Awakening to Urgency: Living in Christ's Light

 

Summary

In Romans 13:11-14, Paul urges believers to awaken from spiritual slumber, recognizing that salvation is nearer than ever. This passage, rich in eloquence and depth, serves as a call to action, urging us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. It is a reminder that our conduct should reflect our identity in Christ, not as a means to become Christian, but because we already are. This distinction is crucial, as it separates the Christian life from mere moralism or legalism, emphasizing that our behavior is an outflow of our position in Christ.

Paul's exhortation is not just a call to moral living but a profound reminder of the urgency of the times. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand, symbolizing the imminent return of Christ and the need for readiness. This urgency is not meant to instill fear but to inspire a life of holiness and dedication, rooted in the knowledge of our salvation and the grace we have received.

The passage also serves as a warning against the dangers of antinomianism and legalism. Antinomianism, the belief that grace allows for a disregard of moral law, is a subtle trap that can lead to a life of complacency and sin. On the other hand, legalism, which emphasizes adherence to the law as a means of salvation, can lead to a joyless and burdensome faith. Paul navigates these extremes by grounding Christian conduct in the transformative power of the gospel, which calls us to live out our faith in love and truth.

Ultimately, this passage is a call to live in the light of Christ's return, to be vigilant and active in our faith, and to let our lives be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. It challenges us to examine our lives, to ensure that our conduct aligns with our identity in Christ, and to live with the hope and expectation of His return.

Key Takeaways:

1. Awakening to Urgency: Recognize the urgency of the times and awaken from spiritual slumber. Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed, calling us to live with a sense of readiness and expectation for Christ's return. [00:11]

2. Identity and Conduct: Our conduct should reflect our identity in Christ, not as a means to become Christian, but because we already are. This understanding prevents us from falling into the traps of legalism or antinomianism. [12:15]

3. The Dangers of Antinomianism: Antinomianism, the belief that grace allows for a disregard of moral law, is a subtle trap that can lead to complacency. True faith is evidenced by a life transformed by the gospel, not by mere intellectual assent. [19:06]

4. The Perils of Legalism: Legalism emphasizes adherence to the law as a means of salvation, leading to a burdensome faith. Paul reminds us that our behavior is an outflow of our position in Christ, rooted in grace and love. [29:38]

5. Living in Light of Christ's Return: The passage calls us to live in the light of Christ's return, letting our lives be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. This involves a daily commitment to holiness and love, grounded in the hope of His coming. [42:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Reading from Romans 13:11-14
- [01:07] - Introduction to the Passage
- [02:26] - Transition from Doctrine to Application
- [03:49] - The Second Argument: Urgency of the Times
- [04:53] - St. Augustine's Conversion
- [05:40] - The Danger of Missing the Meaning
- [07:05] - Analyzing the Passage
- [08:32] - Doctrine and Practice
- [10:30] - The New Testament Approach to Conduct
- [12:36] - Conduct Based on Position
- [14:03] - The Importance of Doctrine
- [15:29] - Avoiding Antinomianism and Legalism
- [30:58] - Practical Application to Daily Life
- [42:12] - The Eschatological Argument
- [43:11] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 13:11-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says "the night is far spent, the day is at hand" in Romans 13:12? How does this relate to the urgency of the times? [00:31]

2. In Romans 13:14, Paul instructs believers to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of Christian conduct? [00:49]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our identity in Christ and our conduct? [12:15]

4. What are the dangers of antinomianism as discussed in the sermon, and how can they lead to complacency in a believer's life? [19:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the urgency of Christ's return influence the way believers should live their daily lives? Consider the implications of living with a sense of readiness and expectation. [42:12]

2. The sermon warns against both antinomianism and legalism. How can a believer find a balance between these two extremes in their spiritual walk? [29:38]

3. What does it mean for our conduct to be an outflow of our position in Christ, and how does this understanding prevent us from falling into legalism? [12:15]

4. How does the transformative power of the gospel challenge believers to live out their faith in love and truth? [42:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually asleep? What steps can you take to awaken from this slumber and live with a sense of urgency? [00:11]

2. Consider your daily conduct. In what ways does it reflect your identity in Christ? Are there specific behaviors or attitudes you need to change to align more closely with your faith? [12:15]

3. Have you ever found yourself leaning towards antinomianism, believing that grace allows for a disregard of moral law? How can you ensure that your faith is evidenced by a life transformed by the gospel? [19:06]

4. On the other hand, have you experienced the burden of legalism, where adherence to the law feels like a means of salvation? How can you root your behavior in grace and love instead? [29:38]

5. How does the expectation of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live more fully in the light of His coming? [42:12]

6. Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel this week. What specific action will you take to live out your faith in love and truth? [42:12]

7. Think about a time when you felt the tension between faith and works. How did you navigate this, and what did you learn about maintaining a balance between the two? [15:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Awakening to Spiritual Urgency
Paul's message in Romans 13:11-14 is a clarion call for believers to awaken from spiritual slumber. He emphasizes the urgency of the times, reminding us that our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. This urgency is not meant to instill fear but to inspire readiness and expectation for Christ's return. The metaphor of night and day illustrates the transition from spiritual darkness to the light of Christ, urging us to live in a way that reflects our identity in Him. As believers, we are called to be vigilant, recognizing the signs of the times and living with a sense of purpose and dedication. [00:11]

"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." (Romans 13:11, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to awaken from any spiritual complacency and live with a sense of urgency for Christ's return?


