Category: Digging in Deeper

Digging in Deeper: Romans 13:13-14

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“Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Do you remember getting left home alone for the first time as a kid? The sense of freedom—at least for a short time—was exhilarating. The only thing that could dampen that joy was a to do list from your parents. The freedom was really a test to determine how trustworthy you were. Eventually they were going to return. When they did, you wanted to be caught doing the right things so you could enjoy even more freedom. Last time, we reflected on Paul’s emphasis on the nearness of Jesus’ return and what that means for how we should be living our lives. In this next part to conclude the chapter, Paul gets more specific on what that looks like. Let’s take a look.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 13:11-12

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“Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I don’t like to put things off. My preference is generally to work ahead of whatever the schedule happens to be. That way I can sit and relax until it’s time to get started. Some people, on the other hand, work best under pressure. Admittedly, though, when I have a quick approaching due date, I can be remarkably productive. There’s something about an impending deadline that spurs us into action. No one wants to be caught unprepared when the moment of testing arrives. A sense of urgency can result in a whole lot of positive action. Here, near the end of Romans 13, Paul puts a bit of a sense of urgency on our faith. Let’s talk about why the return of Christ matters and what it means.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 13:8-10

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“Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery;’ ‘do not murder;’ ‘do not steal;’ ‘do not covet;’ and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Have you ever owed something to someone else? I currently owe one bank a car payment, and one mortgage company a house payment. I’ve owed for a car once before in my life, but that’s all the debt I’ve ever had. How about beyond monetary debts? Have you ever had any of those? If you want to switch gears to something like personal debts of honor or failings that need to be forgiven, I’ve owed quite a few more of those over the years. Paul was just talking at the end of the last section about the kinds of debts we can incur in this life. Being in debt to anyone for anything is not a good state of affairs. There’s only one kind of debt that should be ongoing in our lives if we can help it. Let’s talk about what that is.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 13:2

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“So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What should be the relationship of followers of Jesus to the government? That is not such an easy question to answer. The answer seems like it should depend at least in part on who is running it. On the other hand, though, our basic attitude and approach should be consistent regardless of who exactly is in charge. The answer to the question will also be affected by the form of government we are talking about. Some invite more participation and input than others. The biggest impact on the question, though, comes from our understanding of what government even is in the first place. All of this needs to be in mind as we work through what Paul says next here. Join me as we do that today.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 13:1

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“Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Many of the things we find in the Scriptures are fairly light and easy. The teachings in the New Testament are mostly straightforward and encouraging. But occasionally you find something that is both hard and controversial. You find something that, depending on the season, some people will support and others will hate, only to find them switching sides when the season changes. As we get into Romans 13 today, we find just such a passage. Paul starts talking politics…in a book about religion. How much worse could it get? Let’s put on our thinking caps and steel-toed boots and find out.

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