Children of Light

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-7).

Introduction

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to catch away His church, it should be no surprise to those who are faithfully following Him. In this passage we find instruction on how Christians ought to live their daily lives. Someone who is not living in holiness is not prepared to meet the Lord.

Children of light

We “walk in the light” if we follow Him who is the “true light” (1 John 1:7; John 1:9). Christians are called to avoid everything that is of the darkness, for all that is not of light is of the enemy of our souls. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

Instead of being overcome by the darkness that is in the world, we are commissioned to shine for the Lord and thus bring glory to Him. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12) … “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The word “darkness” is symbolic of the spiritual condition in the world today, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18). “Light” refers to the godliness of those whose lives have been transformed and are determined to walk in holiness, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9) … “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).

It is obvious that the apostle Paul is stating that those who walk in the darkness of the world will not be spiritually ready for the Lord’s return. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:10-12) … “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5).

The overtaken

Those that will be left behind on the day of Christ’s return are they who are spiritually asleep and refuse to walk in holiness. How can disobedient believers hope to be partakers of the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13)? The Day of the Lord is going to be a day of great disappointment to so many in our churches. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:1-8).

The word “sleep” in our text describes inattentiveness to the word of God rather than spiritual death. “Awake, and keep awake - Being awakened, let us have all our spiritual senses about us” (John Wesley). The Ten Virgins parable is a good illustration of what is happening in Christian circles today (Matthew 25:1-13). Added to this is the evident lack of sobriety. True believers do not need to have a “good time” by indulging themselves in the sinful activities of the unsaved. We are called to be sober in every way. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16) … “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8) … “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:19).

The word “drunken” speaks of the spiritual stupor of those who live according to the standards of this fallen world. These people are not watchful, alert or attentive to the things of God, but instead satisfy themselves with everything that destroys the soul. We may pity those who are destroying the body through alcohol, but we should have more pity for those who are damning their souls through worldliness. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

Conclusion

True believers do not live in sin and rebellion towards God, therefore they live to please Him by walking in holiness. As children of light, they manifest His light in a world filled with spiritual darkness. Only by shining this eternal light will souls be brought to Christ. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18) … “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).