(1Th 5:9) “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,”   Since we are “appointed”, already given, heaven instead of hell, we are to live like it! We are to live in this present world as those appointed to salvation: wise as to living in the last days, the tremendous wrath and devastation of the Tribulation Period before us; by faith hold to the truths revealed in the Bible; in love looking past each person’s outward offense to the very need of their soul.

(1Th 5:8) “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”   Put on the breastplate of faith and love. How does love protect the heart; when we love greatly we can be hurt greatly?  Answer: love is not an emotion as much as a determination that no matter what the response from another, we will obey the command of God to love. Love does not look after self, but is focused upon the best for someone else. That focus protects our heart, for we are neither disappointed nor upset by their response, for it is their good not ours we are seeking.

 (1Th 5:8) “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”  Put on the breastplate – protect your heart. Faith protects the heart, for faith believes all the Lord has said and stands upon it: “I will never leave nor forsake thee”; “Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed (focused) on Thee”; etc.. It seems that a lot of those professing faith have a head knowledge of Scripture that doesn’t reach the heart to stay. Their heart remains exposed to unbelief, the greatest of insults of God.   

(1Th 5:8) “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”  “The hope of salvation”: the word “hope” is not to be understood in the same way it is used today. We “hope” for things that may or may not happen – I hope to win the Reader’s Digest drawing. “Hope” in Scripture means “a looking for a sure coming event”. I place that helmet on my head letting it guide my thoughts and actions.  

(1Th 5:6)  “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.”  Because man lives in the moment, he thinks he has gotten away with sin against God:  (Psa 94:7) “Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.”  He has not. Our country has decided not to enforce our laws, but God will enforce His! There is a coming day of judgment. Be not as the lost of this world. Do right before God!  

(1Th 5:5) “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”  Take close notice of what this is saying. The lost are of the night, not the saved. What do people do at night? Sleep. When it come to spiritual things, this world is sleeping. Since you still are in the flesh and live in this world, be careful not to sleep along with them. Watch yourself, live for the Lord, we sober (right thinking).  

(1Th 5:5) “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”  Is it determination of mind that makes one the children of light and the other the children of darkness? Is it infant baptism and thus the choice of religion? Neither. It is a supernatural work done upon individuals old enough to understand on the cross of Calvary Jesus bore their sin. He died and rose again the third day to give life to those whose hearts leads them to repent. Repentance is a desire not to sin against God any more – period. Nothing held back. He then bestows the Gift of Everlasting Life, spiritual life making them Children of Light.   

 (1Th 5:4)  “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”  At the rebirth our spirit is made alive. With it comes the ability to perceive spiritual things as the Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit.  This is what is meant by the phrase “….are not in darkness….”  God’s people know the time of Christ’s return is rapidly approaching, for this world is openly and without shame nor restraint practicing sin. We also know that the longsuffering of God does have its limits. Warn others while you can. Seek to snatch their souls from the fire while you still can!  

(1Th 5:3) “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”  Notice the words, “shall not escape”. Oh, if only we feared God today. The truth is, most everyone does not. We give Him lip-service and then chose in what ways we will obey. We say I love Him and do as I love me. Because He is gracious and long-suffering men think He will do nothing. We have fooled ourselves. Judgment is coming. I wonder how many of us are truly saved! In light of the cross repent and give Jesus your heart while you still can.