Romans 13

Paul draws all his writing together to encourage his readers to live a life that is centred on Jesus, and so because of this urges us to ‘be transformed’ rather than being ‘conformed’ to the world around us.  He calls us to a sober reflection of our own status, and the high calling of love that we are to live up to, which we means we react in different ways from those around us – for example, not taking revenge, blessing those who persecute us.  He urges us to step out of the kingdom of darkness and put on the armour of light – it is a battle, but we are equipped by the Lord for it.  We are to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus, so that those around us see him, rather than thinking we are just good at being good.

The Revd. David Hildred