DRIVEN TO GIVE—Romans 13:7-14
Attention:
As in many homes on New Year's Day, my wife & I faced the annual conflict of which was more important - the football games on television, or the dinner itself. To keep peace, I ate dinner with the rest of the family, & even lingered for some pleasant after-dinner conversation before retiring to the family room to turn on the game.
Several minutes later, my wife came downstairs & graciously even brought me a drink. She smiled, kissed me on the cheek & asked what the score was. I told her it was the end of the third quarter & that the score was still nothing to nothing.
"See?" she said, continuing to smile, "You didn't miss a thing."
We are entering a New Year...2012! & some of us are still missing the play-by-play! When we should rather ‘get in the game.’
Background per :1-6...
Paul has just described the Christian’s duty of subjection “to the governing authorities”(:1) He has stated that such authorities are “appointed by God.”(:1) Therefore anyone “resisting” such will incur judgment upon themselves from God(?)(:2). Such authorities are God’s ministers with the intent of accomplishing “good”(:3-4). In fact, said authorities are God’s ministers of mortal judgment(:3-4).
Thereby it is expedient for the believer to “be subject” to said authorities for 2 reasons, which are 1) Their authoritatively instituted “wrath” & 2) Our own “conscience’s sake”(:5).
A practical outworking of such obedience is the Christian’s obligation to pay taxes. Paying taxes rightly provides the income necessary for those who attend to godly governmental matters even if operated on a basis of secular belief(:6).
Paul urged his audience to honor God with/in their giving.
Believers are driven to honor God thru their giving.
What drives a believer’s giving?
3 drivers of Christ-honoring giving are...
1—Believers are driven by...
HONOR(:7)
Explanation: (:7)
:7—“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”
As exemplified in the previous verses(:1-6), there arises a general principle for spiritual application which follows in :8-14.
It is vital that the believer & church are obliged to give or deliver(“render”) everything that is “due” to others. This of course is to be applied in the broadest terms. Drawing from the practical surrender of “taxes”(property & income) & “customs”(import), which has just been discussed(:1-6), Paul then brings the underlying principle of paying taxes to other areas of one’s life, regarding the obligation to render both “fear” & “honor.” This is because the rendering of taxes is an interrelated obligation based on the principles of “fear” & “ honor” for authority.
In this transition from :1-6, Paul already is granting the Christian a vital & far-reaching principle for living rightly before God & man in a sin-sick world(:8-14).
“Render”—apodidwmi—V.—1) To deliver, to give away for one's own profit what is one's own, to sell; 2) To pay off, discharge what is due—2a) A debt, wages, tribute, taxes, produce due, 2b) Things promised under oath, 2c) Conjugal duty, 2d) To render account; 3) To give back, restore; 4) To requite, recompense in a good or a bad sense. Strong—To give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc. (in various applications).
“Due”—ofeilh—N. f.—1) That which is owed; 2) A debt; 3) metaph. dues: specifically of Conjugal duty. Strong—Indebtedness, i.e. (concretely) A sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e. (conjugal) Duty. Used 2X.
“Taxes”—forov—N. m.—1) Tribute, esp. The annual tax levied upon houses, lands, & persons. Indicates a direct tax which was levied annually on houses, lands, & persons, & paid usually in produce. Strong—from ferw(to bear or carry); A load (as borne), i.e. (figuratively) A tax (properly, an individual assessment on persons or property; whereas telov is usually a general toll on goods or travel). Used 5X.
“Customs”—telov—1) End; 2) Toll, custom (i.e. indirect tax on goods). Telov is an indirect tax on merchandise, which was collected at piers, harbors, & gates of cities. It was similar to modern import duties. Strong—from a primary tellw(to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, The point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) The conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], Result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], Purpose); specifically, An impost or levy (as paid).
“Fear”—fobov—1) Fear, dread, terror—1a) That which strikes terror; 2) Reverence for one's husband. Strong—Alarm or fright.
