SONS OF THE LIGHT

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Key verse: 8

NIV

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates(A) we do not need to write to you,(B) 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord(C) will come like a thief in the night.(D) 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”(E) destruction will come on them suddenly,(F) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.(G)

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness(H) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.(I) 5 You are all children of the light(J) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,(K) but let us be awake(L) and sober.(M) 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.(N) 8 But since we belong to the day,(O) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,(P) and the hope of salvation(Q) as a helmet.(R) 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath(S) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.(T) 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.(U) 11 Therefore encourage one another(V) and build each other up,(W) just as in fact you are doing.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning (A)the times and the seasons, brothers,[a] (B)you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that (C)the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then (D)sudden destruction will come upon them (E)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you (F)are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all (G)children[b] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then (H)let us not sleep, as others do, but let us (I)keep awake and (J)be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, (K)are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, (L)having put on the breastplate of (M)faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for (N)wrath, but (O)to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (P)who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Like a thief in the night (1-3)

No one knows when Jesus will come again. He told us that only the Father knows. We should not try to calculate about the time of his coming. Two things are sure: He will come as surely as birth pains come to a pregnant woman; he will come when we do not expect him--like a thief in the night. How, then, can we be ready?

2. Be sons of light (4-11)

Those who have no inner spiritual resources live according to their feelings. They sleep when they feel like it and get drunk when they want to. They live in darkness and they will be terrified when Jesus comes. But we who belong to Jesus are sons of light. We must be self-controlled, spiritual soldiers. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate over our hearts; we must wear the hope of salvation as helmets to protect our minds. We do not need to fear death because whether we live or die, we live with Jesus; we await his coming.

live with you every day.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live in the light; help me to

One Word: Live as children of light