Romans 13:11-14 KJV

Romans 13:11-14 KJV
[11] And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Knowing the time - What time? The age we live in, the last days which I believe started when Christ ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, we are to shine as lights in this dark age. A time of grace, a time of preperation and a time when evil will eventually be dealt with forever.


High time - Since we know the time we are living in, these last days, now is the hour for believers to awaken from sleep.

Awake - to arouse, cause to rise
to arouse from sleep, to awake
to cause to rise from a seat or bed etc.
to raise up, produce, cause to appear
to cause to appear, bring before the public
to raise up, stir up, against one
to raise up i.e. cause to be born

Sleep - metaphorically, of a slumbering state of soul, i.e., of spiritual conformity to the world, out of which believers are warned to awake. 1

Believers can be saved yet can be asleep at the wheel, lulled to sleep by fleshly selfish ambitions, pleasure and treasures of this world, the love and practice of sin, the practice of self-righteous self serving religion, false teaching, pride, greed, lust or any part of the old nature that remains un-crucified.



[12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Night - Outline of Biblical Usage
night
metaph. the time when work ceases
the time of death
the time for deeds of sin and shame
the time of moral stupidity and darkness
the time when the weary and also the drunken give themselves up to slumber 1

Far Spent- to beat forward
to lengthen out by hammering (as a smith forges metals)
metaph. to promote, forward, further
to go forward, advance, proceed
of time: the night is far spent
metaph. to increase, make progress 1

The dark night of the soul has went far enough, perhaps Paul was saying that some believers had walked for long enough in the deeds of darkness and it was time to get over it and get on with living for Christ.

the day- in the daytime
metaph., "the day" is regarded as the time for abstaining from indulgence, vice, crime, because acts of the sort are perpetrated at night and in darkness
of the last day of this present age, the day Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, hold the final judgment, and perfect his kingdom. 1

Paul may have been referencing the day of Christ(His return)was at hand or maybe that believers have saved from the dark night of sin and that they have brought out into the daylight of God's salvation.

1 John 1:5-7 KJV
[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. …

Belivers are to clothe themselves with the armour of light whch protects the soul. Armour of light being the things that pertain to God and living for Him, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, helmet of salvation, shield of faith, feet shod with the preperation of the gospel of peace.



[13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

honestly- in a seemly manner, decently 1

rioting - a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry 1

chambering - it speaks of the lying down, particularly the marriage bed pertaining to sex but in the context is speaking of illicit sex. As I have stated earlier and will continue to state sex outside of marriage is forbidden in the scriptures, marriage defined as a union between a man and woman.
licentiousness
wantoness - unbridled lust, excess,lasciviousness, wantonness, licentiousness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence 1

Wantoness perhaps is a step above chambering as it seems to denote someone giving in fully to their lusts and living shamelessly in gross opposition to God's moral standards. This is different from the sin of chambering in that people who have a degree of morality, with some self-contol and some moral-restraint will often give into sexual sin. It is an accepted and respected and even an expected behaviour by some in our society and even accepted in some churchs. What in times past was heavily frowned upon is now no big deal.

strife and envying - Contentionious, fussing and fighting, arguemenitive, envious, acting out of jealousy. This behaviour stems from believers with a self-centered fleshly mindset. Believers need to remember that it is all about Christ which leads into the next verse.

[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. …

Rather than to be asleep spiritually and to live a life that emanates from the fleshly nature they are to clothe themselves with Christ, believers are clothed with His imputed righteousness already but by the grace of God and His abiding Spirit are to clothe themselves with practical righteousness( living outwardly what we are inwardly). Believers are not to figure in any any concesions for fulfilling the sinful desires of the flesh. We should burn bridges when applicable and not build any new bridges or highways that would carry us into sin.

ref 1. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2205&t=KJV


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Romans 12 Bible Study Outline

This is my Sunday School notes for a review of Romans 12 before going into Romans 13.

In thinking about today's lesson I thought about the start of chapter 12 and how it spoke of living a consecrated and transformed life that we prove the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. My interpretation, a life that shows what it means to walk in fellowship with God following His will.

I thought about the scripture following the first two verses and it seemed to me that they were truths and principles to meditate on to transform our thoughts on the Christian life.

Verses 3-8 concerning spiritual pride and the use of spiritual gifts. These verses warn about thinking too highly of ourselves because God has given us spiritual gifts. Paul then encourages us to walk in those gifts.

Verses 9-13 actions and attitudes toward one another and towards life in general( based on love, hope and devotion to God) 

Verses 14 How to  deal with persecution.

Verse 15 -18 Speaks of our response to others,sharing in their joy(not envious but being joyful with them) and being sensitive to those who are going through heart wrenching times by sharing in their sorrow,

Paul also speaks of humility, Believers are not to be consumed by seeking personal elevation or things that make for and reek of pomp and pride but rather should seek to be carried away with true humility.   We should be willing to yield ourselves to lowly circumstances if it be God's will. There is the warning not to to think of ourselves as self sufficient when it comes to wisdom. We are taught not to respond to evil with evil and to live a life free of reproach before all people. Finally, in this section of scripture we are told to get along peaceably with others to the best of our ability.