“Honor”—timh—1) A valuing by which the price is fixed; 2) Honor which belongs or is shown to one. Strong—A value, i.e. Money paid, or (concretely & collectively) Valuables; by analogy, Esteem (especially of the highest degree), or The dignity itself.
Argumentation:
FEAR to whom FEAR:
2Cor. 7:1—“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh & spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
HONOR to whom HONOR:
Lk. 20:20-25—“So they watched Him, & sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power & the authority of the governor. Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say & teach rightly, & You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, & said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image & inscription does it have?” They answered & said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, & to God the things that are God’s.””
Eph. 5:33-6:10—“Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, & let the wife see that she respects her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father & mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you & you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training & admonition of the Lord. Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear & trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, & not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, & there is no partiality with Him. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord & in the power of His might.”
*1Pet. 2:17-21—“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good & gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good & suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”
1Pet. 5:5-7—“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, & be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Rom. 12:10-21—“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, & weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
*Php 2:1-5—“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection & mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Illustration:
Parenthood/There is a mutual honor which must occur between parents & children/When the son or daughter loses touch with their role becoming defiant, there is trouble/If a parent loses touch with their role becoming defiant, there is trouble/There must be HONOR
In any business, when the proper respect is not given, the business suffers/HONOR
A clerk who hates their job & lets everyone know it/Won’t be on the job long!/HONOR
Application:
?You Driven by God’s HONOR?
?You a Driven Believer?
2—Believers are driven by
LOVE(:8-10)
Explanation: (:8-10)
:8—“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
It follows from the previous discussion(:1-6) & transition(:7) that the Christian is to “owe” nothing to anyone. We are to be ‘paid in full’ regarding physical indebtedness to others, particularly those in authority over us.
*There is only one exception to this rule.*
The Christian believer is ever & always indebted to whole-heartedly “love” his/her brothers/sisters in Christ.
Love is something which is to consume us daily for all of our lives. Rendering to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar is a momentary obligation.
Love effects us inwardly, consciously, mentally, & emotionally. It works itself out in personal actions(varied & unique), whether it is properly recognized & interpreted by its recipients or not. Simply because we love rightly does not mean that our lives are free of difficulty or sorrow.
True Christian brotherly love fulfills the entire law.
No system of rules(“law”) can produce love, yet love always produces right relationships— law as it were(Mat. 22:37-40 & Rom. 13:10).
It is a major aspect of the perfect law...the law of liberty in Christ:
Js. 1:25—“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty & continues in it, & is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
Js. 2:12—“So speak & so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”
“Owe”—ofeilw—V.—1) To owe—1a) To owe money, be in debt for—1a1) That which is due, the debt; 2) metaph. The goodwill due. ofeilei indicates the personal obligation; it is that which is proper, something that ought to be done. Strong—(through the idea of accruing); To owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, To be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty.
From— ofellw—V.— (to heap up, i.e. accumulate or benefit); gain.
“Anything”—mhden—Adj. Neuter—1) Nobody, no one, nothing. Strong—Not even one (man, woman, thing).
“Except”—ei mh—Conj.—1) If not, except, but.
“Love”(See :9)—agapaw—1) of persons—1a) To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly; 2) of things—2a) To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing. Strong—To love (in a social or moral sense).
“Fulfilled”—plhrow—V.—1) To make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full—1a) To cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally—1a1) I abound, I am liberally supplied; 2) To render full, i.e. To complete. Strong—To make replete, i.e. (literally) To cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) To furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.
“Law”(See :10)—nomov—N. m.—1) Anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command. Nomov is the common word meaning law. It may mean law in general. In the N.T., however, it usually means the law of God, & most frequently the Mosaic law. Strong—from a primary nemw(to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); Law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (Regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (A principle).
