Take Two: 1 Thessalonians 5, Proverbs 13

Chapter 5, which ends this letter, begins with a commentary on the coming Day of the Lord. There was as much speculation about the coming Day in the first century as there is today. Here is what Paul says in 1 Thess 5:1-1-4..."we don't need to write to you as if we were going to tell you exactly when the end will come. You are of Christ. As such, you know that it will come without warning (like a thief in the night)...when no one is reasonably expecting. However, God did not intend for it to sneak up on you. Observe what is around you and stay prepared. Why? (1 Thess 5:5-11...because it is near and most people will miss it. They will assume it is a long way off. However, you are to stay ready...because it comes quickly and God does not intend that you will be surprised. You were not born again to experience the wrath of God (which comes at the coming of the Day of the Lord), but so that you would experience Salvation in that Day (1 Thess 5:9).

Now whether you think Christ's coming will preceed a time of Great tribulation (Matt 24) as I do (pre-tribulation), or of a mid-tribulation or post-tribulation "stripe"...God has called us to be prepared. We are to live as if it could be today...because it will clearly be a surprise.

I have met some who would say...when I see the tribulation come and the anti-christ ascend to power...then I will get my business done with the Lord. This is foolish and fails to operate with any theological precision at all. To those who are waiting until "tomorrow" to "settle up" with God...you are living in dangerous times and may find yourself greatly disappointed.

So...what do we do until the Day of the Lord (which seems to be a more profitable discussion)? Live properly. Care for those who God ahs assigned to minister among you (1 Thess 5:12-13). Live in harmony as a people, helping one another become more like Christ (1 Thess 5:13-14). Praise God...praying and giving thanks always (1 Thess 5:15-18). Be sensitive to know and do the will of God in all things (1 Thess 5:19-22). May God who provides and sustains bless you as you do (1 Thess 5:23-28).

In light of the Salvation we have experienced and the hope of the coming Day...God has called us to live above the systems of this world and walk worthy of our calling.

Proverbs 13:16 is the takeaway today. You can tell what one believes by looking at his actions more so than by listening to his words. Wise/prudent men act wisely (according to the wisdom of God). Fools act according to their own folly (their own wisdom as opposed to God's). In other words...examine the fruit to see how a man acts. Then you will know what he really believes.

Grace.
BTW: Tomorrow is 2 Thessalonians! :-)