Romans 13:11-13:14 - Good Behavior

Calvin (5/18/02)

13:11: As men in public will better control their behavior because of many witnesses, we ought always to control our behavior because God is always witness to our actions. The time is right for us to cease from all ill behavior, because the darkness has been dissipated by our Lord. That which cloaked us from our own sight has been removed, and we are exposed before God and man. Night represents the sinful nature, which both blinds and renders insensible its captive. Night is also the time of sleep, and sleep often is used to speak of death. The light into which we have awakened is the very sun of righteousness arising upon us. Footnote: Calvin describes the night and day of ignorance and knowledge, but that is not the subject of the passage. The passage speaks of the inactive Christian. The night spoken of is the Christian's earthly life, with day representing the coming glory, the time of perfect and complete salvation (Ro 8:24 - We have been saved in hope, but hope looks for what has not yet been seen, else there is no need to hope. 1Pe 1:9 - The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your soul.) Calvin's view of things is untenable, for the night of ignorance had long since been ended by the light of the gospel arriving. We are called to be awake, ready for active service. Works done in darkness are shameful works, whereas the armor of light speaks of holy actions. The armor is spoken of rather than the works because it is a warfare we are entered into. It is not the hour to awaken, but the fit occasion to awaken. It is kairos, not chronos. Some have attempted to refer the time we believed to the Old Testament period, but this is to strain the passage. Far more reasonable to assume that Paul is simply saying that the perfection of salvation is nearer now than it was when we first believed upon Christ.
13:12: Light and day do not refer to the gospel knowledge which is in part, but to the complete and glorious knowledge that will be ours in eternity, else how could it still be approaching? From God's first call, we should be looking forward to the fullness of His work in us, just as we look forward to the fullness of the day when we first see the dawn. In the gospel, faith has brought the dawn to us. The darkness of our former ways has been dissipated, and we can see that the full day will come. Paul shifts the metaphor in the next verse, where day speaks to the light of Christ upon us. Thus, he encourages us to contemplate both the future and the present glorious favor of God at work in us.
13:13: Three vices are mentioned, with two examples of each. There are the vices of excess, the vices of lust, and the vices of envy. These three are of such a nature that even the sinful man will tend to hide them from general sight. How much more shall the child of God separate himself from them! We are ever in the light, ever in God's sight. How can we ask Him to witness such vices in His family? Note that contention - disunity - is put under the same heading as envy. This is because envy is at the root of such contentiousness. "Ambition is the source of both evils." Footnote: In all three pairings, the first mention is given to the greater sin, which follows after the latter mentioned sin has come. This ordering is typical of Paul's style. (Ro 11:29 - The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Ro 11:33 - Oh the depth of richness in both the wisdom and knowledge of God!) The gifts don't come until after the calling. Wisdom requires knowledge to draw upon.
13:14: That in which we clothe ourselves either adorns or deforms. In putting on Christ, we put on such clothing as will fortify and empower us by the Spirit, giving us the ability to perform all the duties of holiness, renewing God's image in us. It is for this purpose that God adopted us - to renounce our past life, and be renewed in His image. Footnote: Attempts to see in this a putting on of Christ's righteousness fail to fit the context. It is sanctification that Paul is discussing here, not justification. It is to carrying His virtues, to reflecting His spirit, to imitating His example that Paul exhorts us. Christ, as well as being our righteousness, is also the author and enabler of our sanctification. (Gal 3:27 - All who were baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ.) The caring for the flesh cannot be done away with entire until the flesh itself is done away with entire. We must care for it, but only as a help to our spiritual pilgrimage. If we seek to satisfy the flesh, we will soon find it insatiable. Provide for the needs but not the lusts. This is how we use the world without abusing it, how we are in the world but not part of it.

