Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Children of the Day”
Romans 13:11-14
Review
In the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul powerfully proclaims the truths concerning God’s wonderful salvation plan. Beginning in chapter 12, Paul specifies some areas of our thinking needing our attention crucial to the transformation of our living. When our thinking gets straightened out our living straight is not far behind. Be transformed by the renewing of your thinking.
I. Regarding life in light of Christ’s return (13:11-14)
We need to get a perspective on the age in which we live. In the passage, Paul draws attention to the times in which we live followed by a “therefore” introducing three pairs of admonitions for life in the last days. We find three references to time in verse 11 and 12. In light of the season or times or age in which we live, we must live differently. In light of the coming culmination of the kingdom of light we are to abandon the things associated with the kingdom of darkness and adopt kingdom living in the present. Remember, renewed thinking must lead to transformed living. If your living is not godly your thinking is not godly.
11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
I detect two sections in this continuing instruction in righteous living.
First -- An encouragement to PERCEIVE THE TIMES.
Second -- An exhortation to PRACTICE THE TRUTH in light of the times.
Paul ties this section to the last by “and this” We can either tie the “this” to the immediate context which would be “and continually love your neighbor as yourself…” OR …We could view this as a summary of all the previous exhortations concerning renewed thinking and transformed living offered since 12:1. I have a leaning toward the second option. Paul here provides a strong motivation to actually live differently in the present. We are to live differently NOW in light of the age (time) in which we live as well as the age (time) that is yet to come.
1. Perceive the times
Paul masterfully ties this little excursion in time both to earlier exhortation and to a summary exhortation repeated three times. Paul encourages us to live godly lives “knowing the time.” The word for time used here is not “chronos” which would refer to a specific time. Paul used the word “kairos” which indicated a season or period or opportunity. It indicates a critical, strategic period of time. We refer to “wintertime” or “springtime”.
Knowledge of the age in which we live and what God is doing motivates godly living. Paul uses a word for “to know” which empathizes knowledge by observation and perception not necessarily by experience. Developing an eternal perception concerning the time or age in which we live, we are to live transformed lives which includes loving our neighbor as ourselves. Paul reminds them of three aspects concerning the age or time in which we live.
a) It is already past time to wake up
11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep
Literally, “to be awakened from sleep” (passive verb). We don’t usually wake ourselves up. We are usually awakened by someone or something. Sleep most likely refers to inactivity, dullness, lethargy, unawareness. Sleep indicates a state of inattention, apathy, ignorance. The coming of Jesus and His promised Holy Spirit marked the hour of awakening. Any time beyond that time is ALREADY past the hour to be awakened.
There is not a new revelation coming. There is not some grand subsequent new event to wake us up. The age and hour in which we live is ALREADY the hour to be awakened from sleep. This is the time for all believers to be AWAKE. Paul told the Ephesians of the wonderful work of Christ that raised them not only from sleep but from a dead condition cause by their connection to the kingdom of darkness.
2:1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephes. 2:1-3
God awakened, resurrected, raised us from the dead with Christ.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephes. 2:4-7
Later in his letter to the Ephesian believers Paul talks about what happens when Christ come in their life.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephes. 5:13-14
This is the age of enlightenment not ignorance. This is the age of battle not rest. This is the time of mission not paradise. This is the time for action not apathy. Scripture continually calls believers to be alert, be sober, be vigilant, be awake. The hour is already for us to be awakened. We should be awake now. We are in the last days and it is already time to wake up to the fact that we have a mission here and NOW.
We are here for a purpose. Part of the reason God left us her is to let our light shine before men that they might see our godly life and glorify our Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)
This is the age of open invitation to all who will believe. Whosever will, may come! It is not a time to sit back and wait for Christ’s return but to occupy ourselves with kingdom purposes until he comes back so that we might not shrink in shame at his coming (1 John 2:28) but rejoice with exultation (1 Pet 4:13). Hebrews addressed those who had become dull of hearing.
Understand that we live in the age of alertness, harvest, action. We are in the last days of God’s plan for the ages. This is no time to slack off or sleep or live mediocre lives. We are to live godly lives knowing the hour to be awakened is HERE AND NOW!
b) The culmination of our journey is closer
11Do this, knowing the time, that… salvation is now nearer to us than when we believed.
God is continually at work in our lives. Paul told the Philippians that God works within us both to will and to do His good pleasure so be sure to work out that developing salvation with fear and trembling. Philip 2:12-13. Take God’s unfolding plan of salvation seriously.
There are three aspects or phases.
? We have been saved. (Concentration on the regeneration of our spirit)
? We are being saved. (Concentration on the regeneration of our soul)
? We will be saved. (Culmination with the complete regeneration of spirit soul and body)
Paul said we all groan within awaiting the final phase of our salvation.
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:23
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philip. 1:6
There are many things that we do here that will affect life in eternity for us.
