Dress for Your Destiny

Romans 13:11-12 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The 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.
 
WHAT is it like for you when you dress for church? Does your destination have any influence on the clothes you wear? Or do you dress with whatever is convenient? Perhaps you have some special worship clothes. Or perhaps you don’t. Depending on the culture in which you live, clothes are a very important part of worship attendance. Your outward appearance indicates to others who you are and where you are going. You want to please the Lord with your best.
   What else happens as you dress for church? Does your mind begin to put on the armor of light? In other words, do you decide to take off some anger you’ve kept in your heart all week? Are you thinking it’s a good day to dwell on God’s Word instead of other media?  Perhaps you’re putting in your mind a list of people to pray for. You might add confession to your wardrobe. As you put on your clothes for church, are you putting on a calmer spirit? Do you give more attention to your spouse and to your children? Do you set aside the world’s issues, so you can be settled well into the Lord’s house?
   Romans 13 is one of those chapters where Paul writes of some life actions and attitudes we must wear as we prepare for Heaven. For a third time in his letters he mentions “armor” as an illustration of a particular defense against sin and offense for Christ. As we dress for Heaven, we must wear the armor of light, so Jesus’ power will shine through our lives into the world. It’s time for us to act with urgency as if the church bells are ringing, the music has begun or the timer on the screen is clicking down to zero. The hour has come! Wake up! Our salvation is nearer. The night is nearly over. The day is almost here. Put aside the deeds of darkness. Put on the armor of light!
   Sometimes we are late for church because we dress to slowly or don’t use our time well. Don’t be late for Heaven. You won’t have another day to go when the Lord sounds his trumpet.