Romans 13:11-14 “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…” (NIV)

Paul is not wrong; Biblical scholars are.  Biblical scholars believe Paul was writing about the second coming of Christ.  If he was, he was wrong by thousands of years.  Many scholars do not acknowledge that the New Testament concept of salvation is threefold.  Quite often in the new testament the word “saved” is written with a Greek tense that would cause “I am saved” to be translated as “I’m saved, I’m being saved, and at some point in the future my salvation will be complete.” We do not have a verb tense in the English language that allows us to translate the Greek with a single word.  Therefore, most translations translate as “I am saved.” When we understand salvation, as Paul did, we see that it is something that has happened, is happening and will continue to happen until its completion.

When Paul writes, “Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” he is saying the day of completion is near.  Death is at the door.  At death, we go to meet our Lord face to face, and He will make our salvation complete.  Paul is writing to the church.  God has made them righteous by their faith in Christ.  Yet, Paul tells them to put aside the deeds of darkness.  Their old sinful life still has some of them caught in the habits and addictions of wickedness.  Paul tells them to put off immorality, drunkenness, petty jealousy and dissension.  They should put on the deeds of daylight and righteousness.  It is time for them to leave the darkness behind and enter into their walk with Christ.  They need to wake up to the facts.  Life is short, and if they do not make an effort, they will meet Christ covered in the deeds of darkness.  Salvation results from faith, the daily saving work of Christ in our life only results from our faithfulness.  Wake up, clothe yourself with Christ; death is near.