Awake, You Who Sleep!

Ephesians 5:8-14

"8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are

exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead,  And Christ will give you light.”"

When you think of one who is asleep, you think of sleeping - a condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended. Or simply said, a natural temporary state of rest during which an individual becomes physically inactive and unaware of the surrounding environment and many bodily functions (as breathing) slow. One is not aware of what is happening around them and they are resting, not physically active or conscious. 

We can fall asleep spiritually and not be aware of our spiritual condition from partaking in the unfruitful works of darkness.  Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are called to be a light to the world, children of light.  Jesus is the light of the world and we are His children.  

Paul wrote this scripture to the Ephesian church while he was in prison in Ephesus.  He wanted to  strengthen their faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church.  It was a letter of encouragement to the believers.  Paul reminds the church that they are in constant battle with darkness and we must have the Holy Spirit to enable us to live God's way.  We must lay aside our evil desires and draw on the Holy Spirit's power to live according to God's will for our lives. 

Paul does not tell us to stay away from unbelievers but not to take part in the lifestyle of unbelievers.  We must lead others to Christ by living a lifestyle that is acceptable to God.  Paul says that it is shameful to even speak about the things that people do in the darkness.  We should be a light to those around us of who God is, how much He loves us, and how we are to live according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Our actions should reflect our faith and God's goodness.  

We are to expose the works of darkness lest we are in agreement.  If we are silent, if could be seen as we are in agreement.  We have fallen asleep if we continue to walk in darkness and not let God lead us into all truth.  We need to take a stand for truth and what is right. "We need to wake up and realize the dangerous condition into which some of them had been slipping." (Life Application Bible, NKJV)  Paul admonished the Ephesians church not to fall asleep and slip into a dangerous condition of going along with the unfruitful works of darkness.  The same is happening today, we must be awakened from sleeping.  

The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.  The unfruitful works of darkness are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit.  We can only have the fruit of the Spirit as we allow the Spirit to lead and guide us.  When we fall asleep, we think that it is okay to do things that are in opposition to the things of God.  We can't serve two Masters and we can't walk in the light and darkness at the same time.  We are just allowing the enemy to fool us.  When we know to do right and don't, to us it is sin. James 4:17 "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

We must wake up and not be tricked by the enemy.  God wants us to walk in the light and allow His light to shine on us.  We have to wake up to the truth and follow Him.  His ways will lead us to eternal life.  He loves us so much and wants to lead us to the truth.  His truth will make us free and give us life abundantly.  

So, Wake Up from sleeping!! Get up and God will shine the light of truth on you.  He is the truth and the light.  Let Him lead you. Don't be unconscious or unaware of the condition of the world or your life.  Jesus is soon to come!!

Be blessed.