What does "our salvation is nearer now" mean for daily Christian living? The Heart of the Verse “And do this, understanding the occasion, that the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber; for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) Salvation in Three Tenses—Past, Present, Future • Past: We “were saved” the moment we believed (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Present: We “are being saved” as God sanctifies us daily (1 Corinthians 1:18). • Future: We “will be saved” when Jesus returns and completes the work (1 Peter 1:5; Hebrews 9:28). Romans 13:11 zeroes in on that future completion. Every sunrise shortens the countdown to the day Christ appears and our redemption is fully unveiled (Philippians 3:20-21). Counting Down the Hours: Why Nearness Matters • Urgency—Time is limited; spiritual drowsiness is dangerous. • Clarity—Eternal realities outweigh temporary distractions (2 Corinthians 4:18). • Accountability—“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Hope—Suffering is temporary; glory is imminent (Romans 8:18-19). • Motivation—Knowing Christ could come today fuels holy living (1 John 3:2-3). Practical Steps to Live Wide Awake 1. Start each day conscious of the countdown. • Speak Romans 13:11 aloud as a reminder. 2. Dress for daylight. • “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). • Clothe your mind with Scripture before the world clothes it with worry. 3. Trade passivity for purposeful action. • Serve someone in tangible love (Romans 13:8-10). 4. Guard moral margins. • “Titus 2:12—live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” 5. Keep short accounts with God and people. • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). • Forgive readily, knowing the Judge is at the door (James 5:8-9). 6. Invest resources with eternity in view. • Time: prioritize worship, fellowship, witness. • Talents: deploy gifts to build the body (1 Peter 4:10-11). • Treasure: lay up heavenly wealth (Matthew 6:19-21). 7. Speak of the coming King. • Share the gospel; others need to be ready (2 Peter 3:9). 8. Rest in sovereign timing. • Even delays serve God’s plan; His calendar is perfect (2 Peter 3:8). Hope That Outshines the Night Titus 2:13 calls us to live “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Each tick of the clock brings that hope closer. Living in Romans 13:11 turns mundane moments into meaningful ones, energizing obedience, steadying hearts in hardship, and fixing eyes on the soon-coming Savior. |
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