1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 “What God Has Appointed”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Phil Wickham – Living Hope
• In Christ Alone – Keith & Kristyn Getty, CityAlight
• Pat Barrett – Build My Life (ft. Cory Asbury)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Choose Jesus – Quick Truths – Lesson for Kids
• I Have Decided | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• A Friend We Can Trust | Scuba VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Great is Thy Faithfulness | Holy Land Adventure: Egypt VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Paul continues his teaching about Jesus’ return. Among the Thessalonian believers, some thought Jesus’ return was imminent. The apostle says there is no need to write about “the times and dates” (v. 1) because, as Jesus taught, that day will come “like a thief in the night” (v. 2)—something Paul had already explained to them.

That day will arrive suddenly, “while people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’” just as labor pains come unexpectedly on a pregnant woman (v. 3). When that day comes, no one will “escape.” However, for Christians, the Lord’s coming will not be sudden or unexpected, because they are always prepared for His return (v. 4). Believers are “children of the light and children of the day” (v. 5), so the Lord’s coming will not be like a thief to them. In contrast, for those who “belong to the night,” meaning those who live in sin, it will be an abrupt and shocking event.

Against this backdrop, Paul urges, “Let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober” (v. 6). The “sleeping” ones (v. 7) refer to unbelievers living in spiritual darkness. Believers, on the other hand, “belong to the day” (v. 8) because they live in the light of God’s truth. Therefore, we must live in that truth, “putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (v. 8). Paul develops this armor metaphor more fully in Ephesians 6:10–20.

God has appointed us not “to suffer wrath” but “to receive salvation” (v. 9). For that salvation, which God has set for us, to be completed at Christ’s return, we must stay awake now. This is why Christ died for us (v. 10). Therefore, Paul says, “Encourage one another and build each other up” (v. 11), because spiritual growth cannot happen apart from being bound together in community.

Meditation:

The question, “Is salvation entirely the result of God’s predestination and choice or is it the result of human free will?” has been an important topic of discussion in Christianity for centuries. The former view is called “Calvinism,” and the latter “Arminianism.”

In the Calvinist tradition, human salvation is entirely the result of God’s predestination and choice, and therefore, humans’ free will cannot infringe upon God’s sovereignty. Indeed, as the Lord of the entire universe, God’s work cannot be altered by humans, who are less than a speck of dust in the cosmos. Yet, God does not treat humans as mere dust—He has elevated us to be the crown of creation and engages with us personally. Measured by ability, human decisions cannot influence God’s decisions at all. But God, lowering Himself, has exalted us, and that is why He has given us free will. This makes it vitally important how each of us chooses to use that free will.

The Apostle Paul writes, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 9). The Greek word peripoiesis, translated here as “to receive,” carries the meaning of “active pursuit and obtaining.” N. T. Wright translates the verse as, “God has not placed us on the road to fury, but to gaining salvation, through our Lord Jesus the Messiah.” This means that God has appointed us, through Jesus Christ, to obtain salvation. Opening the way of salvation is the work of God; walking that path and making salvation one’s own is each person’s responsibility. God has done everything for our salvation, but there is still something for each of us to do.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have become “children of light” and “children of the day.” We have already entered eternal life and are enjoying it. When we did not believe, we were “those who belong to the night” and “those who sleep.” Earlier, Paul referred to the dead as “those who sleep” (4:13). From God’s perspective, a person without faith is already dead, whereas someone who has died in faith is alive in His sight.

Therefore, while we live in this world, acting in holiness and righteousness as children of light, and being found in the new heaven and new earth when Jesus Christ returns—this is what brings salvation to its completion.

Prayer:

We believe that our salvation is entirely by God’s grace.
Thank You for granting us salvation in Jesus Christ and for allowing us to enjoy it.
Help us to remember that grace and to live in holiness and righteousness, as those who belong to the light and as children of the day.
And when that day comes, let us see You in the new heaven and the new earth.
Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God has already opened the way for our salvation through Jesus Christ, but we must choose to walk in that way, living as children of light until the day we meet Him.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What does it mean to be a “child of light”?
  • If God gave you a path to follow that leads to Him, what would you need to do to stay on it?
  • Can you think of one way you can show God’s light to your friends or family this week?
• Youth
  • If salvation is a gift from God, why do you think the Bible also tells us to “stay awake” and “be ready” for Jesus’ return?
  • What’s the difference between knowing about God’s light and living in it?
  • How might your daily choices show that you are walking like a child of light?