Matthew Henry (5/19/02)

13:11: Here, we come to lessons on godliness in our daily lives. Now is the time to awaken from the sleep of sin and spiritual death. (Mt 25:5 - While the bridegroom delayed, they all began to sleep.) Both wise and foolish slept, but the wise will respond when the call comes to awaken. Christ calls His disciples to be awake, taking heed of sin, and staying ready to do good, being in constant expectation of His return. As we understand the time we live in, it becomes more clear that we must awake. Now is the acceptable time, and more is expected of us than before. (1Th 5:5-6 - You are sons of light and day, not of night or darkness, so don't sleep like they do, but be alert and sober.) We have work to do amidst the snares and enemies that surround us, we must be alert and ready. (1Pe 4:3 - You've had enough time to chase your fleshly desires.) Prepare. The bridegroom comes. The nearer we are to our journey's end, the quicker our pace ought to be. As the time shortens, grace increases, and the nearness of our final salvation ought to quicken our spiritual motion.
13:12: Now that we are awake, how shall we dress for the day and the duties ahead? The day of redemption, deliverance from the trial we have known is coming as Christ promised. (Lk 21:28 - When these things occur, lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.) This being true, it's time to set aside our night-clothes, those sinful works we did in our ignorance. To stop ourselves from doing them is not enough. We must come to absolutely detest them, having no more to do with them. (2Pe 3:11 - Since these things will be destroyed, how ought we to be in holy conduct? 2Pe 3:14 - We should be diligent to be found spotless and blameless when He comes.) Since we arise to warfare, it is imperative that we put on our armor. (Eph 6:13 - Take up the full armor of God, so as to resist in evil times, and stand firm when all has been done.) Armor is incomplete if there are no weapons at hand. The graces of the Spirit are the armor, securing the soul from temptations.
13:13: Being awake and prepared, we cannot remain idle, but must walk out and into our work. (1Th 4:1 - Finally, we request in the Lord Jesus that you walk so as to please God, as we have instructed you. Continue to excel even more in this walk you have begun. Eph 5:8 - You used to be darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.) As we walk and work, our words should be such as adorn the gospel, words of honesty and decency. Be a credit to what you profess to believe, and by your actions recommend Christ to those who know you. Study what is good and lovely. We mustn't allow ourselves to fall into habits of excess. (Lk 21:34 - Guard your hearts, that they may not be overburdened by dissipations and drunkenness, and the worries of life. 1Th 5:7 - The sleeper sleeps at night, the drunkard gets drunk in the night.) We are called to walk in the day. The seventh commandment remains a guide for us. The lusts of the flesh are not to be obliged even in thought. Modesty begins in the mind. Strife and contention may be as common as dust, yet none wish to own themselves the source. These are enemies of peace and humility. (Pr 23:29-30 - Who is woeful and sorrowful? Who complains and contends? Who has wounds he knows not the reason for? Whose eyes are red? The one who lingers over wine, mixing the taste of many glasses. Pr 23:33 - Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind speak perversions if you continue down that path.)
13:14: As we put on Christ, we indeed remove ourselves from such lusts and sins as we used to know. In Him, we have our sole justification (Php 3:9 - May I be found in Him, with no righteousness of my own as coming from the Law, but only that righteousness which is mine through faith in Christ, coming as it does from God on the basis of faith.) Christ is our priestly garment, a blessing to us. Christ is our sanctification, to be clothed in Him is to be a new man. (Eph 4:24 - Put on the new self, created in the image of God, in righteousness, holiness, and truth.) Christ is our finest garment, and our best weapon. Without Him, we are naked and without shelter. (Gal 3:27 - All who are baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ.) Let our profession of faith in Him be said in all sincerity. If we call Him Lord, let Him rule. If we call Him Jesus, let Him work His salvation. If we call Him Christ, let us know Him 'anointed and appointed by the Father' both to rule and to save. We must make the soul our priority. This does not preclude caring for the body, but it does preclude extravagance in that regard. (Mt 6:31 - Don't be anxious as to what you will eat, drink or wear.) Certainly, we may eat, drink, and remain clothed, but it mustn't become even a secondary concern for us. Nor are we to satisfy the body's every desire, for its desires are lusts. We satisfy its needs, a very different matter. To seek food so as to perform our duties is righteous. To seek more food than we need, for the shear pleasure of eating is to provoke God. (Ps 78:18 - In their heart they put God to the test by asking food to feed their desires. Gal 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit, and you will not feed the desires of the flesh.)

