February 15, 2018 – I Thessalonians 5:5-6

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. I Thessalonians 5:5-6.

Light reveals deficiencies in things and secrets of the soul. We love purity and innocence in tiny children and long to be like a child. 

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3-4.

When we live in the light of Jesus, we know when we fall short of the glory of God.  But we also have the hope of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, that allows us to stay His Child. The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23.

Why do we have the hope of forgiveness? But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15.

How do we stay in the light? Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:13-15

Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet, the confidence of our salvation.  I Thessalonians 5:7-8.