Book of 1 ThessaloniansSample

DO NOT ONLY WAITING

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

Impatience often arises when a person is waiting, particularlywhen the thing we are waiting for has not come yet. The more we underestimate the “waiting”, the more we will act recklessly. This is also true of our waiting for the Lord's second coming. There are many who call themselves Christians who are no longer enthusiastic in their waiting. Instead, they are drowning in worldly activities.

In these waiting periods we should be more active in serving God and not abstaining from worship meetings (Hebrews 10:25), but continuing to train ourselves through worship, because godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4: 8).

We must wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus in hope, staying in His presence, for no one knows the exact timing of the coming of the Lord Jesus. "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing." (Matthew 24:46).

Paul gives a picture of the coming of the Lord like a thief who comes at night and like a pregnant woman who is experiencing a labor pains, meaning the coming of Jesus can happen suddenly, but it will happen. This is what the Word of God says to us as His church: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5: 15-16).

Watching for Jesus's return means being conscious of our being as children of light, so that we are no longer living in darkness.