With ungodliness and worldly lusts surrounding us like never before, it is time to "be sober" and serious! With a journey to undertake, a race to run, battles to fight, and great works to accomplish for the Lord, it is a time for the people of God to "be sober" and serious! Lastly, knowing that the "end of all things" - the end of the ages or the end of our lives - is not far off - it is definitely a time to "be sober" and serious.
May God help us to shake ourselves from any spiritual lethargy or drunkenness that would cause us to sleep when we should be watching unto prayer.
Throughout the Scriptures, we find the exhortation to sobriety. What exactly is it? Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines "sober" as - "being marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor; marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness."
This definition coincides with the Bible definition and is exemplified in the following verses of Scripture:
I Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
I Peter 1:13 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
I Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom ye may devour."
We are to "watch and be sober." In other words, we are to be temperate and abstinent, "avoiding all" temptations to self-indulgence or excess in living. We are to exercise moderation in all things that we possess, and watch against "falling" into a carnal security which leads to sinful unrestraint.
The things of this world must at all times and in ever place be kept "within" certain bounds and under a strict containment, lest they make us "insensible" of our Christian duties or the dangers that inclose us.
We are to be serious, thoughtful, and attentive in considering the truth and the present issues that surround us, "unfailingly" watching against a "spirit of levity, frivolity, and vanity" which would distort our view of the times in which we live.
We cannot afford to ever allow our senses to be lost - as that of a drunken man - with the cares and concerns of this life.
Lastly, we are to "live soberly." This means that we are to bring "every temper, appetite, desire, passion, and inclination under the government of the Holy Spirit."
Are we as Christians exercising sobriety in our everyday lives? Are we living "soberly" in this "present world"?
To what extent are we temperate, moderate, and self-denying in our use of the things of this world? Where are we guilty of excess? What do our checkbooks portray - moderation or excess? What about our credit or debit cards? Are we exercising restraint in what we eat and drink, what we purchase, what we read, what we indulge in as a hobby or activity, what we think about, or how we spend our time?
The major issue is - are our lives under control? And whose control might that be?
Are we serious and thoughtful about the present-day matters that face us? Or do we look at life as being one happy-go-lucky sitcom or comedy show?
Do we allow ourselves quiet time to reflect on the grave matters of God's Word like souls dropping into hell every second or other such weightier subjects as a literal place called Hell and the terrible Wrath and Judgment of God? Or are we always looking for Christianity to be a joy-popping hoopla where nothing is ever negative and everyone is having a good time and enjoying the great big party called Salvation?
The Holy Ghost is calling His people to sobriety like never before. He is drawing them from the levity, frivolity, and vanity of this world and awakening them to the seriousness of the hour in which we live.
For those who haven't yet realized it, life is no joke! We cannot afford to sleep or fall into a spiritual giddiness in this late hour. The Scriptures repeatedly call out to every believer - "Be sober...live soberly." We are admonished to flee from lavishness, extravagance, and excessiveness, lest it pull us away from our Christian duties and obligations. "We must be alert! We must be on guard! We must stay awake!"
Sin and temptation beset us. The false prophets in the land are seducing God's people with a false security, crying out - "Peace and Safety" - while the sound of thunder, marking God's Judgment, is rolling on the horizon. Many are idle and careless about their Father's business. They have been sidetracked or distracted by Satan's "idle dreams" and are in no way reflecting on eternity or making the necessary preparations to meet their God.
Nowadays, many consider the "grace of God" as a license to sin rather than the power of God to live above sin in thought, word, and deed. Therefore, "ungodliness and worldly lusts" abound in the midst of the Church.
No matter what men say - the "grace of God" teaches otherwise. It teaches us to "live soberly" in this "present world." Hence, anyone truly walking under the umbrella of God's grace will strive to subject every passion, affection, and preference to a very strict restraint.
During the time of Christ they would wear long, flowing robes at times which were then tucked up in a girdle when they were about to engage in certain activities. The Apostle Peter used this illustration to depict how the believers were to "gird up the loins of their minds" and "be sober" at the start of their designated duties.
We have a destination to reach, a race to run, many battles to fight, and a job to fulfill. None can be accomplished if our minds are free to roam. Just as the garments were tucked up and held by a girdle, even so must our thoughts be kept in check - ready, prompt, and prepared for the various obligations on hand. At no time can they be neglected due to a careless, carefree, playful, or sluggish attitude.
Nothing jerks us into the reality of needing sobriety in our lives quicker than the chilling fact that "we have an enemy who is active, subtle, fierce, ruthless, strong, and resolute on destroying our souls." The Scriptures inform us that "as a roaring lion," who is roused with hunger, he "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." There is never a time that we can let down our guard. We must remain "sober" and under the control of the Holy Spirit, lest at any time we yield to fleshly desires and give the opportunity to our "adversary" to swallow us.
Lastly, we can never presume concerning the duration of life. No one is promised tomorrow. Our days are as a "shadow" and an "handbreadth," short and swiftly slipping away. None knows when they will be called to stand before their Maker in Judgment. Peter says it this way:
I Peter 4:7 "...the end of all things is at hand..."
Because the "end" is soon to occur, what are we instructed to do? Laugh, "carry on," and have a good time? No, on the contrary, "be ye therefore sober..."
This is not to say that God does not want His people to be joyous, filled with exuberance at the sight of His mighty works, or to laugh and enjoy good times together with others. He takes great pleasure in seeing His people full of joy.
Nonetheless, there are some who would pervert Christianity to be an experience which only includes an atmosphere of "partying and celebration with no concept of seriousness, contemplation, moderation, restraint, control, labor, duty, responsibility, and accountability." This error needs to be corrected, lest some fall away from the Faith under false misconceptions.
A call for sobriety in these Last Days is coming from heaven.
It will be those who will have the grace to "endure to the end."
The times are swiftly changing. We must change with them. We must adjust. If running with the horsemen wearies us, then how will we be able to"
Jeremiah 12:5 "contend with horses"
We must live simpler and under the strict control of the Spirit. We cannot hold anything tightly that is temporary or of this world. We must Pray! Pray! Pray! We must Watch, Pray, and Be Sober! 
 Send E-mail to Russ: webslave for Christ ( russ@jesuswept.com ) with questions or comments about this web site and it's content. Last modified: 12/11/2002 |
