1 Thessalonians 5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.3 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. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 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. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
These should be very comforting words: “Get carried away,” and yet, often the caution is exactly the opposite: “Hey, don’t get TOO carried away there!”
The admonition is to avoid becoming too fanatic, as if your fanaticism about a certain subject may be off-putting to those around you – especially whoever it may be who would instruct you to, “not get too carried away.”
Our relationship with Christ is one of the things the world teaches us we are not allowed to express outwardly, and this can range from friendly “advice” to outright persecution depending upon whose presence you may be in. An outwardly expressed, visible demonstration of a personal relationship with Christ is convicting to all those who see it, because it reminds them of things they do not wish to think about, namely eternity, eternal things, and eternal life.
Since every human being comes pre-wired with the ability to perceive and think about eternal things, (even without being taught anything on the subject,) a visible, outward love relationship with Christ is equally convicting in every culture. Jesus said it this way, “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (In essence, we are hated without cause, simply for having a visible love for Jesus.)
But one day, perhaps very soon and certainly without warning, it is that very visible, demonstrable love for Christ which will save you from the wrath of God to come upon the world. God is about to bring the world into judgment according to its sin. Only those who love Jesus and are born again by that love will be spared – and that means of separation from God’s judgment will be very sudden, in the “twinkling of an eye,” and, “like a thief in the night.” Now is the time to ‘get carried away’ by the love of Christ, so when He comes for His church, you will also be carried away to meet Jesus in the clouds. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come!
- Pastor Bill
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