Wake Up!
Romans 13:11-14
“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. 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. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
These verses relate to our need to be spiritually aware of God’s timetable in relation to the coming Christ. These verses are a warning to us to wake from our spiritual slumber and be about the Father’s business of bringing the Word of God to all you encounter. The calling to deliver the Word of God has been placed upon all of us and we need to make the best use of our time to do just what we have been called to do.
Wake up and see the needs of yourself, family, friends, and co-workers.
Verse 11 tells us that it is “high time”, meaning that the time is now for believers to stand up and be counted; to make a mark for God. The time is now for us to use the spiritual gifts that God has given us for the betterment of His kingdom and for the help of those in need of the Word of God and the hope of salvation through Christ Jesus.
“For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
This section from verse 11 lets us know that the day of the coming of Christ to deliver us from this sinful world is that much closer now than from the day we first believed.
The bible tells us that no one but the Father knows the time of Christ’s coming, but that day and time grows nearer each passing day.
Now I am not going to be one of those who will say that the coming of Christ will be in our generation, or that it looks like the end is near; because that would mean that I have a clue as to when that day is…and if that were true then I would be calling Jesus a liar, as I would seem to know when He Himself was coming. But I am not saying that, but I do say to each of you to live your days as if Christ were returning tomorrow. And knowing that He is coming tomorrow he will find you doing the work he has called you to do. So don’t let anyone fool you into believing that they know when Christ is coming. For 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 tells us:
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
Wake up and use the spiritual gifts of discernment that God has given you.
In verse 12 we read that we are to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Here Paul is telling us that we need to remember that we engaged in warfare with the powers of darkness. And that is it absolutely necessary for us to get rid of the works and values that relate to the worlds dark value system, replacing them with the armor of light, that light being the characteristics of Christ Jesus, which we find in Ephesians 6:14-17:
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Because the night is far spent, the day is at hand. This means that this worldly system is coming to an end and one day Christ will return. Again, Paul is telling us that we live within God’s timetable and time is running out.
Wake up and be about the Father’s business.
In verses 13 Paul commands to walk honestly as in the day. So if you have received the light, you must walk in the light. Here we need to take a close look at ourselves to see if we are living in a riotous way filled with drunken bouts, seeking and searching for sexual orgies and conquests, and all other forms ungodly activities; then you cannot be someone walking honestly and honorably. It ha been said, “If a person claims to be a Christian and they cannot change their life-style, then they better change their name.” As Christians we need to lead our lives in an honest and honorable way because the world has its eyes upon us. So we need to let our light so shine, showing the world that we are indeed the children of God doing the work that He has called us to do. Be ye doers of the Word and not just hearers. Let the world see the Jesus in you. At all times we need to speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ and when necessary use words. What I am saying is that if you walk the walk you don’t always need to talk the talk.
In verse 14 Paul calls upon Christians to put on Christian values as we would do our clothes. For Colossians 3:12-15 tells us:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Because being in Christ we are a new creature, no longer living the way we used to. No longer thinking and acting the way we used to. No longer having hatred for others, but finding place for love and compassion. Not disregarding a person, but finding a place for prayer and forgiveness for those who hurt or use you. For Ephesians 4:21-25 tells us:
“If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
And Galatians 3:27 tells us:
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Wake up and be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
We are living in a time were false teachers are rising to great notoriety and power. We have the mega-churches and the televangelists teaching us things like:
• Hell is not the place that we think it is
• Everybody will go to heaven
• God wants you to be rich
• That Christ’s second coming was back in 1914
• That we are currently living in Christ’s thousand year reign
Scripture teaches us that their will be many men perverting the Word of God and presenting themselves as the Christ. Scripture also teaches us that we need to be aware of these people who will come as wolves in sheep’s clothing. These people will try to lead you astray, to take you down a path that leads you away from God. We are told that a time will come when we will fall for false doctrine and be led astray by our own desires for things ungodly.
“And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.” Luke 17:22-24
This scripture lets us know that people will indeed tell us that the Christ is alive and well in Buffalo New York, or that he is living in Mexico, or that he is alive in the Pope himself. But do not believe them, because Jesus tells us Himself that when He returns it will be unmistakable, just like lightening in the sky is unmistakable, so will His return be unmistakable.
Wake up and read your bible so that you can rightly discern the truth.
Put on the armor of light and be changed. Don’t be fooled by anyone with a good word. Let the bible be your guide, allowing the Holy Ghost to lead unto all understanding.
Don’t let your anger turn to sin, but be forgiving and loving of one another. Put on Christ and walk honorably as in the day. Be about the Father’s business and wake up each day with your mind stayed on Jesus.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Wake up because time is running out.
