Wake Up!

2Pe 1:13 “I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder”

In order to understand this verse properly, (the way in which Peter intended for us to understand it) we must look to the original language in which it was written, Koine or Common Greek. The way that it is translated in most Bibles does not sufficiently express the words of the Apostle Peter as he wrote them. “I consider it right”, should actually be translated “I consider it my solemn duty”. Peter not only considered “it” right, but also considered it his duty as an Apostle and fellow Christian. As believers saved by grace through faith, "it" becomes our duty as well. Therefore, we must pay attention and follow the example of Peter. “As long as I am in this earthly dwelling” simply means, “as long as I’m alive”. “To stir you up” is better understood as "to thoroughly wake someone up from sleeping". Have you ever tried to wake someone up that is a hard sleeper? It’s tough. You shake them persistently until they awaken from a state of sleep and become alert. To the sleeper, this seems harsh or even rude because of your insistence that they wake up and get moving. All the sleeper cares about is the sleep that you have so rudely interrupted.

This verse should now read: “I consider it my solemn duty, as long as I’m alive, to thoroughly awaken you from sleep by way of reminder”

In my training to become a Green Beret, I had to persevere through numerous days of sleep deprivation. This training allowed me to react properly, even under physical and mental duress. Unfortunately, there would be times while lying on the ground in a defensive position, that someone would fall asleep. This not only places the soldier, but also places the entire team in a vulnerable and dangerous position. The “team” needs every member alert and awake in order to defend against surprise enemy contact. It then becomes the “duty” of the “team" to make sure everyone is “thoroughly awake”. A sleeping soldier in enemy territory is at risk of becoming a casualty of war.

The believer living in the devil’s world cannot afford to fall asleep. The believer must, at all times, be Spiritually alert. As Christian leaders, it is our solemn duty to thoroughly awaken a sleeping believer by means of encouragement through the Word of God. Whether you believe it or not, as a Christian, you stand on the front lines of warfare everyday; Spiritual warfare. This is referred to as the "angelic conflict." In this daily battle, the enemy wants nothing more than for you to fall into Spiritual sleep. A sleeping believer is absolutely ineffective! In fact, you can’t even afford to be Spiritually groggy! You must remain alert at all times! “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 How many of your Christian friends have fallen asleep in their Spiritual walk? What are you doing, as a soldier for Christ, to awaken them? Or are you becoming groggy in your Spiritual life as well? Remember, as a Christian, you are a citizen of Heaven and not of this world. (Phil 3:20) If you become at home and comfortable in the devil’s world and think that you can have an impact for Jesus Christ, then you are dreaming. If you are dreaming, then you are asleep, and if you are asleep, then you need to WAKE UP. When a Christian loses heart and drifts away from fellowship with God, other believers tend to write them off and forget about them. Peter clearly shows us that it is our duty, as long as we are alive, to encourage the Christians that have fallen asleep Spiritually by reminding them about Jesus Christ. I challenge you to take a leadership role in your Christian walk and wake up a sleeping comrade. God needs them, and we need them to get back in the fight and make a difference for Christ.