Awaken From Sleep

Romans 13:11

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

October is the month when fall really starts to set in and things begin to change.  The season changes from really hot weather to a cooler more comfortable temperature.  Here in the south, the climate usually begins to cool off and the nights begin to shorten.  The air is crisper and cooler.  This past week it was in the 30's, which is uncommon for this early in the season.  When you step outside, you tend to become more awake from the bitter cold or the crisp air. 

To awaken means to rouse from sleep; cause to stop sleeping.  In the last blog, we talked about being asleep both naturally and spiritually. It is the state of being physically inactive and unaware of one's surroundings.  It is a time of rest or when we are not conscious of what is happening around us.  If we are asleep spiritually, we are not aware of the condition of our soul or our spiritual walk.  We are partaking of the unfruitful works of darkness or not allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the truth.  

To awaken also means to stop being unaware of our condition.  It means to face the truth of where we are and where we need to go.  Paul was giving instructions on being submitted to government.  We need to obey the laws of the land as long as they are not in conflict with the will of God and His commandments. God knows who is in the position of authority.  We should pray for those that are in authority so that they are just.  

Paul also tells the Romans to love one another and obey the law of love.  He also tells them to follow the command and wake up out of their unconscious state because the time for Christ return was sooner than when the first believed in Christ.  The times then were becoming more evil and people were engaging in the works of darkness - fighting, drunkenness, lust, strife, envy, jealousy, etc.  He warned them to put on Christ so that we can be clean from the inside out.  We must do the same today. 

How does one put on Christ?  First by baptism, Galatians 3:27, "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." This identifies us with Christ, in His death, burial, and resurrection.  We also identify with the family of God.  Second, we accept (or baptized in) His Spirit which will produces in us the fruit of the Spirit and qualities that Jesus show while He was here on earth.  We must be led by the Spirit and die to the unfruitful works of darkness.  

We must wake up from sleep and slumber and allow God to lead and guides us into all truth.  We do not want to be unaware of our spiritual condition or what is going on around us.  These are the last days that were spoken of by the prophets, apostles, and others in God's Word.  We need to cast (discard something unwanted or undesirable) off the works of darkness.  They need to become unwanted or undesirable to us.  We need to love God so much that we do not want to do anything outside of His will.  Why?  Because His will is what is best for us.  He knows His plans for us and what is best for our lives.  

The flesh will always war against the spirit but we must lay aside our desire and take on God's.  No one said that it will be easy but it is worth it.  God can and will help you become more like Him and be able to exhibit His attributes.  

So, let's wake up and ask God to show us what it is that we need to do to walk more closely to Him and farther away from the world.  We are in the world but not of the world.  Our life is hidden in Christ.  He will help you overcome all the habits and attitudes that keep you from walking close to Him.  Sleeping is good for being restore and rejuvenated, not for being unaware of what is happening to you in your spiritual walk.  So get up and seek God before the end of your time.  

Be blessed.