The Day When Christ Returns
April 6, 2020
Commentary
The phrase “owe no man anything” (13:8) is debated in Christian circles. Hudson Taylor, the godly missionary to China, & Charles Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher, would never go into debt, basing their convictions on this verse. This verse does not specifically refer to the borrowing of money, but the consequences of going into debt are spelled out in other Scriptures (Proverbs 22:7). We can see the serious problem this has created for our government today. Even many churches have borrowed money on the assumption that future conditions would allow them to pay it back, and today they are either bankrupt or pay out so much for interest that they have very little for missions (Proverbs 27:1). The debt of love, however, remains with us permanently and never leaves us. It is a debt that we need to discharge every day, and forever owe. Love is the one thing that will remain when all else has fallen. The underlying principle of the Jewish economy was law. The underlying principle of the Christian economy is love.
Repeatedly in the New Testament we are told to watch for the coming of the Lord. In these verses Paul gives several admonitions concerning the coming of the Lord:
1. “Wake up“ (v. 11) – Many things point to the imminent return of the Lord. Some of these things are the return of Israel to the Promised Land, the spreading of atheistic ideologies, the drawing together of the European powers, and apostasy in the church.
2. “Clean up“ (verses 12-13) – There is a right way and a wrong way to walk. The right way is to “walk honestly” (v. 13a). The wrong way is in (1) Revelry, (2) Drunkenness, (3) Immorality, (4) Shamelessness, (5) Contention, & (6) Envy (v. 13b).
3. “Grow Up“ (v. 14) – While we wait for the Lord’s return, we are to wait victoriously. We grow based on the food we eat. If we feed the flesh, we will fail, but if we feed the inner man we will grow spiritually.
Application
Am I really looking for the Lord’s return or is it just something that I talk about? If He came back today, would I be glad or sad?
Romans 13:8– 14 (NET)
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this because we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers. 12 The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.
Illustration: We Are to be Faithful Till Christ Returns
One day in 1789, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand. Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought.” Rather than fearing what is to come, we are to be faithful till Christ returns. Instead of fearing the dark, we’re to be lights as we watch and wait. (Harry Heintz)