Are we asleep? – By Pastor/Elder Brian Nelson

  Posted on July 12, 2023  by   No comments

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as other do, but let us watch and be sober. 

Recently I was reminded by the suggestion from a brother that being saved in Christ is not the end game but merely the beginning.  I was struck by the thought I may be sleeping, or comfortable, instead of watching and growing. Salvation is important for sure but with Gods indwelling Spirit we can now grow in holiness. I know I have heard sermons on this and have read the scriptures such as Hebrews 12:1 … let us RUN with endurance the race that is set before us and “I PRESS ON toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).  But this past week I was convicted by the Word as we studied 1 Thessalonians 5.  Am I comfortable just knowing I am saved?  Or am I continually striving to grow closer to Christ and know Him better through His Word and commune with Him in prayer? 

Let us not sleep…  Think of the term sleep here.  Sleep speaks of so much that believers should not be.  Sleep speaks of apathy, lack of defense, inactivity, not alive.  Those of us who are alive in Christ are called by the will of God to continue to grow in sanctification once saved (1Thess 4:3). We are called to continue to renew our minds and be transformed (Romans 12:2).  Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to maturity.”   As believers we have not reached some goal or area where we can just coast and sit back waiting for Jesus to return.  We are called to strive. Run. Press on. Mature.

Now before the ‘therefore’ of verse 6, we have verse 5 talking about the day of the Lord, or judgement day.  The Word speaks of believers living in the light and contrasts it with those who live in the darkness.  It speaks of Jesus’ return coming as a thief in the night and people saying “There is peace and security”… then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman and they will not escape.  The unbeliever, lulled to sleep by economic peace and security and feeling content in their current state, will the not be able to escape His judgement.   

Brothers and sisters, if we belong to Christ, we belong to the day so let us not sleep but press on in faith and grow in love and hold fast to our hope Christ (1 Thess 5:8).

Humbly submitted,

Brian Nelson