June 16, 2023 | Be On Mission
Living as People of the Day
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5(NIV)
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Devotional
Quick quiz. What’s the shortest verse in the Bible?
Most people answer, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). And they are correct.
But that is not the only two-word verse in the Bible. Two others are in this chapter of 1 Thessalonians 5.
“Rejoice always” (v. 16) and “pray continually” (v. 17).
Think about that pair of two-word challenges from the perspective of the new believers who lived in the Hellenistic culture of Thessalonica. Reading the entire letter as one, Paul was saying things like this:
Yes, Roman leaders are persecuting you because you reject the Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses. Rejoice always and pray continually.
Yes, Jewish leaders are hassling you because you believe that Jesus is the true Messiah of God. Rejoice always and pray continually.
Yes, you live in a sex-saturated, self-gratifying culture that is pressuring you to conform. Rejoice always and pray continually.
Yes, it seems like you are trying to live in the light of Christ in a very, very dark world. Rejoice always and pray continually.
What good advice. When life is hard, when relationships are fragile, when challenges prevail, when successes are few, rejoice always and pray continually. When you feel blessed, when faith is flourishing, when all is well, rejoice always and pray continually. When you reflect on yesterday, when you press through today, when you think about tomorrow, rejoice always and pray continually.
No matter the circumstances, make it your aim to rejoice always and pray continually. Go ahead and practice right now!
Poem
The Day Of The Lord
We lock our doors for we don’t know
The night a thief might come
We’re ready to keep treasure safe
Destruction kept at bay
We pack our bags for we don’t know
The time of labor pains
Peace and serenity don’t last
Awareness need be full
We tend our lamps for we don’t know
The Day of the Lord returning
So keep alert and sober be
Salvation then obtaining
We show respect for we don’t know
The wrath stored up for sleepers
Let praise be ever on your lips
Pray constant without ceasing
