Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 1 Th 5:1 and following. Indeed, if the coming of the Lord signifies for his redeemed the entrance into eternal joy, it is for the unbelievers the signal of a sudden destruction (Luke 17:24-30). Blessed wait for some, total and terrible surprise for others! Alas, in practice the difference is far from being so clear! Some “sons of light” hid their lamps under the bushel or under the bed (Mark 4:21-23). They sleep and spiritual drowsiness is a state that resembles death. What is it due to? Usually to a lack of sobriety. To get drunk is to make use of the goods of the earth that exceeds one’s needs (Luke 12:42-48). And when one is both asleep to heavenly interests, and well awakened to those of this world, can one desire the Lord’s return? We who are of the day, “do not sleep like the others”, like those who have no hope, for fear of being surprised at the unexpected arrival of our Master. Let us reread the Lord’s serious words in Mark 13:30-37. We should ask ourselves this question very often: Would I like the Lord to find me doing what I am doing, saying or thinking what I am saying or thinking?
The end of the epistle teaches us what our behavior should be among brothers, towards all men, in relation to God, finally in the assembly. Our whole life is in short framed by these short exhortations. If it is a question of rejoicing, it is always; to pray is without ceasing; to give thanks, it is in all things! Faith allows us to thank the Lord even for what would seem unfortunate to us. To pray without ceasing is to remain in communion, which will also be our safeguard against evil in all its forms. He who has redeemed us whole, mind, soul and body, also demands the holiness of our whole being (1Th 4:1-8). The defilement of the mind and that of the heart, although invisible, are as much to be feared as that of the body. Let us ask the Lord, who is faithful, to keep us without reproach, in conformity with Him, for the moment of the great appointment. Well, no thought is more apt to sanctify us than that of the Lord Jesus’ return (1 John 3:1-3). We found this invaluable promise mentioned at the end of each of the five chapters of this letter. Let us never lose sight of it. And until then, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with each of us!
Then we find another word: “Remember what is good.” Thousands of Christians misquote this passage. They claim to be able to attend the worst sermons by taking only the good things they can contain. The Word does not tell us anything similar, but condemns such an attitude in the most positive way. There is a solidarity with the evil from which these Christians feel relieved, but from which God does not discharge them. “Remember what is good,” the apostle tells us, and he adds, “Refrain from all forms of evil.” I must not punish rationalism, free thought, modern disbelief, by my presence, and I cannot go everywhere, under the pretext of “seeking my edification”. For thewell caught in the troubled waters of rationalism necessarily brings back the smell and flavor. If I am to carefully retain what is good, I must refrain from any form whatsoever that evil takes. So what is good?
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
While waiting for the Lord’s Day:
- Second coming, its date is unknown
Mt 24:27 And, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them in all the scriptures what concerned him. Luke 12:40 You too are ready, for the Son of man will come at a time when you will not think about it. 1 Thess 5:2 For you yourselves know well that the lord’s day will come as a thief in the night. Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and who keeps his clothes, so that he does not walk naked and that we do not see his shame!
- Other allusions to the future of the bad guys
Dn 12:2 Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some for eternal life, and others for opprobrium, for eternal shame. Mt 3:12 He has his van in his hand; he will clean his area, and he will collect his wheat in the attic, but he will burn the straw in a fire that is not extinguished. John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath dwells upon him. 1 Th 5:3 When men say, “Peace and security!” then a sudden ruin will surprise them, as the pains of childbirth surprise the pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Good works, examples
Ne 13:14 Remember me, O my God, because of this, and do not forget my acts of piety with regard to the house of my God and the things that are to be observed! Mt 26:7-8 a woman approached him, holding an alabaster vase, which contained a perfume of great price; and while he was at the table, she poured out the perfume on his head.8 The disciples, seeing this, were indignant, and said, ‘What good is this loss? Acts 9:36 There was in Joppa, among the disciples, a woman named Tabitha, which means Dorcas: she did many good works and almsgiving. Rev 2.2 I know your works, your work, and your perseverance. I know you can’t stand the bad guys; that you have tested those who call themselves apostles and who are not, and that you have found them liars;
- Grace of Christ
-Manifested in his childhood Lk 2:40 Now, the child grew and strengthened. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was upon him. John 1:17 for the law was given by Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
-Manifested in his renunciation of himself 2 Cor 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for you made himself poor, rich as he was, so that by his poverty you might be enriched.
-Sufficient for all the needs of man 2 Cor 12:9 and he said to me: My grace is enough for you, for my power is fulfilled in weakness. I will therefore boast much more willingly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Eph 4:7 But to each of us grace has been given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
-Granted to sinners 1 Tim 1:12-13 I give thanks to him who strengthened me, to Jesus Christ our Lord, for what he deemed me faithful,13 by establishing myself in the ministry, I who was previously a blasphemer, a persecutor, a violent man. But I obtained mercy, because I acted out of ignorance, in unbelief;
-Source of all power 2 Tim 2:1 You, my child, strengthen yourselves in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. Rev 22:21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all!
From all of the above, we note one important thing: to remember the Word ofGod, the entire Word, as God has given it to us. This is our duty to the end of our career. Let’s not allow ourselves to be taken away from this almighty Word that makes us strong, our joy, that nourishes our life and develops it. Let’s carefully fool every day the only sword with which we can defeat the Enemy. He cannot stand in front of the blows of the two-edged sword! The apostle concludes: “Now the God of peace himself sanctifies you entirely; and may your spirit, and your soul, and your whole body, be preserved without reproach in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” His final desire is that in them, as another says, “man in all parts of his being: the vessel by which he expresses what he is, the natural affections of his soul, as well as the highest part of his nature, namely his spirit by which he is above animals and in intelligent relationship with God”, be fully sanctified, so that it responds to the nature of the One who has been revealed to us as the God of peace. The apostle does not desire for the Thessalonians a partial practical sanctification, but a setting apart from the whole being for God, so that Jesus, at his coming, finds us without reproach. What a high desire for the saints, that this one! Yes, may our practical holiness correspond to our hope in this forthcoming coming of our beloved Savior, where he will present himself to his holy, irreproachable and flawless Bride! But how, crippled and weak as we are, will we ever achieve such a separation? Listen to the answer: “He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it!” Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterhole to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the progress of the Thessalonians despite persecution.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.