The Fifth Sunday in Lent (NTA)

Romans 13:11-14

¹¹ Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

St Paul talks about distinct works of darkness. These are the activities that take place in darkness. These are activities that for a Roman citizen would not matter morally, but for a Jew might have some sensitivity. St Paul calls these activities things of darkness and therefore have a certain level of morality.

This should be a simple lesson: orgies, drunkenness (may have levels of drunkenness), sexual immorality (any sexual action or thought outside of for your spouse), sensuality (another level of sexual lust), quarreling and jealousy (hatred or retributive action) are deeds of darkness or immoral. St Paul even goes further to include any indulgence of personal desires. Some might think if it feels good, then it is evil.

Not necessarily everything that feels good is evil, but maybe not a bad general rule. It would be interesting to think about every joyful moment and especially every selfish thought or desire as sin. You are sinful and corrupt. You are corrupted by sin. You have lived a life covered in darkness. Thus, St Paul says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

Put on Jesus Christ. God clothes us in the Light of His Son. God clothes us with his righteousness. God offers you forgiveness in the blood of Christ. It is this simple. All these things are sins. Christ Jesus died for all your sins.