When this age is over, there will never be another opportunity to go back. We will enter eternity at the level we achieved in this age. Reward and responsibility will be determined at His return for the church.
After that there will be…
No more opportunity to partner in pointing someone to eternal salvation.
No more opportunity to suffer for Christ.
No more opportunity to earn reward.
No more opportunity to earn the greeting, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Paul calls us to act differently knowing that time is wasting and the culmination of our journey and purpose is nearer than when we first believed. Such thinking concerning the coming age ought to motivate us to live godly in this present age because life in the present age will impact life in the future age. If we dilly dally or waste time or go back to sleep, it will be too late. Paul adds one more specific reference to time.
c) The dawning of the kingdom of light is near
11Do this, knowing the time, that…12The night is almost gone (nearly spent), and the day is near.
Jesus proclaimed the nearness of the kingdom. He told the disciples that the kingdom of God would be within us. But there is coming a day when God’s kingdom of light will no longer be hidden but will be the ONLY kingdom and we will be revealed with Him!!! It is like the dark just before the dawn. We try hard to light our world with man-made light. Then the sun comes out and lights up EVERTHNG. It becomes a whole new world. The night world and the day world are two different things.
Paul calls us to realize that soon the darkness will be completely dispelled by God glorious kingdom light. The age of darkness and evil is almost gone. The kingdom of darkness and its way of doing things is about to be extinguished. There will no longer be a world system that operates according to the prince of the power of the air but the Prince of Peace the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. So get with the program. Stop living in darkness and live like children of light.
11Do this, knowing the time, that…12The night is almost gone, and the day is near.
Believers have the privilege of a glimpse of the light. We await the full illumination of that light who is Jesus.
We look for a city that…
…has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. Rev. 21:23
On the basis of a heightened perception of the time in which we live…
that it is past time to wake up.
that opportunity to witness to our wonderful salvation is nearly over.
that the kingdom of darkness is on its way out…
Paul launches into a grand exhortation to live godly NOW.
Not only perceive the times but…
2. Practice the truth
Paul began this whole section on the Christian life with an exhortation not to be conformed to this world of darkness but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Here he admonishes us once again to abandon the old way of living and embrace kingdom living. Paul forcefully hammers his point by repeating three double admonitions. Particular behavior often indicates specific affiliation. Just like a uniform, certain behaviors connect people to a particular profession or group. Certain cultural behaviors identify one with a nationality or tribe. There are particular behaviors associated with the kingdom of darkness. There are particular behaviors associated with the kingdom of light. All of us are familiar with the kingdom of darkness in which we were born and in which we not still live. Paul urges those of us who have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light to live like it. Even though we are in the world we are not to live like the world.
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephes. 2:10
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14
Would people recognize your association with Christ’s kingdom just by observing your walk and not you talk. In light of the fact that we have been awakened from sleep… In light of the fact that the culmination of our salvation is closer today… In light of the fact that the night an all its deeds of darkness are nearly gone and the kingdom of light is just around the corner…Paul urges us to live like a kingdom kid.
“Therefore”
The first of three double exhortations…
a) Live in light of the truth not the darkness
“let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12
Put away, lay aside, cast off behavior associated with the kingdom of darkness. Paul uses the middle voice indicating an action we do ourselves. Be done with the behavior associated with the kingdom of darkness. In contrast, we are not to be neutral but we are to put on the armor of light. I would have expected Paul to say, “put on the deeds of light.” Paul wanted to emphasize the protective nature of living godly.
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Tim. 4:7-8
Paul told the Ephesians a similar thing.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (immorality, impurity, greed, filthiness and silly talk and course jesting) the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Ephes. 5:6-12
Even though we are light, we must personally embrace a lifestyle of truth. We have a certain responsibility to continually submit to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Even though it is God at work within us to will and to do His good pleasure we are also instructed to work out our salvation (the practical outworking of the inward work) with fear and trembling.
b) Live honorably not wickedly
Paul restates his point in different words beginning this time with the positive and specifying some specific areas to avoid.
Let us behave properly as in the day (positive) , not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy (negative). Romans 13:13
My mother used to always tell us that “nothing good ever happens after midnight!” Generally she was right. Most crime and most sinful behavior take place under the cover of darkness. Even if nothing bad happens, rarely does anything good or productive or of eternal value happen after midnight. Paul instructs us here to “walk decently” or honestly. The Bible uses the word “walk” (Paul 33 times) to indicate one’s lifestyle. Live your life decently and honorably. Live in such a way that would result in honor not shame. Paul provides three representative pairs of terms to illustrate “nighttime” or dishonorable and shameful behavior. Like many such Biblical lists of the deeds of darkness, this is not a comprehensive list by any means but a representative one.
