Awake o sleeper, heaven is calling

Remember when you were little, how you would brag to your friends about the Christmas presents you received, and then you would show them your new gifts? You felt pretty good in that moment; you were proud.

We received the best gift through Jesus: atonement for our sins and a new life. Yet we don’t brag about that or even portray the joy we have found in Jesus. We should have the same child-like joy about our salvation in Jesus as we had with a Christmas gift. We should embrace the new life God has given us and let go of the old us.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:14

14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Before we look at what Paul wrote, let’s situate ourselves. Paul wrote the Book of Ephesians, which is essentially a letter from Paul to the Church in Ephesus (now Selçuk in modern-day Turkey). Paul shared the Gospel in Ephesus until he was imprisoned for sharing it. Yet Paul continued to share the Good News from prison. In his letters to the church in Ephesus, he talks about the Gospel and how we are supposed to live our lives with Christ at the centre of it.

In verse fourteen, Paul wants us to rise from the dead and embrace our new life, “the old has gone, the new is here”. We are no longer spiritually dead and bound to sin. Thank You, Jesus! Not only do we have a new life, but we get to experience God’s light, the peace and joy that only He can give us. We get to live in this light and live it out.

So, we have a new life, but how do we live like a new creation?

Paul carries on in verses 15-20, where he explains how we should live.

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. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must live wisely because the days are evil. Paul warns us that people will be lovers of themselves, proud, without self-control, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). We must be aware of this and make the most of every opportunity to give glory to God.

Instead of being drunk and filled with things of this world, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we are filled (to the brim) with the Holy Spirit, there won’t be space for pride, pleasure, or covetousness. When filled with the Holy Spirit, we want to glorify God and sing of His goodness. We want to encourage those around us and give thanks to God. After all, how can you be filled with the Holy Spirit and made new, yet you have an ungrateful heart?

We are no longer spiritually dead. We get to live in His light and live out the joy and peace we found in Him.

Heaven is calling you. Wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead. The old has gone, and the new is here!