: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,” & if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””
Paul now gives his readers examples of such extant laws. He draws from The Ten Commandments, which themselves sum-up the Mosaic law. Paul specifically states five of these—adultery, murder, theft, perjury & covetousness. But he also makes it very plain that his purpose is not to draw attention to observing these laws for law’s sake. It is more important for the believer that he live above law. This is seen in the fact that Paul briefly glosses/paraphrases all “other commandments”(laws) into one over-arching principle, which sums them all up. Said principle is that if someone truly “loves his neighbor as himself,” then the law has been fulfilled in that person’s living.
Paul is directly presenting Jesus’ heart in this matter(Mat. 22:37-40), which principle was present even in the “word” of the law itself(Lev. 19:33-36)!
Mat. 22:37-40—“Jesus said to him,” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, & with all your mind.’ “This is the first & great commandment. “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law & the Prophets.””
Lev. 19:33-36—“‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. ‘The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, & you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. ‘You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, & an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”
“Commandments”—entolh—N. f.—1) An order, command, charge, precept, injunction—1a) That which is prescribed to one by reason of his office; 2) A commandment. Entolh is more specific than nomov, being used of a particular command.
“commit Adultery”— moiceuw—V.—1) To commit adultery. Used 14X.
“Murder”—foneuw—V.—1) To kill, slay, murder; 2) To commit murder. Strong—To be a murderer (of). Used 12X.
“Steal”—kleptw—V.—1) To steal—1a) To commit a theft, 1b) Take away by theft i.e take away by stealth.
“Bear false witness”—qeudomarturew—V.—1) To utter falsehoods in giving testimony, to testify falsely, to bear false witness. To be an untrue testifier, i.e. Offer falsehood in evidence. Used 6X.
“Covet”—epiyumew—1) To turn upon a thing; 2) To have a desire for, long for, to desire; 3) To lust after, covet—3a) Of those who seek things forbidden. Strong—To set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise).
“Summed up”—anakefalaiomai—1) To sum up (again), to repeat summarily, to condense into a summary. Strong—from ana & kefalaiow (‘head’)(in its original sense); to sum up.
“Saying”—logov—Strong—Something said (including the thought); by implication, A topic (subject of discourse), also Reasoning (the mental faculty) or Motive; by extension, A computation; specifically (with the article in John) The Divine Expression (i.e. Christ).
“Love”(See :8)—agapaw—1) of persons—1a) To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly; 2) of things—2a) To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing. Strong—To love (in a social or moral sense).
“Neighbor”(See :10)—plhsion—Adv.—1) A neighbor—1a) A friend, 1b) Any other person, & where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbor), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation & commonwealth, 1c) according to Christ, Any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet. Strong—neuter of a derivative of pelav(near); (adverbially) close by; as noun, A neighbor, i.e. Fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend).
:10—“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
The principle is explained by the truth that “love” “never does harm to a neighbor.” Truly godly love will find maliciousness abhorrent & thus it is not part of the believer’s desire or lust.
Because “love does no harm, love itself becomes “the fulfillment of the law.” Hereby we also are taught a great the purpose of the law...& that is, “the[Mosaic] law” is intended to tutor us in relationships with one another. Without the law, we would have no true understanding of how to relate to our fellow man as God would desire.
Someone may ask, “But who is my neighbor?”—Lk. 10:25-37
“Harm”—kakov—1) Of a bad nature—1a) Not such as it ought to be; 2) Of a mode of thinking, feeling, acting—2a) Base, wrong, wicked; 3) Troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful. Kakov frequently means evil rather negatively, referring to the absence of the qualities which constitute a person or thing what it should be or what it claims to be. It is also used meaning evil in a moral sense. It is a general antithesis to agayov. Strong—apparently a primary word; Worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas ponhrov properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) Depraved, or (objectively) Injurious.
“Neighbor”(See :9)—plhsion—Adv.—1) A neighbor—1a) A friend, 1b) Any other person, & where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbor), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation & commonwealth, 1c) according to Christ, Any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet. Strong—neuter of a derivative of pelav(near); (adverbially) close by; as noun, A neighbor, i.e. Fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend).
