WAKE UP!

By Irving Serrano Sr.

 

Have you ever heard the phrase "wake up the sleeping church ?" To speak of the church, is to speak of Christian folks. The people who at one point in their lives accepted Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. We (Christians) however live in a society where not everyone lives by the same standards. Not everyone speaks with a civil tongue. Gods word teaches us to refrain from certain behavior, refrain from malice. To be different. Some Christians go to work, and their co-workers are not aware that they are standing next to a "Christian". Might it be because in today's society, we have let the entertainment industry rule over our thinking? A lot of people just want to be entertained, they want to make appearances. Some people just want to visit a church where they just get their ears tickled. The pastor, or the administration of such church decided, they`ll just hit them with the good stuff; "Oh, God is love", Oh," no weapon formed against you will prosper", Oh, He will make a way for all your needs". In reality, All of Gods word is good. Even the things that hit home. You know the old adage; " If the shoe fits". But some churches prefer to have all the seats filled, even at the risk of not clearly preaching Gods word. They are worried they might offend someone. Could this be why some people have lost the hunger for the things of God ? Some have lost the passion, for living for Jesus ? Some have lost the essence of Biblical Christianity ? Let me ask you, How many times have you heard, or witnessed by someone around you; In that Church the principals of scriptural Holiness are either old fashioned or out of date ? Have you heard people say, how they want to have an incredible worship experience, but show up with no enthusiasm ? How many people have you heard say they love Jesus, and then go out and live for Satan, the rest of the week ? How can one say that the church is important in their lives, but rarely go ? What today`s Christian (church) needs is to rediscover a passionate love for Christ. We desperately need to discover a hunger for God. " Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters, and you who have no money- come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk with out money and with out cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy ? Listen,,, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:1-2 ) This scripture shows that God offers a personal invitation of renewal. To know God, and to accept Jesus Christ, is not just a one time encounter. God is inviting us to have a close relationship with Him, and join Him for a journey. The word come, means to walk or live in a specific manor. God is giving the invitation to come live for Him. In today`s world, we all hear the news. The tragic lost of lives in our schools, and in public places. These terrible things are happening in our Nation. We can also see how bad times are getting in our worldly news. Country's are at war. And our nation is right in the middle of it. If we listen and look at our world with our spiritual eyes. Our Bible tells us that, these things will come to pass. The book of Revelations, tells us all about the things we`ll see in the last days. The very same things we see and hear on the news everyday. "And that knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer then when we first believed " (Romans 13:11 ). The Lord Jesus Christ, who was and is 100% God, left heaven and was born of a virgin, manifest in human flesh, and shed His blood and died our death. And suffered our punishment, so we could be reconciled to Him. And not only this, but He was buried and arose from the dead. The Apostle Paul, says the Lord Jesus, was "delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification" and we have a hope that is sure and steadfast, when He returns for us and just like He was raised from the dead with a new glorified eternal body, so shall we be given a body "fashioned unto like His glorious body". What an amazing, merciful, gracious, loving God we serve. May we constantly think of all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us, and give Him thanks and praise His holy name forever! If there is anyone reading this who has not trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ ? I beg you, do not delay. No one has a guarantee they will be here tomorrow. Now is the accepted time, Now is the day of salvation! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved! 

Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.