Awake, Alert and Ready

As a sequel to the last article, “To What End Must We Focus?” I have now sought to reflect on two phrases that we find recurring in the New Testament especially in the context of Christ’s coming – “Be alert!” and “Be dressed in readiness”. What does it mean to be alert? How can we be dressed in readiness?

If one read the previous writing, one would have seen how scripture points to the main focus to which God is working in us. For having sanctified us through the blood of our Lord Jesus and made us righteous through justification, we were set apart as holy for God – a new creation, a people for God’s own possession. Since God is holy, we saw from scripture how the end result of His working in the Church, is that she remain and be ready as a holy, blameless and pure bride, waiting eagerly for the coming of her Saviour, Jesus Christ, her Lord.

In the more recent months and years, the message in various local churches has revolved around the glorious hope of the rapture or the coming of Jesus on the clouds to take up to Himself the Church. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1Thes. 4:16, 17) The eternal God reveals a mystery through the Apostle Paul by telling us that at that time, “we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1Cor. 15: 51-53) It is in this context that the Lord Jesus warns us that some will be taken and some will be left, thus saying. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” (Mt. 24:42)

What does it mean, in practical terms, to be alert? How can this warning of Christ translate into tangible action in our daily life? It is critical and in our own interest that we ensure that we are not just sloganeering this glorious day but are actually watchful in our day-to-day life – awake, alert and ready. Let us consider these three terms, for they are used in scripture in the backdrop of Christ’s coming.

A close look at the context of these terms brings out two conditions that we need to be alert about – one is sin and the other, our attitude in the world. With regard to sin, 1Thessalonians 5:4-11 brings out clearly the distinction between light and darkness, exhorting us with the words, “for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” Paul continues this later with the Ephesians when he writes, “But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:13-17) When we read these portions of scripture with the verses preceding or following them, we quickly realize how slumber can set into our hearts because of sin. However he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God (Jn. 3:21).

The second condition that affects our state of ‘being ready’ for the Lord’s return is our focus. The Lord Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps alight.” (Lk. 12:34, 35) Paul, in much the same vein exhorts the Colossian Christians, “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:1, 2) It is when we do not conform to the world, that there is a transformation in our thinking, caused by the renewing of our minds so that we can test and approve what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2). As long as we romance with the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1Jn. 2:15-17) we stand in danger of being adulteresses (Jas. 4:4) and make ourselves vulnerable to the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2). It would be safe to say that a person in such a state is far from being ‘dressed in readiness’.

Having been chosen by God for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth (2Thes. 2:13) we need to lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and run instead with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:1).

God be praised for with each passing day, we draw closer to the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. However may we not live in deception thinking that having been washed by the blood of the lamb and having been made a child of God, we can live carelessly. We should be careful that we are not like the foolish virgins who were found sleeping and without oil in their lamps when the bridegroom arrived. Lamps give light and its role is to shine before men in such a way that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Mt. 5:16). Let us assess our lives therefore by considering if we bear fruit or are we simply trees with ‘leaves only’ (Mt. 21:19). [Read this with Galatians 5:16-25 and 6:7-9.] How sad it would be if after years of living as a ‘good Christian’, the Lord says, “I never knew you.” (Mt. 7:19-23). 

We are quick to take stock of all that we possess as our assets and closely monitor our profits and losses. If we can be so careful with our earthly affairs, can we neglect that which will last forever – where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal? The Apostle Paul, despite his fervent love and service for God, confessed openly saying, “I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, (and here is the punch) after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1Cor. 9:26, 27). If a man as great as Paul could say this, how much more should we be on the alert, awake and dressed in readiness?

Now if any man builds upon the foundation (which is Christ) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire (1Cor. 3:12-14).  He who has an ear, let him hear.