for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Paul now gives us the reason—“because it’s disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret”. Although the word here means “hidden”, or “in a secret place”, we only think that things are done in secret, for they are always known to God. Psalm 138:7-12 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there…We cannot hide anywhere from God, trying to conceal our deeds from Him. The more that we labor under the delusion that we can hide from God, the worse that we’re going to act! It’s the knowledge of our accountability before God, that our deeds will be ultimately exposed, that keeps our sinful flesh in check! (1 John 3:2-3). We need to point them to Jesus, the light, and walk as Sons of Light ourselves John 12:35–36 35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also, the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light. We cannot remain in darkness 12:46 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness. Instead we are to allow God to shine His light through us, and be this light in the darkness. God made us for this purpose.
5:13 “but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, –Believers have now been commanded to refrain from participation in the unfruitful works of darkness, have been called on to expose those works, and have been given the reason for exposing them. Paul now explains what will happen when those works are exposed, saying Everything exposed by light becomes visible.“visible, manifest” so that “all that is in it can be plainly seen.” Light uncovers, discloses the truth; Mark 4:22 21 And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. All things will be revealed, so don’t do anything that’s going to make you ashamed. Likewise, those who do what is true come to the light in order that their deeds accomplished in God may be clearly seen. John 3:19-21. 19 And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.” So, it’s not only the evil deeds, thoughts and words done in secret that will be made visible, but also those wonderful things motivated by the Holy Spirit, and done for the glory of God, people will see our good works now, and glorify our Father in Heaven, and then see them revealed in their full glory in Heaven!
for everything that becomes visible is light–Some translations say for everything made visible becomes light, which profoundly describes our role as lights in the world. Once our own lives are illuminated by truth and righteousness, we have the potential to radiate that light to others. By acknowledging our imperfections and allowing the light of God’s grace to shine through us, we can become beacons of hope and inspiration in a world shrouded in darkness. Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
5:14 Therefore it says, ‘Wake up, O Sleeper,and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. The main idea is restoration of Christians who were copartners with the unfruitful works of darkness, being lulled to sleep by the siren song of the world. Paul urges his readers to imitate Christ, which involves living a godly life and avoiding sinful deeds. Spiritual sleepiness means that we’re not paying attention to anything, we are not being diligent in our relationship with Christ. If we are in a sound sleep, our minds are “dead to the world.” We are not aware of anything that is going on, even of the passage of time.
How Do Christians Fall Asleep?
Instead of pursuing their relationship with God, some Christians fill their lives with worldly pursuits and ideas that shape their thinking and beliefs. So rather than growing spiritually closer, they become insensitive to His leading in their lives and to what is happening spiritually around them.
Beware of Missing Out–Sleeping Christians miss out on good things God has for them here on earth. 1 Tim 6:17 urges, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.A sleeping believer is also missing out on future rewards. The Lord will reward each of us for whatever good we do, but Christians who are operating in sleep mode aren’t about doing good.In Rev 22:12 Jesus says, Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
2. Resist Prayerlessness—We are urged to devote ourselves to prayer and watchfulness, but sleeping Christians aren’t alert to the enemy’s plots and scheme 1 Pet 5:8 warns Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Dozing off means believers aren’t praying for God’s direction, protection, and leading in their lives, leaving them open and vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. Much like the disciples sleeping when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked them why they could not be awake at that critical hour and urged them to watch and pray that they might not enter into temptation
Be Wary of Following the Crowd- Christians are warned about getting caught up in the crowd and pursuing a lifestyle based on the world’s leading rather than asking God to direct their steps. 1 Pet 2:25 For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
4. Avoid Being Unprepared-Jesus wants us to prepare for His coming urging, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” Matt 24:44
5. Look Out for Loved Ones–If we’re asleep, then not only are we not paying attention ourselves, we’re of no help in keeping other people awake, and equally importantly, we’re of no help in shining our light to a bunch of earth-dwelling sinners, headed for hell. A large portion of the church has been lulled into worldliness through being more concerned with ordinary, self-centered, secular pursuits than with the spiritual work of God. Jesus’ warning in Luke 21:34-36—”take heed to yourselves” and “watch . . . and pray always”—is absolutely essential. 34 “But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
In his letter to the Romans, Paul gives a similar exhortation to the “sleeping” Christians: “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11–12). Awaken to God’s truth through the power of the gospel. Second, it emphasizes the importance for believers to live sober, vigilant, godly lives.