Romans 13:11

Devotional
Jesus repeatedly told His followers to watch, stay awake, and be ready. Why? Because spiritual sleep is dangerous. Most people don't suddenly decide to walk away from God. Drifting usually happens gradually. We become comfortable. Then distracted. Prayer becomes less important. Scripture becomes less important. Worship becomes routine. Compromise becomes easier. And eventually, our hearts become spiritually cold. You can be surrounded by Christianity and still become spiritually numb. You can sit in church and stop listening. You can sing about surrender without actually surrendering. You can become so familiar with the things of God that you stop being amazed by God Himself. Paul's words are simple: Wake up. Jesus is coming. That isn't a message designed to create fear. It is a call to faithfulness. Don't sleep through what God is doing in your life.
 
Read the Context
Romans 13 NIV
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c]
Footnotes

1. Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
2. Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
3. Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.

 
Make it Personal

• Where have I become spiritually comfortable or distracted?
• What is one area where God may be calling me to wake up?

Sample Prayer
Father, wake my heart up. Forgive me for the times I have become comfortable with my faith. Restore my hunger for Your Word, prayer, worship, and Your presence. Help me recognize the things that are distracting me from You. Keep me spiritually awake and faithful until Jesus returns. Amen.