God Speaks
When is all this going to happen? I really don’t need to say anything about that, dear brothers, 2 for you know perfectly well that no one knows. That day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “All is well; everything is quiet and peaceful”—then, all of a sudden, disaster will fall upon them as suddenly as a woman’s birth pains begin when her child is born. And these people will not be able to get away anywhere—there will be no place to hide.
4 But, dear brothers, you are not in the dark about these things, and you won’t be surprised as by a thief when that day of the Lord comes. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day, and do not belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Watch for his return and stay sober. 7 Night is the time for sleep and the time when people get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light keep sober, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the happy hope of salvation.
9 For God has not chosen to pour out his anger upon us but to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ; 10 he died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return. 11 So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.
12 Dear brothers, honor the officers of your church who work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. 13 Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because they are straining to help you. And remember, no quarreling among yourselves.
14 Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy, comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Always keep on praying. 18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not smother the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at those who prophesy, 21 but test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself make you entirely pure and devoted to God; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong and blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again. 24 God, who called you to become his child, will do all this for you, just as he promised. 25 Dear brothers, pray for us. 26 Shake hands for me with all the brothers there. 27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the Christians. 28 And may rich blessings from our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, every one.
Sincerely, Paul
Source: The Living Bible: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Regarding the exact details as to when Christ would return, Paul couldn’t say. Although the Thessalonians didn’t know the exact date, they should not be taken unaware, but be prepared by living pure, God-directed lives, loving one another. They were to live no longer in the darkness but in the light of Christ’s love and forgiveness. They could depend on the self-control, faith, love, and hope of salvation provided by the Holy Spirit to protect them. They could encourage each other in the fact that God did not destine them to experience His wrath. Because Jesus Christ died in our place, whether a person is physically dead or alive when He returns, whoever trusts and obeys God will go to live with Him forever. Their pastors and leaders were working hard to instruct them in these truths; therefore, they should be respected and rewarded. Paul promised that the Holy Spirit would enable them to carry out the instructions he listed in verses 16-24.
Prayer: Dear all-knowing and all-loving Father God, only You know the exact time and date Jesus will come back to judge the beings of this world, but it need not take me by surprise. I can be prepared. Thank You that I no longer have to stumble around in the darkness of sin. I can live in the light of Your love and forgiveness. Thank You, Jesus, that because of what You accomplished by Your death on the cross and Your resurrection, I am no longer destined for God’s wrath but for eternity with You. I really want to build up and encourage others, especially the leaders who work so hard to strengthen our faith and direct us in Your ways. Please help me to keep my eyes on You. You always give me something about which to be happy and thankful, and because of that, I can have a positive attitude in the worst of circumstances. I want to continually be in open, ongoing dialogue with You, both speaking and listening. I promise to speak with You about those You have put in charge over me. I also intend to use culturally appropriate behavior to show honor and respect to everyone. As You give me opportunity, I will share Your Word with people. Thank You, Holy Spirit for assisting me in carrying out this assignment. Lord, may Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will ask the Lord to show me where I have been walking in the darkness. Then I will ask Him to help me walk in the light of His presence.
- I will get dressed each morning with the clothing of righteousness, faith, love, the hope of salvation, and self-control.
- I will look for ways to encourage my pastor and other spiritual leaders, then do them.
- I will, by God’s grace, overcome an evil habit I have engaged in for years. (See verse 22)
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.