Awake, O Sleeper

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The text above also appears in the hymn by the same name (UMH 551). It is a reminder that through Christ, the dead are raised. It is true of people like Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter and all who were dead in sin and raised to eternal life through Christ. Sin condemns us to permanent death at the end of our body’s life. Christ is the source of the resurrection that God the Creator has in mind for all. Yet, resistance to God and God’s precepts separates us from the source of eternal living. Through His death and resurrection, Christ breaks down the barrier of sin if one allows it. Accepting one’s guilt before the Holy God and then accepting God’s propitiation, who is Jesus Christ, opens the floodgate of the LORD’s grace. [Sin = death. Repentance + Acceptance = Grace and eternal life]

    The followers of that pattern of salvation become Christian disciples. As such, they no longer live for flesh destined to decline, die, and decay. Instead, the disciple is focused upon Heaven and resurrection life. He/she lives now in preparation for then. Therefore, discomfort and frustration, disdain and persecution, and other discipleship consequences are viewed as temporary obstacles on the Way of Christ. The call to those who are dead in sin is a call to attend to a matter of eternal consequence. 

    The extent to which one is willing to strive for heaven-readiness is another matter of similar significance. A man or woman who says, “I have repented and accepted Christ” may still be living for the flesh because acceptance of a gift was as far as he or she was willing to go. Nevertheless, the gift of a new, eternal life comes with expectations, chiefly devotion, and loyalty to the life-giver, Jesus Christ. It is what is meant by calling Him “Lord.” Therefore, Christ calls out to his heirs, “Awake, O sleeper!” What are the signs that Christ’s disciples are sleeping? Here are a few suggestions: 

Do they pray often and sincerely?

Do they strive to obey Christ’s commands?

Here’s a useful list - LINK 

Do they meet regularly with other Christian disciples for edification and encouragement?

Do they give sacrificially of their time, talent, and treasure? 

Do they take responsibility for and risks in living and proclaiming the Gospel? 

Do they submit to false gods such as social standing, riches, toys, habits, and lusts?

Do they feel conviction when receiving the Word of the LORD? 

Do they feel the compulsion to change for the sake of the LORD?

The hymn based on the passage above reminds us in the final verse, “For us, Christ lived, for us, he died and conquered in the strife. Awake, arise, go forth in faith, and Christ shall give you life.” It is a call for us to go forth and join Christ in all that He does in and through us. It is a call to be united with other awakened sleepers in living for an eternal purpose more than for temporary flesh.