Title:How Shall We Then Live? / Topic: End Times

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21; Romans 13

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 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. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Observation: Paul is encouraging Christians to “wake up” from their slumber (what I would call apathy or unawareness of what is happening around them). Why? Because the coming of the Lord (ultimate salvation) is nearer now than when they first believed. The early Christians thought they might very well see the second coming of the Lord in their day. His instruction to them in light of this was to put aside all the appetites and misdeeds of the flesh and to give attention to developing their relationship with the Lord Jesus. They were encouraged to not give thought time to how they might gratify the desires of their sinful nature, but to have their focus on God.

Application: As I read these words, I thought about how many Christians in the church are in debt because their desires and focus are on getting more of the comforts and pleasures of this life. Bigger TV's, nicer cars, bigger homes, better furniture, the latest fashions, etc. And because of all the materialism, so many of us have our time maxed out with work and stress over how to pay for our lifestyles. In view of what is happening in the world; all the signs that the Bible says are precursors of the Lord's return, we need to quickly re-evaluate our priorities and “wake up” from our spiritual slumber. Too many in the church have a “ho-hum” attitude toward their relationship with the Lord and his people. The words of Paul are much more true today than they were even then. Our salvation is near; the return of Jesus is imminent. Am I ready for His return today? Are you?

Prayer: Father, I do not want to be so entangled in this life. I want to be free enough from debt and other things that I can focus on you and what you nt in my life. Remind me of these words and help me to focus on the condition of my spirit more than the comforts of my flesh.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.