Romans 13:13,14 - Behaving decently

13:13

We are to live in this world as children of God, as children of light, so we live according to the ways of His kingdom, not according to the ways of the world. Paul lists some of the negative examples of the world’s ways: carousing and drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery, dissension and jealousy. The world hasn’t changed much has it! Sceptics may ask why do we seek to live our lives according to a two thousand year old book, as though the world is so much wiser now than it was then. This is utter rubbish. The world is as lost now as it was then. The sins listed here (which, of course, is not meant to be an exhaustive list) are just as prevalent and just as destructive now as they were then. So to take the world’s advice as our guide is an act of utter stupidity and foolishness. Conversely, the Bible is God breathed, its wisdom is God’s wisdom. That is unchanging and completely reliable.

13:14

We are to clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ. Some people see Jesus just as an example. Now this is wrong for He is infinitely more than an example. He is the Son of God, He is the One through whom all things were created, He is the saviour of the world, He is the one who paid the price for all our sins, He is the one who was raised from the dead and has all power and authority, and will judge the whole world. However, He is also an example. So he not just an example to follow, but He most definitely is an example. He is the perfect role model, so we should consider His life here on earth. Conversely we are not to gratify the desires of the flesh. Here “flesh” could legitimately be translated “sinful nature” for Paul is thinking about the overtly sinful desires. We will still find sinful desires in us, they will lessen as we continue to follow Jesus, but they will still be there. We must not entertain them, instead we starve them. Notice that Paul says “do not think about ..” We should beware of playing with wrong ideas in our minds, whether that be thoughts of sexual lust, hatred, bitterness, resentment or whatever. Sinful thoughts can lead to sinful actions.