LIFE IN THE LIGHT
OPENING PRAYER:
Jesus, You are the light of my life. I worship You for Your glorious goodness to me.
The Day of the Lord
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
REFLECT:
What sources of light can you see around you? What difference do they make to where you are?
Paul ends this passage with yet another imperative: to build each other up. This time, his exhortation is framed within the imagery of light and darkness (5), providing us with a clear visual comparison of what it means to live as children of God rather than in separation from Him. What are some of the differences Paul identifies between living in the light and remaining in darkness (4–8)?
Our confidence as Christians comes because we belong to the day (2 Corinthians 5:17–20). Our default position, our identity and our behavior, is now based on faith, love and hope (8). This light-giving and life-bringing armor is inextricable from the gospel message. Jesus didn’t die and rise again at a detached moment in history, but He died for us (10). It is intensely personal: Jesus had us in mind when He died. What does verse 10 say about why He did that? Just as for the Thessalonians, we are to encourage one another with this hope that Jesus died for us that we may live with Him.
APPLY:
If we know that Jesus died for us, then we are fully in the light all the time. Do you know this to be true? Is there any part of your life you need to allow Christ to bring into the light?
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, show me how to live in the light. May I not only live right before You, but may I also be a living reflection of You.
WORSHIP: