Last year, I brought home my puppy, Archie. Next week, he turns one year old. The time has flown by. Even though I know time goes by quickly, seeing him grow and learn so quickly has given me a new appreciation for how quickly time passes by. You see, it can be easy to assume that time is moving slowly and that we have plenty of time to accomplish everything we need to accomplish, but the truth is that time is flying by. As a result, we need to make the most of our time, especially when it comes to living out our faith in Christ.
Paul urges us to make the most of our time in Romans 13. In this chapter, he writes, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out" (verse 11). Can you feel the urgency in this verse? Time is flying by every single day. The question is, Do we live with the urgency Paul speaks of in Romans 13:11? Do we live with the urgency that time is short? Do we make the most of every moment, living for Christ and making Him known?
It is easy to forget the truth that our time on earth is short. If we are not careful, we can find ourselves living as if our time is unlimited. We may put off taking important steps in our faith, planning to take those steps next week or next year. We may hold off on sharing our faith with someone who needs the hope that Christ has to offer because we assume that we will have time later. The truth is that our time is short, and we do not know how much time we have. We have to take each moment seriously and take the steps that God is calling us to take today because we do not know what tomorrow holds.
What about you? Are you living with the sense of urgency that Paul describes in Romans 13, or are you living as if your time is unlimited? The truth is, this earth is passing away with each day, so we must make the most of today, seeking to know Christ and make Christ known around us.
One of the most important things that we can do with our time is to make Christ known. Who do you know who needs the hope of Christ today? Reach out to them. Share with them the difference Christ has made in your life, and tell them that He can make that same difference in their lives, too. Remember to pray for that person. Pray that God would use your conversation with them to make Himself known.
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
