. Romans 13:12: “The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand, Let us therefore lay aside, the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” One of the scrolls of the Dead Sea sect describes the war between “the sons of light” and the “sons of darkness”. Doctrinally it is as simple as this: The closer we are to the light, the more we can see. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. The way to live is putting on the same armor of light that fell on him: “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 14), he teaches. . Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness. So, put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12). President Kimball taught that transgression “begins tiny and grows to monumental proportions. Romans 13:12: “The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand, Let us therefore lay aside, the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Light and Jesus are inseparable. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. Somehow, feeling safe because of a balancing of the two is spiritually dangerous. Invariably those in trouble had suffered losses before the bigger loss had occurred, and it was those preparatory losses that set up the bigger fall. The principle that we receive more and more from God according to our continued obedience is true of light. It grows drop by drop, inch by inch” (TSWK, 152). [Merrill J. Bateman, “Light, Visions, and Dreams,” BYU 2000–2001 Speeches (Provo: BYU, 2001), 101]. Understand the meaning of Romans 13:12 using all available Bible versions and commentary. But now, a few years later, and after a year’s worth of church attendance, things were somehow different. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Sometimes electrical problems cause what is known as a brownout. In one particular episode from the original Star Trek series, there was a life-form that attacked the crew of the star ship Enterprise. . May we always watch and be ready. In response to Joshua’s plea to know why they had been defeated, the Lord revealed the disobedience of this Israelite soldier in taking from the spoils of Jericho a forbidden or accursed object. Series II, Cycle A. The bad things we choose weaken the system so that sometimes we are unable to fully compensate by choosing good. Christ and service to Christ is at the center. I pray that we might maintain the brightness of our armor, the armor of light, by consistently coming unto the light—even Jesus Christ—who is the light. 12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. I would propose that the luxury of getting on and off the train as we please is fading. “The night is far gone, and the day is near“ (v. 12a). To put on the armor of light is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the light and life of the world. As Nephi said, “Thus the devil cheateth their souls.” We have been blindsided by our own inattention to duty and devotion to God. Romans 13:11-14 calls us to purity of life. Sometimes we have looked out the window and thought, “That looks kind of fun out there. It says: I can be laid back in the Church. (Romans 13:11-14 NIV) As are the missionaries, we also can be Christ-centered, and we also can eliminate those things of the world that dim God’s light. In essence, I can run at 120 power, and all is well. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Over time we have lost a significant measure of what we all so desperately need—the light, the spirit, the power of God. As the Son of the Living (Consuming Fire) God, He is truly “The Light.” On the Mt. Provo, Utah 84602. First, as I read this familiar story, listen closely and try to discern at what particular point darkness was defeated. The Arma Lucis logo is inspired by the Latin phrase "In hoc signo vinces" (i.e. it is a spiritual war. This train is so restrictive.” So we have jumped off and gone and played in the woods for a while. Books: Romans / Sunday 10am. Then ask yourself in all honesty, “How can I improve in those things that intensify light, and what can I simply let go of that takes light away?” As in the story of Achan: “What accursed things do I do, say, think, or hold onto that drain my power?” This list can be compared to a dimmer switch that controls the intensity of light within our homes. I would like to close with an observation by Elder Glenn L. Pace of the First Quorum of the Seventy: Many of us take the blessings of the gospel for granted. . Our weekly email is sent every Thursday at 11.00am. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. Which elder would feel comfortable meeting the challenge of listening to the still small voice of the Lord to pronounce an inspired blessing? The test or trial clearly exposes the lack of capacity. Put on the Armor of Light [Romans 13:11-12] — Downtown Hope November 27, 2019 In today’s passage, Paul exhorts the readers to “cast off the … Stay up to date with the life of our church, announcements,and opportunities to get involved by subscribing to The Weekly email. [Glenn L. Pace, “Spiritual Revival,” Ensign, November 1992, 11–12]. The armour of light - The word “armor” ὅπλα hoplaproperly means “arms,” or instruments of war, including the helmet, sword, shield, etc. [3 Nephi 13:22–23]. Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed. Ephesians 6:11-17. After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. The wolf was literally drinking his own blood, which continued until he became so weak that he froze to death. When we lose light, Satan has effectively neutralized us. They return home from their separate Friday night activities to each find a message that a sister they home teach had been in an accident and desperately needed them to come to the hospital to administer a blessing. THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. I would like to issue a challenge: Sometime today take a piece of paper and divide it into two halves. It is of more consequence than any theft in history. "The Arma Lucis logo is inspired by the Latin phrase "In hoc signo vinces" (i.e. Dabbling in darkness robs one of light and consequently the spiritual confidence to stand in the Lord’s place to bless as He would bless. It also says, "but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Watch Queue Queue. Arma Lucis (i.e. of Transfiguration, Matthew detailed the event in terms of His light. Jesus taught: The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. BYU Speeches A few years before my friend had seen a movie that was a graphic R-rated movie on the subject of demonic possession. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV) 8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. He then put a big piece of meat on top of the blade so that all the wolf would see was the meat. 