"It Is High Time To
Awake Out Of Sleep"
Romans 13:11
When the wise virgins
sleep with the foolish they appear to be and often think themselves to be among
the foolish, nothing but base hypocrites. Grace seems dormant in the soul.
Slothfulness and indifference prevail.
THE SLEEP PAUL IS
DESCRIBING IS A CARNAL SECURITY, A SORT OF SPIRITUAL DROWSINESS, WHICH
SOMETIMES OVERTAKES GOD'S SAINTS IN THIS WORLD. When we fall into this horrible
sleep we become satisfied with the mere outward duties of religion. Our hearts
have a lukewarm indiffer- ence to the cause of Christ, the gospel of his grace,
the church of his redeemed, and the interests of his glory. We have only slight
concerns about our sins, our souls, and eternity. And we are willing to remain
in our beds of ease (Song 5:3)! This wretched condition is something we bring
upon ourselves! It arises from the body of sin and death. It comes upon us
because we choose evil instead of good, darkness instead of light, flesh instead of spirit. It arises from an undue care for
this world, an aversion to private worship, and the neglect of public worship.
Have I described you?
Are you like the ten virgins, not knowing when the Bridegroom shall come, fast
asleep? If you are, this is God's word to you - "It is high time to awake
out of sleep!"
TO AWAKE OUT OF SLEEP
IS TO SEE THAT SPIRITUAL THINGS ARE REALITIES. When we are half asleep we see
nothing clearly. We hardly know the difference between our dreams and reality.
And sleeping saints are unaffected by spiritual realities. To awake out of
sleep is to see things as they really are...All things here are temporary and
perishing...The riches and pleasures of this world are deceiving...Sin is
deadly...Christ alone can save...The love of God in Christ is infinite,
eternal, and sure. In comparison with eternity the things of time are
insignificant!
IT IS NOW TIME TO
AWAKE, "for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." We
are living on the edge of eternity! Our salvation, our complete salvation, is
near. The time is coming when we will get it. Yes, we shall be saved at last!
The topstone shall be laid in its place with shoutings, "Grace! Grace unto
it!" What? Shall we sleep with heaven so near at hand? Shall we sleep when
we are at the door of our Father's house, about to enter the joy of the Lord?
We are now upon the threshold of everlasting glory! How can we sleep?
Don Fortner