Romans 13:11-14 - the AfterBlog

Why This Blog?

Often, when hearing a sermon, it’s easy to leave the service, and not keep what you learned, or were challenged to, in front of you. 

As soon as church is over, it’s easy to get distracted by where you’re headed for lunch, what you need to get done before evening church, and other tasks on your “weekend to-do list.”

To help with that, below is a summary of the major points and application points from today’s sermon. You should be able to read through this blog in three or four minutes. 

The main theme of today’s passage, Romans 13:11-14, is Sanctification.

Sanctification is simply spiritual growth - the efforts we make to be more like Jesus.

Sanctification is an Urgent Matter - of the utmost importance

1 Peter 1:15 – be holy in all your conduct

As the passage opens, there’s an emphasis on  Urgency.

When we think about the imminent return of Christ, that He IS coming back, one immediate implication is that we need to tell as many as we can about the hope found only in Him.

Paul is calling us to wake up from our spiritual sleep and stop being apathetic in your spiritual life.

There are some general guidelines that help us think through evangelism within the framework of urgency:

Evangelistic Thinking 101

• Time is Short

1 Corinthians 7:29 – the appointed time has grown very short

verse 11b – salvation is nearer to us now...

Some questions to consider:

• Do you realize that you’re accountable to God for how you use your time?

2 Corinthians 5:10 – we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

Time is a resource that He’s given you just like your money, job, home, car, etc. 

• Think about how much time you’ve wasted already

• How might you improve the “present time?”

Looking at the rest of the passage, verses 12-14, there’s a distinct focus on the “how” of sanctification. 

Sanctification is being clothed with Christ. 

Galatians 3:27 – For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

It’s an idea that’s synonymous with salvation

A Christian that’s not pursuing holiness is an oxymoron - it just doesn’t make sense.

The basic idea -

Put Off - sin

Put On - holiness

Verse 14 -is a beautiful conclusion.

It’s the summary of what sanctification looks like: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. 

This is an action – something that we do. 

The key word is “provision”

It has to do with planning.
How will you plan for your sanctification?
How will you plan to cast off the works of darkness and put on Christ?

How to Pursue Sanctification

Five simple (but not easy) steps:

1. Know the Word

John 17:17 – Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

You cannot achieve sanctification apart from the Word of God. 

It will come through:

hearing - like what you’re doing now

reading - this should be a daily thing

studying - don’t be content to just read

memorizing - hide God’s Word in your heart

meditating - all of those lead to meditation

on God’s Word. 

Simply put - you need to be saturating yourself in God's Word daily. Seek to continually grow in your knowledge of all that Scripture teaches. 

2. Seek to be Changed

Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 

Don't just read, but read looking to be changed by what God's Word is doing in your mind and heart. 

We all need to be corrected by God’s Word in some way - at some point

3. Increasing Desire

Psalm 19:10 – [Gods’s Word is] More to be desired... than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 

Don't just read for information - pray for the Lord to change you as you saturate yourself in His inspired Word (Hebrews 4:12)

When you’re ready to be serious about growing in God’s Word and in holiness (they go together) - Read Psalm 119 - and as you read it, keep track of all the times there’s a reference to delighting in or loving God’s Word

4. Make a List

Search Scripture for the lists that tell you what to do and what not do to. What to put off and what to put on. Colossians 3 is a great place to start. Whenever there's a list - note what's on the list. Keep a list of all the commands of Scripture somewhere and refer to it often.

5. Do It Together

Hebrews 10:24 – let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

We’re not meant to live the Christian life alone. 

God intends for us to do this together. 

Everyone helping one another. 
You need the Body and the Body needs you.
How are you encouraging others to grow spiritually? What is your "default conversation" with other believers? Can you re-set that to have a more spiritually focused dynamic?
Who will you encourage spiritually today?

Let’s all daily re-commit ourselves to: Following Jesus TOGETHER.