DIGGING DEEP NO. 890 – July 6th, 2021 Romans13:11-14

Apathy and lethargy are problems that often afflict the people of God today. Many Christians simply go through the motions. Many Churches exist, but with little zeal or progress. Such problems were common in New Testament times. For example, the church in Ephesus left their first love  Revelation 2:4 The church in Laodicea became lukewarm  Revelation 3:15-16 Apostle Paul felt the need to exhort the brethren in Rome to awake from sleep, to awake from carelessness and indifference, to shake off slothfulness and all former sinful courses. He wants them to awake from stupid, fatal indifference to eternal things. Romans 13:11-14

Today, as professed Christians, have we become lethargic and indifferent to eternal things?  If so, It’s Time to Wake Up! 

WHY WE NEED TO WAKE (11-12a)

1-We must know the nature of time. Time is short and time is fleeting  James 4:14-17 Knowing what time it is, now is the time to obey the Lord. Now is the day of salvation 2Corinthians 6:1-2

2-The Lord’s return is nearer. Our own death is nearer, should we die before the Lord returns Hebrews 9:27 Every day brings us closer to the day of the Lord. We need to think of how much time has gone by since we believed and gave our lives to Christ.

3-The night is far spent. The night – referring to the moral darkness of this world. Time is becoming short, it is hastening to a close 1John 2:8; 1Corinthians 7:31b This world and time as we know it will not last long. It’s passing away.

4.The day of eternal blessedness is at hand – It’s about to dawn on us in our glorious resurrection unto eternal life. We need to respond positively to the Word of God which is serving as a light shining in the darkness of this world 2Peter 1:19 Since these things are true, let us conduct ourselves properly in preparation for the glorious coming of Christ our Savior.

HOW WE OUGHT TO WALK (12b-14)

1- We start by casting off the works of darkness. Such things as mentioned in the Bible. Revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, strife, envy, adultery, fornication, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissension’s, heresies, murders Galatians 5:19-21Passion, evil desire, covetousness, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying Colossians 3:5-8

2– We must put on the armor of light. The breastplate of faith and love, the hope of salvation as our helmet 1Thessalonians 5:8 We must put on the armor of God which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, the hope of salvation and the Word of God Ephesians 6:10-17

3. We must put on the Lord Jesus first, in baptism for in baptism we put on Christ Galatians 3:27 We are raised with Christ, made alive together with Him in baptism Colossians 2:11-13

4. Then, we need to develop a Christ-like character. Putting on the new man, renewed in knowledge, with tender

mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiving one another, love Colossians 3:10-14 We need to renew our minds becoming a new person in true righteousness and holiness Ephesians 4:20-24 We must continue growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ 2Peter 1:5-8; 3:18

5 We should do everything possible to make no provision for the flesh. This is something we have to be conscious of if we want to live spiritually Romans 8:12-13a It’s what we have to do if we desire the love of the Father 1John 2:15-17 It’s something we can do with the aid of the Holy Spirit Romans 8:13b; Galatians 5:16 It can be done with the aid of God’s providence.It is achievable with the aid of watchful prayer Matthew 26:41;1Peter 4:7 It all depends on how serious we are in this regard. We need to avoid circumstances that might tempt the flesh and abstain from activities that arouse fleshly lusts.

CONCLUSION

Brethren, are we sleeping? Are we indifferent to matters of the spirit, careless about things eternal? Are we lethargic in our service to the Lord, apathetic about our spiritual well-being? If so, then It’s Time to Wake Up