Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7
As we continue to consider the return of our Lord Jesus Christ for all believers (His bride), we must focus special attention on our daily fellowship with our Lord and being in His Word. We saw in yesterday’s devotion that we, as believers, are no longer in darkness because Christ has rescued us and redeemed us from the darkness as seen in Colossians 1:13-14 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Therefore, God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5 that we are not to sleep like others, but we’re to stay alert anticipating our Lord’s return. To “sleep” means we choose to be spiritually lazy and start living as we did when we were lost. To live like a lost person brings incredible dishonor to our Lord. God describes for us what we used to be like in Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:11-12; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:5-7; Titus 3:3 and many other Scriptures. God does not want us acting, nor living, like lost people anymore because we belong to Him. So, God warns us to be alert and sober, which means to be self-controlled, calm, and wise. God says again and again that we are to be sober in 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8, because our fleshly nature wants to be lazy. We must stay alert.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about being alert and sober, anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus Christ?
2. Who will you share this truth with this week, about being alert and sober and living with anticipation of our Lord’s return?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!