Saturday 15th March
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (NIVUK)
Faith, hope and love make yet another appearance in Paul’s correspondence with the churches of the eastern Mediterranean. Can you hear the nature of what he taught as he moved through Asia and Greece telling others about Jesus?
Like Jesus he exhorted those with faith to be prepared, to stay awake and alert, to avoid excesses and be constantly vigilant for the Lord’s return. He spoke extensively of love, both for the Lord, for each other and for those around them. Finally, he spoke often of the hope, the sure and secure hope, that Jesus would return and wrap up creation – restoring and renewing everything.
Even when we find ourselves sometimes benighted, we know He is faithful, loving and returning to restore.