“Fulfillment”—plhrwma—1) That which is (has been) filled—1a) A ship inasmuch as it is filled (i.e. manned) with sailors, rowers, & soldiers, 1b) in the NT, The body of believers, as that which is filled with the presence, power, agency, riches of God & of Christ; 2) That which fills or with which a thing is filled, 2a) Of those things which a ship is filled, freight & merchandise, sailors, oarsmen, soldiers, 2b) Completeness or fulness of time; 3) Fulness, abundance; 4) A fulfilling, keeping. Strong—Repletion or completion, i.e. (subjectively) What fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) What is filled (as container, performance, period).
“Law”(See :8)—nomov—N. m.—1) Anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command. Nomov is the common word meaning law. It may mean law in general. In the N.T., however, it usually means the law of God, & most frequently the Mosaic law. Strong—from a primary nemw(to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); Law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (Regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (A principle).
Argumentation:
1Pet. 4:7-8—“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious & watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””
Love covers our own sins & in like manner those of others!
Prov. 3:27—“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”
Lk. 6:27-36—““But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, & pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, & lend, hoping for nothing in return; & your reward will be great, & you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful & evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Jn. 13:34-35—““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””
Col. 3:12-14—“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy & beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, & forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
1Tim. 1:5—“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, & from sincere faith,”
Js. 2:8-9—“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, & are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
Jn. 3:16-17—““For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Rom. 5:8-9—“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
1Pet. 1:22-23—“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives & abides forever,”
1Jn. 4:7-12—“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; & everyone who loves is born of God & knows God. &He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us & sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, & His love has been perfected in us.”
Illustration:
Our giving at Thanksgiving & Christmas
Support of North American & International Missions
Sharing our blessings with others as we are able.
Graciously Receiving from others when we cannot give otherwise.
We give because of the varying degrees of LOVE we have for the Lord, others & ourselves!
Application:
?You Driven by God’s LOVE?
?You a Driven Believer?
3—Believers are driven by...
ATTENTIVENESS(:11-14)
Explanation: (:11-14) Awareness
: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.”
Paul then makes it very plain that the Christian is obligated to love for another reason. He is obligated because of “the time(s)” in which he lives. His/her “time” is limited because there are end times specified per God’s timetable for His creation. There will one day, be an end to the world as we presently know & experience it(1Jn. 3:2; 1Cor. 15:22-26; 1Pet. 4:7; Rev. 20:11; 21:1).
Given the linear nature of time itself, & a discerning awareness of the times, the believer is exhorted & cautioned to apply such knowledge to their individual(Christian) & corporate(Church) lifestyles(ref. “our”).
The Christian’s ‘hour’ to awaken from any threat of lethargy—or rather our love(:8-10) growing cold— is present here & now. It is as if those whom Paul addresses are “asleep.” To “sleep” is to be inactive & seriously out of touch with one’s awakened life. Even in Paul’s day & under his tutelage there are those believers who are neither taking seriously nor allowing the fulfillment of their obligations to Christ.
Such lethargic believers have not grasped the reality of the intentionally life-altering integrity demanded by a commitment to Christ, not only as their Savior but also as Lord.
Properly assessing the “times” brings one to the realization that the end of “our salvation” is now much nearer than when it was first accepted/undertaken by faith. Our faith has a definite initiation/beginning point.
Point in fact—Due to the march of time & the subsequent approach of Christ’s return, anticipation of such should drive the believer to ever increasing attentiveness to their Christian walk.
“Knowing”—eidw—Strong—a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent optanomai(to gaze, i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable) & oraw(to stare at; by implication, to discern clearly); properly, To see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perf. only) To know.
“Time”—kairov—1) Due measure; 2) A measure of time, A larger or smaller portion of time. A definitely limited portion of time with the added notion of suitableness. Strong—An occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.
