Sleeping Through the Storm

 

When the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.  Jonah 1:5

 

“Christian, are you sleeping?” The teacher was asking the class studying Jonah to apply the verses that tell about Jonah being fast asleep in the inner part of the ship.  He was oblivious to the storm while the rest of the sailors were fighting to stay alive.

One of the ways she applied this was to ask if we were asleep while abortions are being performed and while the country allows many unbiblical practices to become mainstream and acceptable?  Abortion, pornography, pre-marital sex, homosexual marriages, foul language, mocking Christianity, the list goes on.  How many of us are asleep, allowing this to happen without a fight?

As Christians it seems we think that the Law of God is only for us, that we should not speak the Truth to those who do not already believe it. When the Bible spells out right and wrong, it is for everyone’s good, not just the Christian’s. It is a selfish thing not to inform others of what pleases or displeases God.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18,” Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

It is important for Christians to be in the world and not of the world.  Being separate does not mean always being absent. It means that we won’t always look like the rest of the world or talk like them.  It means that we will stand firm for the Truths of the Bible in the face of opposition.  We will do the right thing when others do the wrong thing.

Like Jonah, are you and I sleeping below deck while the world mocks the Lord above it?  Are we worshipping the God of the universe on Sunday but living as a part of the world the rest of the week?  Do others know we are Christians? Is our faith obvious?

Jesus makes it clear that if we will not stand firm for Him then He will not stand firm for us at judgment.  Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Christians, are we willing to stand firm for the Law of God in the face of those who would put it away or dismiss it?

What does God want you and me to wake up and do for Him? There is a storm is upon us.

 

Be strong and courageous.  Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6