March 4, 2013 Read Romans 13:13-14

March 4, 2013: Read Romans 13: 13-14 (NLT)         
                                                                          
"Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in wild parties    and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and         immoral living, or quarreling and jealousy. Instead,  clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus   Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to     indulge your evil desires."                                      Why does Paul list fighting and jealousy along with   the gross and obvious sins of drunkenness and         immorality. The reason is similar to that of Jesus in   His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Paul         considers attitudes to be just as important as           actions. Just as hatred can lead to murder, so can     jealousy lead to strife and lust can lead to adultery.  How do we clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ?                                                  
     1) Identify with Christ through Baptism               
         -- Demonstrate love and devotion to Christ     
         -- Shows our alliance with the death,             
           burial, and resurrection of Jesus                  
     2) Exempilfy the qualities Jesus showed while He 
         dwelt among us here on earth                       
         --Qualities of love, humility, truth, and sevice  
     3) Avoid situations that open the door to             
         satisfying sinful desires