更多的劝勉
罗马书十三章11至14节
11再者，你们晓得现今就是该趁早睡醒的时候，因为我们得救，现今比初信的时候更近了。
12黑夜已深，白昼将近；我们就当脱去暗昧的行为，带上光明的兵器。
13行事为人要端正，好像行在白昼；不可荒宴醉酒，不可好色邪荡，不可争竞嫉妒。
14总要披戴主耶稣基督，不要为肉体安排去放纵私欲。
信息分享
保罗正是这类讲员。他在第十二和十三章，已经对基督徒该怎样行事为人给予详细的指示，包括鼓励我们要毫无保留将自己奉献给主，并按神的旨意而活。
这次，他的信息是基督将要再来。对初期教会来说，基督再来是一个非常真实的真理。他们知道基督死了，也已经复活了，如今已升到天上。他们也清楚知道，在神计划中下一件要发生的大事，就是基督的再来。
至于基督再来的时间，神从没有向人启示。我们只知道，年复一年，基督再来的日子愈来愈近。那么，基督将要再来这个事实，对我们的人生态度又有何影响呢？基督将会在人意想不到的时间突然来到，我们该怎样作好准备呢？保罗教导我们要「披戴主耶稣基督」（14节）。
这话是甚么意思呢？保罗希望罗马信徒能将内里的生命，切实地活出来。基督已经进入他们的生命中，圣灵也已在他们心里建立基督的品格。此刻是他们叫世人看见他们已经改变的时候了。如此，当世人知道耶稣基督将要再次显现，必然有很多人会归信祂。
所有新约作者都提醒我们，基督将要再来，我们要作好准备迎见主。约翰劝勉我们说：「当他（基督）再来，我们在他面前也不至于惭愧。」（约壹二28）我们各人都当紧记这个提醒。
牢记的经文：翻看马太福音二十四章44节
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)