“High time/Already the hour/The hour has come”—wra hmav hdh(‘our hour already’)—
wra—1) A certain definite time or season fixed by natural law & returning with the revolving year—1a) Of the seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn, winter; 2) The daytime (bounded by the rising & setting of the sun), a day; 3) A twelfth part of the day-time, an hour, (the twelve hours of the day are reckoned from the rising to the setting of the sun); 4) Any definite time, point of time, moment. Strong—apparently a primary word; An "hour" (literally or figuratively).
hmav—1) Us, we, our etc. Strong—accusative case plural of egw(1st person—I); Us.
hdh—Adv.—1) Now, already. "Now (already)", with a suggested reference to some other time or to some expectation, the subjective present.
“Awake”—egeirw—V.—1) To arouse, cause to rise—1a)From sleep, to awake, 1b) From the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life, 1c) From a seat or bed etc., 1d) To raise up, produce, cause to appear. Strong—To waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. Rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence).
“Sleep”—upnov—Strong—from an obsolete primary (perhaps akin to upo(under) through the idea of subsilience); Sleep, i.e. (figuratively) Spiritual torpor.
“Now”—nun—1) At this time, the present, now. Nun, marks a definite point or period of time, the (objective) immediate present.
“Salvation”—swthria—N. f.—1) Deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; 2) Salvation as the present possession of all true Christians; 3) Future salvation, the sum of benefits & blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated & eternal kingdom of God. Strong—Rescue or safety (physically or morally).
:12—“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, & let us put on the armor of light.”
Paul reiterates & enforces to his readers that in fact, “the night”—of living an incompleted salvation— is almost gone & that “the day”—of our salvation’s fullness—could occur at any moment. All Christians can & should live in such a state of earnest expectation of Christ’s return.
“Therefore” it is imperative that we rid ourselves of those “works” which characterized us prior to the initiation of our faith. Such works were indeed wrought “of darkness” & we are to radically “cast” them “off” as we would dirty clothing.
Having “cast off” these “works of darkness,” the believer is to then replace them with something Christ-honoring. In contrast to those willingly shed works, the “armor of light” or works thereof should replace those of darkness.
“Armor” is a passive defensive tool. We are protected from “the works of darkness” while our “armor of light” is intact.
“Night”—nux—N. f.—1) Night; 2) metaph. The time when work ceases. Strong—a primary word; "Night" (literally or figuratively).
“Far spent/Almost gone/Nearly over”—prokoptw—1) To beat forward—1a) To lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals), 1b) metaph. To promote, forward, further; 2) To go forward, advance, proceed—2a) of time: The night is far spent, 2b) metaph. To increase, make progress. Strong—To drive forward (as if by beating), i.e. (figuratively & intransitively) To advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along). Used 6X.
“Day”—hmera—Strong—feminine (with wra implied) of a derivative of hmai(to sit; akin to the base of edraiov) meaning Tame, i.e. Gentle; Day, i.e. (literally) The time space between dawn & dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context).
“At hand”— eggizw—V.—1) To bring near, to join one thing to another; 2) To draw or come near to, to approach.
“Cast off/Lay aside/Put aside”—apotiyhmi—1) To put off or aside or away. Strong—to put away (literally or figuratively). Used 8X.
“Works/Deeds”—ergon—1) Business, employment, that which any one is occupied—1a) That which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking; 2) Any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind; 3) An act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work.
“Darkness”—skotov—1) Darkness—1a) Of night darkness, 1b) Of darkened eyesight or blindness; 2) metaph.—2a) Of ignorance respecting divine things & human duties, & the accompanying ungodliness & immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell, 2b) Persons in whom darkness becomes visible & holds sway. Skotov is a general word, meaning darkness in any sense. Strong—from the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity (literally or figuratively).
“Put on”(See :14)—enduw—V.—1) To sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one's self.
“Armor”—oplon—N. n.—1) Any tool or implement for preparing a thing—1a) Arms used in warfare, weapons; 2) An instrument. Strong—probably from a primary epw(to be busy about); An implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially offensive for war). Used 6X.
