Wake Up!

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #129c Re-Written 22OCT08 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

Gatekeepers—Part Three: Wake Up!

by rev dave c

Romans 13:9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature (NIV).

For over 50 years Western Culture has attempted to establish barriers between various aspects of our existence personally and corporately. “There is my private life, and there is my public life.” “Never discuss religion and politics in polite company.” “Sometimes you gotta’ do what you gotta’ do.” This whole attitude has become increasingly ridiculous in the face of all that we’ve learned scientifically and socially in the past 20 years regarding the intricate, interwoven nature of all aspects of human life. Any affected separation between our physical, our mental, and our spiritual lives is artificial and ultimately destructive. It is time for Christians to wake up to the fact that either what we constitutionally believe will determine how we conduct our everyday lives—or the decisions we make, the social issues we endorse, the entertainment we pursue, the laws we support, and how we make money will shape and define what we actually believe in our heart of hearts.

Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (NIV).

If I believe that Jesus Christ is who He says He is, and that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant Word of God; if I know that real faith is more than just attending Church on Sunday mornings; if I embrace the commandments to love God with my whole person, love my neighbor as myself, and love one another as Christ loves me; if I understand that “obedience is better than sacrifice”—then I must wake up in the realization that I can not change my attitudes and my moral, social, political, and religious positions as I change my work, my public, my casual, and my church clothing. Either my Christian faith is right and true 24/7 under all circumstances, or it is not right and it is not true at any time or in any situation.

Revelation 3:1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels (NIV).

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (Ja 3:11-13; NIV). For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us (Is 33:22; NIV). Amen.