Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)
Read Romans 13:11-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; Verse 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; Verse 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Verse 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Devotion
Recently, an article in the local newspaper talked about fans celebrating big college football wins by storming the field, tearing down goal posts and parading the posts through town. The article brought back memories of my undergraduate days when, after key victories leading to conference championships and bowl bids, we in the marching band would watch these very events happen. While celebrating a victory is a great thing to do, as the article points out, perhaps there should be more appropriate ways to celebrate a great victory.
The clock is ticking down towards the end of time when Jesus will come again, and Paul is excited with Jesus’ great victory over sin and death. This is the main celebration for the Christian community. But not by tearing down the goal posts, storming the field or with other acts of reveling and drunkenness, but rather celebrating God’s victory with works and acts of love and grace towards our neighbor.
Prayer
God, in the midst waiting for the clock to tick down to when you come again, help us to celebrate your victory over sin and death through acts of love and service to our neighbor. Amen.