Advent is not just the anticipation of the first coming of Christ, but to also anticipate the second coming.

1 Thess. 5:1-11 is about anticipation. It is about preparation. 

“…you aren’t in darkness…” (v. 4, CEB)

If we are following Christ, we do not try to act like darkness. We live in light. There are “markers” for those living in light.

“…let’s stay sober, wearing faithfulness and love as a piece of armor that protects our body and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (v. 8, CEB)

I find our present “evangelical” generation living in some sort of angst, trying desperately to show the world, “Hey, we’re just like you!”

In many ways, absolutely! YES! We’re human. But when Christ comes in, change happens. There some things that are just… well… different. Hope in Christ is different.

We need these words to penetrate our hearts, “We aren’t in darkness.” Live in the day, so the darkness doesn’t keep us from missing out on the fullness of Christ. Don’t let the darkness rule allowing the day to catch us like a thief.

Stand ready. Loving Jesus. Longing for him. As the people of God had a longing for him the first time, may we long for him in this day.