Verses 19- 20

These verses tell us not to worry about righting the wrongs done to us but to leave that in God's hands but rather instead of retaliation to respond with good that they may be shamed and repent. Finally, we are not to let evil get the best of us but to overcome it with good.

Swinging Bridge over Toccoa River

Suspension Bridge on Toccoa River

Toccoa River Fannin County

U S Forest Service Suspension Bridge over Toccoa River

Photo of the Toccoa River taken from Swinging Bridge

The Swinging Bridge near Blue Ridge Ga on Toccoa River

Penalty for No Healthcare Insurance

People who do not have healthcare that meets Obamacare's minimum requirements will have to pay a penalty. The penalty for 2014 will be calculated by two formulas and those paying a penalty will pay the greater of the two. It will be either 1% of the household income or $95 per person($47.50 for children 18 or under) with a maximum penalty of $285 per family.

This penalty does not seem too bad, most people may think they will just pay the fine and go uninsured or get cheaper insurance that does not meet the Obamacare minimum requirements. That may not be too bad for 2014, but according to the healthcare.gov site, the penalty for 2015 will be eiher 2% of household income or $325 per person. The fee for 2016 increases to 2.5% of household income or $695 per person. People need to realize that even if we can slide by this year, we probably have not seen the worst.

The American people need to wake-up and try to elect people who will do all within their power to repeal this law. If they don't, I am afraid life as we know it in America will be changed forever, and not for the good. Obamacare is eroding our freedoms, the freedom to buy or not buy healthcare insurance and also the kind of healthcare insurance that we want to purchase. If we as Americans relinquish this freedom, what's next? Something to think about.

Please share this with others so that people will vote for people who will do whatever it takes to get this law repealed. I just pray it is not too late, please pray for God to have mercy on our country

Update 3/4/2024
(I just heard on Fox News that the individual mandate has been delayed, do not know the details. Check out healthcare.gov for more info.)

Cracker Barrel Insurance for 2014

In compliance with Obamacare's minimum requirements for healthcare insurance, the new weekly cost for employees purchasing family coverage is just a little more than last year, only a mere $207 a week. Of course, this is just pocket change for the employees of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. I am being facetious, this is more than a 400% increase for some employees who had family coverage. Apart from the $207 weekly contribution from participants in the plan, the plan has a $5000 calendar year deductible for those using network providers and $10000 calendar year deductible for using non-network providers. After meeting the deductible, participants in the plan pay a 50% co-pay. So now Cracker Barrel employees who purchase the Obamacare compliant insurance will, apart from wellness check ups will pay $15,764 out of pocket(deductible + weekly contribution) and then a 50% co-pay if they use a net-work provider (add $5000 more for using non-network providers). These figures are only based on family coverage and only on the Par Plan that Cracker Barrel is offering, some workers may qualify for subsidies, I have not checked that out. I believe this a direct result of Obamacare, the insurance Cracker Barrel offered last year was not the best but it was affordable. I do not foresee this as affordable insurance for Cracker Barrel workers who are depending upon their Cracker Barrel income to live on. I believe this a good example of what president Obama has brought on the American people with his healthcare overhaul. May God have mercy on us all.

On a more positive note, hats off to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for providing a basic healthcare insurance policy that is more affordable for their employees. The only thing problem is that it does not meet Obamacare's minimum requirements, which means that workers who choose this plan will have to pay the tax/fine for not having insurance that does not meet Mr. Obama's standards.

I hope that as Americans see the rollout of Obamacare and it's effects on health insurance as we know it that they will be outraged and moved to action. It is high-time that Americans take a stand before we lose more of the freedoms that men and women gave their life's blood for.

Penalty for not Having Healthcare Insurance

People who do not have healthcare that meets Obamacare's minimum requirements will have to pay a penalty. The penalty for 2014 will be calculated by two formulas and those paying a penalty will pay the greater of the two. It will be either 1% of the household income or $95 per person($47.50 for children 18 or under) with a maximum penalty of $285 per family.

This penalty does not seem too bad, most people may think they will just pay the fine and go uninsured or get cheaper insurance that does not meet the Obamacare minimum requirements. That may not be too bad for 2014, but according to thehealthcare.gov site, the penalty for 2015 will be eiher 2% of household income or $325 per person. The fee for 2016 increases to 2.5% of household income or $695 per person. People need to realize that even if we can slide by this year, we probably have not seen the worst.

The American people need to wake-up and try to elect people who will do all within their power to repeal this law. If they don't, I am afraid life as we know it in America will be changed forever, and not for the good. Obamacare is eroding our freedoms, the freedom to buy or not buy healthcare insurance and also the kind of healthcare insurance that we want to purchase. If we as Americans relinquish this freedom, what's next? Something to think about.

Please share this with others so that people will vote for people who will do whatever it takes to get this law repealed. I just pray it is not too late, please pray for God to have mercy on our country