Now is the time
Gary Waddell • www.iamnotashamed.com • 1/22/2025
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. 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.
(Rom 13:11-12)
Three points come to mind as I read the above verse in God’s holy word.
Awake: As believers we need to awake to righteousness and come out of our sleepy and slothful condition. I hear many believers often repeat the phrase from Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. While I believe that this is so important to us as Christians, I also believe that it is not to be used as an excuse to sit down and do nothing. All of us must awake out of the sleep of sloth and sin in our lives. Remember the foolish virgins in Matt 25:5 ? This verse should be a warning to all of us.
Arise: As we put on the armour of God on a daily basis, let us never neglect our great salvation provided for us by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Heb 2:3) Let us focus on Jesus continually and arise to His commands, especially this one. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) While we know our great salvation is not about works (Eph 2:8-9), we should be workers for the cause of Christ. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (2 Cor 6:1) We must truly believe and have faith that there is nothing else that we have to do for our salvation as a saved people. Rejoice and be forever thankful to the One who has set us free through His blood. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col 1:14). This should make us all arise and jump for joy and give homage to Christ Jesus, our Lord!
Align: Have you ever had an automobile front end out of alignment? It can lead to many problems in the operation and performance of your vehicle. If your life isn’t aligned with Christ, you can expect an excess of problems regarding your life. King David had the right idea. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Ps 119:133) If our lives aren’t aligned with God, we can also expect a plethora of problems. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Ps 143:10) By aligning our lives with Christ, we must first come out of this world. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Cor 6:17)
Now is the time. And it is high time.
Friend, our time is short. If you are not sure where you stand with God, consider this verse. “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2b)
Jesus is waiting. (Rev 3:20)
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless God
