Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 13:11-14.

 

“¹¹  Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep;  for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

 

¹² The night is almost gone, and the day is near.  Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

 

¹³  Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

 

¹⁴  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”  Romans 13:11-14.

 

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It is so hard to read this Scripture.  We still struggle with sin.  We still want to keep that corner of our lives that does make provision for sin.

 

 

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”

 

We are washed clean and spotless by Christ.

 

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

 

Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states:

 

Question 70.  What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?

 

Answer.  It is to receive of God the remission of sins, freely, for the sake of Christ’s blood, which he shed for us by his sacrifice upon the cross; and also to be renewed by the Holy Ghost, and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and more die unto sin, and lead holy and unblamable lives. 

 

 

“He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3.  

 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30 

 

In conclusion, righteousness is part of our salvation.  God fully saves us.  God gives us the will and works within us to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light”.  God gives us the will and works within us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”.  God gives us the will and works within us to “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

 

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13.