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. The Lord declared: That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. Scripture: Romans 13:8-14. Sermons On The Second Readings. On the right side list things that could intensify light in your life: temple attendance, attendance at all Sunday meetings, scriptures, prayers, repentance, service, and so forth. Christ has come, and has pierced the darkness. Which elder do you suppose would make an excuse or perhaps delay the hospital visit long enough to petition God for forgiveness to have the proper spirit to give a blessing? + Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? . By way of analogy, compare 240 power to the power required to stand up to the challenges and temptations of latter-day life. With all the prophecies we have seen fulfilled, what great event are we awaiting prior to saying, “Count me in”? So, be clear to put away all the dark habits and to put on Jesus to enjoy goodness in your life and experience light … Romans 13*12 or 13:12 is one of the first places people go to when they think of 13*12. I testify that the things I have spoken of today are true. A dryer or an oven would not work effectively on 120 power. A colleague of mine observed that it is the storm that reveals the importance of having your house built on rock and not on sand. + Through divine accountability, what is the Lord calling you to confess of, share with your community, and ask for help and correction in? Date: December 24, 2017 @ 10:00 am. One evening I got a call from him requesting that we meet in the bleachers of the Smith Fieldhouse. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. People lose light line upon line or sin upon sin—here a little and there a little. [2 Nephi 28:21]. There are no questionable pictures on the walls, there is no music with suggestive lyrics, and there is no entertainment that compromises standards. The main weapon is love. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. Electrical power is still present, but it is not sufficient to handle the load requirement. So, too, can we adjust to dark deeds and actually acquire a taste for the bad. [2 Nephi 28:30]. Romans 13:12 (NASB) I asked one of my classmates to take the missionary discussions. [Romans 13:12–14]. We select some things in the Church that we like and some things of the world that we like, and we try to settle in and get comfortable with the mix. This light—His light—forsakes the evil one. One day the Eskimo took his razor-sharp knife and placed it blade up in the snow. How has it gone since last time? Outward signs of light are easy to recognize: respect, dependability, dedication to duty, modesty, obedience, and reverence for the things of God. Through disobedience Christian soldiers can effectively nullify the power of their own priesthood. Sometimes the critical issue is not the commission of light-robbing activities but serious omissions of light-bringing deeds. Romans 13:12. They taunt us and coax us to get off. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” With a determined sprint we catch up to it, breathlessly wipe the perspiration from our forehead, and thank the Lord for repentance. 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. [JS—M 1:47]. In a devotional assembly President Bateman told students: You stand at a critical juncture in life. ABOUTOur TeamStatement of FaithChildren of HopeStudent MinistryGive, MISSIONMissionariesLove AnnapolisLove AACOSent NetworkBenevolence RequestSubmit Prayer Request, RESOURCESThe DailySermonsDiscipleshipBaptism BasicsHouse to HouseCounseling + CareSeminary Without Walls. Put on the Armor of Light [Romans 13:11-12], Let Us Go to the House of the Lord [Psalm 122], Downtown Hope, 255 West Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States. Let’s therefore throw off (Greek: apothometha—put off) the works of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light. What if both elders had attended that movie? Let me give you two examples. Preached by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom Sunday, October 10, 2010. And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men. Summary: Thinking more about the phrase, "the armour of light" There’s a proverb which says, "It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness". Satan steals light from us through our own disobedience. Romans 13:11-14. Our feet as well as our hearts need to be on the gospel path. He said that as he read, the nervousness went away and he calmed down and was able to fall asleep. The armour of light - The word "armor" ὅπλα hopla properly means "arms," or instruments of war, including the helmet, sword, shield, etc. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. The revelations of the Restoration contribute much to our understanding about light. The farther we step away from the light, the less we can see. I want to reflect, this evening, upon a phrase of Paul’s in that reading from Romans: the armour of light. © Brigham Young University. The Missionary Training Center is a place where the Lord’s light shines brightly—it is hard to go there and not feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. Light illuminates—when you surround yourself with … This video is unavailable. In today’s passage, Paul exhorts the readers to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” This is both an external call since Paul uses an external metaphor for light and darkness, saying that the night is gone and the day is at hand, and an internal call since Paul uses an internal metaphor of waking from sleep (a transition from darkness to light). Some throw logs and rocks on the tracks to try and derail it. Larry Lange. Put on the armor of light (8-14) We are fighting a war, however. He has taken us out of the battle—or we have allowed ourselves to be taken out of the battle. A person who slowly drifts over time into poor physical shape does not fully appreciate that fact until a test arises that requires great physical exertion. Scripture Snacks Family Size, Vol. As more and more bad things are chosen, they become more and more desirable and seem less and less wrong. Maintaining light is like staying spiritually in shape so that when the test comes we can meet it. in it we have weapons and armor. 6:10-18). [D&C 50:24]. This story has universal application, for just as Israel lost power and protection, we also lose power and protection when we entertain forbidden thoughts, harbor evil desires, or engage in activities prohibited by God. But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. We call people who have an abundance of this light “spiritual.” Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world. Romans 13:8-14 – Put on the armor of light. What more do we need to see or experience before we get on the train and stay on it until we reach our destination? Because light forms a barrier between us and the world. It is time for a spiritual revival. We have been carefully weakened so that when a 240 test comes, we fail because we only possess 120 power. This is clearly evident in the radiance of those who give significant time to temple service. In connection with this challenge consider striving to make your living areas places where God’s light can shine unobstructed. . "The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." . When light protects one from that which could destroy -- that is when light becomes armor. 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