Over the last 15 years or so, the term “Sleeper Cell” has become widely used to describe unknown terrorist groups planted in the United States. A sleeper cell consists of individuals who, publicly, are known to be fine, upstanding, moral people. A benefit to society, the cream of the crop, others might call them. The kind of neighbor everyone would like to have. But privately, known to only a few, is an allegiance to an ideology that is far from neighborly. In fact, their purpose in life, as a “sleeper cell”, is to provide aid and, if necessary, their life, to terrorism and anarchy.
I’d like for us to consider using the term “Sleeper Cell” in a different context.
Sleeper Cells are in the American Church! No, I do not mean the church is engaged covertly or overtly in terrorism; Jesus sure wouldn’t condone such a thing! Nor do I want to indicate I believe Sleeper Cells are God’s will. Actually, quite the opposite. However, as you and I both know, God’s will isn’t always accomplished!
But Sleeper Cells exist. Maybe you and I, unbeknownst to us, are part of the Sleeper Cell network.
The kind of activity the Church Sleeper Cell is involved in really isn’t a mystery. It may be hard to locate, because the cell members don’t give away their true identity. They couch their words delicately, making sure their true beliefs are not known. Their actions fit in with everyone else at their place of business, and on the golf course. No one can tell they are really a sleeper cell. Why?
Because the cell is hiding under the covers; asleep.
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 NKJV
The Apostle Paul wrote that it was time, 2000 years ago, for the sleeper to awake! There is too much to accomplish in the Kingdom of God.
“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:11-14 NKJV
The Body of Christ, made up of individual members, “cells”, was and is never to be a covert operation. Jesus didn’t die secretly for mankind. God didn’t sneak in and defeat the devil! Scripture says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (the cross).” Colossians 2:15 NKJV
“Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…” Ephesians 5:14-19 NKJV
It’s time to rise up and do the work Jesus has called us to do. “Go into all the [your] world…” It’s time to declare our complete allegiance to Jesus Christ, alone. We are Christ’s Ambassadors! We have been delivered from the authority of darkness and conveyed into the Kingdom of Light and Life. We are no longer our own; we’ve been bought with a price!
This is not the time to be conformed to this world; just fitting in and hiding out until “Jesus comes”. “The righteous are bold like a lion…”, the writer of Proverbs states. That is supposed to be US!
I have never seen, or heard of, a bold sleeper.
Let’s not sleep any longer! Let’s shake ourselves and stand up publicly for what we know to be true.
I believe the Lord is desiring to expose His sleeper cells. Shake them, wake them, use them.
America needs the Church’s sleeper cells to wake up.
What do you think?
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3 ESV)
Jan Grace 