Tag: love and faith
Living as children of Light!
Scripture reading for June 21st: Song of Solomon 1-3, Psalm 72, 1st Thessalonians 5
1st Thessalonians 5: 5-10 “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live for Him.”
Paul loved to use contrasts to encourage believers and instruct them in righteous living and motivate them to persevere in the faith. In this passage, light and darkness, day and night are contrasts of the righteous and how they live as opposed to the wicked and their life-style. Those living in the light and day are awake and sober. They are full of faith and love and have the vision of hope of the return of Jesus Christ and the full salvation He promises. Those living in darkness are asleep spiritually and cover their darkness in drunkenness. They have no hope of salvation or a vision of the light of Christ. Those living in light know that they are not destined for wrath and eternal separation from God so they live for Christ!
Psalm 72:18-19 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and amen!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Light of Life, Jesus Christ! I am a child of the light and live in anticipation of seeing Jesus Christ on His return to earth for His people. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who lives in me to empower me to live by faith and to love God and share His love with the nations through preaching the Gospel and giving to missions. Blessed by Your glorious Name forever and ever!
Song of Songs 2:4 “He brought me to his banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”