Adam Clarke (5/20/02)

13:11: As the day of our salvation is drawing nearer every moment, we ought to be taking all care to actively pursue the duties of Christian life. In this age of the Gospel, salvation is also nearer in that it is more easily learned of and understood. To whom much is given…
13:12: All was night prior to the rising Sun of righteousness. Knowing He will return and soon, we ought to cast aside every shred of sin and vice, and armor ourselves in His Spirit - the best of weapons, and the most impenetrable of defenses. This present life runs out quickly, bringing to day of eternal matters. "Live as candidates for this eternal glory."
13:13: Be decent and orderly. Do not participate in the drunken festivals around you. Don't join in any extra-marital sex. Contentions and altercations are not for us. Can this letter truly be addressed to followers of Christ? How could any who practice these things be a follower of His? It is not possible, for the grace that brings repentance brings with it the power to cast aside such acts. The end of this chapter clearly must be addressed to the pagans, not to the Church.
13:14: Our profession, our associations, our conduct; all are intended to proclaim the difference in us, the difference made by Christ and the Gospel, of a life governed by Christ. The phrasing here is a Greek construct, indicating that one has fully entered into the views and habits of another. It is beyond the acts of a servant, it is full and complete emulation. The image comes from the world of theatre, where actors attempt to imitate other personages as much as possible. Many labor to provide for the lusts and habits noted in the previous verse. Nothing in their philosophy or religion suggests that it should be otherwise, in fact incites them to these efforts. The Gentile state is seen as a long night drawing to a close, that night filled with evil practices. The Gospel comes into that scene as the dawning light of day, awakening those who were stupefied in moral and spiritual sleep, pursuing vile and debasing practices. The call is to cast off these practices and practice instead the righteousness that is fitting for daylight, decent and honest practices that will not ruin the soul. In this effort, we may use the example of Christ Jesus as our model. This is the passage that brought Augustine to conversion, when he heard the voice saying, "Take up and read!" The obedience we are called to give to civil power in this chapter applies only to civil things, never to matters of religion. (Ac 5:29 - We must obey God rather than men.) If civil authorities trespass into the realms of religion, we are not bound by obedience to them, yet neither are we authorized to rebel. Ours, in this instance, is to bear such persecutions as may come, as has ever been the practice of the genuine Church in such times. (Mt 22:21 - To Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's).

Barnes' Notes (5/20/02-5/21/02)

