«But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you» (l Thessalonians 5: l).
IN CHAPTER 5 of I Thessalonians, Paul states that the Lord’s Day comes as a thief in the night. Here, Paul is not talking about a secret kidnapping. He is emphasizing the idea that Christ will come at the moment when we do not expect Him. And that is why we must always be prepared.
An important message Paul shares is this: We should not rely on statements asserting that there will come a time of peace, and that the this peace will be established forever on our planet. That’s not true! The peace that is found in our planet before the end comes will only be an apparent peace, which precedes the return of Jesus. For this reason, Paul teaches us to watch and be sober, or be attentive. This means that we need to know the signs, which are clear in the Bible.
Paul also directs those who work among us to pay attention by preaching the Word and drawing our attention to heavenly things.
- We must encourage the discouraged, motivate the unmotivated.
- We must always pray.
- We must always be grateful.
- We must pay attention to the prophecies.
- We must have a judicious mind.
- We must flee from all kind of evil.
- We must maintain a sanctified life.
- We must open our hearts to the actions of the Holy Spirit.
Lettie Cowman says that a man prayed for oil and God told him to plant an olive tree. Then he prayed for rain for the olive tree to grow and God sent the rain. Then he prayed for sunshine, and the sun appeared. In order to strengthen the tree’s roots, he asked for snow, and God sent him snow. But, because of that snowfall, the olive tree died. Surprised, the man saw that his neighbor had a very nice olive tree and asked him what he did to keep it that way. The neighbor replied: «I only entrust my plant to God. I don’t impose conditions on God, I simply comply with the conditions by placing my life in His hands.»
As Paul did in his life, as he asked the Thessalonians to do, let us place our lives fully in the hands of the Lord.
Thank God because in Him we find a purpose and meaning to life, even in the little things! By divine grace we remain alive, by His love we have salvation, and by His power we can prepare to receive Christ when He comes again for us.
