Wake Up!
For the last year, I have been studying and preaching through Paul's letter to the Romans. Just recently, I came to Romans 13:11 (NIV), where Paul writes, "And do this understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than we first believed."
When Paul says, "Wake up!" he's not talking about the physical act of awaking from a good night's sleep. He is instead saying to Christians, "Get going, get it in gear for the time is short." He's talking about "waking up" from spiritual lethargy.
Ephesians 5:11-16 (NIV) further explains this truth:
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them. For its shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible. For it is light that makes everything visible. That's why it's said: "Wake up, O sleeper. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
A person who is fully awake spiritually will make the most of every opportunity. But why is that such an issue? What has time got to do with it? Quite frankly, time is short. The coming of Christ is getting closer and closer.
Have you ever said, "One of these days, I'm going to get serious with God." "One of these days I'm going to join a Bible study group." "One of these days..." You name it. The fact is none of us have any guarantee of tomorrow. The coming of the Lord is coming sooner and sooner. None of us have the luxury of wasting time. None of us have the luxury of saying "Someday". Anything you're going to do for Christ -- do it now! Don't put it off.
