by E. W. Rogers (England)
Romans, chapter 13, deals with the believer’s relation to the State. He is called upon to be subject to the existing powers, to pay taxes imposed on his person, property and merchandise, to pay honour to those who hold honourable office, and to love his fellow-man. “And that knowing,” adds Paul, anticipating the inquiry, “How long have we to be subject to such a ruler as Nero?” And many times since has such a thought arisen in the hearts of saints living under cruel despots. Paul answers by telling them:
That the “night is far spent and the day is at hand.” Darkness has been on the face of the earth ever since Satan fell, though from time to time God has intervened in one way or another speaking, “Let there be light.” He did so at the beginning. Later, the presence of the Shekinah glory brought light within the dwellings of God’s ancient people. Later still, the “Dayspring from on high visited us” when the Son of God became incarnate. He was, while in the world, the “light of the world,” but when Judas did his nefarious work “it was night” and from thenceforward it has been “night.” yet in the midst of the darkness there have been lampstand-churches, and luminary-believers: and into our hand has been put the “lamp of prophecy.” But, brethren, the night is far spent, and “the day” is at hand. To “that day” Paul made constant reference. Twice he spoke of it in his last recorded letter, 2Tim.1.12, 4.8. He tells the Corinthians that the day will be “revealed in fire” trying their spiritual work. He calls it “the day of Christ” and other like phrases. We are those who long for the morning: “weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.” it is not far off now; the night is far, far advanced: the day is dawning. Paul takes advantage of this to remind the saints of their
“It is time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Put in plain English that means “It is time to wake and get up.” Ponder Canticles 5 and take good note of the grievous experience of the bride due to her having slept. Remember the ten virgins, all of whom “slumbered and slept” and not until the midnight cry was heard did they awake. What difference, indeed, in appearance or usefulness, is there between a dead man and a sleeping man? No wonder the Spirit calls upon us thus: “Awake thou that sleepest and arise from among the dead and Christ shall shine upon thee.” Sleep and drunkenness belong to the night; intoxication renders men as insensible to their surroundings as are those who sleep. “Therefore let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.” The final consummation of “our salvation” in the redemption of the body and our rescue from the coming wrath is much nearer than when we believed. That cannot be gainsaid. Time marches on, bringing us ever nearer the ultimate goal. Paul follows this with a
Three times does he say “Let us.” Let us put off our night attire: let us put on our day armour, for life’s journey is a fight, and let us walk honourably and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, so that as others behold our conduct they will see in living action the display of the moral glories of our Lord Jesus. They cannot see Him but they do see us. What do they see? A sleeping Christian indifferent to (because unaware of) the plight of the lost around? Or do they see a “drunken believer” saturated with the things of this world so that he neither has time nor heart for the welfare of others? Or do they see an armour-clad believer, fighting the good fight, pressing the battle to the gate and releasing those who have been taken captive by the devil?
It is, indeed, high time that we were all awake and up.