Romans 13:11-14
As an athlete preparing to enter the playing field, court, rink, or track, you often look towards your coach for that last second pep talk that starts a fire within you! Those last second words can fuel you to attack the competition like it was lunch, and you were starving, because you knew it was GO time! On the flip side, the other team is thinking how in the world do we overcome them? As we look at Paul's words in Romans 13:11-14 we can see a glimpse of a coach's pep talk. Paul writes:
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Paul is calling the Roman believers to act on their faith. We are to do the same. At Emmanuel we say, “Participation over performance.” We do not gather for a concert, but rather we gather to participate with each other. Live out your faith, put on the team Jesus jersey, and wear it proudly. If you are someone who needs to know when to start doing something, let today be that day. The time is NOW! As believers, we need to live with urgency. Penn Jillette, an atheist, quoted many times, “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” Let's go...It’s time!
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Paul is calling the Roman believers to act on their faith. We are to do the same. At Emmanuel we say, “Participation over performance.” We do not gather for a concert, but rather we gather to participate with each other. Live out your faith, put on the team Jesus jersey, and wear it proudly. If you are someone who needs to know when to start doing something, let today be that day. The time is NOW! As believers, we need to live with urgency. Penn Jillette, an atheist, quoted many times, “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” Let's go...It’s time!
Posted in Devotional