Walking With Jesus (Overcoming Stagnation)Uzorak

Sleeping

“Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” 

1Thessalonians 5:6

Sleeping is the best way to restore the fitness of the human body. All of us need quality sleep to stay healthy. Lack of sleep can make your body susceptible to disease. However, our text above prohibits us to "sleep as others do" (1 Thes. 5:6). Is it true that the Bible forbids us to sleep?

This verse does not forbid us to sleep in the sense of resting our bodies. The context of this verse relates to the "day of the Lord." We must be aware, alert, and ready to welcome the second coming of Lord Jesus.

Many people who claim to be Christians are sleeping. They might be praying, but they don't have the spirit of prayer in their lives. They only say beautiful-sounding prayer words. Others let their minds wander as other people pray. Some people sing in their sleep. While others sing from the heart, the sleeping people only mutter words. They only speak the words with their lips and not with their hearts. It is difficult to recognize that they are still sleeping because they can say words of prayer or words of praise. There is no life, passion, nor zest in them, for they have fallen asleep spiritually.

“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Eph 5:14). This is a firm command for all of us. God doesn't want to find us sleeping when His day comes. That day will come like a thief. It would be sad if we find ourselves "sleeping like everyone else."

Awaken your passion for spiritual things. Be passionate to pray, study the word of God, have a fellowship, witness to others, live for God, and so on. Keep trying to live worthy of being called according to God's plan.

Reflection:

1. Are you sleeping, or spiritually asleep, right now? If so, how long have you been in this situation?

2. How about other people around you? Are they sleeping too? What is your attitude towards what happened?

Application: 

Make sure that you are not asleep!