13:11: If we have a deep-seated conviction that eternity draws nigh, this will surely prompt us to a life of love, peace, and integrity. A true estimation of the times we live in will see that they are both short and purposeful. They are purposeful in that the Gospel has come, and we have been called by it to live holy lives. The dark times when we knew not the truth have ended, and with them the tolerance of our dark acts. In dark hours, sleep is expected. So it has been for the pagans - locked in a sleep of spiritual death until this Gospel dawns upon them. So it had been for us, but the light of the sun of righteousness opened our eyes, and we have awakened. Being awake, it is high time to act as a people awake. (Ac 17:30-31 - God overlooked the period of our ignorance, but now He is declaring to all that all should repent, for there is a day fixed in time upon which He will judge the world in righteous judgment through the Christ He appointed. 1Th 5:5-8 - As sons of light, it would be inappropriate to sleep or act like those who remain in the night. For us, sobriety, faith, and love are the proper adornments, reflecting our salvation. 1Jn 1:5 - This He has told us: God is light. There is no darkness in Him at all.) "We know our duty. …and it becomes us to rouse, and do those deeds, and those only, which will bear the bright and shining light of truth." We cannot remain inactive, knowing the truth. To be inactive is to be dead. As we hasten our way towards heaven, it is only proper that we lay aside every sin in preparation. Every day brings us nearer.
13:12: The word 'night' is used with many meanings in the New Testament: that literal night, the heavens, or such deeds as are common to the night. (1Th 5:5 - You are sons of light and day, not night or darkness.) Here, it is our present imperfection that is viewed in contrast to the purity of heaven. In us, the darkness of this impure night is coming to an end, as heaven draws closer. Our sinful ways have been cut off. The day of redemption, the time of the Gospel, is often described in terms of day and light. (Rev 21:23 - The city needs no sun or moon, for the glory of God lights it, and the Lamb is its lamp. Rev 21:25 - It's gates are never closed by day, and there shall be no night there. Rev 22:5 - Night shall be no more, and lamps and sunlight will be unnecessary, because the Lord God shall illumine them, and they shall reign forevermore. Isa 60:1-2 - Arise, for your light has come. The glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Darkness will cover the earth and its peoples, but the Lord will rise upon you, His glory will appear to you.) Here, the view is beyond that day to the glory that awaits in heaven. The time of our admission is near. (Heb 10:25 - Don't stop assembling together as some have, but encourage each other all the more as the day draws near. 1Pe 4:7 - The end is at hand, so be sound in judgment and sober in purposeful prayer. Jas 5:8 - Be patient and strong of heart, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Rev 22:20 - He says, "I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 1Th 5:2-6 - You know that day will come like a thief. While all are declaring peace and safety, destruction will fall upon them like birth pangs. They shall not escape. But you are not in darkness, that that day should surprise you, you are sons of light and day, not night or darkness, so don't sleep like those others, be remain alert and sober. Php 4:5 - Let your patience be known to all. The Lord is near.) Yet, the judgment is not immediately coming, and we must continue in our work and worship until it does. (2Th 2). If we continue in expectancy towards that day, it will keep us seeking after purity. (Heb 12:14 - Pursue peace and sanctification, for without sanctification no one sees the Lord.) As darkness symbolizes crime and ignorance, so the acts we are told to be done with are those that are common to the hidden times. (1Th 5:7 - The sleepers sleep at night, and the drunkards drink then. Jn 3:20 - Workers of evil hate the light, and will not come to it, lest the light expose their deeds. Eph 5:11-13 - Don't participate in those fruitless, dark deeds, but expose them, for even to speak of such acts is disgraceful, which is why they are done in secret. But exposure to the light reveals everything, for everything becomes visible in the light.) The armor of light includes both shield and sword, it is both defense and offense, all the tools needed to contend with our foe. (2Co 6:7b - We have weapons of righteousness for both left and right hand.) Those armed in this fashion can work no dark deed, for it demands purity to wear. This armor represents those graces which oppose the darkness - faith, hope, humility, and the like. (Eph 6:11-17 - Put on the full armor of God so as to stand against the devil's plans. Our warfare is not physical, but spiritual, against spiritual forces in heavenly places. So take up the full armor of God, that you may resist in evil times, and stand firm when all is done. Stand firm, girded with truth, with a breastplate of righteousness, walking with feet that are shod with the gospel of peace. Furthermore, hold fast to the shield of faith, which will extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one. And wear the helmet of salvation, and the Word of God as your sword.)
13:13: Our lives are to be decent and becoming, as befits children of light. In our most secret moments, yet we should act as though we are out in broad daylight. Live so as to have nothing to hide. Disorderly and sensuous luxuries are not for us, nor are riotous parties. All manner of licentiousness is forbidden us. (Eph 5:12 - It is disgraceful even to speak of what they do in secret.) It may be common to all around us, yet we must not participate in their ways. We are not of their allegiance. Contentiousness can have no place in a people of peace. Heights of passion are not for us, either. It is zeal that is being discussed here, not envy per se. Such inflamed passions often arise from acts of drunkenness and promiscuity.
13:14: (Gal 3:17 - The Law came 430 years after the covenant God made with Abraham. It did not invalidate that covenant such that God's promise should be nullified.) To put one on is to have deep participation in his principles, to imitate and copy that one as much as we can, to become like that one we put on. This is a fairly common expression in Greek writing. So, Christ is to be our pattern and guide, His precepts the rule we follow. As He was, so we should be. (Heb 4:15 - Our high priest knows our weaknesses for He was tempted with all such things as tempt us, yet did not sin. Heb 7:26 - It is fitting for us to have such a high priest, innocent and undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 1Pe 2:22 - He committed no sin, nor was any lie found in His words. Isa 53:9 - He was assigned a grave with the wicked, yet was with a rich man in death, for He had done no violence, and there was never deceit in His mouth. 1Jn 3:5 - We know that He came to take away sin, and in Him there is no sin.) We needn't make preparations against future lusts, by storing up what will serve that end later. It is the corrupt desires of the flesh that we are not to prepare for. Gratification and luxury were the main end of Roman life [and life today, for that matter.] We are called to be different, to pursue desires more pure. To labor, and provide for legitimate need is not only right for the Christian, it is his duty, but these legitimate needs are few, and quickly satisfied in the temperate. This leaves the mind free to pursue higher purposes.

