Week of April 26th, 2026
Encouragement from God's Word
Romans 13:11–14
And do this [show love], 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. 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 orgies 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 sinful nature.
Do you wake each day thinking that today could be Judgment Day? The thought occasionally goes through our minds, but probably not as often as it should.
Paul’s words remind us that the end is coming. Since we know that Judgment Day is near, how will we act? Let’s“put aside the deeds of darkness”and“behave decently.”On the positive side, he said,“clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul’s words in Romans 13 are an appeal to believers. In the previous chapters in the book, he showed us what Christ has done for us. Our sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus. Our eternal future is secure. We are rescued from the darkness of sin. Death has no power or hold over us. So let’s live like the people we are!
Paul’s line of thought is: If Jesus comes back today, what do you want him to find you doing? As a child of God, the answer is easy: because he has graciously made us to be his people, we want to live like . . . his people.
