As Christians, we have a duty to government, we have a duty to others, but we also have a duty to godliness. Godliness is not an option in the Christian life. God expects His children to live godly lives. Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; If you know Christ as your Saviour, not only has He delivered you from hell, but He has delivered you from the ungodliness of this sinful world. Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: You can now walk in protection of the Holy Spirit and have victory over sin. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

While all this is true, many Christians do not know how to make it work in their daily lives.

Transition

As we look at this section, I want us to note the four steps we must take to fulfil our duty to godliness.

Wake Up (Ro 13:11)

God expects Christians to know the time

  1. The word translated “knowing” means “perceiving” or “seeing in the mind”. As Christians, we are to picture Christ’s coming in our minds.
  2. When we perceive the time that Christ is going to return, it does not mean that we know the date.
  3. No one knows the precise time of Christ’s return, but every thinking Christian knows that it is nearer today than it was yesterday.
    1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Knowing the time is nearing, we must wake up

  1. God left us here to be a bright light of godliness in this dark world of sin, but many Christians are sleeping on the job.
    Kenneth Wuest: “Sleep” here refers to a lethargic, non-aggressive, lazy Christian life.
  2. Here are some of the ways that Christians fall asleep.
    1. By ignoring unconfessed sin in their hearts
    2. By neglecting Bible reading and prayer
    3. By not making it a priority to be in all the church services
    4. By getting more excited about Christmas, hobbies, recreation, or sports than about serving the Lord
    5. By seldom witnessing for the Lord
    6. By not thinking about the Lord’s return
    7. By living for self
  3. The night is advanced. The dawn is approaching. If you are spiritually sleeping, it is time to wake up.

Arm Yourself (Ro 13:12)

We should put off the works of darkness

  1. The picture here is that of taking off one set of clothing and putting on another.
  2. The grammar also indicates that this is a personal duty. You should do it to yourself.
  3. The “works of darkness” are the ungodly deeds of unbelievers. They are opposed to God’s holiness. They keep Christians from God’s fellowship.
    1 John 1:5 … God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
    1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
    Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
  4. We must put off all that displeases God and hinders fellowship with Him. Say “no” to sin.

We should put on the weapons of light

  1. We then must put on the armour or weapons of light. The word describes the “weapons used in warfare.”
  2. These weapons are weapons of light because God is light. They are God’s weapons.
    Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

    1. Their light will keep you from stumbling in the dark.
    2. heir might will defeat the powers of darkness.
  3. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes our spiritual armour as supernatural. You cannot fight sin and the devil in your own strength and win. The two offensive weapons God provides are the Bible and prayer. No Christian can be victorious over sin without studying the Bible and praying daily.
    Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
    Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…
  4. When we read and obey the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”, we will walk in the protection of the Holy Spirit and He will give us victory.
    Galatians 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Choose to Walk Decently (Ro 13:13)

  1. This step is first positive
    1. We must walk honestly, as in the day.
    2. The word translated “honestly” is translated “decently” in 1Co 14:40. It describes that which is decent, proper, or becoming of a Christian. Sinful activities of the night and dark or secret places do not please the Lord.
    3. Many of the things you did before becoming a Christian are not decent or proper to do. The saying, “If in doubt, don’t” is often wise advice.
    4. Once again, this is a time to put 1Th 5:21-22 into practice.
      1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
  2. This step is also negative
    1. Walking decently is not just doing right; it is NOT doing wrong.
    2. Paul lists six specific sins that are not decent or proper for Christians to do.
      1. Rioting – late-night wild parties
      2. Drunkenness – drinking is not wise
        Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
      3. Chambering – The state of living together as man and wife, without being legally married.
      4. Wantonness – uncontrolled lust
      5. Strife – quarrelling
      6. Envying – heated competition
    3. These indecent activities are common among unbelievers, but we are not to get involved in them.

Stay Near the Lord (Ro 13:14)

This step also begins with a positive

  1. The word “put on” is the same word as we found back in verse 12. Here God commands us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as we would put on our clothes. We are to wear Christ and always take him with us.
    Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
  2. Spend quality time with Him every day.
  3. Depend on Christ for victory.

It also follows with a negative

  1. Allow no fleshly forethoughts toward fleshly desires.
  2. Yield your weaknesses to Christ
  3. Ask Christ to help you guard your thoughts.
  4. Avoid all situations that Christ would avoid.

Conclusion

God wants you and me to live godly lives and we can if we follow the steps He laid out for us: 1) Wake up, 2) Arm yourself, 3) Choose to walk decently, and 4) Stay near the Lord. If your Christian life is asleep, WAKE UP! If you have been doing things that are not decent or if you have been thinking about sinful plans, God knows your heart. You must confess your sins and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus may come today. Be ready!

Song: Will Jesus Find Us Watching – 148

—

Duty to Godliness

24 November 2013 AM – Romans 13:11-14 – Romans – Scott Childs