Every believer in Christ must remember: we are sojourners here on earth our stay in this world is temporary. As such, we must set ourselves apart and not allow the things of this world to contaminate us.
The Hour is Urgent
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
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. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
In this scripture, the Apostle Paul was admonishing the Christian in Rome to understand the time they were in and wake up from their sleep the time of salvation was nearer than previously thought. Paul was speaking metaphorically here. The salvation Paul mentions in his admonishment is the imminent second coming of Christ. Paul was acutely aware of the season and had a strong belief that that day could come at any time. Two thousand years later, we, the present believers in Christ, are still looking forward to that day but the urgency of Paul’s tone is ever accurate.
A Call to Spiritual Alertness
It is time to stop playing games. It is time to wake up from our slumber. As Paul says, it is time to put aside the works of darkness, such as sinful attitudes, and put on the armor of light, which is righteousness. The Bible makes it clear in many places that believers should walk in the light and avoid sinful practices like revelry, drunkenness, sexual immorality, debauchery, strife and jealousy. We must not satisfy the desires of the flesh.
In this sin driven world, believers should stand for the truth everywhere. Today, immorality has become the norm and moral laxity is the new standard. Godly culture no longer exists in many places, and in some cases, it is even hated. As Romans 12:2 says, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and not conform to the world. But first, we must wake up from our slumber of compromise and spiritual coldness.
Awake from the slumber!
Are you asleep as a Christian? Wake up, because the end is near. Do not continue in slumber or in sin. And do not be ashamed, for the grace of God is greater than your human limitations. Humble yourself and return to God in a state of spiritual alertness, and He will lift you up. Also, as a believer in Christ, do not be afraid to stand against all forms of evil in your country, state and community. The Lord is with you. He will use you to bring great change in your society and in your time. Be strong and be bold, and most importantly, be awake.