Awaken From Sleep

Speaking on Romans 13:11-14 yesterday, my pastor used the following illustration (link): just as we "awaken from sleep" or drowsiness by showering and dressing for work, so too, by the word’s washing and the Spirit’s equipping, do we ready ourselves for kingdom work.

Being asleep to the things of God is not just a metaphor for unbelievers who foolishly put off readying themselves for Christ's return until it is too late (Matthew 25:1-13). Believers can also fall asleep in their sanctification (think of Mark 14:32-42 for a more literal example). If unbelievers have to be roused from their sleep by the witness of God's word by God's people, how do we Christians become roused from our sleep?

Along the lines of my pastor's illustration, think of how your leg can “fall asleep” from inactivity. How is this member of the body awakened? The rest of the body moves to wake it up! Christian, are you not a member of the body of Christ? If you are stiff-legged (or stiff-necked!), how can you expect to be roused from your sleep if you have amputated yourself from Christ's body?

 
Church is a blessing for which we should be thankful. Pray for your church and love your church (and go to church!), that you to may be found as armored in light.