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.

To What End Must We Focus?

It is sometimes necessary to remind ourselves of the end result of God’s working in us while on this earth. This helps not only to refocus but also to provoke us to press on in order that we may lay hold of that for which we also were laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Php. 3:12). The need for this reminder is now further accentuated when we consider the lives or focus of Christians today.

Scripture reminds us that like the Holy One who called us, we too must be holy ourselves in all our behaviour (1Pet. 1:15); for without sanctification, no one can see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). But blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Mt. 5:8).

To what end is God working in us then? Paul explains this simply. “Christ who loves the Church gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, that He may present her to Himself as a radiant church without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25-27).

The Apostle John follows the writings of Paul in the same vein by saying, “We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as He is pure” (1Jn. 3:2, 3). Peter continues to exhort us in much the same way when he writes of the coming of the day of the Lord saying, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God…” (2Pet. 3:11, 12) All these passages tell us very clearly to what end God is working within us.

If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come (2Cor. 5:17). We have been washed and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1Cor. 6:11). Now having been made the temple of the living God, we are exhorted to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2Cor. 6:16 to 7:1). Pursue the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord urged the writer to the Hebrews (Heb. 12:14). For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. Consequently, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to us (1Thes. 4:7, 8).

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh; but to the Spirit, to walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:12, 4). Let us with all ferventness present ourselves to God as those alive from dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness to God (Rom. 6:13). For the time will soon come when it shall be said, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” For at this time it will be given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Rev.19:7, 8).

The scripture has very clearly revealed the end result of all the preparation that is going into the Church, the body of Christ. Faith in and dependence on the Great Reality; Obedience and submission to the will of the One who sits on the throne; prayer and the reading of the Word; all these will and must culminate to the final result – made ready in all holiness as we wait for the coming of our Saviour. It is in such a state that the praises and worship of Christ’s redeemed ones rises as a fragrant aroma to the Holy One who alone is worthy – in spirit and in truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers (Jn. 4:23). [Read this with Rom. 12:1 and Eph. 5:1,2.]

Now to Him who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to make us stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24, 25).     

Direction from God's Word

Every new year is an uncharted and unknown sea. No ship has ever sailed this way before. The wisest of earth's sons and daughters cannot tell us what we may encounter on this journey. Familiarity with the past may afford us a general idea of what we may expect, but just where the rocks lie hidden beneath the surface or when that "tempestuous wind called Euroclydon" may sweep down upon us suddenly, no one can say with certainty....

Now more than at any other time in generations, the believer is in a position to go on the offensive. The world is lost on a wide sea, and Christians alone know the way to the desired haven. While things were going well, the world scorned them with their Bible and hymns, but now the world needs them desperately, and it needs that despised Bible, too. For in the Bible, and there only, is found the chart to tell us where we are going on this rough and unknown ocean. The day when Christians should meekly apologize is over—they can get the world's attention not by trying to please, but by boldly declaring the truth of divine revelation. They can make themselves heard not by compromise, but by taking the affirmative and sturdily declaring, "Thus saith the Lord."

An extract from "This World: Playground or Battleground?" by Dr. A W Tozer

There Are No Insignificant Christians

One of the heaviest thoughts that can visit the human heart is the insignificance of the average man. Seen against the long procession of the ages and the countless multitudes of people who have inhabited the earth, we are each one no more than a grain of sand on the wide seashore.

It takes some reflection to make this appear to our minds as it really is. The human ego may be counted upon to accent our individual worth and to give a false permanence to what is anything but permanent. A man in his pride may feel himself to be so important that it is hard for him to visualize the world as continuing to endure after he is removed from the scene; but all we need to do is wait. Time will grind him to dust and toss him to the winds; his friends will disappear one by one from their old familiar haunts, and there will be no one left to remember him. The passing generations will sift over him layer upon layer of forgetfulness, and he will no longer have any earthly meaning. He will cease to be a name and will become merely a statistic.

This consideration, if no other, should dispose us to embrace the message of Christ. That message is so full and comprehensive that it is never possible to state in one paragraph or one page or one volume all that it is. It is doubtful, in fact, whether all the world could contain the books if the whole wonder of the gospel were to be written. But not the least among the benefits of the cross is its dignification of the individual.

No matter how insignificant he may have been before, a man becomes significant the moment he has had an encounter with the Son of God. When the Lord lays His hand upon a man, that man ceases at once to be ordinary. He immediately becomes extraordinary, and his life takes on cosmic significance. The angels in heaven take notice of him and go forth to become his ministers (Hebrews 1:14). Though the man had before been only one of the faceless multitude, a mere cipher in the universe, an invisible dust grain blown across endless wastes - now he gets a face and a name and a place in the scheme of meaningful things. Christ knows His own sheep "by name."

A young preacher introduced himself to the pastor of a great metropolitan church with the words, "I am just the pastor of a small church upcountry." "Son," replied the wise minister, "there are no small churches." And there are no unknown Christians, no insignificant sons of God. Each one signifies, each is a "sign" drawing the attention of the Triune God day and night upon him. The faceless man has a face, the nameless man a name, when Jesus picks him out of the multitude and calls him to Himself.

No doubt we grieve our Lord by thinking of ourselves as less than we are in the plan of God. In ourselves we are nothing, and the vast gulf of forgetfulness toward which we were heading was the proper place for us. We had earned no share in God's interest, no place in His affection; our sins had forfeited any claim we might have had upon God as Creator. But the blood of the everlasting covenant has changed all that. Our claim is that of a child upon his Father. We have a right in the Father's household, and we can sit down at His table without fear or embarrassment. In the kingdom of God we signify.

Taken from, "We Travel an Appointed Way" by Dr. A. W. Tozer  

Humility Wins Where Force Cannot

In the kingdom of heaven, weak things become mighty and mighty things often prove to be useless. God seeth not as man seeth, and the things that are held in high esteem among men may be scorned by the Most High God, maker of heaven and earth.

That carnal courage so prized in the kingdom of Adam may be the direct cause of constant and humiliating defeat among Christians. God will not be under the necessity of using fleshly means to accomplish His spiritual ends. The bold “strength of character” which helps men to forge to the front, to get the best jobs, to overawe their opponents, may stand squarely in the way of all efforts to progress in the life of the Spirit. God still gives courage to the faint, and He knoweth the proud afar off.

From Adam we inherit the instinct to meet our enemies head on, to try to win by direct assault, and it is only after many shocking failures that we learn that victories are not so won in the realm of the spiritual. The carnal approach usually does little more than to alienate the enemy still further from us and, worse than all, it puts us in a position where God cannot help us. The enemy never quite knows how to deal with a humble man; he is so used to dealing with proud, stubborn people that a meek man upsets his timetable. And furthermore, the man of true humility has God fighting on his side – who can win against God?

Strange as it may seem, we often win over our enemies only after we have first been soundly defeated by the Lord Himself. God often conquers our enemies by conquering us. He defeated Esau by defeating Jacob the night before on the bank of the Jabbok. The conquest of Esau took place in his brother Jacob. It is often so. When God foresees that we must meet a deadly opponent, he assures our victory by bringing us down in humbleness at His own feet. After that, everything is easy. We have put ourselves in a position where God can fight for us, and in a situation like that, the outcome is decided from eternity.

Taken from, "We Travel an Appointed Way" by Dr. A. W. Tozer