Romans 13:11-14
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Reflection - What Time is It?
Do you know what time it is? As believers, you sure must. As an unbeliever you sure must suspect what time it is. We don't live in a world that is void of information. In fact we live in a world in which one can get lost in the information. Too much information!
But, you know what time it is. And to those that don't know what time it is, it's up to the rest of us to let them know what time it is. Jesus has come! Jesus has come, he has lived, he has healed, he has served, he has suffered, he has died, he has risen again, he has ascended and he promises to come again. That's what time it is! Face it! Jesus will come again!
To any that don't know this, the message is that simple. But why? Why did Jesus come in the first place? He came for you and for me and for all people. He came because we live in sin. We sin and need a Savior and Jesus came to live and die for our sins so that we could be with God forever.
What a great message! God sent Jesus to us for us. So, now you know what time it is. Live like you know what time it is. Jesus is coming again. Jesus is coming so prepare yourself. If for baptism, change into those baptismal clothes and get ready for that baptism. I don't care what age you may be, you have sinned and need baptism. You need to change into those baptismal clothes and get ready for that "ol man" to be put under the water and for that "new man" to arise from those waters with Christ. You have been graciously given in your baptism union with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You have been freely given the title Child of God. How great is that!
You know what time it is. Jesus is coming. He comes to you each and every day and you recall your baptism. Each and every day, to put sin to death and to give new life. The ol man is put away and the new man springs to life. You wear the new clothes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, each and every day. You spring into action living the new life that God has given. You answer your call for that day and you get ready for Jesus to come again.
You know what time it is! Jesus is coming to you... today... right now. Jesus is coming again just as he promised. So act like it!
We tend to ignore that Jesus is coming again. We tend to remain in our sleep and fall back to the routine, safe, ways of life. We look to comfort ourselves and stay where it is nice and warm. Is that anyway to live when you know that Jesus is coming? Jesus is coming soon! Wake up and act like it! We don't know how soon, so just be ready for Jesus to come right now! Act like Jesus is here now and has come, because you don't know when he is coming.
That's why, in this passage, Paul exhorts the believers to put away the ol man, the ol life, the ol sins and live the new life we have graciously and freely been given. Put away those sins that we enjoy and live towards Jesus coming. Jesus' coming will so far outdo the pleasure of those ol sins that we will feel foolish for having even participated in those things, like, revelling, drunkenness, debauchery, licentiousness, quarrelling and jealousy.
" Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. "
Paul's message lasts throughout all time. A message true for me, that's certain and true for you as well.
You know what time it is. I know what time it is. Tell other's what time it is. Live like we know what time it is and act like we know what time it is. It's the time to show the love of Jesus. A love shown yesterday, today and forever.
Wake up! It's time! Live like you know what time it is!
Prayer
Lord, I know it but don't act like it. Forgive me. I know what time it is. Prepare me and use me and guide me in telling all the world what time it is. Come. Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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