Hand On The Cradle!

Relaxation. Peaceful rest. It is good for the body, the mind, and even the spirit. It plays a role in the renewal process. However, we can leave ourselves in a position of getting too much of this good thing -- especially in a spiritual sense -- if that is where we remain! It is far too easy for us to be lulled into complacency and then inactivity. Someone has stated, “The devil is never too busy to rock the cradle of a sleeping saint.” [source: “sentence sermons”] In Matthew thirteen, Jesus told a parable illustrating the sowing of the devil going on while the sowers of the good seed slept. (note Matthew 13:24-25, 38-39) We need to remain AWAKE to the fact the devil continues at his work!

The church at Sardis received the following warning.
“(1) And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (2) WAKE UP, AND STRENGTHEN WHAT REMAINS and is about to die, for I HAVE NOT FOUND YOUR WORKS COMPLETE in the sight of my God. (3) Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. IF YOU WILL NOT WAKE UP, I WILL COME LIKE A THIEF, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” ( Revelation 3:1-3 ESV)

Has our consciousness been lulled to the point we have lost a sense of diligence with regard to watchfulness for our own lives as well as having lost a sense of urgency with regard to the souls of others? Can the Lord look at us and also declare, “I have not found your works complete”? Like those at Sardis, do we also need the admonishment to WAKE UP? We can become so comfortable with the way things are going in this world that we lose our concern for upholding righteousness and the salvation of others.

Paul exhorted…
“‘AWAKE, O SLEEPER, AND ARISE FROM THE DEAD, AND CHRIST WILL SHINE ON YOU.’” ( Ephesians 5:14b ESV)

In his Roman letter we also read…
“(11) 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. (12) The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” ( Romans 13:11-12 ESV)

It may be later than we think! Let us not be lulled to sleep while the devil continues his work of drawing souls away from God. Rather, let us exercise due diligence in the work God has called us to. Our own soul and the souls of others are at stake and “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” May we remain WIDE AWAKE to these truths!

Have a great day ALERT AND ACTIVE IN THE WORK OF GOD!
Carl

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