Romans 13:11-14
As we continue reflecting on how we might prepare for the "to come" this Advent season, we turn to Paul's Letter to the Romans. Paul gives instruction for the believers in Rome as they prepare for their coming salvation. It is interesting that Paul is talking to believers about coming salvation, since salvation is often considered a condition that coincides with becoming a believer. But Paul clearly says,
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers
Paul is looking to a time of salvation that is "to come." It seems that he is looking to that coming Kingdom of God that we have been reflecting on all week. So, what instruction does he give in preparation for the "to come?"
Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.
I am not always fond of armor, weapon and war metaphors connected with understanding our faith. However, let us think for a moment about this idea of putting on the armor of light. In Paul's day, armor was a uniform for soldiers. They clothed themselves with their identity as soldiers. Paul wants us to clothe ourselves with the light. He wants us to prepare for the "to come" by identifying ourselves with and living according to the light. He then goes on to list a number of behaviors that he identifies with the darkness rather than the light; "reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy." What associates these behaviors with the darkness? Paul speaks of them as things that happen at night; in the darkness. Beyond that, I believe that Paul considers all of these things to be self-destructive and destructive to community.
So, we should live in a way where our behaviours are representative of our identification with the light. Is this not the same advice that Isaiah gave us this week? That we should walk in the light of the Lord? Both Isaiah and Paul are telling us to prepare for the Kingdom "to come" by making choices to live in that Kingdom now.
So, we should live in a way where our behaviours are representative of our identification with the light. Is this not the same advice that Isaiah gave us this week? That we should walk in the light of the Lord? Both Isaiah and Paul are telling us to prepare for the Kingdom "to come" by making choices to live in that Kingdom now.