Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Romans 13:14 – “Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.”

As we press on in Romans 13, Paul adds the “why” and the “how” to the call to live out our obligation to love. In verse 11 and the first part of verse 12, Paul declares that “the hour has already come.” Whether talking about Jesus’ return or about the fact that one has professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Paul states, “our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith.” Indeed – each day lived is one day closer to heaven. This is Paul’s “why.” As we do not know our last day, it is important to love well each and every day.

In the rest of verse 12 through verse 14, Paul addresses the “how” of fulfilling our obligation to love. Paul focuses mostly on their/our struggles. “Behave appropriately” sums up Paul’s instruction on holy and righteous living. He lists several “actions that belong to the darkness.” Maybe some of these resonate with you. Maybe your struggles with sin are in other areas. Many of our battles change as mature in our faith, but others remain constant “thorns” in our side.

Paul closes his thoughts with these instructions: “Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.” This image connects into the imagery of baptism. Entering the waters, one takes off the old self, repenting of sin. Emerging from the waters, one is cleansed, made new in Christ. If we daily clothe ourselves in Christ, we are making an intentional choice to live a good and holy life. This means we are not planning to satisfy our selfish wants. To close, John Wesley noted this concerning verse 14: “The apostle does not say, Put on purity and sobriety, peacefulness and benevolence; but he says all of this and a thousand times more at once, in saying, Put on Christ.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for bringing us one day closer to being with you in your glory. Walk with us today, leading and guiding us to step even closer this day. Keep us on your path. Guide us so that we do not stray. Lead us to daily clothe ourselves in Christ, empowering us to love you and all of our neighbors. Amen.