1st.Thessalonians 5:1-24 "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and Safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that Day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep. as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love: and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For GOD has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO died for us, that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with HIM. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you. Quench not the SPIRIT. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very GOD of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray GOD your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Faithful is HE that calls you, WHO also will do it."
The Scriptures continually instruct believers to "watch and be sober," and our text for today emphasizes this divine injunction (v.6). Watching is the opposite of sleeping, and no Christian should be found spiritually slumbering as the time of our LORD JESUS CHRIST's return draws nigh. We are to watch for HIS return, watch for the cunning entrapments of Satan, and watch for any opportunity to serve.
Nevertheless, it is painfully true today that most believers are asleep; few are truly watching. The LORD does not leave us in the dark about what is coming and why (vv.1-5). Therefore, any believer who finds himself in darkness (ignoring or not understanding GOD's instructions) must be awakened to the fact that his darkened state is self-induced. GOD's light is readily available in HIS WORD, but the sleeping saint cannot benefit from it because his spiritual eyes are closed. What a tragic and unnecessary situation !
How can we determine whether we are awake or asleep ? The deciding factor is not how we feel or what others may think but whether or not our walk and witness conform to the light of the WORD. Verse eight makes it clear that believers who are awake will "be sober"; they will be wearing "the breastplate of faith and love" and the "helmet of salvation." They will be comforting one another and edifying (spiritually building up) each other (v.11 pictured above). They will be appreciative of and submissive to the faithful overseers (Pastors) GOD has given them, and they will be at peace among themselves (vv.12-13). Are we awake today ? If so, then we will be watching for our SAVIOR's return and living each day like we truly believe HE could come even right now !
Believers who are watching for their LORD's return will also be diligent in warning others for the dangers that can stumble those who are not walking in the light. Christians who are awake will do their best to rouse all who are slumbering. GOD specifically instructs "watching" believers to "warn them that are unruly" (v.14 pictured above) -- those who walk contrary to GOD's WORD, that is, disobedient brethren (2nd.Thessalonians 3:6). "Watching" believers will also "comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, [and] be patient toward all men" (v.14). Though some believers knowingly rebel against the revealed will of GOD, others are "babes" in CHRIST who have never been given the "strong meat" of the WORD. Some of these saints are the victims of compromising Pastors and leaders who remain silent about the "wolves in sheep's clothing" that are decimating the flock. Be caring and longsuffering when alerting the unwary; your patient concern and exhortation may just be what finally awakens them to the truth.
In our sincere desire to see the salvation of unsaved friends and loved ones, we must never forget that they are "dead in sins" (Ephesians 2:5) and "blinded" concerning the Gospel (2nd.Corinthians 4:4). We must not fault them for their lost condition nor for their inability to respond to what we know is so important. In love and patience we must keep giving them the simple, pure good news that is able to give life and light. Likewise, as we seek to awaken sleeping Christians, we must manifest longsuffering and concern for ones who do not wake up immediately. We must watch and warn, but we also must exercise compassion for those who are in serious need of awakening (Jude 22).
In addition to "watching" and "warning," we must add "waiting" to the list of actions that the faithful believer is to take in these last days when opposition to the truth is becoming increasingly more vehement. The Christian is not waiting for the world to get better or for the message of the cross to become more popular; he is, however, anxiously awaiting "the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST" (v.23 pictured above) and the fulfillment of all HIS great and precious promises. All that the LORD has promised in HIS WORD to the believer will one day be fully realized when he stands before the SAVIOR at HIS appearing. GOD has called us to glory, and at that wonderful day of HIS return, HE "also will do it" (v.24); that is, the LORD will bring to pass our glorification: the promised end of our "so great a salvation" (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:3).
We must keep in mind, however, that we are not to be idle while we wait for our faith to be made sight. In the meantime, we are to be rejoicing, praying, giving thanks, yielding to the HOLY SPIRIT, studying the WORD, testing all things according to the Scriptures, and holding fast to the truth (vv.15-21). We must seek to walk on a set course that is considerably different from that of this present evil world. Anyone who purposes to obey the command to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (v.22) will necessarily find himself at odds with those who are happy with the broad way. We cannot obey today's text in our own strength, but "faithful is HE that calls you, WHO also will do it" (v.24) -- GOD will enable us. We must not quit or even hesitate to move forward in our Christian walk; it will be worth it all when we see CHRIST. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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