Are You Woke?
“Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my father and his angels.”
- Revelation 3:4-5
- Revelation 3:4-5
I was asked a question this past week that I have been asked many times, and I want to ask you the same question today: Are you woke? It is a word that seemingly changes definition all the time. It initially started with an awareness to social injustice, but has since shifted from that to now being about political activism. There have been other definitions I have heard along the way. So let’s just create our own definition of woke.
I am woke to the fact that I was on my way to hell and Jesus Christ saved my life. I am woke to the fact that the Holy Spirit of God lives in my life and is leading, guiding, and directing my life, all the while giving me wisdom and understanding. I am woke to the fact that God’s Word is true, reliable, and authoritative in my life and yours. I am woke to the fact that all people are made in the image of God, and they are image bearers of their Creator.
Despite color and creed, there is only one race. It is the human race and God has made us in His image. So when my brother or sister begins to hurt or have heartbreak because they are an image bearer, I am woke to the fact that their suffering is also my suffering. I am woke to the fact that our country needs Jesus. I am woke to the fact that He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
See, no matter what you are going through in life, Jesus is the answer. It might sound cliche, but it is the truth. What you and I need is not a political party. It is not more money or possessions, and it is not a person to walk into our life. We need Jesus. So, I am woke to Him. Are you woke?
I am woke to the fact that I was on my way to hell and Jesus Christ saved my life. I am woke to the fact that the Holy Spirit of God lives in my life and is leading, guiding, and directing my life, all the while giving me wisdom and understanding. I am woke to the fact that God’s Word is true, reliable, and authoritative in my life and yours. I am woke to the fact that all people are made in the image of God, and they are image bearers of their Creator.
Despite color and creed, there is only one race. It is the human race and God has made us in His image. So when my brother or sister begins to hurt or have heartbreak because they are an image bearer, I am woke to the fact that their suffering is also my suffering. I am woke to the fact that our country needs Jesus. I am woke to the fact that He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
See, no matter what you are going through in life, Jesus is the answer. It might sound cliche, but it is the truth. What you and I need is not a political party. It is not more money or possessions, and it is not a person to walk into our life. We need Jesus. So, I am woke to Him. Are you woke?
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6 Comments
I'm a 121.... So yes, I'm woke to Jesus!!!
Would not be woke to any other...Jesus is Lord!!
Good word Pastor Ed! I needed to hear it, Like I need to hear it every day! The fact that the unfortunate part of where I live is that God and the Church have been turned into exactly what Jesus encountered, A Market Place, sad ,but true, and the unfortunate part is that those who are called by God are stifled for not giving in to the agenda's of man! I want to be Woke!
Amen!!! I am woke. Sad for all those who are not and won’t listen.
This writing says it perfectly! The "woke" media, dividing us by race and gender, need to get Ed Newton's message and share it to heal our country.
Compassion is caring, hurting when others hurt, and seeking to understand another person's journey. Pain is caused when another takes sadistic pleasure in hurting others. I have been the recipient of both, and I desire to only give compassion. Jesus gives me more than I deserve, because I only deserve what everyone deserves, however I accept the grace that God lovingly and abundantly pours out on me because I choose His Son and His Spirit to live in me. I believe my best witness of His Love is to unconditionally share the compassion that He pours out on me. If sharing God's love is part of being "woke", then I'm guilty of caring.