Scripture:
Romans 13:8-14 NKJV
[8] Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. [11] And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. [12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Observation:
I came across these verses yesterday after a desire to just spend some time with the LORD. I was just flipping through my Bible when my eyes landed on the words, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to wake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” Feeling the sense of urgency behind that statement, I wanted to dive in. As I have probably mentioned many times Paul is one of my favorite writers that the Holy Spirit used to write the bible, and being that he wrote half the new testament, he has given us a lot of instructions that probably need more of our attention than they honestly get. So when I see a statement that is so adamant about the action that needs to be taken, I want my focus to be promoted to pay the utmost reverence. So I started looking at the verses around that verse to get a better understanding. Which is what promoted me to start writing. Backing up to verse 8 is where we will get started. But looking at an overview of the purpose of the letter that Paul wrote the Romans I felt was not to be missed as well. The basic purpose of this letter was to spell out the plan of salvation. The explanation of GOD’S grace and how it truly applies to our lives. I believe that bringing that into full view is important as we press on to understand what is being said in these verses, so let’s dive in. Verses 8 through 10 are pretty simple, if we have been a student of the Bible for any length of time or even spent much time reading the gospels, we know that Paul is simply repeating something that Jesus Christ HIMSELF had stated after being asked a simple question. The question was which is the greatest of the commandments. HIS response didn’t complicate anything. In fact it made it much easier to understand. Love fulfills the law. Looking at verse 10 brings that into full view, “ “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” But how is that done, and what does it truly mean? Well to be honest it may look a little different than what the world tells you love looks like. I have found a very adequate description of what love looks like in first Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 through 7. The area I feel like needs to be paid attention to is all of it, but as I bring my mind to the verses, the 6th verse seems to the most relevant, “Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth,” But as the description continues I find verse 7 to be just as important as this one. Please take some time to look at these verses so that the LORD can speak to your heart and open the spiritual eyes of HIS church. I wish I had time to go into deeper detail. But I have to press on if I’m going to get this done. So moving forward l, not because I want to but because I have to. In my Bible there are subtitles. The one that comes before the next 4 verses we are going to take a look at says, “Put on Christ.” That implies action, it implies that not only does something need to be taken off or put to death but a change has to be made. I think about something that Christ said when HE was with HIS disciples, “Pick up your cross daily, and follow HIM,” the cross was an instrument of death, it’s what was used to put HIS flesh to death. So to put on Christ is to put our flesh to death daily and follow HIM. As we proceed to press through the scripture. I see the words, “ And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. This is a message of urgency. Paul is saying wake up and start loving your neighbor, Jesus is coming back and there is no time to waste. “The night is far spent” in other words time is up. As he makes these statements I can feel his desire to bring as many people with him into the kingdom as will listen. Taking off our old self and putting on Christ, HIS character, the way HE conducted HIMSELF, speaking the truth in love. The armor of light. Now I know that a lot of preachers won’t touch this next verse because it chases a lot of people out of the church and that is not the goal. Chasing people out of the church affects how much they get paid. I don’t get paid for this so it doesn’t matter to me. I find verses 13 to be imperative, it’s not something that should be overlooked. As the book of Romans explains what biblical grace looks like. Paul poses a question, “shall I sin all the more so that grace shall abound, by no means. How can one who is dead to sin continue to live in it?” Make “NO” provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Application:
The next statement is one that if you have been reading these SOAPS for any length of time, you have heard before, “GRACE+TRUTH=LOVE. It’s time to wake up. Our redemption is getting closer and closer. The interesting part about free will is that GOD does not make you do anything. HE is not going to flip some magical switch in heaven and all the sudden you do all the things HE has instructed. It’s a choice that has to be made, and it may not happen overnight. But as you stay connected to HIM and a body of believers who are truly chasing after Jesus. The sanctification process will take place. But you see the Holy Spirit is a perfect gentleman, HE is not going to rip something out of your life that you are not willing to give up. Now I know what you might be saying, because I have said it before myself…. But I have tried to stop doing this one behavior, and I still find myself running back to it at times. Here is what I have found. When you are truly ready to lay it down, you will surrender it at the altar, it will not take your efforts. HE became sin who knew no sin, that sin that you still struggle with, take it to the altar over and over if you have to. About 12 years ago I came across a verse in psalms chapter 118 that started to bring a picture into my mind. Its verse 27, “GOD is the LORD, and HE has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. As I got the opportunity to read that. I had to ask myself a question. Why do I have to bind it to the horns of the altar? The Holy Spirit spoke something to my spirit I will never forget….. “So it doesn’t follow you home.” The light came on. The work has been finished. You see when we truly understand what it means to have a relationship with Christ, We will want to do what pleases HIM. I want my life to bring HIM glory, I want it to honor HIM. Does that mean I won’t make mistakes no…that’s not what it means. That means when I do make mistakes I will see them and do something different. Making provision for the flesh only allows us to stay trapped in our sin. Grace is not approving of sin, if that were true then why did Christ always say, go and sin no more? Putting on the character of Christ is staying in step with the Holy Spirit. Following the prompts that HE gives, it may be something small but you can feel it in your heart, “Go ask them if they know Jesus,” or “ See if that person needs help,” Or “Are you ready to lay that down yet, it’s not like it’s helping at all.” When we choose to put on Christ we choose to set down who we used to be and pick up who HE made us to be. This morning I want to speak it over you, you are a child of the one true king, set apart for kingdom work, redeemed, victorious through Christ Jesus, more than a conquer, a mighty warrior, chosen, restored, a royal priesthood, an overcomer, not a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness. Those are just a few things that are said about you, as a child of GOD…. You have been adopted by the blood of Christ… step into that.
Prayer:
Father, we surrender. Today we lay down who we used to be, and pick up who you said we are. As we have just heard some of the things you have said about us, all we can ask is that you forgive us where we have fallen short of that description. Show us that we are right where you want us to be. Your word is the light to our path and the lamp to our feet. Fill us with you Holy Spirit so that we will walk in step with HIM. We want our lives to be a pleasing aroma, a sweet smell to you. We are asking for your guidance in every decision we make. That our lives would reflect your character. That when people see us what they would see is a reflection of you. That’s our heart’s desire. We are tying the old us to the horns of the altar, and putting on your SON. Guide us, lead us, show us, fill us; it’s our heart to live for you. To have a healthy relationship with you where our desire is to put a smile on your face. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.