September 12 2026

September 12 Saturday

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

Children of Light

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Yesterday we began 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and saw that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly upon an unbelieving world. Paul said it will come “as a thief in the night.” But today Paul immediately reminds believers that we are different. Verse 4 says: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” Notice again the contrast. In verse 3 Paul spoke about “they” and “them.” Now he says: “But you, brethren.” Why is there a difference? Because believers belong to Christ.

Paul says in verse 5: “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” Throughout Scripture, light and darkness are pictures of two completely different spiritual conditions. Darkness represents sin, ignorance, and separation from God. Light represents truth, holiness, and life in Christ. Jesus said in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” When we trusted Jesus Christ, we were brought out of spiritual darkness and into His wonderful light. Peter described believers as those whom God has called “out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

So Paul says: “You are children of light.” That tells us who we are. And then verse 6 tells us how we should live: “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” In this verse, sleep is not referring to physical death as it did in chapter 4. Here sleep pictures spiritual carelessness and indifference. Paul says, “Don't live as though nothing important is happening.” Wake up spiritually. That is a message Christians need in every generation. It is possible to know Christ and still become spiritually sleepy. We can become comfortable. We can lose our sense of urgency. Our prayer life can become routine. Our Bible reading can become mechanical. We can become so occupied with this present world that we forget Jesus is coming again.

Paul says: “Let us watch.” To watch means to stay spiritually alert. Jesus repeatedly used the same word when speaking about His return. He said: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Watching doesn't mean standing outside staring into the sky. Watching means living every day in readiness. It means keeping short accounts with God. It means staying in His Word. It means maintaining a faithful prayer life. It means using our opportunities to serve Christ. It means refusing to become comfortable with sin.

Then Paul says: “And be sober.” The idea is being clear-minded, disciplined, and spiritually self-controlled. A sober Christian sees life from God's perspective. The world says, “This life is all there is.” The Christian says, “Eternity is coming.” The world says, “Live for yourself.” The Christian says, “I belong to Christ.” The world says, “Gather everything you can here.” Jesus says, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Being a child of light should make a difference in how we live. Ephesians 5:8 says: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Notice Paul doesn't say we merely have light. He says we are children of light. Our identity should affect our conduct. Sometimes we approach the Christian life by saying, “Here is a long list of things I shouldn't do.” But Paul starts somewhere deeper. He reminds us who we are. You belong to Jesus. You are a child of God. You are a child of light. Therefore, live like who you are.

Maybe today would be a good time for a spiritual wake-up call. Has something caused you to become spiritually sleepy? Have you lost some of the excitement you once had about serving the Lord? Have the things of this world crowded out your awareness of eternity? Paul says: Wake up. Watch. Be sober. Walk in the light. Jesus is coming. And as children of light, we should live every day ready to meet Him.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You that through Jesus Christ You have brought us out of darkness and into Your marvelous light. Help us to remember who we are—children of light and children of the day. Guard us from becoming spiritually sleepy or careless. Wake our hearts to the reality of eternity. Help us to watch, to be sober, and to live every day in fellowship with You. May the light of Jesus shine through our lives so that others may see Him in us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!