1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,having put on the breastplate offaith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.9 For God has not destined us forwrath, butto obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, English Standard Version (ESV)
In yesterday's verses from 1 Thessalonians 4 we considered how as Christians we will be "raised up" when Christ returns. Today's verses from the next chapter give us advice for living in the hear and now, today.
Before the turn of the century, how many of you recall the "craze" surrounding Y2K? People were stockpiling water, food, building shelters and all kinds of things for fear of a societal collapse due to potential computer glitches. Nothing happened. Even today people are doing many of the same things for various reasons including "Jade Helm" which has been in some news stories recently.
Paul tells us that we are to be "sober". We are not to be under the influence of things that can consume our lives and take our focus away from living for Him. We are to put on faith and love, let these things be what people see in us and our actions, not stockpiling food, water and ammunition. While we are not to live with our heads in the sand we are to put on our salvation as a helmet to guard our hearts and minds from the things that may or may not come to pass. Let us keep our minds focused on Jesus "the author and finisher of our faith".
Let's keep our eyes open and be smart (The Message) and focus our efforts on following Him.
Hebrews 12:2New King James Version (NKJV)looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher ofourfaith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Blessings, Mike
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11The Message (MSG)
4-8 But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
9-11 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we'realivewith him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
No comments:
Post a Comment