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Verse of the Day and Devotion
You are all people who belong to the light. You belong to the day. We don’t belong to the night or to darkness. – I Thessalonians 5:5 ERV
Devotion
There are two kinds of people. The first kind are those who belong to the night and to darkness. The second kind are those who belong to the day and to light.
What’s the difference between the two?
Those who belong to the night and to darkness are, figuratively, drunk and asleep. It’s because, says the Apostle Paul, “People who sleep, sleep at night. People who drink too much, drink at night.” (I Thessalonians 5:7) Applying Paul’s figures, this means that such people are in no condition to see what’s coming. What’s coming? Jesus is coming. The return of Jesus Christ to earth is coming. Those who belong to the first kind of people are so caught up in the darkness of their sin that they have no clue about Jesus’ return. Thus, they will be surprised by His return like those who are surprised by a thief in the night. (I Thessalonians 5:2)
Those who belong to the day and to light, on the other hand, are, figuratively, awake and sober. It’s because people who stay awake and sober do so in the day. Applying the figures, they’re prepared for the return of Jesus. Thus, Paul can say, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness. And so that day will not surprise you like a thief.” (I Thessalonians 5:4) Since they belong to the day, they stay awake, keep control of themselves, and look forward to the return of Jesus. Indeed, they keep an eye out for Him and take note of the signs of His coming.
The first kind of people are, of course, non-Christians and the second kind are Christians. The reason why Christians belong to the day and to light is that they have received light. They have received the light of Jesus Christ by faith. The Apostle John puts it this way: “In Him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it.” (John 1:4-5) Having received the light of Jesus Christ, they can see what’s going on in the world. They can see what’s coming in the world.
Apart from Christ, on the other hand, you’re in the dark. Apart from Christ, you belong to the night and to darkness.
