1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So, then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober, 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
The Apostle Paul’s diatribe to the Thessalonians pairs well with the themes of this week’s passages. Losing track of time, not knowing the timing of things at all, and the destruction of the old world that is assured! Yay!
Paul’s generous wisdom is simply not fall asleep. Always be at the ready! Easier said than done, especially for me who needs my sleep to function! All joking aside, Paul’s instruction in metaphor is to expect God to show up any moment, not because our readiness has anything to do with salvation, but because it will help us transition with the radical change God’s arrival brings.
As someone prone to destruction, perhaps verse 9 brings you a lot of hope like it does for me. It wasn’t a part of God’s plan for wrath by way of destruction of what God created, but rather salvation through his Son Jesus.
Whether awake or asleep, life in Christ is what we are meant for, therefore we are to encourage one another and build each other up. Now that is something I know the people of Peace can get behind. What do you say?
– Pr. Kyle
God of light, shine your way on our path and fashion us with the breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet for the hope of our salvation through Jesus. Amen.