Some “through the bible” thoughts from 1 Thessalonians 5.
“The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
Here’s another example of reading and familiar passage of scripture and discovering new insights.
It can be disconcerting to anticipate the unexpected return of Christ “like a thief in the night.” Will I be ready? What if I’m not ready? How can I be ready?
But when I keep reading, my perspective changes.
“But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day” (5:4,5).
For those in Christ, it’s not nighttime. Jesus is the light. It’s the middle of the day. That’s not when the thief comes to break in and steal. That’s when we get up and go to work. Doing what? Keep reading.
“Admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all…Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (5:14; 16-18).
There’s plenty to do in a world that can seem very dark because it fails to see or embrace the light. Part of the good news is that we not only live in the light, but we bring light to the world. Encouragement, joy, gratitude, and grace shine much needed brightness into the lives of others. And isn’t that one of the ways Jesus unexpected comes in the night?
Waite for it... 