Continuing in a Dark Place

Scripture: And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

Observation: In providing instructions for living to the Romans, he discusses the "present time" ... that they live in a time when the world is changing with regards to Christ. In this, he encourages them that salvation is closer now than when they first believed in Jesus. This could mean three things:

1) The return of Jesus
2) Their deaths and just salvation to eternal life in heaven
3) The general legalization of Christianity in the Roman world

It is true all three are closer, just through the passage of time. However, I believe Paul meant the third option, as he has been telling them how to live publicly. He has been advising them to respect Roman authority, pay taxes, give respect to leaders, etc. In these things, he is teaching them how to live public lives of faith ... telling them they have the ability to live in the open as both Romans and Christians, as the two are not mutually exclusive.

Application: This - the ability to live openly as a Christian within our society - wasn't even a thought several years ago, but now is again an issue. My wife and I have discussed the difficulty of being Christian in this part of the world, as it relates to how others then treat us in social and professional contexts. To an extent, this is exactly what was on my mind about 30 minutes ago, as I realized others change their conversations and even lie to me simply because they know I'm Christian and thus they presume things about me.

I have said that persecution and trouble is ahead for Christians, and I have lived within that persecution to various degrees already. It will get worse in this part of the world. And again, that is nothing new. The Roman church lived this way, and tried to find a way to live as both Christians and Romans. Today, I must find a way to live as both Christian a Seattleite, demonstrating public faith in a region where Christianity might be just the fourth of fifth belief system, and both openly and implicitly mocked by public officials and policy.

However, as Paul points out, salvation is nearer, not further away. I am not to hide, but live as a citizen, employee, community member ... and active believer.

Prayer: Lord, may my light shine for all to see. Please be with your church and with your faithful in this dark place, as it gets darker every day. We know that the darkness cannot overcome the light, as long as our light shines among men. Please help us all stay strong. Amen.