20. What time Is It?

My Hearts Desire
Maynard Force
Chapter 20

What Time Is It?
It is time . . . Romans 13.11.

"What time is it?" This is a question we have asked many times. The answer has varied, depending upon the time of day in which we asked it. The answer has had various effects upon us. Let us, for a change, turn to God and ask Him that same question. Listen to His answer in the words of our text: "It is time for you to awake out of sleep'' (Romans 13.11). We are given three reasons why we should wake up right now:

1. "Salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed'' (v.11). Heaven never was as near as it is now. Most any time our earthly journey may come to an end. Such thoughts thrill a child of God to the very heart. With the apostle Paul we say we "have a desire to depart and be with Christ'' (Phil. 2.23).

2. "The night is far spent'' (v.12). It is just about over. We are told the darkest hours come just before dawn. Therefore, do not let the darkness of our day deceive you into believing that the night is not far spent. Every Christian has been saved for this coming day. "For ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day'' (1 Thessalonians 5.5).

3. "The day is at hand." Eternity's day is ready to dawn. The day of the Lord is upon us. Not a second can be lost. We have overslept. Surely, these three reasons should arouse the heaviest of sleepers.

Make haste, friend. God has called. "It is time to awake out of sleep."

"It is time" to remove our coverings-"cast off the works of darkness." God is asking us to throw off the coverings under which we have been sleeping. They have kept us snug and complacent long enough.

Three common coverings that have kept many a sleeping sinner warm are;

1. The blanket of hypocrisy. This covering looks so attractive. All who pull it over themselves are soon fast asleep.

2. The blanket of unbelief. It is thick and warm and is found wherever sinners sleep. How easy to snuggle under its protection and sleep the sleep of death.

3. The blanket of "pet sin." It is so easy to sleep enfolded in some pet sin, as lying, exaggerating, pride, jealousy, and the like. Many a careless child of God has fallen soundly asleep under this blanket.

We have mentioned but three blankets under which sinners are sleeping. There are many more. Listen again, dear friend. God is talking. "Throw off the works of darkness.'' If you have heard His voice, determine today to come out from under your covering. Confess your sins as you bring them into the open, and our Lord will forgive you.

"It is time'' to dress properly. God's Word tells us to "put on the armor of light'' (v.12). This is not a day for silks and satins, but for armor. A terrible battle is raging. Satan and all his forces are making their last stand. Every hellish weapon that he has is now in use. None can stand before him unless clothed in the armor of light. The Lord has commanded, "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able. to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6.11). Ample protection is given so that we can all "be strong in the Lord." But there is no protection for the back! Woe unto him, there- fore, who turns his back to the enemy! "He is not fit for the kingdom of heaven." Hurry, friend. Get dressed! Weary saints who have faced the enemy for some time need to be reinforced. Remember you are on the winning side. Therefore lose no time in putting on the armor of light, for "it is time for Jehovah to work'' (Psalm 119.126).

"It is time" also to arise and walk. "Let us walk becomingly as in the day." "Walk" means progress. This is not a day for naps. The end of the age is on us. "Time is shortened" (1Corinthians 7.39). We are admonished to "watch and pray," for "yet a very little while, he that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry" (Hebrews 10.37). "The coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5.8). "Behold the judge standeth before the doors'' (James 5.9). Oh, friend, tarry not! "Walk while ye have the light'' (John 12.35). All heed the admonition, "Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise ; redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5.15-16) .

We have heard the time according to God's clock. His answer was a solemn one. Linger not, for that is dangerous. By the help of God, "let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5.6) .