[Anglican Devotional 12 May 2023] Topic: Be Alert!
TOPIC: Be Alert!
READ: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-28 (NKJV)
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do,] but let us watch and be sober.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.
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.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies.
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it.]
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.
THE MESSAGE:
A popular adage says that those surrounded by enemies guard their lives. The Scriptures exhort believers to be alert in the Spirit (1 Pet. 4: 7; 5: 6; Lk. 21: 34-36, etc.), because of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, some are more concerned with trying to ascertain or fix the exact time of His return. The Bible says that knowing times and seasons are not necessary. What is important is the awareness of the certainty of his second coming, knowledge of the signs of the last days given by the Scripture, alertness and adequate preparation (1Thess. 1: 4-7).
It is unfortunate that some believers are spiritually asleep in the face of various manifestations of the signs of the return of Jesus. This makes them not to be alert or committed to the things of God. Such believers gradually lose sensitivity to spiritual things, indulge in sensuality, worldly pleasures and various kinds of impurity with continual lust for more (Eph. 4: 19). It is very dangerous when believers become insensitive to spiritual and physical dangers of indulging in sinful lifestyles. To guard against such behaviour, it is important to: Be diligent in prayers, study God’s word and fellowship with the brethren, be sensitive and obedient to the warnings of the Holy Spirit (vv. 17-19), give honour and submit to godly leaders(vv. 12-13).
PRAYER: O Lord, always make me sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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