3 While 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. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3–5 (ESV)
As previously studied, prior to the coming of Jesus Christ the unconverted will continually presume their lives to be one of peace (Εἰρήνη; Eirene) and security (ἀσφάλεια; asphaleia). Peace refers to tranquility and freedom from worry. Security means safety and certainty. The unsaved will consistently ignore the Scripture’s warning of the Day of the Lord.
The only hope for any sinner is found exclusively in the person and work of Jesus Christ. By grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, the born again and repentant sinner trusts in the substitutionary atoning death of Christ and His bodily resurrection for their deliverance from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin (Rom. 3:21-26; Eph. 2:1-9). God commands each sinner to repent of their sin and trust cognitively, emotionally and volitionally in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to receive His imputed righteousness as their own (Rom 4; 5:1-10; 2 Cor. 5:21).
However, the Day of the Lord will not surprise believers because they are presently, actively and collectively no longer in darkness. Darkness (σκότει; skotei) in this immediate context refers to the evil world, the abode of evil spirits, and the gloominess of hell. Paul spoke of this spiritual, lost condition of the unbeliever when writing to the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 4:3-6).
Consequently, because believers are no long in darkness the Day of the Lord will not be a surprise like the arrival of a thief in the night. How does Paul refer to believers in Christ? In today’s featured text, the apostle referred to believers as children of light and of the day.
Metaphorically, light (φωτός; phtos) refers to the people of God ((Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Eph 5:8). In the same way, day (ἡμέρας; hermeras) means people who are living according to God’s truth.
“By means of this truly striking Hebraism, Paul stresses the fact that all the brothers at Thessalonica (for “you … all” refers back to “brothers” in the preceding verse), that is, all those who by sovereign grace have been adopted into the family of Jesus Christ, are lights,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
“The idea is one: the light of day has already arisen in their hearts, and they are destined for the realm of everlasting light. They belong to it, for it has taken possession of them. They have faith, love, hope, etc. They are “light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:9). And because he is the light of the world (John 8:12), they too are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).”
“As “sons of light and of day” (lights shining in the day) they form a sharp contrast with the “sons of this age” (Luke 16:8). They belong neither to the light nor to darkness, that is, sin no longer has dominion over them. Wrath is not in store for them. A great change has taken place (Eph. 5:8; 2:1–10),” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
The apostle transitions from “you” to “we” when he wrote “We are not of the night or of the darkness.” Paul, Silas, Timothy, and the Thessalonians no longer belong to the fallen, evil world system. The same is true for all the truly converted.
“Believing in Jesus, the Christian no longer lives in the darkness but belongs to the realm of the light of Christ. Light reveals, whereas darkness leaves us in ignorance. Light warms, which refers to the spiritual transformation of the heart touched by the grace of Jesus. Light conveys and stimulates life. We were once dead to God when we lived in darkness, but now we are alive and responsive to His Word,” explains Dr. Richard Phillips.
Are you a child of the light and day? Are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes again? He is coming soon (Rev. 22:12, 20). Are you ready to meet Him as your Savior and Lord? If not, then you will face Him as your Judge.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 