Around two thousand years ago Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, “It is high time to awake out of sleep...” Romans 13: 11. It seems the readers were dull and inactive in their spiritual life just like one who sleeps. He wants them to be aware of the period of time in which they live and look forward to the appearance of Jesus Christ to complete their salvation. Rom 13: 11b.
The Lord Jesus also made similar exhortations. “When you see all these things it is near - at the doors.” Matthew 24:33. He was referring to the time of His second coming and the end of the age. Matt 24:3. Notice how the Lord also emphatically challenges us to take heed of the time in which we live. Anyone can notice the various signs and events predicted in this passage being fulfilled today. (vs 4 – 14). There is no end to war, violence, deadly diseases, natural calamities etc.
Paul too writes in 2Timothy 3: 1 – 4, “Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come...” The state of the world during the end time as Paul mentions here is very much evident today. The increased self-love, love for money, arrogance, rebellion, lawlessness etc should open our eyes to observe the present time and be vigilant.
Be alert
Both the Lord Jesus and Paul tell the believers not only to know the circumstances in which we live, but also to be alert and active. Cf. Mark 13:33, 35; Rom 13: 11; 1Thess 5: 4 – 8.
A sleeping individual is ignorant and inactive; the only good thing about him is that he got life. Similarly if a born again believer remains insensitive to the things of God and unproductive, he is actually sleeping spiritually. Paul states how you can sleep since we are of the day, not of night. 1Thess 5:5.
Watchfulness and sober mindedness should mark a believer. We should not be fools, but have the ability to understand God’s plan for us and the world. Cf. Eph 5:14ff. The indwelling Spirit of God does give us the power to discern and walk properly. Cf. Rom 13:13.
Be active
Let us refuse to be careless and casual in our spiritual life. Lift up the eyes and see what is happening around us. Be sensitive to the things of God and be active for Him.
If we continue to slumber and fail to get up even at this stage, one day we shall be ashamed. Yes, the word of God does say, “whether wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” 1Thess 5:10. Definitely our alertness and activity has nothing to do with our salvation. We shall be with Christ on His own merit, but His desire for us that we be responsive to Him and be useful for His cause.
May the Lord open our eyes to see the real state of this period of time in which we live and be responsible Christians wherever we are.
Get Up and Pray
Dr. V. Raymond Edman, while as a missionary in Equador becacme sick. He was about to die, dug up his grave too. But suddenly he sat up on his bed, began to talk and got well.
Years later he narrated his experince in Boston (US). Afterward and old lady with a beaten-up samll book came to him and asked the date and time of that event, also the time then in Boston.
Then she replied poiniting an entry in the book, “there it is you see, at 2AM the Lord told me to get up and pray, devil is trying to kill Raymond Edman in Equdor.”