Wycliffe (5/22/02)

13:11: "Love is a positive, creative outgoing of one's personality." As sins make such a love impossible, they must be avoided. We cannot remain indifferent to sin, for our salvation approaches nearer each day.
13:12: There is a distinct line between evil and righteousness, just as there is between dark and light, night and day.
13:13: Here, specific practices are noted as needing to be avoided.
13:14: "Victory demands that the believer act." Stop giving your thoughts to the fulfilling of fleshly desires which God has forbidden.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (5/22/02)

13:11: Christ's return comes. (Heb 1:2 - In these last days He has spoken to us in His Son, the appointed heir of all things, through whom He made the world. Heb 9:26 - [Had His one sacrifice not sufficed] He would have needed to suffer constantly from the foundation of the world. But here at the end of the ages He has manifested Himself so as to put away sin by His self-sacrifice.) The indifference we had towards things eternal was not only foolish, but also fatal. (Ro 5:9-10 - Moreso, we who have been justified by His blood will be saved from God's wrath through Him. For if we were reconciled to God through Him while we were enemies, our salvation by His life now is all the more certain. Ro 8:24 - We have been saved in hope, but hope is not in what is already seen. What we already have we need no longer hope for.) His return will come. Knowing that, we are ever in a state of expectancy, but not for a specific date which we cannot know.
13:12: The sinful ways of our past are to us like a worn out set of clothes, fit for nothing but to be thrown out. In its place we are to put on the armor befitting to children of light. (Eph 6:11-18 - The full armor is needful to us, because our battle is not against fleshly powers, but heavenly. That armor will allow us to stand firm in the battle. It consists of truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace. To that are added faith to shield us, salvation to guard our minds, and the word of God as our sword. Thus armed, we are to be ever in prayer, persevering and interceding for all the saints. 1Th 5:8 - Being of the day, we are to be sober, armored by faith, love, and the hope of salvation.)
13:13: We are to walk in honesty, putting away all those deeds common to the night. (1Th 5:5 - You are sons of light and day, not night or darkness.) Intemperance in all its forms is to be avoided, as are all acts of impurity, and all such venomous feelings for our fellow man that must oppose the law of love.
13:14: Live such that "Christ only may be seen in you." (2Co 3:3 - You are manifested as a letter from Christ, written not with ink, nor on stone, but written by the Spirit of the living God on your very hearts. Gal 3:27 - You who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Eph 4:24 - Put on the new self, created in God's likeness, in righteousness and holiness of truth.) Don't put your attentions on the cravings of the flesh, lest you gratify them. Christianity is particularly suitable for society, as it neither insists upon, nor attacks, any particular form of government. Rather, it inculcates a reverence for government as appointed by God, and instructs the governor, if he will learn. Christianity is the great purifier of society, inspiring a willingness to honor all obligations, and implanting love for others such as will secure all men from injury by others. Seeing the advances which God's kingdom has made, and knowing that the day of consummation must be nearer every day, redeem the time! Be diligent! (2Pe 3:14 - Since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.) The secret to persevering holiness in all situations is found to be Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col 1:27 - God willed that you Gentiles would learn the mystery of richest glory; Christ in you, the hope of glory. 2Co 3:3 - You are manifest letters of Christ, written by the Spirit on the tablets of your hearts.)

