Put On Christ - Romans 13:11-14

Introduction

Context of Romans (1-11)

The Christian Life that Flows from the Gospel (Since ch. 12)

Love is the Mark

12-here Loving the way that Christ loved fulfills the whole love. The law summed: love each other and love your enemy.

Besides this

better translates “And this”

Connects how we love others to this present time

Transition: love is motivated by the time.

The Time We Live In (v11a-12b)

“the time” The overlap of Ages

Present sinful age and the coming age of righteousness

Christ has already secured victory over sin & death, but we still live in a world and in bodies that have not yet been restored.

“The hour”

The time is right now for believers to wake up! What are they waking up from?

Sleep - referring to a slumber of sin that the believer is in. A passivity with sin

World thinking they are alive but are sleeping away and may never wake up. (John 3:36 )

Time to get up from our sleep, get dressed and love your neighbor as yourself.

v11&12 “For salvation.... at hand”

Christ’s second appearing (sunrise) is a hand because of the dawn of Christ’s first appearing has happened.

The powers of darkness are broken and the beaming sun of Christ’s righteousness will soon fully drown out the darkness.

“Salvation is nearer” - The consummation of our salvation is coming. Every side effect we feel should help us refocus our eyes on the day we will soon walk in glory.

“the night is far..”

Instead of dwelling on the darkness and its duration, focus your mind on the reality that the day of Christ's second coming, akin to a sunrise, draws near since the dawn of Christ's initial appearance has already occurred. The dominion of darkness has been shattered, and it's only a matter of time before it yields completely to the radiance of righteousness.