Sleeping With Eyes Open

October 13

(Acts 20:9 NIV) “Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.”

(Romans 13:11-14 NIV) “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. {12} The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. {13} Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. {14} Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

(Revelation 3:1-3 NIV) “To the… church in Sardis… I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. {2} Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. {3} Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

There are some today like this young man who fell asleep, tumbled from a third-story window, hit the ground, and died. They have been asleep and have fallen hard. They are part of the living dead and need a resurrection. They need Jesus to breathe life into them, or they will be lost forever. But there are also many in the church today who are sleeping with their eyes open. They have received that touch from Jesus, and they have the appearance of being awake, but they are asleep in the light. Jesus may have opened their eyes once, but their ears and their hearts have been disengaged for years. They no longer hear the word of the Lord. They no longer see His glory. They no longer feel the Spirit moving. If this describes you -- if you were alive to Christ once, but have been sleeping in church with your eyes open, God says, “Wake up!” Spiritual sleep walking is dangerous. Wake up! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day