Awake 'O Sleeper

“But all things being exposed by the light are made visible. For everything made visible is light, which is why it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!””          Ephesians 5:13-14 NET

The word 'exposed' also means reproved or disciplined, which I want to discuss today. When the Holy Spirit reproves or disciplines a believer’s behavior or character, it hurts because we don't want to endure the pain of change. However, that is precisely what we are called to become: agents of change.

Christian men and women are not just individuals living in society; we are the living examples of God, embodying a Godly lifestyle distinct from societal norms. This separation signifies our holiness, our unique purpose. Our existence is a testament to God's mercy, as we demonstrate His boundless love through our character and responses to life. We are the living proof of a loving God, inviting others to experience His transformative love.

Our divine connection is affirmed when we are ‘exposed’ by the light. “My child, do not despise discipline from the Lord, and do not loathe his rebuke. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12 NET. This process of growth and change, this journey, brings us closer to Jesus in our words and actions. It is a matter of our heart’s devotion to God; we express that devotion by our willingness to surrender to Him so that He might work through us. Above all, remember that God delights in ‘parenting’ us and letting us know He loves us unconditionally, no matter what.

Everything that is made visible is light—a very peculiar statement indeed, but it makes sense if you consider it. When the Holy Spirit illuminates a flaw in our behavior or character, that flaw becomes light. This is how we become transformed (or transfigured). It isn’t about our efforts to change ourselves; it is God's work, through the Holy Spirit, changing us to become more like Him. Becoming a Christian was never about being a better person or striving to follow rules, laws, or ordinances; it is about dying to self and allowing the Holy Spirit to embody us and change us.

The passage “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!” makes much more sense when you look at it from this perspective: dead to self—alive to Christ. Everything about us as believers is based on what Jesus wants to do with us, where He wants us, who He wants us to interact with, where we should work, where we should fellowship, etc. Our entire lives are under the stewardship of Jesus Christ, which makes life so much simpler and a much lighter burden to bear.

What is the light that shines on us? In ancient times, a shine or shining indicated the presence of a divine being that manifested its presence to us or upon us, and it marked favor with the divine being. In our time, the light that shines on us is the presence of the Holy Spirit. We do not need any divine being (Elohim) to tell us anything about Jesus; we have the scriptures and the Holy Spirit, our light, to show us what the Gospel is. Paul warns us against any deviation from the Gospel: "But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!" (Galatians 1:8-9 NET). His strong language underscores the importance of the scriptures and the Holy Spirit in our faith, leaving no room for deviation.

The word "Sleeper" in the verse above is profoundly meaningful. It signifies our spiritual slumber before the awakening brought by the Holy Spirit. Our spirit is quickened awake upon our first actual encounter with Jesus Christ. At this encounter, we are birthed into the Kingdom of God and ‘born again’ to honestly know ourselves as spiritual beings, not just slaves of the flesh.

The phrase ‘Rising from the dead’ is deeply significant, mirroring Jesus’ resurrection. In a similar vein, we experience a resurrection, not of our physical bodies, but from our old, sinful selves. We are ushered into a new life in Jesus, a life infused with the spirit of God. Our constant companion and guide, the Holy Spirit is always there, ready to lead us on the right path. He resides within us, reviving our spirits and enlightening us about this new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit’s role as a teacher is unparalleled, as He daily works within us, transforming us to be more like Jesus in every aspect.

There is much to discover in these brief verses, and I have only begun exploring its depths. There are numerous treasures to uncover regarding the mysteries within scripture and our connection to Jesus through it.

Stephen Barnett