更多的勸勉
羅馬書十三章11至14節
11再者，你們曉得現今就是該趁早睡醒的時候，因為我們得救，現今比初信的時候更近了。
12黑夜已深，白晝將近；我們就當脫去暗昧的行為，帶上光明的兵器。
13行事為人要端正，好像行在白晝；不可荒宴醉酒，不可好色邪蕩，不可爭競嫉妒。
14總要披戴主耶穌基督，不要為肉體安排去放縱私慾。
信息分享
保羅正是這類講員。他在第十二和十三章，已經對基督徒該怎樣行事為人給予詳細的指示，包括鼓勵我們要毫無保留將自己奉獻給主，並按神的旨意而活。
這次，他的信息是基督將要再來。對初期教會來說，基督再來是一個非常真實的真理。他們知道基督死了，也已經復活了，如今已升到天上。他們也清楚知道，在神計劃中下一件要發生的大事，就是基督的再來。
至於基督再來的時間，神從沒有向人啟示。我們只知道，年復一年，基督再來的日子愈來愈近。那麼，基督將要再來這個事實，對我們的人生態度又有何影響呢？基督將會在人意想不到的時間突然來到，我們該怎樣作好準備呢？保羅教導我們要「披戴主耶穌基督」（14節）。
這話是甚麼意思呢？保羅希望羅馬信徒能將內裡的生命，切實地活出來。基督已經進入他們的生命中，聖靈也已在他們心裡建立基督的品格。此刻是他們叫世人看見他們已經改變的時候了。如此，當世人知道耶穌基督將要再次顯現，必然有很多人會歸信祂。
所有新約作者都提醒我們，基督將要再來，我們要作好準備迎見主。約翰勸勉我們說：「當他（基督）再來，我們在他面前也不至於慚愧。」（約壹二28）我們各人都當緊記這個提醒。
牢記的經文：翻看馬太福音二十四章44節
SAYING IT IN ANOTHER WAY
Romans 13: 11-14
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Message
Paul must have been like that. He has been giving detailed instructions in chapters 12 & 13 as to how Christians should live. This includes his challenge to give ourselves unreservedly to Christ and live according to God's will.
His message this time is based on the return of Christ. That truth was very real to the early church. They knew Christ had died, risen again, and gone back to heaven. They knew too, that the next event on God's program was Christ's return.
The exact time of that coming has never been revealed. Each passing year brings it closer. Then what should be our attitude in the light of Christ's second coming? His return will be sudden and unexpected. How can we prepare for it? Paul said, “Put on your new clothes.” (v.14)
What did he mean? He wanted those Roman Christians to show outwardly what had taken place in their lives inwardly. Christ had come into their lives and the Holy Spirit had begun to develop the character of Christ within them. It was time to let the world see those changes which had taken place. When the world begins to hear that Jesus Christ will appear again soon, there's no telling how many might turn to Him.
All of the New Testament writers remind us of Christ's second coming and our need to be ready for it. John wrote, “When He appears may we be unashamed before Him at His coming.” (2:28) These are strong words for us all to remember.
A VERSE FOR TODAY: “Look up.” (Matthew 24:44)