PUTTING ON CHRIST "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:11-14, NKJV) Devotion 13 of 33 – Tomorrow:
" . . . it is high time."
Other versions read, "it is already the hour" (NASB), "The hour has come for you" (NIV), "it is now the moment" (NRSV), "it is full time now" (RSV), "it is already time" (DARBY), and "time is running out" (NLT).
The words translated "high time" (KJV) come from a word which means "the moment, instant, occasion, or hour of the day." Immediacy is in the word. It contains the idea of instant response. We often use the expression in this manner. When a favorable reaction is finally realized, we will say, "Well it is high time . . . "
The obvious meaning is that this it is the time to do what is admonished. This is NOT the time to delay, procrastinate, or put off doing what it right, good, acceptable, or godly. Whatever we perceive God requires of us, and this is the time to do it! If we know what is required of us, this is the time to do it! NOW it is "high time!" This is not the time to slumber. It is not the time to be lethargic or slow in our response to God. It is not the time to be dull and listless, but is the time to be alert, perceptive, and keenly aware of spiritual realities. It IS high time!
For the last 2,000 years, believers have heard these words, urging them to immediate and resolute action. Nothing about the Gospel encourages the spirit of disinterest, a lack of concern, a slow heart, or delayed response. There is no facet of Apostolic doctrine that suggests it is all right to remain in a state of indecision.
This condition of immediacy is seen in the ministry of Jesus, when He "dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Once, when He confronted a man born blind, He "spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay." At that moment He did not suggest the man find time, at his earliest convenience, to go to the pool of Siloam and wash the clay from his eyes. He did not propose that, should he find time to do so, there were great possibilities associated with such action. Instead, he said, "Go wash at the pool of Siloam" (John 9:6). It is clear that He meant for the man to go right away – it was, in the words of our text, "high time." If that man had delayed going to the pool until the next day, he would have remained blind. The man knew that was the time to go, and that is why he came from the pool with his sight.
On another occasion, when Jesus entered into a synagogue, he confronted a man with a withered hand. With all of the people watching him, Jesus told the man, "Stand forth!" After briefly addressing the crowd, He said to the man, "Stretch forth thine hand!" Do you imagine Jesus meant for the man to come the next day to the synagogue and stretch out his hand? Indeed not! He meant to do it at that moment! The man did as he was commanded, WHEN he was commanded, and "his hand was restored whole as the other" (Mark 3:1-5).
Another time, Jesus stood before a cave where his friend Lazarus had been buried. He told those standing by to roll the stone away from the mouth of the cave. Then He cried out, "Lazarus, come forth!" I ask you, when did He intend for Lazarus to "come forth?" On the morrow? Was this a suggestion, or a thought to ponder for a while? Did the Lord Jesus intend to come back another day and call out to Lazarus again? Indeed not! That was the time for Lazarus to come out of the grave. Lazarus instantly responded, coming forth. It was "high time."
In our text, the Spirit affirms "it is high time to awake out of sleep." Is there any soul who imagines that means it is all right if men do NOT awake? Is there some tone in those words that remotely suggests it is all right to remain asleep, indifferent, and in a state of indecision? Who would dare to make any attempt to justify delay, putting off their response, or failing to awake from spiritual slumber at this very instant?
If it was "high time," or precisely the right moment, for the Roman believers in the first century, it is even more so for us. If sleep, a lack of sensitivity, and retarded responses were out of order then, they are all the more out or order now! The Spirit will make that very point in the next phrase.
There are some people who have been living in a state of indecision for years. They know, or at least once did know, what they ought to do, but have never got down to the doing of it. They are not only asleep, their sleep is getting deeper and deeper, and soon they will not be able to awaken. The tragedy of the while matter is that much of the Christianity of our day allows people to imagine that it is all right to remain asleep, dull, spiritually listless, and "slow of heart to believe" (Luke 24:25). But it is not all right! It is HIGH TIME to awake out of sleep!
What we are now urged to do is critical. There is no guarantee that we will have another opportunity to do what is exhorted. Right now, when we hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, is the appropriate time to react to the word of the King. If this is true, and our text affirms this is the case, then to fail to do what is urged is wrong, and cannot be justified. These are matters concerning which no delay is in order. The danger of putting off a response to this exhortation cannot be overstated!
If we are going to love our neighbors as ourselves, this is the time to do it. If we are going to render to every person their due, this is the time to do it. If we are going to love one another, this is the time to do it. If there is going to be unity in the church, this is the time to have it. If men are going to be holy, this is the time for them to be so. If men are going to obey the Gospel and receive Christ, this is the time to do it. Whatever God requires of His people, this is the time to be about the doing of it. It is "HIGH TIME." There will not be a better time than right now! You see with what urgency the Spirit speaks. He makes no allowance for slothfulness.
One more thing. When we immediately respond to the Word of the Lord, His grace and power will be dispatched for the accomplishment of what He demands.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me to be instant in my response to Your Word, Your call, and Your drawing! I do not want to be known in heaven as a person who is slow to respond to Your gracious summons.