DT – 3/13: Romans 13:11-12 – Dawn

What characterizes the “present time?”  Paul described the present time as one of transition.  It was a transition from darkness to light (v.12).  It was a time where some type of deliverance was near (v.11).  The times were such that things were going to change for the better, and so it was a time to be alert (v.11), a time to put aside our old lifestyle (v.12), to behave decently (v.13) and to live out Christ’s character and actions (v.14).

Why is it important to “[understand] the present time?”  It’s important to understand the present time because the spiritual, economic, political, and social agents that govern the present time impact our lives and the lives of those we love.  If we don’t understand the present time then we will be making uninformed decisions that are not advantageous or foolish.  If we don’t understand the present time then we will fail to empathize with people, and when we fail to do this we fail to connect with them and we fail to love them.  We become insensitive to others and display inappropriate actions and thoughts that do not honor what others are feeling because of the times. It’s important to understand the present time because Christ has called us to win the world for him, and to do so we need to understand how the times have affected the mind and the thinking of others.

~ by williamkang on March 13, 2009.