“Light”—fwv—N. n.—Strong—from an obsolete faw(to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare fainw, fhmi); Luminousness (in the widest application, nat. or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative).
:13—“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry & drunkenness, not in lewdness & lust, not in strife & envy.”
Again we are exhorted/encouraged to make a choice. Believers must daily choose their “walk.” Such “walk” or lifestyle must be suitable/appropriate to a new life in Christ.
We must “walk” as anyone would during “the day,” rather than as those who relish the night.
“As in the day” pictures the ‘work-a-day world’ in which people accomplish much. These work hard with their hands & minds to bring about good in this world.
This is appropriate for the Christian because those who relish the night 1)do so in order to indulge a riotous carousing with fellow drunkards.
1Thes. 5:6 -8—“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch & be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, & those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith & love, & as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
A believer’s “proper” walk is also characterized by a lack of 2)sexual carousal & 3)self-indulgence. These are other nightly pursuits of many who seek their own hedonistic fulfillment.
A believer’s “proper” walk is also characterized by a lack of 4)open contention(“strife”) toward others. Such a residing approach arises due to one’s extreme & hard-headed stubbornness. These live in intractable opposition to God’s truth.
A believer’s “proper” walk is also characterized by a lack of 5)“jealousy.” A part of the Christian’s inner beauty is that it is free from any hint of covetous acquisition & malice towards others.
None of the above can accomplish a soul-winning charm for believers of any sensitivity/ilk. They instead characterize those living in darkness. *Thus the believer can appraise himself by the passions, drives, mindset & actions of those in darkness.
“Walk/Behave”—peripatew—V.—1) To walk—1a) To make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities; 1b) Hebrew for, To live. Strong—To tread all around, i.e. Walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, To live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary).
“Properly/Honestly/Decently”—euschmonwv—1) In a seemly manner, decently. Used 3X.
From—euschmwn—Well-formed, i.e. (figuratively) decorous, noble (in rank).
“Revelry/Rioting/Carousing/Orgies”—kwmov—N. m.—1) A revel, carousal—1a) A nocturnal & riotous procession of half drunken & frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches & music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, & sing & play before houses of male & female friends; hence used generally of feasts & drinking parties that are protracted till late at night & indulge in revelry. Kwmov includes riot & revelry, usually as arising from drunkenness. Strong—A carousal (as if letting loose). Used 3X.
“Drunkenness”—meyh—N. f.—1) Intoxication; 2) drunkenness. Meyh is the ordinary word for drunkenness. Strong—apparently a primary word; An intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) Intoxication Used 3X.
“Lewdness/Chambering/Sexual promiscuity/Sexual immorality”—koith—N. f.—1) A place for laying down, resting, sleeping in—1a) A bed, couch; 2) The marriage bed—2a) Of adultery; 3) Cohabitation, whether lawful or unlawful—3a)Sexual intercourse. Strong—A couch; by extension Cohabitation; by implication, The male sperm. Used 4X.
“Lust/Wantonness/Sensuality/Debauchery”—aselgeia—1) Unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence. The fundamental idea of of aselgeia is lawless insolence & wanton caprice" (Trench). In aselgeiv also there is included the idea of profligacy(as with aswtia), often of lasciviousness, but the fundamental thought is the acknowledging of no restraints, the insolent doing of whatever one's caprice may suggest. Strong—from a compound of 1 (as a negative particle) & a presumed selghv(of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); Licentiousness (sometimes including other vices). Used 9X.
“Strife/Dissension”—eriv—1) Contention, strife, wrangling. Strong—A quarrel, i.e. (by implication) Wrangling. Used 9X.
“Envy/Jealousy”—zhlov—N. m/n.—1) Excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit. Strong—properly, Heat, i.e. (figuratively) "Zeal" (in a favorable sense, Ardor; in an unfavorable one, Jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively, of God], or an enemy, malice).
:14—“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, & make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.””