New Thoughts (5/23/02-5/24/02)

"Victory demands that the believer act." Thus writes the author of Wycliffe's Commentaries for this passage. Mr. Barnes reminds us that to be inactive is to be dead. It's the same choice that has always been given God's people. (Dt 30:19 - I have shown you life and death, blessing and curse. Now choose. Choose life that you may live.) Here, then, is the crisis of decision. I wrote earlier that we must decide for righteousness now, or fail to decide ever. I truly think that remains true every moment of every day for us.

I've been thinking a lot about the cross, and its place in our beliefs and worship, and more and more I see that the cross was never to be our focus, our goal. We look beyond the cross, for the work on the cross was completed long ago. We look to the throne, and to Him who is seated thereon. The cross remains important to us, but it is not our goal, it is the road that takes us there. It is the path we must walk, as well as the burden we bear on our way.

As our road, the cross is always placing us at a crossroads. Each decision we make, however minor it may seem at the time, is a decision to continue toward the throne room, or to divert to left or right. Each moment brings us that same crisis of decision. Choose now, in this situation, whether you will pursue righteousness and life, or you will pursue the seemingly pragmatic path to death. We cannot escape that choosing. We cannot put off that choosing. There is not a single one of these crossroads that we will be able to return to and try the other way.

As our burden, the cross is as much our protection as our load. Yes, we are to carry our burden, but that burden is our protection, our shade by day. (Ps 121:5-7 - The Lord keeps you. He is your shade. The sun will not smite you in the day, nor the moon at night. He will protect you from evil, and keep your soul.) How light a burden that provides us such protection! It is that burden that protects us. It is that burden that points out to us the places where decision must be made, and which urges us on to the best choice. It is that burden that gently - as gently as possible - guides us back to the road when we have detoured. No, we will not be brought back to the same crossing we departed from, but we will be brought back to the path we should have trod.

This is the acceptable time for our choosing. This is the acceptable time for us to be carrying our burden on the road to righteousness. God has shown us not only the laws that define the ways of righteousness, but He has shown us His Son. He has shown us forgiveness for our failures, and He has shown us power four our victory. The Holy Spirit has come. The time is right for our obedience. The time is right for victory, but victory requires action. If we will not act, if we will not choose the life of obedience, the life of pilgrimage towards home, if we will not rise up and purposefully pursue the life we are called to, we will die. To refuse to choose is choosing in itself, but it is choosing death rather than victory.

When Jesus came, He boldly declared that the acceptable time, the time of the Lord's victory over fleshly willfulness had arrived. The message He declared made clear what had been shrouded in prophetic visions before. Today, that message is more clear, more available for our hearing and studying than ever before. We have broadcasts from solid teachers that we can hear any time, any day. We have sites on the internet that can provide us with more solid material, more deep teachings from the best teachers throughout the history of the church, than we could hope to read in a dozen lifetimes. We have Bibles available on-line, off-line, often in every room, in a variety of translations. If reading is a problem, we have the Bible on cassette. We have been given much, and to whom much is given, much is required. We have been entrusted with a great deal, and that much more is asked of us for that benefit.

Once, we were blind to our failures, we did not know the extent of our sinfulness. Yes, we knew that a lot of our actions were not right, but we considered ourselves good people. We could compare ourselves to the criminals downtown and say we weren't that bad. Frankly, we didn't feel a great deal of need for change. This has changed. The shrouds which cloaked us from our own sight have been torn away. We stand exposed. We stand exposed first to ourselves. We can finally begin to see ourselves as God has been seeing us, and it's an ugly sight. It's a cause for terror when we suddenly realize not only how bad we truly are, but what our evil ways deserve by way of just punishment.

