As Different as Night and Day

1 Thessalonians 5-Part 2
But ye, brethren,are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.    1 Thess. 5:4-7


LET IT GLOW

My two children are different as  night and day. Have you heard that saying before? It's true in my case. While growing up, one was studious, the other athletic. One was musically inclined, the other could take it or leave it. One was  a socializer, the other was a loner. One was a doer, the other a watcher. One was outspoken, the other was reserved. You get the idea? They have changed somewhat, now that they have grown up.
Paul shows Christians that they should be as different from the world as day and night are. How is that? Well, night is when crimes are mostly committed; sins are more likely committed in the dark so others don't see it or how is doing it. (women of the night) People try to hide there evil ways.

Unbelievers are in spiritual darkness, engulfed in mental, moral, and spiritual darkness because of sin and unbelief (John 8:44). All these people are children of Satan who is called "the power of darkness." (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

As children of light, we are children of God, our heavenly Father, who is light and in whom is no darkness at all (1John 1:5-7).

In John 8:12, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

In John 14:6, Jesus told Thomas, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

I believe that I will be gone due to the Rapture of the church before the judgment of the Day of the Lord, so we won't be present on earth to experience its terrors and destruction, as in verse 3.

 Am I living in light or darkness? Do I have the light of life? Are my deeds of the day or of the night?


LET IT GROW

Look at verse 7. Paul tells the Thessalonians to not be sleepy and drunk, but remain alert and sober. Because we have the Word, we know there will be a Great Tribulation, seven years of judgment. Therefore, Christians are to remain on the lookout. We aren't to yawn through life, but are to stay alert.

According to The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Christians are:

• delivered from the domain of darkness,  
• taken out of the night of sin and ignorance,
• put into the light of God,
• should not sleep in spiritual indifference and comfort,
• be alert to the spiritual issues around them,
• live alert, balanced, godly lives under control of the turth.

Paul tells us, in verse 6, to be awake, sober, and watchful. Spiritually speaking, our spiritual condition should never be marked by sleep, but we need to be active and aware, to watch and be sober.

David Guzik said, "Sober doesn't mean 'humorless.' It has in mind someone who knows the proper value of things, and therefore doesn't get too excited about the things of this world. The person who lives their life for fun and entertainment isn't sober. However,  Paul was accused of being a 'fanatic' as an enthusiastic follower of Jesus. There is a balance."

In the NLT, verses 6-7 reads, "So, be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk."

Ephesians 5:18 states, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." 

I'm not advocating drinking wine, and I don't do it myself. The point in this scripture is for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Another idea is to be actively serving Jesus Christ in every opportunity I have before me (Eph. 5:16).


LET IT GO

Live in the light of day.

Allow Jesus to be my light, showing me how to live.

Be awake, sober, and watchful for opportunities to serve Jesus.