"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