Romans 13:11-14

                                                         Romans 13:11-14

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. 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. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

 

In light of all Christ has done for us, there is an expectation about how we are to live.  There is an urgency that should mark our lives and a contrast with how we used to live and the world continues to live.  The fact that Christ has come and is returning should have clear implications on our lives.

  

BE PREPARED FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: The Bible uses many images to depict the unbeliever.  They are described as dead or as enemies of Christ.  The image used in this passage is that of someone who is sleeping.  A person who is asleep is not dead, but they appear to be dead.  Unfortunately, there are believers who are sleeping in their faith and simply appear to be dead.  Paul urgently calls for them to awake from this slumber and to be prepared for the return of Christ.  With each day that passes we are one day closer to His return when He will step into history and judge both the living and the dead.  We don’t want to be found unprepared and want to do all we can to make sure that others hear the Gospel.

 

BE PURIFIED THROUGH THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST: The expectation for all who have been given new life in Christ is that we put off the sinful deeds of our past.  We should not be controlled by the lusts of our flesh.  We must not allow the appetites of our body to dictate how we live.  Immorality, anger, addictions, and broken relationships are all a part of a sinful past that has been put to death in Christ.  We have been given a new life that leads us to walk in the light.  In light of the cross and resurrection we should walk in purity, love and self-control.  

 

APPLICATION: Don’t allow the desires of the flesh or the influence of the world to make us revert to an old way of living.  We are alive in Christ and must not fall asleep and look like our old sinful selves.  Share the hope of Christ with as many as possible and warn them of the coming judgment.  Be prepared for Christ’s second coming by remembering His first.

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