Most of us are probably tired of hearing how chaotic, evil, bad and messed up our world is. Recently we have been bombarded with news of job layoffs, economic depressions, murder mischief and mayhem. Speaking for my self I'm tired of all of the negative media as well as the way we wallow in our own sorrow and despair. Theses are desperate times in our world, country, personal and spiritual lives. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and as Christian persons we should be preparing ourselves to be proactive as well as reactive during times like these. Let us look to our scripture of focus today for more understanding where I'm coming from.
1Thessalonians 5
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
In this text Paul is writing to the Thessalonian church and is reminding them to beware in these seemingly desperate and dismal times. The Church and Paul believes that the end is near, but no one knows the time for sure. Therefore Paul leaves the church with theses words of encouragement and hope.
The same words are important for us today, in verse: 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
We must love desperately, hope desperately, prepare for the return of Christ desperately and we can change the world. This is how we are to encourage one another and offer the love of Christ to all.
Be Well, Love Pastor J
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