Wake Up!

Romans 13:11, “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.”

We are living in perilous times. We are instructed and encouraged to be aware of the times we are living in. And, correctly observing the times, we should be motivated by the Holy Spirit within us to be about our Father’s business. Our salvation and the coming of Jesus Christ is nearer than when we believed.

The admonition here is “to awake out of sleep.” This passage seems to indicate an insensitivity to the effect of sin. The preceding verses deal with the Law, its purpose and limitations. The Law was a schoolmaster designed to mend the relationship between God and man. But, the Law could not deliver from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Therefore, in Jesus Christ, the sentence of death rendered because of sin is forgiven and erased through the shedding of His blood. That is the message of the Gospel declared by the New Testament Church. The challenge set before us in Romans 13:11 is to embrace the Gospel message, the power of the Holy Spirit that accompanies the Word of Truth and declare Christ’s message to all the world. Our mission is more crucial now than when we first began because time is running out on God’s calendar.

1 Cor. 7:29, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short...” In this chapter, Paul gives instruction pertaining to our mission and the encumbrances of the flesh. He directs us to live according to our calling and give God preeminence in our lives because our time is short. 

1 Cor. 15:34, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God...” The question for us today is, “are we going to embrace God’s Truth which leads into His righteousness or seek something less than Truth which leads to sin and sin’s punishment?” Time to Wake Up!