1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
Paul is addressing two events in chapters four and five: Living and Dying.
There had been a question about death and what happened after death. This was a
common concern of people in that day and still is today. His first letter
to the Corinthians dealt with this question in great detail (chapter 15).
There were those who tried to convince people that death was the absolute end
of all life. Paul is inspired of the Lord to address that and gave us great
detail as to what happens when life leaves this body. That is a
comforting thought. So he is carrying that thought over into the first
part of this fifth chapter. "Comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another."
This is an echo of God's Words about 750 years before Paul's writing.
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. (2)
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double
for all her sins." (Isaiah 40:1-2) Isaiah was writing of the
abundant grace of which Paul wrote so eloquently. Comfort one another. God's
grace is sufficient for all our sins and all our needs. Keep your eyes
upon the Lord. You are not of the darkness; rather of the light.
"Put on the breastplate of faith and love." Keep tight
the "helmet of salvation" for God has given us that blessed hope
(Blessed Assurance) that we belong to Him. God has not appointed us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation (deliverance) by our Lord Jesus Christ. If
I may quote the words of a beautiful song witten by David Crowder, "All my
hope is in Jesus. Thank God that yesterday's gone. All my sins are forgiven.
I've been washed by the blood."
Comfort one another. "There is power, power, wonder working power in the
precious blood of the Lamb." We can be certain of the precious truth
of this assurance through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and the power
of His resurrection. Jesus "died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep,
we should live together with him." Why did Paul go into such detail
concerning this assurance? It seems to me things have not changed quite
so much from then to now. If we are not careful, we could adopt the idea
that this life is all there is, so eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you
die. No, God inspired Paul to write, "be sober (be attentive). Put
on the breastplate of faith and love. Wear your helmet of salvation."
seek to do that which is pleasing unto the Lord. He gives life and
He gives it abundantly! May God's grace prevail in each of our lives to
take inventory of our actions as to whether we are seeking to please God or please
self.