Sweeter Than the Day Before (#56 of 365+)

The apostle Paul said, “Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11 NIV). Another interpretation of this verse reads, “God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation
work he began when we first believed” (MSG).

Today’s devotional speaks of salvation past (when Christ paid for my sin), salvation present (as the Holy Spirit’s power prevents me from enslavement to sin), and salvation future (when I’ll receive mercy and enter into eternal joy). In light of the fact that I’m closer today to my future salvation than I’ve ever been (and as the old hymn says, “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before”) I should rise up to Joni’s challenge—“Get actively engaged in your present salvation”. But how do I do that?

Paul wrote those words to the Christians in Rome. Author Keith Sharp describes the culture of that day as follows: “Poor people flocked to Rome because of the availability of free food and free entertainment. In Paul's day, it was said the people of Rome lived for ‘bread and circuses’. Holidays filled over half the calendar days of the year, and amusement was provided for the people at state expense on 95 of these days”. With this information in hand, I will now re-read the verse in context of its surrounding verses:

“But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!” (v. 11-14 MSG)

I can just hear those words ringing in the ears of new Roman Christians who were used to staying up all night every night and being hung-over and exhausted every morning. Paul’s advice is “Don’t get caught up in the same things that everyone else in [your city/state/country] is doing right now. Act as if Christ could return at any moment!”

Looking at this chapter of Romans in the context of the surrounding chapters, an outline emerges that could easily be titled “How to Live in Christ, when in Rome”:
i. Be transformed in your thoughts and actions (12:1-21)
ii. Be subject to the governing authorities (13:1-7)
iii. Love everyone (13:8-10)
iv. Act as if Christ could return at any moment! (13:11-14)
v. Respect another Christian’s conscience (14:1 - 15:4)
vi. Promote unity within the church (15:5-21)

Going back to Joni’s challenge to “get actively engaged” in what God is doing in my life today, I believe I have now found the key to doing just that in Paul’s exhortation to the Roman Christians. He is basically establishing one overarching theme with all that he covers in chapters 12 - 15: The importance of living out a good witness in front of the world about Jesus Christ. Since Roman culture was ultimately transformed from being polytheistic to completely Christian, I believe those early Roman Christians took Paul’s words to heart and began to effectively live out their Christian witness. The evidence of the impact they had on their world for the glory of God still remains even today!

I imagine American Christians could still impact our culture today if we would only do exactly as Joni challenges and Paul exhorts: "Get actively engaged! Christ could return at any moment!”

Lord, help me to live a powerful Christian witness and avoid falling into temptation. I always want to work with you and not against you. Thank you for being faithful to all your promises. Amen.