Rather than abide in such nightly behaviors & attitudes(:13), the Christian is to join with Paul & the universal Church in “putting on” Jesus Christ” as Lord. This “putting on” contrasts, supplants & replaces the previous “casting off” of “the works of darkness.”
All these things are voluntary actions which must be chosen by the individual with obvious ties & ramifications for the local & universal Church. This truth also necessarily relates to ‘religious’ decisions made— denominational & otherwise— at all levels.
*The simple key to all of our behaviors resides in Christ, who, by our faith, provides us ability to overcome personal & corporate fleshly desires. Living in & by God’s love we are thus walking properly in His Spirit, having “put on” Christ as Lord. In having done such we have shown ourselves to have given no deference to the desire of the flesh.
“Put on”(See :12)—enduw—V.—1) To sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one's self.
“Lord”—kuriov—1) He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; Master, lord. Strong—from kurov (supremacy); Supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) Controller; by implication, Mr. (as a respectful title).
“Provision”—pronoia—1) Forethought, providential care; 2) To make provision for a thing. Strong—Forethought, i.e. Provident care or supply. Used 2X.
“Flesh”—sarx—1) Flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones & is permeated with blood) of both man & beast; 2) The body; 3) A living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast; 4) The flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, & therefore prone to sin & opposed to God. Strong—Flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) The meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) The body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) Human nature (with its frailties [physically or morally] & passions), or (specifically) A human being (as such).
“To fulfill/in regard to/Gratify”—poiew—1) To make; 2)To do. Poiew denotes "to do," to designate performance, to denote merely productive action. Strong—apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; To make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Lusts”—epiyumia—N. f.—1) Desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust. Epiyumia represents the active side of vice & is more comprehensive in meaning than payov; Epiyumia is (evil) desire. Its meaning may be good, but it is usually bad. It denotes any natural desire or appetite, usually with the implication that it is a depraved desire. Strong—A longing (especially for what is forbidden).
Argumentation:
*Jn. 8:31-32—“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, & the truth shall make you free.””
*Deut. 29:29—““The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us & to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Eph. 2:1-2—“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses & sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”
1Co 3:21-4:2—“Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. And you are Christ’s, & Christ is God’s. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ & stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
*Amos 3:7—“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”
Jn. 15:15—““No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Rom. 11:33-36—“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom & knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments & His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him & through Him & to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
*Rom. 16:25-27—“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel & the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, & by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
*1Cor. 2:12-16—“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
*Mat. 11:27-30—““All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, & no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, & the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you & learn from Me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy & My burden is light.””
Mat. 13:9-16—““He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” And the disciples came & said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered & said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. “For whoever has, to him more will be given, & he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, & hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear & shall not understand, And seeing you will see & not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes & hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts & turn, So that I should heal them.’ “But blessed are your eyes for they see, & your ears for they hear;”
2Tim. 3:14-17—“But you[Timothy] must continue in the things which you have learned & been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, & that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
1Cor. 15:33-34—“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, & do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
*1Cor. 7:29-31—“But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, & those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.”
1Pet. 4:7-8—“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious & watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””
2Pet. 3:11-18—“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for & hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, & the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens & a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot & blameless; & consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught & unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now & forever. Amen.”
Illustration:
Morning March:
There was a new Army basic trainee at Fort McClellan, AL & one requirement was a demanding 12-mile march. They got started at 6 a.m. & were pumped up for the trek.
An hour later, feeling the heavy load of our packs, they wondered if the end would ever come.
"Men," our sergeant yelled, "You're doing a fine job. We've already covered four miles!"
Revitalized, we picked up the pace.
"And," continued Sarge, "& We should reach the starting point any minute now!"
ATTENTIVENESS!
Application:
?You Driven by Godly ATTENTIVENESS?
?You a Driven Believer?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Missing the Play-by-Play or getting in the game.
Action:
Believers are driven by...
1. HONOR(:7)
2. LOVE(:8-10)
3. ATTENTIVENESS(:11-14)
Presented 01/01/2012am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
