" And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to
awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than
when we believed." (Romans 13:11)
In the verse above, Paul exhorts us as Christ-followers to wake up from our slumber or sleep.
Here we would like to examine five kinds of sleep from Bible .
1. Death: Death is also equated to sleep. When Lazarus
was dead, Lord Jesus said that he was asleep. Spiritual
death is also a sleep. As Satan has blinded the spiritual
perception of people, they are asleep and would go into
everlasting sleep unless they turn to Lord Jesus Christ.
Awake to wake up many from eternal death.
The first and foremost awakening that should happen in a
Christian’s life is to wake up a person’s life
from the spiritual slumber, by sharing Gospel. When one
accept Jesus as Lord and savior with repentance and
humility he/she awakens from eternal death to life.
So the Church must awaken to wake up many from eternal death to eternal life.
2. Trance: Peter went into trance, where he was
physically sleeping but spiritually seeing God speaking to
him through a dream. That changed his perception about
the Gentiles. Therein, he was awakened to recognize other nations (groups of people).
This trance is good for His kingdom. Peter is a good
example, he was not able to understand the truth that all
people are created in the image of God irrespective of
their nationality. Up until this trance, he was not considering the salvation of
other people outside of Israel. The Lord had to wake him up with a trance that
changed his perspective or attitude towards other people.
The Church must wake up and go to other nations.
3. Deep sleep: Jonah after fleeing on a ship to Tarshish
went into deep sleep. He was not bothered or disturbed by
the commotion due to storm, wind, waves and shrieking cry
of the people. He was shaken out of sleep, when he
confessed his fleeing attempt from God’s plan.
Likewise, the Church must awaken to obey His commands.
God has great purpose for his people. He could use
humble, simple people to fulfill his great, wonderful
purposes. He wants us to wake up and obey the purpose
behind His call in our life, Go and preach the Gospel to
whole world.
4. Careless sleep: Samson slept in Delilah’s lap not
knowing that he was losing the indwelling presence of the
Holy Spirit and his power. When he woke up he not only
lost his physical strength, but also his spiritual
prowess.
The Church must awaken to God's purposes.
When using all our energy, knowledge, time, resources,
talents for Godly purposes, we find our true purpose in life. For that purpose,
God filled us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
5. Drowsiness: This is lack of mental alertness. Or it
could be described as state of inactivity. Others may
think the person is awake and alert, but in reality, he
would be sleeping.
The Church must awaken to multiply Talents.
Some people are careless and negligent in their lives.
Like the person with one talent in the Parable of
Talents; many in the Church dig, bury and hide their talents instead of having
an attitude to utilize and multiply them. Be alert to share what God
has given us.
Now we are one year closer to Jesus' return. Let us be
conscious about the time and act accordingly. Let the Church awaken from her sleep and live to spread a passion for His glory as faithful servants.
awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than
when we believed." (Romans 13:11)
In the verse above, Paul exhorts us as Christ-followers to wake up from our slumber or sleep.
Here we would like to examine five kinds of sleep from Bible .
1. Death: Death is also equated to sleep. When Lazarus
was dead, Lord Jesus said that he was asleep. Spiritual
death is also a sleep. As Satan has blinded the spiritual
perception of people, they are asleep and would go into
everlasting sleep unless they turn to Lord Jesus Christ.
Awake to wake up many from eternal death.
The first and foremost awakening that should happen in a
Christian’s life is to wake up a person’s life
from the spiritual slumber, by sharing Gospel. When one
accept Jesus as Lord and savior with repentance and
humility he/she awakens from eternal death to life.
So the Church must awaken to wake up many from eternal death to eternal life.
2. Trance: Peter went into trance, where he was
physically sleeping but spiritually seeing God speaking to
him through a dream. That changed his perception about
the Gentiles. Therein, he was awakened to recognize other nations (groups of people).
This trance is good for His kingdom. Peter is a good
example, he was not able to understand the truth that all
people are created in the image of God irrespective of
their nationality. Up until this trance, he was not considering the salvation of
other people outside of Israel. The Lord had to wake him up with a trance that
changed his perspective or attitude towards other people.
The Church must wake up and go to other nations.
3. Deep sleep: Jonah after fleeing on a ship to Tarshish
went into deep sleep. He was not bothered or disturbed by
the commotion due to storm, wind, waves and shrieking cry
of the people. He was shaken out of sleep, when he
confessed his fleeing attempt from God’s plan.
Likewise, the Church must awaken to obey His commands.
God has great purpose for his people. He could use
humble, simple people to fulfill his great, wonderful
purposes. He wants us to wake up and obey the purpose
behind His call in our life, Go and preach the Gospel to
whole world.
4. Careless sleep: Samson slept in Delilah’s lap not
knowing that he was losing the indwelling presence of the
Holy Spirit and his power. When he woke up he not only
lost his physical strength, but also his spiritual
prowess.
The Church must awaken to God's purposes.
When using all our energy, knowledge, time, resources,
talents for Godly purposes, we find our true purpose in life. For that purpose,
God filled us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
5. Drowsiness: This is lack of mental alertness. Or it
could be described as state of inactivity. Others may
think the person is awake and alert, but in reality, he
would be sleeping.
The Church must awaken to multiply Talents.
Some people are careless and negligent in their lives.
Like the person with one talent in the Parable of
Talents; many in the Church dig, bury and hide their talents instead of having
an attitude to utilize and multiply them. Be alert to share what God
has given us.
Now we are one year closer to Jesus' return. Let us be
conscious about the time and act accordingly. Let the Church awaken from her sleep and live to spread a passion for His glory as faithful servants.
