1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
As the saying goes, when one sees a “therefore,” we ought to be wondering what it is there for! In this case, Paul had just taught us something about our new nature in Christ and was about to tell us how that ought to cause some behavior or action to occur. Paul was really adept that that sort of teaching for sure.
Here is what we learned just before in verse 5, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” Paul in this letter was teaching some great stuff about the believers in Thessalonica being ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He reminded them that we don’t know when that is; we likewise do not know when that is. Paul even teaches us in the first verse hear that we just don’t need to be worried about the “when” of Jesus’ return; “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.”
Paul’s point here is not to tell us when the return of Jesus is. Paul’s point here is certainly not to warn us about the dangers of drinking or drunkenness. Paul’s point here is that each of us needs to be ready for this even day in and day out as we walk our Christian lives. Our new nature should cause us to be sober, vigilant and ready all of the time. Paul even issues a challenge of sorts in verse 5, more or less asking if we really want be be like all the drunks stumbling around in the dark who don’t know any better!
Friends, it ought to be different for us, because we have been given the light. We should be sober, alert and ready daily; however, we often are not. We may not be literally drunk on alcohol, but there are many things we can become inebriated with that will cloud or judgement and cause us to be not alert, not vigilant and not ready. What bottle to we need to pour down the sink?
December 4, 2017 at 09:39
We can probably add too wally that sobriety of mind doesn’t mean that we have to leave our personalities at the door.
The really super dooper legalistic minds would have us not laughing about anything, would condemn others for dancing, would part company with one who wines and dines……….would maybe dis-fellowship from one who watches a football game (or goes to one!!) would paint a believer who celebrates Christmas as an antichrist, puts forth the truth that many Catholics are finer Christians that others who have memorized the bible……………puts for the idea that all Catholics are not Christians………..take your pick.
Sober mindedness is a good thought. We can all take inventory. I’ll keep my humor though. 😉
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December 4, 2017 at 09:47
You have made a good point there ColorStorm. In fact, it has great relevance for me. For decades I thought God was nothing but a cosmic killjoy, as evidenced by the believers I saw. As if laughing was a great sin. I must say at our place we have far more unabashed fun than a group of humans should have…yet are very serious and sober about what we are ultimately here to do. The two are not exclusive for sure.
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December 5, 2017 at 17:28
Good devotional on the need of being sober and vigilant. Practically I see an application of that is being intentional as well
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December 5, 2017 at 17:42
I agree brother. So much of our faith lives need to be intentional yet so many if us just are aimless about it
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December 5, 2017 at 17:43
Exactly; good to see you blogging again by the way!
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December 5, 2017 at 17:50
Thanks again, brother. Life sort of got the best of me last week. I worked all 7 days, and then my devotionals to the Baptist Sunday School Committee were due on the 1st, so spent some time re reading, editing and proofreading. Plus had to teach last Sunday night, and this past Sunday morning. Soooooooooo…got a bit swamped.
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December 5, 2017 at 17:56
Whoah that sounds like a lot on your plate! Praying the Lord give you strength and also rest in between everything!
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December 5, 2017 at 17:59
Yessir, please do pray that. I am taking off all next week, though, because I have over done a bit, and am pretty wore out. I bet you get that, as I know you tend to push too hard yourself.
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December 5, 2017 at 18:03
I do need those kind of time off! Again I’m praying even for your rest!
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