Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
There is tremendous spiritual life in redemption truths in the Bible that we can receive life from if we will only obey. Instead of obedience we often live according to the world or carnal. Carnal Christians are described in the Word of God as being asleep Ephesians 5:14, Romans 13:11. They are exhorted in Ephesians 5:14 to arise from among the dead or arise out of their carnality. The metaphor is that if you had a sleeping body (carnal Christian) laying among or next to a dead body you would have to look real close to see any signs of life and they would appear at a distance just like a dead person. While asleep, our walk isn’t what it should be. While asleep, we’re unaware of His time. While asleep, we’re unresponsive to His voice.
Historically, when God’s people have been in spiritual decline, in response to prayer, He has used revivals, outpourings of spiritual rain, times of refreshing, or granted repentance to the acknowledging of the truth to bring them to life again. Repentance often leads to an awakening. We get an awareness of God that shakes us, grips us, arouses us, alerts us, and stirs us. We are awakened to a new beginning of obedience to God.
True Christianity consists of obedience to God, and repentance brings an awakening to obedience. This awakening includes being awakened to our condition and conviction of sin, and as a result, we often begin to lead others to Jesus (Psalm 51:10 13). Where God’s Spirit is manifesting and the full counsel of His Word is preached, we feel conviction; in conviction, we feel our need and repent. If we do not repent, we will not awaken. If we will not awaken, we will not obey. If we will not obey, we will not pray. If we will not pray, we will not work. If we will not work, the lost will not be saved.
Pastor John Rasicci is the founder and Pastor of Word of His Grace Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where we are building people who are building the Church. Pastor's ministry mission is to help people discover God's dream for their Life, the Local Church, and the Last Days' Harvest. With a strong emphasis on the grace of God and with a prophetic voice, Pastor John preaches and teaches in churches, conferences, and crusades both locally and throughout the world. He has produced books, tapes, and other teaching materials to empower, enable, and equip Believers with the Word of God. Pastor John is married to his wife Candy who with their three children, Krista, Joanna, John Anthony, and two son-in-laws, Matt and Doug, serve together in the ministry. After graduating from Kent State University, Pastor John pursued a career in professional baseball before accepting the call to the ministry. He and his wife, Candy, received their ministry training from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
John Rasicci 
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