SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1315

“Awake”

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. – 1 Thessalonians 5:6

I served in the Navy during the Vietnam era, and I dare say that I found the time following the end of the war to be the most dangerous. Without an imminent threat from an enemy, people became complacent and less watchful. General Quarters drills were not taken seriously and people on night watch were not diligent in their duties. We were highly vulnerable.

As I reflect on this time, I cannot help but see a corollary with the spiritual condition of far too many people, Christian believers, and non-believers alike. Our Lord and Master is ‘a long time in coming’ and we have become complacent and oblivious to the threat before us.

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. – Matthew 25:5

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

In our reference Scripture, Paul exhorts the church to wake up.

‘Let us not sleep’ – Paul uses this metaphor to caution us to remain vigilant in our relationship with Jesus. In this context, sleeping is being indifferent to adhering to Biblical Christian morals. It is speaking of faith but having no actions of service to corroborate it and having religion without a relationship with Jesus. Sleeping indicates remaining ignorant of the Word, being satisfied to be ‘bottle fed’ by an occasional sermon and living a compromised worldly lifestyle.

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. – 1 Corinthians 15:34

‘Let us keep awake’ – Paul exhorts the people of the church to be the watchman – not just the Pastor. Like the sailor on night watch needs to sound the alarm when danger approaches, we need to rouse those who have become complacent and lethargic in their Christian walk. We must stop diluting the Truth of the Word of God and preach the whole counsel of the Word, boldly declaring sin to be sin without fear or reservation.

Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. – Mark 13:33

I have made you a watchman… Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. – Ezekiel 3:17

‘Let us…be sober’ – Paul is not telling us to be sullen. He is exhorting us to avoid a hedonistic lifestyle, indulging in the pleasures of this world at the expense of our relationship with Jesus.

But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. – Luke 21:34

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man… Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. – Matthew 24:38-42

Living in a worldly stupor dulls our spiritual sensitivity to the imminent and sudden return of our Lord.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. – Romans 13:11

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:13

If you are ‘on the fence’ about deciding to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, now is the time to choose eternal life through Him. He is the only way.

If you are a Christian still living a compromised lifestyle of worldly stupor, now is the time to awake.

When your time in this temporary life comes to a sudden end, or Jesus suddenly comes for His church, you want to be among those who are clothed in His righteousness.

Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, so that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! – Revelation 16:15

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness – Isaiah 61:10