March 22, 2023
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. Rom 13:11
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Eph 5:14
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Pro 6:9
March 20, 2023
It is wonderful to be “woke.” The opposite of woke is asleep and we all require good sleep to be effective in our work. Sleep allows time for the body to rest, restore and heal. The enemy deprives his captives of sleep until they do his evil bidding, but God gives His beloved sleep. The good shepherd makes His sheep to lie down in green pastures and he leads them beside the still waters because he cares for them. Sleep is good in its proper place.
There must have been a good reason that Paul’s admonition in Ephesians Chapter 5 was: “Awake thou that sleepest.” He goes on to say arise from the dead. Surely it would be a good thing if one could arise from the dead. The phrase “dead” is not used as one who ceased to breathe. Paul clarifies his admonition: “And Christ shall give you light.” This whole chapter is Paul’s exhortation to the Christian family not so much about sleeping or death as it is about being alert, which is always a good thing. When Paul goes on to say “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools;” then we begin to understand the message. He wants the Christian family to be alert and aware of the times we are living in. That certainly makes sense in these days. He cautions us to “redeem the time because the days are evil.” He admonishes Christians to not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. Therein is the whole message about being “woke.” Nothing bad about being “woke.” Being woke is a reasonable objective for which to strive.
Prior to the admonition to awake, Paul had reminded the people of Ephesus about their prior foolish condition.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph 5:3-6
When we examine the whole of this message and see that Paul is exhorting the people to turn from being sinful to being righteous. We know that is a good message for any day. Why then does the right, Christians, GOP or American Republicans use the word “woke” as a derogative term when Apostle Paul spent so much time telling the Christians better to be “woke” than asleep in ignorance and sin due to the times we live in. It has nothing to do with being political, but everything to do with being biblical. Let’s not omit verse five:
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph 5:6
The reason for the message is the possibility of being deceived by some who would want the people to remain asleep. Why would the Republican congress want the people to remain asleep? The answer has already been given: so that one can be deceived. Attack is always easier when people are asleep. It is amazing that this message defaming wokeness or being alert and wise comes from a people who proport to be Christian when their message is the opposite of Apostle Paul’s admonition.
Paul warned the people to be wise. Wisdom helps us to understand why people who call themselves Christians would teach contrary to scripture. Well, you have it! You had better stay “woke” unless you want to be deceived!
Confusion of scripture is not a characteristic of truth. Christ will always forewarn His people. Long before the Republican congress came into existence, God had a word prepared for this day. Be wise, stay awake and do not sleep through this crucial hour, but redeem the time because the days are evil. We are given a similar admonition from Christ in the story of the ten virgins.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Mt 25:1
Christ’s message was one of always being ready to enter the kingdom. All the virgins had been asleep because it was night. However, the five wise virgins had prepared themselves for the eventuality of the bridegroom coming unexpectedly. It was the unwise that were caught unprepared at the crucial hour so as to not have prepared extra oil for the eventuality of an early arrival of bridegroom. It was Christ who gave the alert to be woke.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Mt. 25:13
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Mt. 24:44
The prize to be obtained was the kingdom of God if one remained awoke and ready to receive. The admonition to be woke is wise advice coming from Apostle Paul and the Savior. Why would you not want to listen to that wise counsel? Stay awake, my friend, and don’t miss the kingdom!
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 