December 2, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8
4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But 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.
Questions for Reflection:
Paul uses two images to contrast believers and unbelievers in the passage above. What are those two images? Why do you think that Paul chose that idea to communicate the reality of life in Christ and life apart from Christ?
The contrast of darkness to light and day to night were common images within the first century church. In fact, as you’ll read when we study 1 John in the new year, it’s a theme that John uses especially. After his contrast of the two competing lifestyles, Paul moves to a command in verse 6. What two commands does he give the church at Thessalonica? What do you think Paul means by being awake? At our home, when I’m asleep, anything can happen and I don’t hear it. I’m dead to the world. A train could go through our house and I could sleep right through it. My wife is different though. If there’s a creak, an unexpected bump, she’ll startle awake and say, “What was that? Can you check on it?” Paul wants us to be alert, attentive. One commentator suggests that the second command, to be sober, “conveys the idea of balance or discipline.”
How can you be aware and alert in your life? How can you create better balance or self-discipline in your life? Many of the problems that we face in our culture, and not just the spiritual issues we face, stem from being complacent and undisciplined in our lives. Our culture has crafted a worldview that suggests that we seek our own pleasure without regard for the long-term consequences. We can look to our finances for one example. The average American household has over $7,000 in revolving debt (credit cards, etc). How might our financial situation improve if we were more alert or self-controlled with our finances? Quickly apply these principles to other areas of your life like: your health, your prayer life, your relationships. Spend time today in prayer asking for God to help you apply these commands in your life.