It is painful to look upon our hearts with eyes open. It is painful, but it is very needful. Until we can begin to see ourselves through God's sight, we will never choose life, will not even notice that we've been choosing death all along the way. We have been deceived by the masters of this earthly realm into believing that there was no possible choice but the one we had chosen. But God. God has invaded that kingdom to rescue His own. Just as He often clouded the eyes of His enemies, such that they could not attack His people, He has removed the cloud from our eyes such that we can finally see the danger ahead and turn from our ways to His ways.

He has exposed us to our own view, to our great benefit. He has also exposed us to the view of the world at large. This, He has done for His own glory. His glory is to be made known in our choosing. We do not choose in private, though we often convince ourselves we do. Our lives are far more an open book to those around us than we like to believe. The things we choose, the actions we choose to take, either recommend the Christ we follow to those who know us, or the repulse all who know us from pursuing one who would lead us in the ways we follow.

As often as we seek to hide our poor choices, our bad habits, we cannot. God will not suffer our failures to be hidden. He never has. Every story the Bible tells is told of people much like ourselves. Every one of them had their failures, and every one of them had their failures exposed not just to those who knew them, not just to those who met them, but to every Christian who ever read his Bible, to every non-Christian who ever read the Bible.

Imagine! That same record is being made of your own life. Have no doubt. However we may seek to hide away our failures, God has promised us that every hidden thing, every secretive deed, will be brought to light. He will not suffer His children to pretend to a holiness that they have not truly attained. Yet He does not want us to be afraid to be honest with ourselves. Oh, how He longs for us to reach the place where we can live with nothing to hide.

Oh, how I long for that place, my God. How often I forget that Your eyes are upon me every moment! How often I foolishly try to hide my failures from those I know! But You have promised that those failures will come to light. And what a relief it is when You put an end to secrecy. What a burden You lift from us when You replace our deceptions with Your truth. Oh God! How can I continue to forget this? How, my Lord, can I keep the way of the cross ahead of me, keep Your throne in the center of my vision? God, I ask You, Holy Spirit, I ask You to clear away the foolish arguments my flesh throws up to distract me. I ask that You come not only with Your healing conviction, but with Your victorious power. I ask that You spur this man to action, to take up the armor and the weapons You have provided and fight to win. Be my sun, my pillar of light to mark the way. Be my shield, my pillar of cloud to protect me from the overwhelming heat. Be my Vision and my Guide, my Path upon which my feet may never falter.

Any one of us who has ever tried to satisfy his flesh has doubtless learned the lesson that Calvin speaks. The flesh is insatiable. It is precisely that insatiable hunger of the flesh, and the lengths to which we go to satisfy that hunger that lead us off the paths of righteousness into ways of vice and vicious sin. Even after we are part of His body, we may falter, and seek after some of those satisfactions we once knew. How can we? How can we ask Him to look upon our filthy habits? How can we forget that that is precisely what we do, when we, His children, return to the ways of our past? How can we break free of those habits? How can we "live as candidates for this eternal glory" that God has offered us?

God, we seem so powerless to obey. We seem so powerless to even approach a life worthy of the hope You have placed in us. I thank You, my Lord, that the example of Your word shows that so man save Your Son has ever attained to that goal. Yet, I know that goal before me. I know that it is Your desire, and it pains me that it seems so impossibly far from me to comply. God, You don't call us to things we cannot do, yet You tell us we can do nothing in ourselves. If ever I have seen the truth of this, it is here, in this call to righteousness. God, it is not in me to comply, yet it is compliance I seek. How can I hope to do so, except You come and work in me to follow Your will? How can I hope to be holy in Your sight if You will not continually fill me with the presence of Your Holy Spirit? What hope of glory do I have, except in Your Son?

Oh, God. I call Him Lord. I call Him Christ. I call Him God with us. Teach me, Father, empower me, Lord, to truly let You rule, to rest assured in the salvation You both have brought, and will bring in full when You return. Let this heart, this soul, know You as the anointed One, appointed to rule and save this man. Come, sweet Jesus, I need You. Come in sweetness, and in power, to save this man from his foolish ways.