Awake From Sleep

Can you believe it; some people in our churches are asleep, as far as spiritual things are concerned?  Some people in the Ephesian church had the same problem with this too, they were being lulled to sleep and some of them probably didn’t even know it.  The sad thing is it is happening today just like it did back then.  How many just go with the flow, accepting anything they hear without ever questioning anything because if you speak up you are afraid you will offend someone if you tell them the truth?  How many today are on their Ipads or their Iphones, checking out Facebook or texting, while the pastor is preaching and not really paying attention to what is being said?  If you just go through your Christian experience that way it is sort of like being in a spiritual sleep and if you don’t take time to study for yourself, you could easily be deceived.  

How can we live as a child of light and what does God’s Word say about this?  Let’s take this a little at a time, for the whole chapter speaks about this topic.  Read Ephesians 5:1-6, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

Who should our example be and who should we emulate, or act like?  The answer is God, and we also need to walk in love like God and His precious Son Jesus, who willingly gave His life for us, did.  We need not to conform to the world by living ungodly lives because we have been set free of those things the world celebrates as good far too often.  Be careful not to let anyone deceive you with cunning words that may draw you away from the Lord.  If you don’t know what God’s Word says you can easily be drawn into error; there are so many voices out there and many of them are trying to draw you away from the things of the Lord and the truth of His Word!

Read what Romans 1:32, says “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

These people knew that what they were doing wasn’t good but they wanted to do it regardless of the consequences.  How many in the church today do things they know they shouldn’t do, making excuses for them and some of what they are doing may even take their lives.  They know God doesn’t want them to do it but they don’t care because they want to do it more than they want to please God and they also approve of others when they do what they shouldn’t because it makes them feel better about themselves.  The Ephesian church had been asleep and needed a wake-up call as so many of us do, and make no mistake, Paul was talking to the church and not to unbelievers!!

Now read Ephesians 5:7-16, “Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Paul wanted these believers to wake up and redeem the time before it was too late because the days they lived in were evil.  But that is also a lesson for us, because all you have to do is listen to the news and you know what kind of a world we are living in.  It is not that we can’t know the Word because there are so many resources that are available today, but people don’t take advantage of them and they need to.  For those that know the Word, they need to do more than just know it; they need to start living it by putting it into practice.  If we procrastinate, someday we may not have these resources and then what will we have to rely on.  I feel that unless Jesus builds the house we labor in vain that build it and I think that pertains to every avenue of our life.  But we cannot sit back and do nothing and expect the Lord to do it all.  Someday we may be the only Bible that someone will ever hear because Bibles may be outlawed; so don’t take your freedoms for granted, wake up before it’s too late.

Now read verses 17-20 of that same chapter, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul didn’t want the Ephesians to be unwise and we better make sure that we are not unwise either.  Let’s face it, if we are not careful we can all be lulled to sleep if we let our guard down, but none of us have to be because if we are believers we have the Holy Spirit living within us and we can overcome with His power.  Jesus overcame and with His help we can overcome also, praise the Lord!!  If you get drunk on wine the outcome will be very negative and harmful in the end, but when you are filled with the Spirit and walking in Him it will be a very positive experience.  Remember this, God is working all things out for our good according to His purpose in our lives, so don’t forget to give Him thanks and praise, for He is worthy!!  Something to think about and may you have a super day.  May the good Lord bless you and yours with His perfect peace, love and joy!!