PART ONE: THE UNAWAKENED BELIEVER.
It is not enough to believe, but there are many believers in the church who have not been awakened. They have never had an encounter with the living Christ’s spirit because they have never sought him with all of their heart. They were happy to have a quick-fix that the church has offered the world since the 19th C. There are varying degrees of belief towards Jesus in the Gospels of the N.T.
Many religious have never heard the call of Christ. They may read the Scriptures and attend Christian worship services. One day listening to the Bible based preacher there comes a personal response of the believer. He/she is suddenly arrested by the challenge to follow Christ and do His bidding. His whole being is awakened into the reality of Christ’s presence and he/she becomes an ardent follower or disciple.
Unawakened souls are not disciples of Christ, merely religious. They may be in the church, but they do not have God’s presence WITH THEM and are not yet His SHEEP.
The unawakened believer has no knowledge of the Scriptures and finds the Bible a mystery which he does not understand.
The unawakened person is classed as a walking dead, or ‘dead man walking’. The unawakened believer needs not to procrastinate too long or the day of grace may pass too soon.
The unawakened person may well have knowledge of creed, confession, and written articles of faith, such as baptism washes away sins.
Awakening does not happen at one’s own behest or the will of the preacher. It is at God’s behest alone. No decision, prayer, water, wine or wafer can compel God to awaken the lost soul, dead in sins and trespasses. The four stages of belief in the New Testament are the unawakened, the awakened, the enlightened, and the illuminated believer.
BIBLE REFERENCES.
John 6:44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:
John 6:65 … no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 10:16. And other SHEEP I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice.
1 Corinthians 15:34. AWAKE to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Ephesians 5:14… AWAKE you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
Romans 13:11. …it is high time to AWAKE out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
James 2:19. …the devils also believe and tremble.