Romans: Putting On Jesus

Romans 13:8-14

Two well-known Protestant reformers, Martin Luther and John Calvin, shared their views about Paul’s letter to the Romans. Luther called the book “the clearest gospel of all.” Calvin said, “If a man understands [Romans], he has a sure road opened for him to the understanding of the whole Scripture.”[1] I hope that as we continue studying Romans, you will agree with these two statements about its significance in your own understanding of the gospel and the Bible.

Let’s begin today with a quick review of what we’ve been learning from our study.

Paul started his letter by proclaiming the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:1-17). Then he explained why we need the gospel, “the news of victory,” in the first place. We are sinners and separated from God because of our sins (Rom. 1:18-3:20). But God loved us so much that he sent his Son, fully God and fully man, to die on the cross for our sins. Through trusting in Jesus, we are declared, “Not guilty!” (Rom. 3:21-5:21). 

Our trust in Jesus covers the penalty for our sins, and through him, we are children of God forever. Nothing can separate us from his love. While we have eternal security, we still struggle with our old sinful nature and need to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus (Rom. 6-8). 

The Jews had many questions about God’s grace and mercy, and why the Gentiles were invited into God's family. Paul discusses God’s sovereign act of salvation to all who believe in Romans 9-11. 

After that, Paul shifts to practical concerns about how we should live. He discusses the life of surrender and the qualities of a Christ follower in Romans 12. In the first part of Romans 13, he addresses the age-old question of a believer’s response to the government (Rom. 13:1-7). Paul states:  

Romans 13:7
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

In today’s passage, Paul continues this theme but with a twist. Because of all that God has done for us, there is one thing that we owe back to everyone. 

Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 

We should pay off all our debts except for our debt of love! Loving others demonstrates obedience to God and aligns with his will for us. Loving others also fulfills all of God's laws. 

Romans 13:9-10
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

During Jesus’ ministry, an expert in Jewish law tried to trick him with this question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” (Matt. 22:34-36). Jesus answered the question by quoting two Old Testament passages: Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18. Jesus said,

Matthew 22:37-40
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” 

Paul summarized Jesus’ words and added this commentary: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Now, granted, love can be a fuzzy word. So, let’s think of it this way: First, love is emotional. It involves feelings of affection toward someone. Second, love has a purpose. It motivates us to act. Finally, love is expulsive. It drives out foreign or harmful interests. Ultimately, love isn’t just something we feel; we demonstrate it through our words and actions. And our love for others always begins in our homes.

Now, along with loving God and loving others, Paul reminds us that we must keep fighting the flesh and its desires. 

Romans 13:11
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 

Life is unpredictable. We don’t know if we’ll have another day, and Christ could return at any moment. Believers can’t afford to take spiritual naps or remain in a state of spiritual stagnation. My good friend, Tunch Ilkin, used to call this being “spiritually concussed.” It's like walking around in a spiritual fog. Paul says we don’t have that luxury: “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). The big question is: how do we accomplish that—remove the works of darkness and “put on the armor of light”? 

Here's how Paul describes spiritual exercise and discipline.

Romans 13:13
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.    

“Orgies and drunkenness” are used here synonymously. The word translated “orgy” (Grk: komos) refers to “drinking parties involving unrestrained indulgence in alcoholic beverages and accompanying immoral behavior—‘orgy, revelling, carousing.’”[2] The word translated “sexual” (Grk: koite) is literally the word “bed” and is used as a symbol for sexual life. Paul’s prohibition includes sex before marriage, sex outside of marriage, pornography, and homosexuality. The word “sensuality” (Grk: aselgeiais) means self-abandonment; a life without moral restraint. “Jealousy” (Grk: zelos) describes a strong feeling of resentment and envy.[3]

Paul warns us to “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:14b). The word, “desires” (Grk: epithymias) means “to strongly want what belongs to someone else and/or to engage in morally wrong activities—such as, ‘to covet, to lust, evil desires, lust, desire.’”[4] We must protect ourselves from anything that appeals to our past sinful nature. Remember, we have “died to sin” (Rom. 6:1-2).

Instead, we should “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14a). Paul explained what it means to be clothed with Jesus in Romans 6. We have been united with Jesus because his death for sin is our death to sin. His resurrection is our resurrection. His new life is our new life. The old nature no longer controls us. In Christ, we are significant, secure, accepted, forgiven, and empowered. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 13:8-14. Reflect on what it means to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Talking to God: Are there areas in your life where you are “spiritually concussed?” What would it look like to “wake up” and walk in the light today?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to help as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we will respond soon. Let us know if you'd like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you're seeking spiritual guidance.