We are not of the night or of the darkness

Article for November 15, 2026

1 Thessalonians 5:1–2 1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

We are in a time of grace and mercy.  Jesus has died for our sins and forgave us and keeps us from the punishment we deserve.  This is a time where we should praise and thank Jesus Christ for His painful work on the cross for our sake.  This is the time to find a church that preaches the true word of God.  But most think worshiping in church is not necessary, and they do not need to worship in church to be saved. 

Most people have fallen asleep, they do not know that they have been given false hope from the world, and from their own reasoning.  We dupe ourselves thinking we have nothing to be prepared for.  Are we ready for the second coming of Christ?  If you are living to the world’s standards then I would say you are not ready and you are asleep.  There are too many falsities being thrown at us each day from a world who does not understand love, does not care to love, and are confused about what is right and what is wrong.

The fall is over, and the beauty of God’s children has fallen like late fall leaves, and we are being swept away from the hot air of the world.  The season is coming to its winter, and we know how cold winter can be, especially when everyone is growing a cold heart and many now barely care about their families and friends.  Everyone who does not believe in the one true God, will show their true self as they push and shove under their guise of self-righteousness. 

Jesus is coming at the end of this cold season and unfortunately many will not be ready.  For we do not know the time of day or night that Jesus will appear to everyone.  We have stopped believing in the second coming of our Lord.  But when Jesus does appear, at that time a season of woe will be upon many who do not walk in the light.

1 Thessalonians 5:3–5 3While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

Those who dwell in the darkness will be caught off guard and though they did not believe before, as surely as Jesus comes, they will believe at that time.  The unfortunate price of believing when Jesus appears is that it will be too late.  Jesus is not coming to bring peace but rather calamity to the unbeliever.  And destruction will follow Jesus, and many will fear God as they see their beginnings of new pains and unwavering agony.  Where the believer will rise to joy.

Paul is speaking to the people of the light, those who are Christians.  Not the ones who give lip service to their beliefs in Christ, but those who know Christ through His word, through their answered prayers, and through the Holy Spirit.  The winter season is almost over and Jesus is coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

So, let’s encourage each other and help each other’s faith grow as we are the body of Christ Jesus.  We know that the church is Jesus and we are a part of the church, we are joined with Jesus as brothers and sisters of Christ.  We need the church that preaches the true word of God more now than ever.

We who believe are the children of the light and we should not follow a world that is asleep in its false hope of darkness.  So, let us not participate in the darkness but boldly and humbly shine the light which is Jesus Christ our Lord.  Not to show the world where it is headed but to snatch many from the world’s darkness, that they too can live in the eternal light of Christ with us and Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Jesus did not die on the cross to spread God’s wrath but rather to spread God’s love through His grace and mercy.  This is the gospel we live for; this is the reason Jesus died on the cross for our sins, this is God loving us to life.  Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May