Living Out Loud (LOL) Christmas...putting on Jesus! Literally the most beautiful wardrobe you can wear. But why can it be so hard to put on, to leave on, to lend out?
What did Paul mean when he wrote Rom 13:14? Romans, a long letter written while he was in Corinth to the churches, Paul is laying the boundaries down between the current age and the age to come. The current age representing Christ salvation at work in and through us, the coming age representing the completion of our salvation. That salvation that started in a manger and manifested on a cross.
She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” ~ Matt 1:21 (HCSB)
To unwrap this more, look at the verses preceding Rom 13:14...
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
Paul is calling us to step out of spiritual lethargy. Salvation rescues us from the dominion of darkness and the night of sin, and a new realm of light is exposed. We take off the dirty clothes of sinfulness and dress up in Jesus. Walking as He walked. Seeing as He saw. Hearing as He hears. Speaking as He would speak. Living boldly as He lived. We know that putting on Jesus is a daily act of obedience and submission to mirror Him.
You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ~Matt 5:14 (NLT)
I encourage you to examine your heart. Is there any lethargy in your faith? Are you living Jesus out loud? Are there any areas of your life where His presence is hidden? What can you gift to Jesus on this His birthday?
As this Christmas season peaks, may we be alive with Jesus-celebrating His salvation, anticipating it's completeness in the age to come. As we enjoy the time with family snuggled around warm fireplaces or decorated tables...as we appreciate the Christmas lights and special holiday adornments.... and as our taste buds dance and savor the holiday foods, let us keep focus on the reason of this season...
He meant more for us than to be created from dust to return to dust. We were created to have fellowship with Him...for eternity. Wrap your mind around His love, cherish the gift, be humbled by His sacrifice, and live anticipating His return!
Put on CHRISTmas.
Put on Jesus.
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