If I didn’t meet with the Lord every morning, and if I didn’t
spend time with other Christians, my spiritual life would ebb too. It would not
disappear completely, but I would display less evidence of the Lord in my life
and slide into a state of thinking and talking much as those who do not know Christ.
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
The New Testament warns Christians to stay alert. The
admonition to “be sober” means be discreet, watch, pay attention, and in this
verse is not about sobriety from avoiding too much alcohol. A similar Greek word
is used for “fasting” —abstinence from food or drink, but like “sober”, it can
also mean the mental attitudes that come with fasting for spiritual reasons. Being
circumspect and vigilant come to mind.
Today’s devotional reminds me to guard against that
sleepy, undisciplined life that dozes off instead of remaining engaged with God
and the pursuit of godliness. I need to be vigilant. It is one thing to lose my
battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, but quite another to be
unaware that there even is a battle.
Spurgeon comments on how to stay awake. He focuses on the
need for fellowship where Christians communicate together the ways of the Lord.
He quotes a line from Pilgrim’s Progress where “Christian” and “Hopeful” journey
toward the Celestial City and agree, “To prevent drowsiness in this place, let
us fall into good discourse.”
In Christian circles, getting together for a coffee and
chatting about life in general is often confused with fellowship. Biblically, and
in my experience, fellowship is less like that and more like Spirit-filled
people sharing the life of Christ with one another. This can be verbal where we
speak of how God is working in our lives, or we pray together. However, fellowship
may not be about words. Spirit-filled believers can express the attributes of Christ
in other ways. Some examples are being patient, taking care of needs, teaching
truth, comforting, and so on. All of these things encourage that spiritual wakefulness
that God wants us to have.
Spurgeon also says that if I isolate myself too much, I am
liable to grow drowsy. Good Christian company can keep me awake. Yet on the
other hand, if I spend too much time with sleepy believers, I’m often affected
with the same affliction. We are united in Christ and need to be careful that
we do not slide from that into being united in drowsy apathy.
This reality admonishes me. My wakefulness is as vital to
them as theirs is to me. Each believer needs to be refreshed and encouraged to
make effective progress in spiritual growth. While all of us are on the road to
Heaven, genuine fellowship can ease and stimulate the journey and keep the love
of Christ flowing outward from our hearts and into the lives of those around us.
Lord, sometimes I get spiritually sleepy and tend to
blame others for my decreased vitality. Instead of doing that, I need to be a source
of vitality for others. Keep me awake, alert and obedient. Help me know when someone
needs to hear words about Your goodness and love, or needs to experience
actions that demonstrate Your grace. Grant me creative ideas to stay awake and
help others do the same.
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