Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

MONDAY MAY 18


ONE STEP CLOSER

READ:
Romans 13:11
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Now our salvation
is nearer than
when we first
believed.
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Some years ago a friend and I set out to climb Mount Whitney. At 14, 505 feet, it is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. We arrived at Whitney Portal late one evening, rolled out our sleeping bags at base camp, and tried to get some sleep before we began our ascent at first light. Whitney is not a technical climb but rather a long, exhausting walk__11 miles of relentless ascent.

The climb, though hard-going, was exhilarating, with stunning vistas, beautiful blue lakes, and lush meadows along the way. But the trail grew long and exhausting, a test for legs and lungs. I thought of turning back as the day wore on and the trail seemed to stretch endlessly before us.

Occasionally, however, I caught a glimpse of the summit and realized that each step was bringing me one step closer. If I just kept walking. I would get there. That was the thought that kept me going.

Paul assures us, "Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (ROM 13:11). Every day brings us one day closer to that great day when we shall "summit" and see our savior's face. That's the throught that can keep us going.
__David Roper

** Dear Lord, may I, for the joy set before me, endure with patience the
hardship of the trail. When my journey is over, I will see You face to face and
live with You forever. __________________________________________________________
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Now we see Jesus in the Bible, but then we will see Him face to face.

**************************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 13:10-14**************************
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high
time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is
nearer than when we first believed.

12 The night is far spent,
the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of
darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk
properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not
in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to
fulfill its lusts.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Paul often discusses the need to walk (live)
properly. He writes to the church in Ephesus to remind them to
walk in the light of good deeds because they have been saved
by God's grace (EPH. 2:1-10). To the church in Rome, he prescribes
a different motivation for living according to the Lord Jesus
Christ__because "salvation is nearer" (ROM: 13:11). Because the
time of the Lord's return is approaching, we are to leave behind
the deeds of darkness.