Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)
Read Romans 13:11-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; Verse 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; Verse 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Verse 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Devotion
I recently tried to explain the phrase “be as Christ to one another” to an ecumenical group of seminarians. I hadn’t realized the phrase was Lutheran. There were those who were not sure what it meant. I was reminded of that encounter when I read the phrase “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Making a decision to focus on the light, to keep an outward focus, to see Christ in others—to me that is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be as Christ to one another.
Prayer
Gracious God, continue to lead, inspire and encourage us to be as Christ to one another. Help us to find the courage to look for the light when the darkness descends, trusting in your love and mercy. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.