Scripture
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”…Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]. The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires.” Romans 13:9,11-14 AMP
Observation
Paul is making it clear to the church in Rome that Jesus is coming back soon and we’ve got one job: Love God, Love People. He uses the contrast of light and darkness to remind us that we are a people of the light, but our choices to sin can literally eclipse our witness to the world around us. He uses the contrast of casual clothes of darkness that we must cast aside and trade for armor of light. We are either blending in with the darkness or we standing out as we war against the desires of the flesh. There is no both and scenario here. When our code of conduct doesn’t match our stated convictions our witness is discredited and we clearly aren’t clothed in Christ.
Application
The “Moment of Totality” (sounds like an 80’s Rock Album) came and went. Here in San Diego we only witnessed a partial eclipse. I borrowed someone’s glasses in the crowds gathered at Double Peak and have to admit it was pretty impressive. An estimated 32 million people lived within the path of totality and a total solar eclipse was visible for those in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The path is only 115 miles wide, but no matter where you lived, most people stopped what they were doing and looked up. While they looked up I looked around and marveled at what it takes to get our maxed out out culture to look up from their screens and notice what’s going on in nature. Right on cue many Christians were looking at today’s eclipse as a sign of the Return of Jesus. Well… we are still here. Does that mean we shouldn’t be concerned about His Return? Not at all. In fact, this passage reminds us that the question the Eclipse is asking us is, “Has my darkness eclipsed my witness?” Paul clearly depicts Christians clothing themselves in darkness through “wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.” We don’t know the day or hour Christ will return. In the remaining time we’ve been given we need to be focused on one job: loving God and loving people. Hypocrisy is one of the main reasons the younger generations are staying away from The Christian Church. When our walk doesn’t match our talk and our lives are lived the same as unbelievers, what’s the point? That’s just darkness in more darkness. You know what would really catch everyone’s attention? If Christians actually looked and loved like Jesus people would gather around for a closer look and they wouldn’t need dorky looking glasses to see the authentic of our faith.
Prayer
As cool as the eclipse may have been all of humanity is left longing for more. There will be a day when The One who made the stars splits the skies and comes back for those who know Him. I want to make sure I don’t spend this time I have left on myself. Let my life shine as a light in the darkness. For if You who lived in unapproachable light approached us in our darkness of sin, certainly You’ve called Your followers to do the same.
"I’m charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn’t give an inch: Keep this command to the letter, and don’t slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. He’ll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. He’s the only one death can’t touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He’s never been seen by human eyes—human eyes can’t take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes." 1 Timothy 6:16 (MSG)
