“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.” (Romans 13:11, KJV 1900)
My wife says that I could sleep through anything. Well, it is not totally true, but close. I guess that it is something I developed in the military. There were times when we would maneuver for two or three days without sleep and when we stopped, I could sleep anywhere in any level of physical comfort. After a short rest, the order would come wake up, it is time to go again.
Physically speaking, there is a limit to our ability to work efficiently and stay alert. Sleep deprivation can take a toll on our ability to function properly. Apart from a shot of adrenaline that the body produces when in a time of crisis, we find it very difficult to function when deprived of sleep.
However, in the Christian life, we are called to stay awake, alert. We have been made soldiers in the faith who are called to be vigilant at all times. Paul calls all believers to wake up, be vigilant, for the day of our salvation (that is our glorification) draws nearer than when we first believed. Therefore, we are to be awake, alert, and guard against the things that wage war against us. We can easily, in a time of spiritual slumber, stumble and succumb to our own fleshly desires.
For this reason, we must stay spiritually alert. Paul goes on to tell us how to stay alert. He tells us to avoid and cast off the works of darkness, and to put on the armament of light (v11). He concludes the thought with this key, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” When we are clothed with Christ, we are spiritually alert and prepared to resist the deeds of darkness.
Renewing the Heart 