Weekly Bible Study - Romans 13:11-14

1 December 2013
1st Sunday of Advent

Do we know what time it is? The words in the opening lines of today’s passage from Romans give a sense of chronology: hour, now, day, night. But do these time words point us in the right direction to understand Paul's point? Perhaps the deeper meaning in these verses has more to do with the word “know.”

To Know Our God

"Knowledge" in the Bible was both intimate and dynamic. It had more to do with the heart than the mind; it was experiential rather than intellectual.

Then as now, biblical knowing requires a response in faith and love and includes a call to action. One who really knows Yahweh, according to the Old Testament, loves God and acts on God's teaching. One who really knows Christ, according to the New Testament, lives and journeys with him and acts on his commandment to love one another.

If we look at the biblical implications of what it means to know God, we get to the heart of Paul’s message. He says that “our salvation is closer now than when we first believed.” Could Paul actually be saying that we move closer to salvation not by our chronological life but through coming to know Christ more intimately? “When we first believed” suggests a less developed, immature understanding of Christ. As we grow in an intimate and dynamic knowledge of the Lord we “put on Christ,” as Paul says. Putting on Christ and abandoning the works of darkness is a lifetime process requiring daily effort and commitment. (And Paul minces no words in describing where our darkness lies!)

So, what time is it? Is it time to wake up from sleepy spiritual inertia and to come to know Christ more fully? Is it time to abandon the works of darkness that betray our ignorance of Christ? Is it time to embrace our salvation more intimately by walking with Jesus more truly?

I know one thing. Advent is the time to know our Savior, "putting on" Christ like a custom-made garment.

Let us pray: Come Lord Jesus, dispel the darkness of our lives and help us to see you walking with us in your light.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.