"You snooze, you lose!" is often playfully exclaimed by children to express a missed opportunity. While some opportunities we can afford to miss, there's one we better pay close attention to. Without exception, let us not neglect the gracious opportunity to know God which is a sacred and time constrained occurrence. Miraculously, the knowledge of God opens our dim eyes to Truth. In order for us to acquire Truth, we must first pull out of our pernicious slumber. Wrestling against our comforts and apathy, we must discipline ourselves to read the Word of God and we must want it!
The alarm is sounding and it's time to wake up! Adamantly pull out of your comfort for the bed you're sleeping on is a bed of death and destruction. “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14B ESV Among the sacred writings, we find several places in scripture that earnestly warns us to be alert and sober minded which is indispensable for our lives. Salvation is at hand and what a dreadful day it will be for those found sleeping. According to the research conducted at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "During most stages of sleep, the thalamus becomes quiet, letting you tune out the external world." During sleep, your heart rate reduces and your brain waves become slower. You become unaware, dreaming about realities that likely don't exist. While in this state, your logic and reasoning are not fully functional as you are in a false reality with a heart operating a minimum capacity. Similarly, the unrepented are unaware of true realities. They fail to see the light of the gospel while clinging to a perishing world. "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 ESV For only Truth can wake us up and shine light so that we see clearly.
Pursue Truth. Christ's words to those who believe in Him are, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8: 31B-32 ESV Truth is exclusively found in the Word of God. When we search the scriptures, we find that we are instructed to abide in His Word! Your very life depends on you knowing Truth. Despite all human effort, apart from the Word of God, you find fallacy, distortion, deception, and darkness. There is power in knowing Truth which so few realize. Those who do not gain the knowledge of this essential Truth are deceived and led astray. They lose their substance. They lose their lives.
In the book of Matthew, we are told about two blind men who followed Christ and cried out “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” They wholeheartedly cried out for healing which we likewise ought to do! They desperately wanted to see. "Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be it done to you.' And their eyes were opened." Matthew 9:28B-30A ESV Our blind eyes are opened once we want to see! Do you want to see? Do you want Truth? “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" Matthew 6:22-23 ESV What have you set your eyes upon? To set your eyes upon Truth, the Word of God, is to bring life and light to your body and spirit.
When the Lord comes, we can't be found sleeping. We must purposefully seek Truth now by studying His Holy Word. By the grace of God, let us yearn for Truth! For to live in darkness only ends in tragic consequences. Because of His great love, The Lord desires for us to have sight. For it is through sight that we get to behold Him! And once we behold Him, we'll never be the same. Do not remain asleep. This is your wake up call!
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