1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

But you all, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness in order that the day should come upon you as a thief.  For you all are sons of light and sons of the day.  We are not night nor darkness.  Consequently, therefore, we should not sleep as the remaining ones but rather we should be vigilant and sober.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul once more reassures the Thessalonians.  They are not in darkness.  They are not children of the night.  They do not need to be worried about the day of the Lord coming upon them unexpectedly.  It will not come upon them like a thief.  We may not know the day, but we do not need to be worried about being shaken out of our spiritual security.

Why is it good to realize that nothing can pull us out of the hands of God?  Do you ever worry about being caught off guard by the Lord’s return?

Second Thought:

Paul now gives us a phrase that is often repeated.  We are children of the light.  We are sons of the light.  This hearkens us back to the beginning of the Gospel of John when we are reminded that Jesus is the light that has come into the world.  We are in Jesus.  He is the light of the world.  We are His disciples.  If He is in us, then we are absolutely children of the light.

What does it mean to you to be told that you are a child of the light?  Have you ever connected this phrase to the idea of discipleship before?

Third Thought:

So what is the result of our status as being in the light?  We can be confident.  But we should also be vigilant.  We should be sober-minded.  We should make wise choices.  Our actions should reflect God.  We should keep alert for the doors that God opens into our life.  That’s what it means to be a child in the light.

Are you vigilant in your walk with the Lord?  Where are you looking for doors to be opened?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 5:7-11