Preparedness. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6.
Dear Family,
Having warned of the imminent coming of the day of the Lord and the surprise it will be for the world, Paul now turns to the believers and their state of preparedness.
The Darkness we Abandoned (v. 4). The reason the world will be caught unawares is that it is in darkness. This is the darkness of perception, where things that may appear obvious to us who are in the light will be completely imperceptible to those in the darkness. Of this Paul says elsewhere, “our gospel… is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
The Day we Adopted (v. 5). Believers on the other hand are children of light. They understand not only the message of the gospel but also the attendant truths related to the fate of those who are not in Christ. Because of the Holy Spirit in us, we can see the outcome of the course that one takes in life. Because we know the truth and are in the light, we must not live as though we were ignorant and in the dark.
The Dream we Avoid (v. 6). Those who are in the dark can sleep and not take precautions, should the thief come. But we of light must be ever alert. Jesus said to us “watch, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). Let us live in the reality of what we know.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.