light.” The armor of light will provide protection as we confront the evil powers and injustices of this world. We dress in the armor of light to shine brightly through the darkness of evil. We do so knowing that ultimately Christ will prevail over the darkness of evil.

We strive to follow the positive command to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” rejecting works of the flesh that hamper our relationship with Jesus. Our enemies are “not flesh and blood” but rather the destructive power that enslave and divide people — mistrust, injustice, addictions, thirst for revenge, prejudice, fear, and greed.

Isaiah 9:23 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

Late on Christmas Day the Lawder family of Atlanta gathers around the Christmas tree. There is one more gift to open, and it’s the one they anticipate the most every year, a plain white envelope. Their daughter-in-law reads the note inside the envelope that states that their parents have supported a local health clinic in the children’s honor. “It’s the best part of the holiday,” one of the sons claims.