Romans 13:11-14 (KJV)

11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Have you ever been asleep when you should have been awake? Our text is a wake up call for Christians who have fallen asleep after being given the charge by God "to love one another" (v.8). Our Commander is sounding the bugle, "Wake up and do this because . . ."

1. The Day of Our Salvation . . . "our salvation is nearer than when we believed" (v.11).
   In the Bible our salvation can be viewed from at least four different perspectives of time.
   1. From Eternity . . . this view of salvation transcends time. God the Father gave believers to Christ and His Son acted as our Surety (Guarantor). We are saved by God outside of time so it is possible to say God's people are saved from eternity (Revelation 13:8).
   2. At Faith . . . when a person first believes in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
      It is not faith that saves, it is God that saves. Faith is awareness of what is true.
   3. At Death . . . the Bible often calls death "gain" or "profit" (Philippians 1:21).
      It is a blessing for a believer, but a curse for a non-Christian. Therefore, when a believer dies, it is called "a day of salvation." This is the "day" of (v.11).
   4. At Judgment . . . which Jesus called "the wrath to come." It is also called "the Second Coming of Chirst." Some say this text references the Second Coming.
      1. Some believe Paul is talking about a Coming that has not yet occurred.
      2. Others believe Paul may be speaking about a Coming "at hand" (A.D. 70).
         All of us can agree that we are closer today to our death than yesterday.
2. The Darkeness of Our Society . . . "cast off the works of darkness" (v.12).
   Paul compares and contrasts the lives of those "in Christ" to those without Christ . . .
   1. Drinking and Partying . . . "sexual orgies and drunkenness" (v.13).
      What our culture calls having fun, God calls the conduct of a depraved heart.
   2. Sexual immorality and seductions . . . (v.13) all kinds of immorality included.
      This world needs to see someone who is not afraid to run counter to culture.
   3. Strife and envy . . . (v.13) desiring what others have and fighting to get it.
      Paul says, "Wake up! Other people around you need your help!"
3. The Deceptiveness of Our Souls . . . "walk honestly and make not provision" (v.13-14).
   The final reason Paul says we need a wake up call is because we have such a tendency to be fooled ourselves. There is a struggle within that requires attention.
   1. Be honest . . . about the struggle. A graced person is not perfect, just real.
   2. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ . . .
      "As a man puts on his clothes when he rises in the morning; to not only place faith on Him as the Lord of righteousness, but to imitate Him; to walk as He walked, in love, meekness, patience, humility and holiness" Dr. John Gill.
   3. Make not provision for the flesh . . . the New International Version says, "Don't think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature (flesh)."
      1. Notice, all Christians find desires within that run contrary to Christ's will.
      2. It is not the desire, "but the making provision for it" that is the sin.