Skip to main content

on guard


1 Thessalonians 5:5&6
"5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

This week we are studying ENCOURAGEMENT. We turn to Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Specifically a section where he is ENCOUNTERING them. Christians are living in the light, "darkness" is a metaphor for sin, ignorance, and misery. Paul has warned that Judgement Day as a specific day in time, and when that day comes it will surprise everyone. Like a thief in the night. 

Paul's writing is made more powerful by being both literal and metaphorical; "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us WATCH and be SOBER." we need to be aware that Christians CAN be converted BACK into “children of darkness.”

We don't want that. The worldly culture will want us to be more like them. Applying peer pressure to get Christians to be lewd, crude and rude. Hoping to see Christians become decadent, excessive and self-indulgent. None of this is good for Christians. This is why Paul is encouraging "let us watch and be sober." We want to be ON GUARD for the evils of the worldly culture. Sobriety is more than avoiding intoxication. It's also keeping above the influence of the tempting excesses of the culture. It would be a shame to squander the Salvation that Jesus has given us.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

obedient unto death

Philippians 2:8 "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Are you offended? The creator of the universe became incarnate and walked with people. He served people. He sacrificed Himself for you and me. Was this work beneath Him? Did He have to do this? Why is THIS God's plan? Who am I to question GOD'S plan? In this letter, Paul's Holy Ghost inspired writing tells us to put others’ interests ahead of our own. Paul tells us to live from a spirit of selflessness, compassion, and unity, reflecting the character of Christ and His love for humanity. A love that is truly "MIGHTY!" "MIGHTY" is one of the names the prophet Isaiah recorded for the Messiah. This is NOT the typical way to be "MIGHTY." Jesus is GOD, and all the glory and majesty that comes with that. And God came down from heaven to be born into the family of people. GOD lived with us and died for us. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

the donkey

Luke 19:32-34 "32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as He had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him." God's Grand Plan is your REDEMPTION! Since GOD can make that happen, getting a donkey to ride into Jerusalem is easy! Before the celebratory crowd is shouting "HOSANNA!" Jesus sent 2 Disciples to get a donkey. What is described in today's verses is exactly the way Jesus said things would unfold. Here we can see Jesus is in charge of ALL creatures. The people and the donkeys!  In the verses leading up to here we can read that the Disciples are not getting it. They are thinking the Messiah was going to take David's throne. Take Israel back from the Roman occupation. People did not understand God's Grand Plan. Even though Jesus told them all. On their way to Jerusalem they pass through Jericho. Zacheas was there, the...
Post a Comment
Read more

encouragement

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." We continue our study of the Lord's Prayer. This week, "Deliver Us From Evil." is also translated as "Deliver Us From The Evil One." We need to remain "sober" and "vigilant." A big part of this is studying the Holy Scriptures, like we are doing. We want to form a solid united front against Satan.  For the heart of our studies we turn to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. It was one of four letters Paul wrote while in prison in Rome. Paul cared deeply for the Ephesians. He lived with them for three years as this church was forming. He wants to encourage them and help them become successful. His words can help you and me today.
Post a Comment
Read more