The Day When Christ Returns

Romans 13:8–14
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The phrase “owe no man anything” (13:8) is debated in Christian circles. Hudson Taylor, the godly missionary to China, & Charles Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher, would never go into debt, basing their convictions on this verse. This verse does not specifically refer to the borrowing of money, but the consequences of going into debt are spelled out in other Scriptures (Proverbs 22:7). We can see the serious problem this has created for our government today. Even many churches have borrowed money on the assumption that future conditions would allow them to pay it back, and today they are either bankrupt or pay out so much for interest that they have very little for missions (Proverbs 27:1). The debt of love, however, remains with us permanently and never leaves us. It is a debt that we need to discharge every day, and forever owe. Love is the one thing that will remain when all else has fallen. The underlying principle of the Jewish economy was law. The underlying principle of the Christian economy is love.

Repeatedly in the New Testament we are told to watch for the coming of the Lord. In these verses Paul gives several admonitions concerning the coming of the Lord:

1. “Wake up“ (v. 11) - Many things point to the imminent return of the Lord. Some of these things are the return of Israel to the Promised Land, the spreading of atheistic ideologies, the drawing together of the European powers, and apostasy in the church.

2. “Clean up“ (verses 12-13) – There is a right way and a wrong way to walk. The right way is to “walk honestly” (v. 13a). The wrong way is in (1) Revelry, (2) Drunkenness, (3) Immorality, (4) Shamelessness, (5) Contention, & (6) Envy (v. 13b).

3. “Grow Up“ (v. 14) - While we wait for the Lord’s return, we are to wait victoriously. We grow based on the food we eat. If we feed the flesh, we will fail, but if we feed the inner man we will grow spiritually. 

Application

Am I really looking for the Lord’s return or is it just something that I talk about? If He came back today, would I be glad or sad?