Are You Living as You Were Called?

Romans 13.12-14
"12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

One of the most serious problems with younger Christians these days is the Sunday Syndrome. The Sunday Syndrome is this: a young Christian turns his life over to Jesus, spends a few weeks or so emotionally high on the Gospel, then slowly descends backwards into his sinful ways. The only time you will ever see him return to the Lord is on two occasions: Sundays and when he is in trouble. Far too often have I seen this occur. Unfortunately, it is not only prevalent among younger Christians(especially teenagers), but in adults as well. This is one of the most serious issues we face as Christians: many of us are not living as we are called. Romans says that we are not to behave in "orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." And yet we see so many people professing themselves as Christians guilty of these things.

The bottom line is that living like Christ is a LIFESTYLE, not a single event. Notice the core of Paul's message here in Romans 13: we are to "clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." We are to "clothe" ourselves with Christ. Being a Christian is a lifestyle to which God calls us. The whole point of salvation is to reunite man with his Maker. It is not simply a "get out of death free" card. We live forever because we are with Christ--our entire existence feeds on Him. When Christ comes into our hearts, this becomes apparent. The Holy Spirit begins to say to us, "Don't do that," and "Go do that." The Holy Spirit is the discerning force that lets "us behave decently, as in the daytime." This replaces our old behavior which promotes sexual immorality, drunkenness, jealousy, and the desire to simply stir up trouble.

Notice that Paul says we are to behave "as in the daytime." What is the opposite of daytime? Night. Many professing Christians are not living as they are called--they are prowling around in the night looking for sinful pleasures. These desires may begin innocently enough, but soon become twisted by sin. Loneliness can lead to a relationship, which can lead to intimacy, which leads to sex before marriage or outside of a marriage. Depression can lead to a desire for happiness, which is sought through alcohol and drugs, which begins a vicious cycle of abuse of the mind, body, and spirit of both oneself and their loved ones. All such sins occur in the night--the devil attacks when we are spiritually off our guard. These sins are not drop off a ledge but a slow decline.

How are we to guard against this? How are we to live as we are called? We are to "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." God's Word tells us that we must "behave decently, as in the daytime." We are to "clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." When a desire comes to sin, cast it out! Jesus says something very profound in Matthew 5.29: "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." If the Holy Spirit is tugging on your heart, take a step back and look at what is before you. If it is tempting you, throw it away. Get your mind off of it and onto Christ. Run from the darkness and move into the daylight. There's a song that states that "Into marvelous light [we] are running." 1 Peter 2.9 says this: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." God is calling us to live in His light, beloved. Let us live in it every day.

If you are struggling in some area of your life, if you are not living as you are called, let the blood of Christ wash it way. Come to God and say, "Lord, I know I have sinned. I ask your forgiveness to wash over me and cleanse me. Bring me back into your light." 1 John 1.9 says that "[i]f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Jesus will forgive you--He already has forgiven you. Live like you are forgiven, beloved. Don't go back to the sin He forgave. I encourage you to read the Scripture constantly, not just in short 2 minute devotions with one verse of Scripture. Get the meat of the Gospel. 1 Peter 2 is a great place to learn how we can live righteously before God. Walk in the Lord's light today, not in darkness. Live as you were called through Christ Jesus. Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich