"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
The believers in Thessalonica sought information about when Christ will return. As we have seen, Paul answers the more important question of the who will be with Christ when He returns, rather than the when. Those who are clothed in Christ's righteousness look forward to glorification with Christ instead of the wrath that is in store for unbelievers. Paul continues in these verses to present the true hope of every believer. Let us look at it together.
In Christ Alone
There are many that teach that it does not matter who one believes in, we are all heading for the same place. That it makes no difference if you worship Jesus or Allah, all are going to go to heaven. Then there are those that do not believe in an afterlife at all that say when we die, that is it - total annihilation for all. These teachings have also unfortunately made their way into the church. There are some well-known pastors and teachers aligning with those of other faiths and saying that we will be seeing them in heaven.
The truth of the matter though is that salvation is through Christ alone. Peter declares this emphatically when he and John were arrested and brought before Annas and Caiaphas in Acts 4 when he said, "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name [Jesus Christ] under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
Paul reminds the Thessalonians here that they have already obtained salvation through Jesus Christ.
Through Christ's Death Alone
Paul also reminds them that they have obtained their salvation through Christ's death on the cross. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 that, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." This coming from a man who had previously considered his works to have been of utmost importance, and as a requirement for acceptance by God (see Philippians 3).
Unfortunately there are still people that teach a works based salvation. That we will make it into heaven if we live upright, moral lives. It makes no difference to them who they worship, as long as they fill their lives with good works. If that is true, then atheists will be in heaven with us. This is a clear contradiction of Scripture.
Therefore Live For One Another
Therefore Paul can say that since our salvation is through Christ and His death alone, we are all parts of the one body. Whether in the grave or still walking this earth, all believers past, present and future are part of the body of Christ. But we must not rest on our laurels and live for ourselves. No, our being a part of the body means that we have responsibility to the body, which Paul spells out in verse 9 - to encourage and build one another up.
Life in Christ is not about me. It is about Him and others. It is a life of giving up of oneself for the building up and betterment of others. It does not matter how you feel about them, whether they irritate you, or if they say and do things that are not the way you would say or do them. Rather it is about putting aside your preferences and desires for the sake of others. This is yet another aspect of what it means to make disciples.
Are you building others up in their faith? Have you come alongside other believers in order to strengthen them? Do you care for those spiritually "younger" or "weaker" than you? For as Paul reminds us here, it is our responsibility to build God's Kingdom and not our own.
Just a Thought!
© 2013
"But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8)
The first three verses of chapter 5 seem to not be filled with good news. As pointed out last time, Paul's point is that we are to be prepared for Christ's return. In those verses Paul describes what the people of the world are living like without that expectation. In these next five verses however, Paul looks at how we as believers are meant to be living during this time of expectation, and he begins it by using two words that bring in the contrast, "But you." Let us look at this contrast together.
Be Children of Light
Those in the world are not living in the light of Christ, but rather in the darkness of not knowing Him. The concerns that the Thessalonians, and indeed any who struggle with the "when" question as discussed last time, are not living as Children of Light. They are worried about things that should be of no real concern to them. When is only important in that they should be living with the constant expectation that it could be today.
As children of light we live knowing Jesus personally. With Him guiding us and teaching us, we have no need to fear the things that those in the darkness worry about. If we truly know Christ as we should, we will be ready even if He returns the moment you finish reading this paragraph. But those that walk in darkness have every reason to fear, for if Jesus should return today, they will stand condemned before the judgement seat of Christ.
Paul does not go into detail on how to live in the light. Rather he assures the readers that they already are, and therefore do not need to worry themselves about how to live in a dark world.
Be Fully Aware
Those who live in the darkness often times seem to be living fuller and more enjoyable lives. They drive the latest and fanciest cars, they live in luxury, and have fun doing it. Paul knows however that looks are deceiving. In reality those that live in darkness are deceived. They have no security for eternity. They are drunk and asleep in a dark world that is going to be judged when Christ returns. Therefore, why imitate them? Why desire what they have in this life?
As children of light we are to be aware of the dangers that lurk around the corner. We are to follow the light of Christ as it lights the way that we are to go, and to see the pitfalls that we will fall into should we follow the ways of the world. To Paul, how one perceives the end times actually impacts how one lives today. If you live with little or no regard for eternal life or judgement, why not just do as you please today? But if you know that a glorious eternity is waiting if you walk in the ways of the Lord, then how you live today becomes important.
Be Clothed in Spiritual Armour
Paul uses the image of being properly clothed a number of times throughout his epistles (cf. Romans 13; Galatians 3; Ephesians 6; and Colossians 3). In comparison to most of those passages though, this is not a command to "put on", as in Ephesians 6, but rather reminds us that as believers, faith and love have already been put on (v8). This therefore gives confidence to move forward. Christ has already clothed us with the armour that we need to be able to walk in light.
Those living in darkness do not comprehend the severity of living as such. They have no idea of what it will mean for them at the end. However, as Christians we do. The question is, are we showing those in darkness the Light of Christ? Are we living in faith and expressing His love to them? Are we drawing them into the Light?
Just a Thought!
© 2013
"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
There are many theories and teachings around today concerning the end of the world. From the Biblical to the bizarre, there are so many theories today that one can so easily become confused as to what will happen in the last days. You have Amillenialism, Premillenialism, and Postmillenialism. Then there is Pre-tribulation and Post-tribulation. All of which makes the whole thing sound like A-Pre-Post-erous concept. What then is the truth? What will happen in the last days?
I am not going to cover any of these teachings here, but rather we will look at the things that are certain from our text above. Join me as we look hopefully towards that glorious day of Christ's return.
Christ's Return - Date Unknown
It is natural for us to wonder when Christ will return. Daniel wondered "how long?" (Daniel 12:6), as did Jesus' disciples (Mark 13:1-4). Daniel and the disciples had the luxury of asking "heavenly beings" the question, in hopes that they, being sent from the throne room of God itself, would be able to answer. Looking at how Paul handles it here is would seem that the believers in Thessalonica had the same question - when will Christ return?
Paul's answer though is not what they would have expected. Instead of giving them a date and time, or even an indication of how many years, Paul in a way tells them that it is the wrong question to ask. They should not be concerned about the specific date, but rather to be ready all the time. Why? Because His return will be like a thief in the night.
Christ's Return - Like a Thief
In the same way that you do not know if and when a thief is going to break in to your house, we do not know when Jesus will return. It will be something unexpected. It will come suddenly, at a time when people are the least vigilant and most ignorant as to what God is doing around them. At a time when people will not be looking for Him, even in the church.
And if you thought that was bad news, there is more to come, because Christ's return will mean destruction.
Christ's Return - With Destruction
The return of Christ will come at a cost. At a time when people believe that they are living in a time of "peace and safety" then He will come to take it all away and destroy what little they do have. In the same way that a baby cannot be born without some pain, so too must God's judgement comes with pain.
Paul does not go into any further detail about the final judgement. Rather his concern is for the believers in Thessalonica to be ready for it. To not be complacent and think that all is fine now. The end will come when least expected, and those who do not believe had better watch out.
"Be Prepared"
This famous slogan of the Boy Scouts is just as apt for the church today. Let us live with the expectation that Jesus will return. Though the news in these verses does not necessarily give us any hope, we can live in hope that when Christ does come, those who do not believe, who have persecuted us, who have given us cause to grieve, will be punished. Let us not be complacent and live and think like the world, but let us join with the Spirit who stands with the bride and says "Come, Lord Jesus, Come" (Revelation 22:17, 20). Maranatha.
Just a Thought!
© 2013
