1 Thessalonians 5
Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5
“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thess 5:6)
When we are asleep or sleepy, we don’t really know what is going on around us. We are unaware of dangers around us. Some of us may even fall into such a deep sleep that they continue to sleep soundly, while disaster is already at hand.
During the day, however, we are awake and able to see clearly what is happening around us. Daytime is also a time for us be active and to work. Yet, daytime is limited and quite often we feel that each day is simply not long enough to accomplish all our tasks. Time is indeed precious.
One of the most important things I have learned this year is to value the time that God has given to me in this world. I’ve seen so many people passing away this year: both young and old, believers and non-believers, in my extended family and among church brethren whom I never had the chance to meet. Some died suddenly, some died after long suffering.
For this reason we truly have to treasure our time and use it wisely to glorify God. We all know that the Lord will sooner or later come again to take us back to our heavenly home. And yet, are we prepared? Much too often we are so entangled by our worldly worries and cares that we lose focus on the most important thing – God.
At other times, we may be so complacent about our comfortable lives that we forget about God. Both scenarios are comparable to falling spiritually asleep.
If we have indeed fallen asleep, we must wake up and look at our own lives: Have we prayed earnestly today or have we just recited our usual list of prayer items? Have we really taken the time today to reflect on God’s word and our relationship with Him, instead of gulping down our daily portion of Bible verses? Have we interceded for that brother or that truthseeker who is ill or did this person completely slip our mind? Have we tried to take time out today to visit someone who is ill and made an effort to say something encouraging to this person? Have we tried our best to serve the Lord today or are we just serving because we were assigned to work? Have we taken the opportunity today to preach to our unbelieving relative or friend or did we allow the opportunity to simply slip by? Have we given way to that person who was so much in a rush to get on the bus, instead of competing with him? Have we offered our help to others today or have we just requested others to help us?
“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. … Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. …
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (1 Thess 5:2,6,9-10)
Have we fallen asleep?
If so, let us wake up from our spiritual slumber and treasure our time. Let us live our lives for the Lord – without regrets, but filled with abundant spiritual fruits.