Here in
chapter 13 Paul is encouraging the believers in Rome to do three things; submit
to government (vv.1-7), love their neighbors (vv.8-10) and to put on the LORD
Jesus Christ (vv.11-14). All three of these directives can be combined into one
major topic, “proper behavior”.
We as Christians
should be subjective to the governings authorities appointed by God and not resist
them. Proper behavior demands that we follow the law, not only because of the
consequences if we don’t, but for our own conscience sake (v.5) and witness.
Likewise,
proper behavior calls us to treat our neighbors with love and respect. In-so-doing,
we have fulfilled God’s greast commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself” (v.9).
Finally as
a Christian, proper behavior calls us to, “put on the armor of light” (v.12) and to walk properly as a living
example to others by, “putting on the LORD Jesus Christ and making no provision
for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (v.14).
The key to all this is gearing up
every day with God’s Word. Only by putting on our armor, can we fight against
the “principalities and powers” of the dark side that war against us. Only then
can we walk properly as children of the light, Jedi’s for Christ.
The Truth
“Wash
yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before
My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the
oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-17)