Day 2: Identity and Conduct in Christ
Our conduct as Christians should be a reflection of our identity in Christ, not a means to earn that identity. Paul warns against the traps of legalism and antinomianism, emphasizing that our behavior should flow naturally from our position in Christ. Legalism burdens us with the false belief that adherence to the law is necessary for salvation, while antinomianism leads to complacency by disregarding moral law. Instead, Paul calls us to live out our faith authentically, grounded in the transformative power of the gospel. This understanding helps us navigate the balance between grace and obedience, ensuring that our lives are a testament to our faith. [12:15]

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can your daily actions better reflect your identity in Christ, and how can you avoid the extremes of legalism and antinomianism?


Day 3: The Dangers of Antinomianism
Antinomianism, the belief that grace allows for a disregard of moral law, is a subtle trap that can lead to a life of complacency and sin. Paul warns against this mindset, emphasizing that true faith is evidenced by a life transformed by the gospel, not by mere intellectual assent. The grace we receive through Christ is not a license to sin but a call to holiness and dedication. As believers, we are called to live in a way that honors God, allowing His grace to empower us to overcome sin and live righteously. This involves a conscious effort to align our lives with the teachings of Christ, demonstrating our faith through our actions. [19:06]

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been complacent, assuming grace will cover your actions? How can you actively pursue holiness in those areas today?


Day 4: The Perils of Legalism
Legalism emphasizes adherence to the law as a means of salvation, leading to a burdensome and joyless faith. Paul reminds us that our behavior is an outflow of our position in Christ, rooted in grace and love. The gospel frees us from the constraints of legalism, allowing us to live in the freedom of Christ's love. This freedom is not an excuse for lawlessness but an invitation to live in a way that reflects the love and grace we have received. By focusing on our relationship with Christ, we can avoid the pitfalls of legalism and experience the joy and peace that come from living in His grace. [29:38]

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from rule-following to cultivating a deeper relationship with Christ, allowing His love to guide your actions?


Day 5: Living in Light of Christ's Return
Paul's exhortation in Romans 13:11-14 calls us to live in the light of Christ's return, letting our lives be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. This involves a daily commitment to holiness and love, grounded in the hope of His coming. As believers, we are called to be vigilant and active in our faith, allowing the anticipation of Christ's return to inspire us to live with purpose and dedication. By aligning our lives with the teachings of Christ, we can be a light to the world, demonstrating the hope and joy that come from knowing Him. [42:12]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the anticipation of Christ's return into your daily life, allowing it to inspire you to live with purpose and dedication?

Quotes


And that knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believe the night is far spent the day is at end let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. [00:00:16]

The New Testament never deals with conduct cursing or in and of itself never you see this is important for this reason that's where it's in a class on its own as distinct from our own system the New Testament never I defy you to give me a single example never deals with conduct and behavior as such alone in and of itself. [00:10:48]

We are to live like this because we are a Christian and what a world of salt there is there this is the modern medicine we are back again fighting the whole fight of the Reformation justification by faith as over against justification by works and the doctrine popular doctrine today is the doctrine of justification by works in various forms. [00:11:35]

Our come to test Christians is always based upon our position it's always based upon what is true of us in other words you can't understand this teaching concerning comfort unless you're perfectly clear about our position about what we are for the behavior of the conduct is an expression of what we are and if therefore based upon it. [00:12:28]

The teaching of conduct the view over conduct the way of dealing with conduct in the New Testament is always one that is based upon our understanding on our position as Christians knowing them very well there's our first deduction so I come to the second we are reminded here once more of the vital importance of doctrine of this truth that he's presupposing. [00:13:45]

The interrelationship between faith and works doctrine and practice is the best way of avoiding the two greatest dangers always confronting the Christian what are they well they are the dangers of the one hand of antinomianism and on the other hand of legalism what do I mean by antinomianism what it meant by antinomianism. [00:15:40]

Antinomianism, the belief that grace allows for a disregard of moral law, is a subtle trap that can lead to complacency. True faith is evidenced by a life transformed by the gospel, not by mere intellectual assent. This is a condition that has worked havoc so many times in the long history of the church. [00:16:09]

The Apostle never teaches what is called the victorious life teaching or the victorious living teaching never the Apostle never teaches what is known as the overcoming teaching you're familiar with these teachings these are teachings which come to us and tell us that we are miserable and unhappy because we are failing we are falling to certain particular sin. [00:31:16]

Christianity is not a system to make us happy nothing could be more important than this what is salvation what's the object of salvation Oh week of gay I say is Good Friday Easter Sunday what's the meaning of the Cross what's the meaning of the resurrection why did the Son of God who had come into this world why did he die on the cross. [00:33:44]

The Apostle is incapable of dealing with the question of conduct and practice and behavior without bringing in all the great essential doctrines of this glorious way of salvation that's the way and it is the only way in which we can ever grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and become truly sanctified. [00:42:07]

Following this way you will avoid the twin dangers of antinomianism and legalism you will be walking the way which he characterizes in his epistle to the Galatians in these words faith which worketh by love well God willing when we resumed on Friday April the 7th will go on considering this lightly moving elephant state of the great Apostle. [00:42:57]

O Lord our God we do again thank thee for the glory of thy word and the yet greater glory of thy way of salvation and above all thine own glory oh god open our eyes to this deliver us from our morbid preoccupation deliver us from the pettiness that consumers so much give us and we pray thee a vision of thyself while thy glory under thy great and glorious purpose for us thy people. [00:43:41]

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Transcript
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