Christ the Spiritual Light
A. Gilmour. Ephesians 5:14 Why he said, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. I. THE CHARACTERS HERE ADDRESSED. "Asleep," "dead" — expressions applicable to the natural state of man. II. But to such THE GRACIOUS INVITATION is given — "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." This invitation or command, very naturally divides itself into two branches — the external call of the gospel, and the internal call of the Holy Spirit. III. THE PROMISE that is made — "And Christ shall give thee light." We have already observed, that sin has darkened the understanding, depraved the affections, and rendered us insensible to every form of moral worth. It is altogether the result of Divine power, therefore, to enlighten the understanding, to purify the heart, and to bring us into subjection to the obedience of Christ. In closing our discourse, we observe — 1. That none will be able to urge, at the last clay, that they were compelled to sin, or prevented from forsaking it, by the providential arrangements of God. 2. Nor can you say that you have not sufficient means and opportunities for obtaining the blessings of redemption. 3. None will be able to say that they humbly, earnestly, and perseveringly sought the assistance of the Holy Spirit, without obtaining it. 4. Neither can you plead your inability to obey God, as an excuse for continuing in sin. (A. Gilmour.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. WEB: Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."