1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Living Differently

Paul really wanted to encourage believers to live holy lives in the midst of the unbelievers in the world.  He contrasted the lives of believers and unbelievers.

Believers have knowledge of what’s coming.  Unbelievers do not.  The end times will begin suddenly and it is only by having knowledge of what’s coming that we can live lives that will glorify our Savior and point others to Him.

The world will be caught by surprise by Christ’s return.  Christians can expect His return without having a specific time set.  My commentary said there are no signs that must now be fulfilled before He can return for His church.

Paul said we are to be sober-minded, alert, and living with eyes wide open, not living as those who belong to the darkness.  In readying ourselves for that day, he tells us how to be ready – pulling on chest protection of faith in Christ and love for our fellow Christians and for unbelievers needing to discover Christ.  Our head is to be protected by “the hope of salvation”, which my commentary says means “the hope that salvation gives us.”  And there are three tenses to salvation:  “Past – I have been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin.  Present – I am being saved from the power and pollution of sin.  Future – I shall be saved from the very presence of sin when Christ returns … Unsaved people are without hope.”

Also, Paul says that believers don’t have to fear judgment, because it is not part of God’s appointed plan for us.  We won’t have to go through the Tribulation, for John 5:24 says we shall never taste any of God’s wrath.  Not so for unbelievers who mocked God and refused to believe and obey.  My commentary explained that if Christ didn’t return for us until after the Tribulation described so thoroughly in Revelation 6-19, then we’d know when He’d be returning due to that detailed timing given.  He would have to return before the Tribulation for it to be imminent.

Father, this makes it all the more apparent why You want us telling the world about You and Your Son right now.  Help me to tell others how You’ve impacted my life and lead them to saving faith in Your Son.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford