The Second Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2024
The Second Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2024
The Apostle Paul teaches here of the Christian life. He has just finished relating the life of a Christian as citizen (14:1-7). Now he turns to relating the life of a Christian as a neighbor. He does this by first dealing with the actuality of love (14:8-10) and then by putting the neighbor in the context of the dawning day (14:11-14).
In full realization that love cannot be commanded, Paul turns to the actual commandments of the past, naming them as concrete activities which promote the neighbor’s welfare. Love is first an act, not a sentiment. There is no righteousness to be had from such activity, though, if sentiment and activity do not align. One must both desire to promote the neighbor’s welfare and then, actually promote that welfare. Because of original sin and our bound wills, we simply cannot get ourselves out of the way: our love of neighbor is always tainted with self-love.
Consequently, since the alignment of sentiment and activity required for love of neighbor cannot arise out of obedience to past commandments, Paul turns to the future reality. He turns to the Lord Jesus Christ in whom Paul has previously said (2 Cor. 5:17) “there is a new creation.” Our resurrected Lord comes back in time to us from beyond the eschaton. Only as we are in him are we in the light of the new day and not in the darkness of this old world which is passing away. This light shines in faith alone; sight can only perceive the darkness (2 Cor. 5:7). This new creature existing totally in the reality of faith in Christ lives the alignment of sentiment and activity, spontaneously promoting the neighbor’s welfare.
You who have been taught that the good tree bears good fruit, now know that the good tree comes to you from beyond the eschaton. It is the future’s gift to you, not your commanded obedience to laws from the past. Being found in Christ, all your sin—even original sin—is forgiven. Being found in Christ, your bound wills have been replaced by His will. The debt of love owed to your neighbors is paid again and again as you, a new creature in Christ Jesus, act spontaneously for their good.
Table Talk: Discuss having faith in spite of all evidence to the contrary.
Pray: Heavenly Father, hold me in the one voice of praise to Christ. Amen
Romans 15:(4–13)
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.