DAY #300: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-5:10

Paul switched gears from exhorting the Thessalonian believers about sexual purity to exhorting those who needed to work and not depend on others. A group of believers in the church needed some warning. Believers are to be responsible in all areas of life. Some of the Thessalonian Christians had adopted a life of idleness, depending on others for handouts. The reason for their idleness is unknown. However, because a discussion of the Second Coming follows this section, it can be inferred that these people may have decided to sit around and wait for Christ’s return. They may have genuinely thought they should spend all their time working to bring others into the Kingdom, but they were being a drain on their fellow believers.

The reason for Paul’s warning? He wanted the believers to be involved in honest labor so that people who are not Christians will respect the way the believers lived. He also did not want any believers to need to depend on others to meet their financial needs. Again, Paul had been working for these same reasons. Those who work hard to support themselves are a positive witness, both outside and inside the church. (Ephesians 4:28)

Some have attempted to pinpoint dates or prove how certain present events fulfill prophecy. Jesus made it clear and Paul reiterated, however, that no one knows when Christ will return. It will be unexpected and on God’s timetable. Jesus predicted that, before his return, many believers would be misled by false teachers claiming to have revelations from God (Mark 13:5-6).

According to Scripture, the one clear sign of Christ’s return will be his unmistakable appearance in the clouds. This will be seen by all people (Mark 13:26). In other words, believers do not have to wonder whether a certain person is the Messiah or whether the times in which they live are the “end times.” When Jesus returns, everyone will know beyond a doubt because it will be evident. Beware of groups who claim special knowledge of the last days because no one knows when that time will be.

The comparison of Christ’s coming to a thief pictures it as sudden and unexpected; the comparison of it to a woman’s birth pains pictures that it will be unavoidable. Some who will not be waiting for Christ will think that everything is safe—they will be lulled into a false sense that everything is peaceful and secure (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; Ezekiel 13:10; Micah 3:5). However, they will find themselves facing sudden disaster. When Christ returns, that will be the end—there will be no reprieves, no second chances, no escape.

Paul reminds us that the children of the light should be awake and ready when the Lord returns. Paul pictures those who constantly expect the Lord to return at any moment. They are not dallying in sin or falling into temptation, or being waylaid by their own doubts. We also must walk close to God in daily fellowship with him so that, at the Second Coming, we will be ready.

Because unbelievers are people of the “darkness” and of the “night,” their lives are focused on their own pleasures and obsessions, and not on alertness and moral readiness for the coming of Christ.

People who live in the light have a whole different reason to be alive. Life is not all about personal pleasure but about loving and serving God and getting to know him better. The reward for being God’s children is that when he returns, he will take his people to eternal blessing. This means that in this sinful world, the world of “darkness” and “night,” believers have to be different.

Believers will not face the condemnation that their sins deserve. Instead, they will live with God forever because they have put their faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness of their sins. The confidence rests secure, whether believers are dead or alive at Christ’s return. Salvation is a certainty because the Christ who is coming is the same Christ who died for sinners.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Be alert. Stay on task. Don't get lulled to sleep. Don't wander off the path that God has set out for us. Those are the the things that I think about when I read this morning.

Galatians 5:7 (NIV) says, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" I couple that with the passage from today, and my heart mourns for folks who just can't seem to do the basics of the Christian life. Read the word DAILY. Go to church WEEKLY. Be in FELLOWSHIP regularly. Serve, tithe, witness and worship.

We get so preoccupied with our problems and our lives, we forget what the plans and the purposes of God are for us day to day. We get so stressed about money and bills and kids and our future that we forget to live for the One who loves us and gave Himself for us. We allow anger and bitterness to take root in our lives and we can't see past those emotions to live the life of peace and freedom and joy that God has for us.

Lord, today I pray for the people at COV. Walk with them Lord. Remind them Lord. Focus them Lord. Drive them to Your word Lord. Birth within them a desire to fight on and persist and persevere Lord.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)