Wake Up

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.