Awake

Romans 13:11-14 “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. 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. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

 

In a Bible Study this week on this passage of Holy Scripture, we learned four directives for the child of God. The first, we are to watch vigilantly; awake and aware. We are to watch what is going on in our surrounding, in our communities, in our state, nation and world to discern what is happening, pray for direction, listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit for assistance and respond properly through the Word of God as our social compass and guide. There much world and national chaos these days, and the Christians must attentively observe the times and seasons of life, which are constantly changing before Jesus comes again. 

 

The time between the Lord ascension in Heaven on His first earthly visitation and His return for the Church and tribulation is called “the Age of Grace”, which is also called “the Church Age”.  The late Rev. Billy Graham wrote: The world is living in the “age of grace.” Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and extended His mercy and grace to whoever will receive Him as Lord and Savior. God’s offer of forgiveness and a new life still stands. But this period of grace will not go on indefinitely and someday it will be too late for men and women to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Someday is “Judgement Day” and it is nearer today than it was yesterday. 

 

Like time, there are three period of salvation for the Believer – past, present and future. [A] Past Salvation, where we repent sin and accept Jesus Christ as Savior, so we have been justified and saved from the penalty of sin. John 3:35-36 proclaims, “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [B] Present Salvation, which is the process of sanctification while still being in the sinful flesh and growing/maturing  into the likeness of Christ in our daily walk, so we are being saved from the power of sin. [C] Future Salvation, where we saved eternally in Heaven with glory, so we will be saved from the presence of sin.

 

Secondly, we are to war valiantly. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. We are to put off all darkness of sin and unbelief, then put on the full armor of God, being salt and light in this world. 1 John 1:6-7 declares, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” It is a matter of victim or victor in the war on God. Thirdly, we are to walk virtuously. Galatians 5:16 tell instructs us, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 

 

Fourthly, we are to wait victoriously. Galatians 5:22-25 explains that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Jesus Christ defeated sin and death and victory is ours, but we must be awake and defend the faith, while going and making disciples of all nations with the goal the none should perish but find salvation too at the foot of the Cross in Jesus. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, this through countless ages men and angels sing.

 

Lord, use me today in your way, that I am not an embarrassment to You or let you down in any way, but live in thoughts, words and deeds which are pleasing in your sight. Amen. 

 

In Christ, Brian