Ephesians 5: 14 - 16 > Christ shall give you light
| Awake, Christ shall give ye light |
| Ephesians 5: 14 - 16 ( King James Version ) |
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| Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and rise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light |
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| Verse 15 > See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, |
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| Verse 16 > Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. |
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| Ephesians 5: 13 - 17 ( New International Version ) |
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| 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" |
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| verse 15 > ABe very careful, then, how you live - - not as unwise but as wise |
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| verse 16 > making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil |
| verse 17 > Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is. |
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| Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy |
| Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit, and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to answer His expectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through His grace strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as cumberers of the ground. Yet the case of even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those who have slighted God's mercy and abused His grace, the heart of long-suffering love yet pleads. "Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, . . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5: 14-16. Great Controversy, page 601.2 |
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"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." This is a time when every member of the church should be waiting, watching, and working. Through faith in Jesus Christ we should be alive unto God; and every man, woman, and child, who has a knowledge of truth, should be able to discern the signs of the times. The weakness and inefficiency of the church must pass away. Creative power from above must impart life to the human agents whom God would use, that they may be able to co-operate with divine intelligences. The church to whom God has imparted his endowment of heavenly truth must not remain dead in trespasses and sins. {RH, January 17, 1893 par. 1}
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| If we would refresh others, we must ourselves drink of the Fountain that never becomes dry. It is our privilege to become acquainted with the Source of our strength, to have hold of the arm of God. If we would have spiritual life and energy, we must commune with God. We can speak to him of our real wants; and our earnest petitions will show that we realize our needs, and will do what we can to answer our own prayers. We must obey the injunction of Paul, "Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." {RH, April 22, 1884 par. 12} |
| What we need now is Calebs, men who are faithful and true. Indolence marks the lives of too many at the present day. They turn their shoulders from the wheel just when they should persevere and bring all their powers into active exercise. Ministers of Christ, "awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Your labors taste so strongly of self that Christ is forgotten. Some of you are pampered and flattered too much. As in the days Noah, there is too much eating and drinking, planting and building. The world has stolen the energies of the servants of Christ. Brethren, if you would have your religion honored by unbelievers, honor it yourselves by corresponding works. By a close connection with God and a strict adherence to Bible truth in the face of difficulty and worldly pressure, you may infuse the spirit of the truth into the hearts of your children so that they will work effectually with you as instruments in God's hands for good. {5T 134.4} |
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| The salvation of souls will be the constant aim of those who are abiding in Christ. But what have you done to show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness? "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Shake off this fatal infatuation that benumbs your senses and palsies the energies of the soul. {5T 367.2} |