(1) Avoid aimless pursuits
This is a life that pursues aimless activity. Carousings and drunkennesses. These terms are used in the plural indicating a lifestyle of such behavior. The word translated “carousings” was a world to indicate a village festival. These festivals got pretty nasty and were generally accompanied by much wine and sexual immorality. Today’s equivalent might be the whole entertainment industry with its fairs, and carnivals and pointless festivals, games and sports and computer games that absorb gigantic blocks of precious end-time hours with little eternal value.
Just that fact alone should cause us to rethink their place in our lifestyle aside from the destructive content associated with much of it. Believers have a calling, a purpose, a cause, a mission. We should not be engaging in a lifestyle that celebrates the aimless pursuit of pleasure and revelry. Since we are in a war, there really is not time for such a focus. How much of our lifestyle revolves around stuff that has no eternal purpose? How much of the precious time in this last age to we spend on stuff that will not count?
Associated with such purposelessness is a lifestyle that seeks to avoid reality and numb the senses to the pain of pointless pursuits with either alcohol or other drugs. The common denominator between these two terms is the pursuit of that which is aimless and devoid of eternal value. Solomon spent his whole life pursuing meaning in life through all that was aimless. He tried everything money could afford him. He came to the conclusion at the end of his days that he had sadly wasted his allotted time and urged all young people to pursue and serve their Creator with the energy of their youth for only through a vital relationship with God and a life committed to his way or doing things brings true meaning in life. Without such a relationship, everything else feels like a vanishing vapor. Daytime living revolves around purpose, alertness, vigilance, enlightenment, living by the direction of the Holy Spirit rather than numbed out with alcohol.
(2) Shun shameless sexual pursuits
The second pair of terms (also presented in the plural form) revolves around shameless sexual pursuits. “Sexual immoralities” is a term which originally referred to a bed or lying down. Over time it came to indicate the marriage bed and then sexual intercourse either lawful or unlawful. Hebrews insists that the marriage bed remain undefiled; that God will judge fornicators and adulterers. The second term in the pair (sensualities) has to do with sexual excesses. Paul instructed the Thessalonian believers in kingdom thinking and living on this matter.
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thes. 4:1-8
We live in a sexualized and sensualized culture. The internet offers soul-deadening trash with the click of the mouse or should I say “rat”. Sexual addiction and addiction to pornography runs rampant even among pastors. We are to be people of the day and maintain our bodies in sanctification and honor.
(3) Stop selfish pursuits
The final two pairs of nighttime living have to do with relationships. Paul presents these terms both in the singular form most likely indicating those who have a disposition toward these relational time bombs. “Strife” dissension, quarreling, wrangling, love of strife, debate, arguing. “Jealousy” burning passions, zeal, push for ones own way, drive to control. James is pretty clear about exhibiting the right kind of behavior.
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18
Peter chimes in.
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 1 Peter 4:1-3
God’s daytime behavior deals with loving one another fervently form the heart, pursuing peace, being at peace with all men as far as it depends on us, loving our neighbor a ourselves. Live your life honorably not dishonorably.
Seek first the kingdom of God not aimless pursuits.
Pursue purity not impurity.
Live others-centered not self-centered.
The final hammer on the nail again pits light against the dark.
c) Embrace Jesus and evade the flesh
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. 13:14
One might expect Paul to say put on Christlike behavior. He calls us to put on Christ himself. What is the difference? I think to put on Christlikeness has to do with simply imitating someone’s behavior. To put on Christ is to enter into intimate relationship with Him. The verb pictures one putting on clothes. Not only wake up but get dressed and enter the battle of the ages. Paul affirmed that in one sense true believers have already clothed themselves with Christ.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27
Here Paul indicates we also play some part in this relationship. By means of the Holy Spirit, Christ becomes our identity. We are Christians. Practically, we are to embrace Him and cling to Him. Perhaps this is the key to the whole passage. Paul calls us here to deeply and fully embrace Christ until we live as one. This is the powerful picture of the Lord’s Supper celebration. This is the key to Christ’s prayer in John 17 “I in them and them in me.” Be absorbed by relationship with Jesus. The flip side then is to deny the screams of the residue flesh that demands satisfaction. The idea here is to not give any forethought to fulfilling fleshly drives. Don’t make any plans to cater to the flesh’s demands for attention. Lay aside ever sin and encumbrance that so easily trips us up and run with endurance the race set before us fixing our eyes on relationship with Jesus who is both the author and the one who will complete our journey of faith and trust. Paul calls us to practice the truth on the basis of a renewed perception of the times. This is not the only place that Biblical writers appeal to future events to motivate present conduct.
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:7-10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:10-18
The conclusion…
Sermon in a sentence:
“Love and live godly in light of the Lord’s return.”
Knowing …
that it is past time to wake up.
that opportunity to witness to our wonderful salvation is nearly over.
that the kingdom of darkness is on its way out…
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Live by the truth not the darkness.
Live honorably not sinfully.
Embrace deeper relationship with Jesus while ignoring the screams of the flesh.
"Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephes. 5:14-18
