Like A Thief In The Night

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2)

If Jesus came back today, would you be ready? If today was your last day alive, what would you do differently? 

When Paul talks about the day of the Lord coming like a thief in the night, he talks to those who do not know Christ. For unbelievers, the day of judgement will come as a very big surprise. They will think that the world is prospering. They will believe that all is at peace and security because humankind and human knowledge are at their best. They will believe all is well. However, suddenly, destruction will come. And they will not be able to escape. 

Although the world will think they are having a good time and that they have advanced humankind to a place where they think all is ideal, in reality, every single person is living in ignorance and rebellion against God. They are living and even celebrating their sins. Because of that, judgment will come. Now think about yourself. Where are you at? 

If Jesus comes back today, will He find us rejoicing in our sins? Are we His children, or are we children of darkness? True children of God obey Him. True children obey not with obedience that springs from a determined will and an effort to be accepted as right before God. True children obey by the working of the Spirit because of Christ’s mercy which has justified us on the cross. 

The children of darkness will not be ready for the day of the Lord. What about the children of light? 

Paul says that God’s children should not be surprised at His coming. We are not children of the night but children of the day. This means we are not children of sin; instead, children of holiness. The night Paul talks about represents the hidden sins people will secretly enjoy when no one is watching. However, children of light pursue holiness. If we are Christ’s, we must not live in our sins. Christ has forgiven us and given us a new opportunity to experience the true life of holiness.

If we view our lives, do we pursue holiness in all aspects of our lives? If we do not wholly obey God with integrity, we are no different to the world. Children of darkness appear sober in the day. However, they are drunk at night. God is not pleased with Christians who are holy in church but are different at school, at home, or in their private lives. Ask for God’s mercy, and let us turn to Him. 

God calls us to live accordingly so that we will be ready if He comes any moment. We have been saved in Christ for eternal salvation. That is our end and our home. Life on this earth is but temporary. Paul exhorts us to put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation. We must deny sin and instead pursue holiness in hope for the day of our salvation with faith in God’s Word and love for the brethren as God has loved us. That is our calling as children of day. Do not live in your sins any longer!

Lord, thank You that we are Your children by Your immeasurable mercy and grace. We do not deserve to be Your children. Please forgive us when we still live in our sins. Help us to hate sin and put it to death. Teach us to love holiness and to pursue a life that pleases You. This life is temporary and so teach us to hope in our salvation and to use this one life to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.