Even though earlier in the Romans passage
Paul touches on debt, what we owe isn’t Paul’s main thrust;
rather it is love.
But, coming up on Christmas, most of us could stand to think a
little harder about using credit wisely.
Especially if we are like the man who was speaking to his coworker: I'm proud to say that I have worked for 30
years, saved, scrimped, budgeted, invested - just so I could give my kids what
I never had; a father up to his eyeballs in debt. That guy was probably worth his weight in
plastic.
Well, here we are in Advent, the very beginning of the Christian
year. And the question could be
asked: Well, then, if we’re at the
start, why are we thinking about what Paul wrote way after the cross about
living like a Christian?
I’m glad you asked.
Advent is all about preparation, getting ready for the arrival of
our Lord. This passage is all about
getting us ready to live as Jesus people. This is a decision that you cannot pass off
to any other person in the universe.
…you know how late it is; time is running out. Romans 13:11-14(NLT)
In verse 11 the meaning of the word time is very close
to the word crisis. It is also
sometimes translated as decision in the
Scriptures. Why decision? Why do we invite folks to make a public
confession of Christ? Why public
decision? Because Jesus is coming back! And as Paul says, the darkness for a believer
is passed away. We should walk in the
light.
The Sunshine Law for a believer is that we publicly acknowledge
our decision to love Him and follow Him.
Jesus said we are the salt and light this world needs.
And so, to the main thrust of
Paul’s teaching: How to prepare in
Advent to live like a Christian after Pentecost:
1.
Rise
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is
running out. Wake up, for our salvation
is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the
day of salvation will soon be here. Romans
13:11-12a(NLT)
Paul had elsewhere[ii]
stated that the decision to accept God’s salvation was too important to let the
moment slip by. We cannot afford to
sleep through our opportunity to seek God while He may be found.
It is that way also with serving the King. When you are a believer your whole purpose is
to find God’s leading in every day of your life. The life of a Christian from beginning to the
final breath is of alertness to the call of the Spirit. Awaken now; Arise, says our Lord!
2.
Repent
So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the
shining armor of right living. Romans
13:12b(NLT)
Repentance is a matter of turning.
Too often there is much made of the emotional moment of decision without
an understanding that that moment is just that…a momentary change of heart and
mind about the previous life. Paul
points to the shining armor of right living as the other side of
this coin of salvation.
To repent means to turn away from sin and selfish decisions. But it also follows that when you turn from
one thing, it is without question you’re facing something else. You have found a new direction and you’re now
headed that way.
Well, that WAY is THE WAY! It’s the way of Christ. You have repented, turned away from the way
of self, and are now walking with Jesus in the Christian life of serving and
loving others. Rise, Repent, and…
3. Repeat
Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to
see. Romans 13:13a(NLT)
To repeat means emulate or imitate the life of Christ. Jesus said that we are children of light. As such, what place does light have
exhibiting darkness? Paul interprets
this for us, saying we must live decent lives for all to see.
A decision to follow Jesus Christ means a lifestyle change. Otherwise the decision is false. When you become a believer there is a change
in your conduct that others can easily see.
The word picture here means to be properly clothed. It means to present to the world a lifestyle
properly dressed in goodness.
Friends, this includes the way we dress physically, which should
be modest and not an attempt to be front page on the tabloids. But it also includes every other visible and
invisible part of our being: attitude,
kindness, compassion; all of this is part of the proper clothing of a
Christian.
This is not optional. It is
also not easy.
Rise and make a decision, Repent and turn away from sin, Repeat
the witness of a life dedicated to God, and then…
4.
Reject
Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness,
or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
Romans 13:13b(NLT)
Reject the way the world lives in action, attitude, and
thinking. Choose the opposite of what
the world chooses.
You really have to work at putting off the old man, the old
habits and ways. Paul gave as part of
his witness that there were two natures warring inside him all the time (Ro
7). Paul said this old nature was
fighting against his mind. His mind
wanted to obey Christ and be an exemplary witness for the Kingdom. The old Adam-nature gave him fits at
every turn.
On the one hand Paul had sinful desires and weaknesses like you
and I; on the other hand there was the Spirit of God who had come to reside in
Paul, empowering him to fight all the ungodliness that wanted to continually
enslave him.
Beloved, take heart if this describes your daily struggle; Paul
knew it was a fight, and so has every Christian who has ever drawn breath.
But it is a winnable fight.
John Wesley called it going on to perfection in love.
And that is the life of Christ:
·
choosing the attitude
that lifts over the harshness that destroys
·
choosing giving to bless
others over taking that divides
·
choosing to extend the
hand of friendship instead of the fear that rots the soul
Rise, Repent, Repeat the witness, Reject the world, and…
5. Relate
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence
of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let
yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Romans 13:11-14(NLT)
Paul says Put on Christ and the implied
word is: YOU – YOU standing right there…put
Him on like a garment. It is very
definitely a personal choice to be in the family of Christ…to be related!
Why is that so? It is
because it goes against our nature to let someone else be in charge of us. But we need that to change our nature.
For those who choose to put Jesus on the throne, life is
different....and that difference is love.
CROSS-ways, There's no other way to be transformed so you can do
what Advent calls for – to be ready for the coming of Christ.
Paul says: HEY...WAKE
UP! Smell the coffee; you've got a
decision to make. This is no time to go
to sleep on me.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. Amen
Notes
[iii] Boris Orel [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons & By deguonis from
Lithuania, via Wikimedia Commons
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