from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for
Awake to Walk in the Light
... May today’s choices reflect the light of Christ and the hope of His coming Kingdom.
Romans 13:11 NKJV (devotion translation)
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.
Devotion:
Today’s Scripture reminds us that every passing day brings us closer to the return of Christ.
Paul calls believers to live with spiritual awareness because the certainty of Christ’s return should shape the way we live today. He contrasts sleep with wakefulness, darkness with light, and the old life with the new. These images remind us that following Christ is not merely about what we believe, but about how we live in response to what we believe.
Spiritual sleep is more than inactivity. It is allowing our hearts to grow dull to God’s Word, becoming distracted by temporary concerns, or settling into patterns that no longer reflect Christ. The Lord calls His people to remain alert, discerning the times, and faithfully carrying out the work He has entrusted to them.
Paul also urges believers to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. This is not accomplished through human determination alone, but through daily surrender to Christ. As we grow in Him, we learn to put aside sinful habits and cultivate the character that reflects His grace. Kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and purity become the visible evidence of a life transformed by the gospel.
The battle for holy living often begins in the mind. Before sinful actions take root, sinful thoughts seek a place to remain. Scripture calls us to reject those thoughts and instead fill our minds with the truth of God’s Word. As we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to resist temptation and to walk in obedience.
Each day is another opportunity to live with the joyful expectation that our Savior will return. Until that day, our calling is not to speculate about the future but to faithfully honor Christ in the present.
May today’s choices reflect the light of Christ and the hope of His coming Kingdom.
Prayer:
Father, awaken my heart to live with faithfulness and discernment. Help me to put aside the works of darkness, walk in the light of Christ, and remain ready for His return. Strengthen me to honor You in both my thoughts and my actions. Amen.
Related Sermon:
Digging Deeper:
- Titus 2:11-13 ↗ - God’s grace teaches us to live godly lives while eagerly awaiting the appearing of Jesus Christ.
- Romans 13:12-14 ↗ - Cast off the works of darkness, put on the armor of light, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 ↗ - Believers are children of light, called to remain spiritually awake, sober, and ready for Christ’s coming.
- Ephesians 5:8-16 ↗ - Walk as children of light, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
- Philippians 4:8 ↗ - Guard your thoughts by dwelling on what is true and pure.
- Colossians 3:1-10 ↗ - Set your mind on things above and put off the practices of the old self.
- 1 Peter 1:13-16 ↗ - Prepare your mind for action and pursue holiness because God is holy.
- Matthew 24:42-44 ↗ - Jesus calls His followers to remain watchful because His return will come unexpectedly.