Romans 13:11

DISCOURSE: 1912
THE NEARNESS OF SALVATION A MOTIVE TO DILIGENCE

Romans 13:11. Now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

SO contracted are the views which many have of the Gospel, that they account nothing worthy of that name, except what relates primarily and expressly to the great subject of redemption. But the Gospel comprehends duties as well as privileges: nor can any minister preach it aright, if he do not guard his audience against every species of sin, and inculcate the performance of every kind of duty. Nor are any persons to be excepted from such pastoral charges. The Apostles themselves needed to be warned against hypocrisy [Note: Luke 12:1.] and a recurrence to corrupt habits [Note: Luke 21:34.]: and they also in their turn have transmitted similar warnings to the Christian world in all ages. It was to “believers” that St. Paul addressed the words before us: and I conceive myself to be discharging a most solemn duty whilst I call your attention to,

I. His injunction—

Every believer is prone to relapse into a state of stupor—
[The “wise virgins slumbered and slept,” no less than the foolish [Note: Matthew 25:5.]. The Church of Ephesus, too, amidst their many exalted virtues, needed to be reproved for having “left their first love [Note: Revelation 2:3.].” And who does not feel that the caution given to “the children of light” in the Thessalonian Church, is applicable to himself [Note: 1 Thessalonians 5:2.]? — — — In truth, there are seasons, even with the best of men, when the divine life comparatively languishes within them, and when “the things which remain in them are in appearance at least ready to die [Note: Revelation 3:2.] — — —

This may arise from different causes: sometimes from “the cares of this world” pressing upon the mind; sometimes from “the deceitfulness of riches,” or the gratifications of sense beguiling the soul [Note: Matthew 13:22.]; and sometimes from “the abounding of iniquity in those around us [Note: Matthew 24:12.].” But from whatever it proceeds,]

“It is high time that we awake out of sleep”—
[With all of us much time has been lost: and how little remains, who can tell? At all events we have a great work to do; and no man should relax his labours, till he can say, “Father, I have glorified thee on earth; I have finished the work which thou hast given me to do [Note: John 17:4.].”

I call you then, my brethren, to arise, and “do your first works,” lest God abandon you to the power of your great adversary, and to the evils of your own hearts. If St. Paul felt the need of “keeping his body under and bringing it into subjection, lest by any means, after having preached to others he himself should become a cast-away [Note: 1 Corinthians 9:26.],” think not that such care and such fear are unsuitable to you. To the most stable amongst you I would say, “Beware, lest being led away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness [Note: 2 Peter 3:17.]; and to the most confident amongst you all, “Be not high-minded, but fear [Note: Romans 11:20.].” Let every one of you look to himself, that he lose not the things which he has wrought, but that he receive a full reward [Note: 2 John, ver. 8.].”]

To impress on your minds this admonition, let me call your attention to,

II.

The consideration with which it is enforced—

“Salvation” is the prize held forth to all who believe in Christ: and who shall adequately express or conceive what is comprehended under this term? — — — Yet this, with all the blessedness attached to it, is daily hastening towards you.
You are daily “nearer” to,

1. The termination of all your conflicts—

[Whilst you are in this life, you must of necessity have trials of some kind to sustain. A corruptible crown is not gained without much exertion, much less is a heavenly crown: “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence; and the violent take it by force [Note: Matthew 11:12.].” But “there is a rest remaining for you [Note: Hebrews 4:9.];” and that rest is now very near at hand. Look then at the racer in his course: does not the thought of his having nearly finished his labours animate him to increased exertions? So then should you “forget the things that are behind, and press on to the goal for the prize of your high calling [Note: Philippians 3:13.];” and never think that you have attained any thing as long as any thing remains to be attained.]

2. The completion of all your hopes—

[Soon will God’s work of grace be perfected within you, and “a crown of glory be awarded to you as having been faithful unto death [Note: Revelation 2:10.].” And will you by listlessness and indifference endanger the loss of all the glory and felicity of heaven? Awake, I say, and “run with patience the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of your faith [Note: Hebrews 12:2.].” Make more use of the great principles of the Gospel than ever you have yet done. “Look more to Christ [Note: Isaiah 45:22.]:” “live more entirely by faith upon him [Note: Galatians 2:20.].” Get his image more formed upon your hearts. Live only for him, and “to him [Note: Romans 14:7.]:” and speedily shall you be “seated with him upon his throne [Note: Revelation 3:21.],” and be a joint-heir with him of his inheritance [Note: Romans 8:17.]

But let me not close without a few words to unbelievers—

[If believers need such an admonition as this, what, think ye, do ye need? What words can ever be too strong for you, who have never fled to Christ for refuge, or believed in him for the saving of your souls? Truly your end also is near: but “who can tell what that end shall be [Note: 1 Peter 4:17.]?” Alas! an inspired Apostle declares to you, that “your judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and your damnation slumbereth not [Note: 2 Peter 2:3.].” Surely then “it is high time for you to awake out of sleep;” for, if death find you unprepared to meet your God, your condition will be such, that it would be “better for you that you had never been born.”]