Now is the Time to Work!

This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”   Ephesians 5:14

As we read in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for every activity under the Sun. However, my friends, I urge you to look around you and consider the times In which we live.  Now is definitely NOT the time for us to be idle and complacent.

While it is not scripture Edmund Burke spoke the truth when he said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

He says it differently, but Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians shared a similar sentiment.

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

He also similar urged the Hebrew believers,

“Do not neglect to do good,”  Hebrews 13:16

Brothers and sisters, many of us as individuals and sadly many of our churches have become just like Ezekiels’s valley of dry bones. But, just like Ezekiel I prophesy to dry bones and say, “Come together, come to life and receive the life giving breath of His Spirit.”
(Ezekiel 37)

Now more than ever, it is time for our actions to speak even louder than our words. NOW is the time for our works to be an expression of our faith. It’s time for our deeds to declare the reason for our hope. It’s time, as Jesus himself said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

PLEASE respond to his urging.

PLEASE heed the warning.

Wake up!

Shake off your weariness!

Throw off every sin and every other hindrance!

Let’s get to doing the work to which we have been called and for which we have been prepared.

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1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
[14] And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Ephesians 5:14-18 NIV
[14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Hebrews 13:16 AMP
[16] Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.

James 2:17-18 NIV
[17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. [18] But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
[1] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Ezekiel 37:4-6 NIV
[4] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. [6] I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

John 13:35 NIV
[35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Hebrews 12:1 NIV
[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,