According to Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-10, believers are children of the light and children of the day. Paul describes us (vv. 4-5) as people who are not in darkness.
“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.” v. 4 (CSB and all verses that follow)
Paul describes believers using the analogy of light and darkness in relation to the the Day of the Lord. There’s an obvious contrast when it says “but you.” They are not in spiritual darkness. They can see clearly what God is doing. Being in the dark is a state in which a person who does not know the Lord remains. Darkness is synonymous with evil, evil deeds contrary to God’s truth. Living in darkness prevents you from being able to see God’s truth that the Lord’s day is coming. Ephesians 4:18 reads it this way:
“They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because[a] of the hardness of their hearts.”
To people that don’t know Jesus, the Day of the Lord will be “like a thief.” The Thessalonians no longer live in darkness nor do the works of darkness or evil, and therefore that day will not surprise them as a thief. As believers God brought us out of this world of darkness, from spiritual blindness to the truth of God; from doing the evil deeds of the god of this world. Colossians 1:13 tells us that God transferred us “to the kingdom of his beloved son.”
Paul also says that believers in Christ are children of light and children of the day.
“For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.” v. 5
Paul tells the Thessalonians that not only are they not in darkness but they are children of light, children of the day, and not “of night or darkness.” Being called “children of light” or “children of the day” means that it is a characteristic, part of their nature. This nature came from the Lord when He rescued us from darkness. What sets us apart now is the fact that we understand the spiritual things which come from God and, we live in that environment. It is an atmosphere of light and day where we can see clearly and continue to see more clearly until the Lord comes back.
The point of this is to understand that we are not afraid of the Day of the Lord. We will not go through this day, we will be with the Lord forever. And as children of light and day, the day is approaching when who we are will not be affected by anything in this world. We will enjoy the perfection of daylight.
Paul emphasizes the fact that we are children of light and day by saying that “we are not of night or darkness.” As believers, there is no middle ground. Our lives reflect who we belong to.
In reiterating this truth, Paul wants to encourage believers to continue watching until the Lord’s coming for his church. This is what he focuses on the following verses.
The exhortation to be prepared.
As children of the day or children of light, we must be watchful and be alert.
“So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.” v. 6-7
The logical conclusion of being children of light and children of the day who no longer live in darkness is that we must be awake, be alert, and have self-control. We’re not asleep like the others. Those who are spiritually in darkness sleep at night. That is, they show the obvious result of their status. They are insensitive to the spiritual truth of God.
But believers who have come out of that environment are awake and spiritually alert. We are not insensitive to the spiritual things of God. We do not get carried away by our desires but show control (sobriety) in moral areas. Paul exhorts them to continue in this state of awakening by watching spiritually.
Those who are without Christ are spiritually asleep and their lives show with their immoral actions that they are in darkness. It’s interesting to note that people usually get drunk at night. Night is identified as the time to “enjoy” sinful pleasures. The day is for work and doing what is right. This is characteristic of those who do not know Christ. They’re spiritually asleep. Spiritual things have no value. On the contrary, they are “intoxicated” with the sin of the world. The coming of the Lord is not in their minds. They do not think about the judgment that will come in the day of the Lord.
We should also live as children of the day. “But since we belong to the day” (v. 8)
In contrast (“but”), all of us Paul says, “we belong to the day.” Our actions, as children of light or day, reflect that we are of the day. We do not live a callous life or disobedient to God’s truth. That’s not us!
We, like soldiers must also wear our armor.
“let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.” v. 8b
We must be morally sober; show self-control in our lives. We are vigilant soldiers who exercise moral and spiritual discipline. This moral and spiritual sobriety as soldiers of the Lord requires us to wear our armor. This is what Ephesians 6:13-17 is talks about, but only two parts of the armor that we must wear continuously to keep us alert and self-controlled are emphasized here.
We put on the breast plate of faith and love. The breast plate protects the chest and heart. As believers, we must wear this double-sided breast plate. First, our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our relationship with him must be maintained. Second, we must continue to show God’s love to others. Both are necessary and indispensable to keep us spiritually alert.
We must also wear the helmet of the hope of salvation. The helmet protects the head and the mind. The helmet we must carry is the hope of our salvation. This hope is the complete salvation that awaits us in the future. We need to keep this constantly in our minds.
What Paul writes to them is a reminder, for he has previously told them that they already show faith and love and hope (chapter 1:4; 3:6; 1:8; 4:9-10). Paul wants the triad of faith, love, and hope to be part of our journey as children of light. This is also a reminder for us. It will help us be ready for the coming of our Lord.
As a believer, are you awake spiritually, not asleep? Are you showing with your life that you are a child of light and a child of the day? Are you living an alert and a spiritually sensitive life? Are you showing control in moral area by dressing up with God’s armor?
