Romans 13:12

‘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 armour of light.'

The time for sleeping is over, We need to be aroused ready for the new day. The night is nearly past, and in consequence we must put off the works of darkness. The day is dawning in us, we should therefore put on clothes suitable for the day, that is, ‘the armour of light'. The works of darkness are those activities which are performed in the darkness so that no one will see what we are doing, things of which in our best moments we are ashamed. But, as Jesus warned us, we must remember that one day they will be brought to the light of judgment (Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; John 3:17). They are defined in Romans 13:13.

In view of the fact that it is placed in contrast with ‘the works of darkness', the ‘armour of light' must therefore include something which results in works performed in the light because they are truly of God (John 3:21). It is to walk becomingly as in the day (Romans 13:13). It is to put on the truth as it is revealed in Jesus. It is to live in the light. It therefore includes living in the light of God's scrutiny, which protects and guides us as we open up our lives before Him (1 John 1:7). When clothed in the armour of light as a result of His Spirit guided word, we are made aware of encroaching evil so that we can avoid it or repent of it (John 3:18). If we constantly come openly to His light, and repent of sin, we will have nothing of which to be ashamed (1 John 1:7). The idea is positive as the following contrasts make clear. Indeed putting on the armour of light can be seen as the same as ‘putting on the Lord Jesus Christ' by faith (Romans 13:14; compare Galatians 2:20). We do so by looking to Him to live through us. We do so by absorbing and understanding His word, and letting Him possess our lives. Such armour makes us successful in the battle of life (compare Ephesians 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:8), and wards off the powers of darkness.