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ROMANS - The Lord is our Righteousness
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
PART 3 - The Righteousness of God Appears in the Life of The Followers of Christ (Romans 12:1 - 15:13)

7. The Practical Result of the Knowledge that Christ is coming again (Romans 13:11-14)


ROMANS 13:11-14
11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

The apostle mentions in his epistle that the church in Rome participated in watching for the imminent return of Christ. The believers recognized the signs of the last days, and the emanation of the power of the antichrist spirit in the Roman Caesars. They expected the appearance of the Son of God in glory, and their rapture into their heavenly country.

The apostle asks the followers of Christ not to continue in their spiritual inattentiveness, but to recognize the state of their spiritual struggle, and the realization of the complete salvation, which began in us with the dwelling of the Holy Spirit as the guaranty of our deliverance. He reminds us of the imminent coming of Christ who wants to dress us with his power, glory, and kindness. The night of the world is nearly over, and the dawn tells of a new day whose light will certainly shine. After all, Paul recognizes that our life is but a preparation for the appearance of eternity, which is embodied in the partnership with the Father and the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then, as a result of this knowledge, the apostle says: “cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Take away sin from your life. Adorn yourselves with the characters of Christ in the power of his Spirit”. This revival means the resistance of darkness in our lives, and sometimes in our churches. The gospel and the fruits of the Holy Spirit must appear in our lives and our sufferings.

Paul knew the truth of those people who did not know God, who were driven after their instincts and lusts like animals. They ate, drank, and reproduced; and at the same time were drowned in hatred, envy, and stinginess. Love without God is evil, corrupt, unclean, and hard; where everyone strives only for himself, and shamelessly utilizes the weakness of others for his own ends.

The apostle experienced, in himself, the involvements of the people of darkness; but at the same time he experienced the new life of Christ, and asked the believers in Rome not only to find contentment in their faith in Christ, but to put him on spiritually. Putting on Jesus signifies practicing his characters, walking in his essence, obeying his orders, and allowing his Spirit to hold the reigns of leadership and guidance, that the fruits of this Spirit might be realized in them.

Let us ask you a question, dear brother: Are you in Christ, or are you still selfish, living for yourself, and not for your Lord? Jesus has freed you from your haughtiness, your self-reliance, your trust in money, and your involvement in lusts. The struggle between the Holy Spirit and our body and sinful thoughts is the essence of our preparation for the coming of Christ.

Therefore, the apostle invites Christians to arm themselves with spiritual weapons; not to fight the enemies, but to overcome the temptations and lusts of the flesh, and be filled with the love and holiness of Christ.

PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we magnify you because your Son Jesus exemplified before us a virtuous life. Help us by the power of your Holy Spirit to put on Christ, and become faithful believers, prepared for the coming of our beloved Savior, the Lord of lords.

QUESTION:

  1. What are the virtues which the knowledge of the imminent coming of Christ leads us to?

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