In The Word
Read 1 Thessalonians 5
The Day of the Lord
5 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Christian Conduct
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit;20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
One of the most valuable things that has ever been entrusted to us is the gospel of Jesus Christ. When one person gives a valuable gift to another person, there must be a level of trust in the receiver. This trust is developed over a period of time, through experience in both times of trouble and calm. The same is true for the gift of the gospel.
In today’s chapter, we see the apostle Paul explain that the church in Thessalonica was entrusted with the gospel because, in the midst of mistreatment and opposition, they still spoke the truth. He says, “… we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NASB).
These days, we see a lot of people misusing the Word of God and handling it like it is worthless; this is the mindset that Paul was coming against. In verse 3, Paul taught us that we are not to teach the Word with impurity or deceit. He then began to list the following things that we should not have in our hearts when presenting the gospel: attempts to flatter people with our speech, attempts to greedily increase our own lives, or attempts to receive glory from men.
Today we should understand and value the treasure we have in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for anything that could prove you untrustworthy. The task of sharing the gospel is one of the most important things in life, for it is the power of God unto salvation.