Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
1 Thessalonians chapter 5 is a chapter that talks about how we are to live as we wait for the coming of Jesus Christ. What's expected of the Christian as we wait for Jesus to come back? Paul says in our verse, let us who live in the light—that's us—be clearheaded.
Be Clearheaded
What does that mean? It means to be spiritually alert. It means that I'm thinking on the things above. As we wait for Jesus to come back, our minds need to be right. Colossians chapter 3, verse 2 says to set your hearts and your minds on things above. Because there's going to be so much going on in our nation, in our lives, in our families, and it's easy to lose focus and start to focus on the things that don't matter. Paul says, as you wait, be clearheaded. Make sure that your attention is on the things above, on God's faithfulness, on God's goodness, on God's promises—especially when life gets hard. Stay clearheaded.
Protected by the Armor of Faith and Love
Then he says this: "protected by the armor of faith and love." He uses the language of armor because he knows you and I are in a spiritual battle. "Protected by the armor of faith." Our faith is in the finished work of the cross. Our faith is in Jesus Christ. As we wait, our hope is not that we're going to make it to the end on our own. No, no, no. Our faith is in the finished work of the cross. He's saying, "live by faith." Then he says, "and love." As we get closer to the coming of our Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us in Matthew chapter 24 that the love of many will grow cold. Paul reminds us here to walk in love. Make sure that you're still loving on people. Make sure that your love doesn't grow cold. Because as we get closer, people are going to offend us. It's easy for bitterness to creep in. Paul says, listen, keep walking in love.
Wearing the Helmet of Salvation
Then he says, "wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation." What is our confidence? It is that Jesus is coming back. Our confidence is in the finished work of the cross. Our confidence is that as believers, we are more than conquerors—and we're confident that God is going to keep us until the end. I can't keep myself to the end. I can't finish my Christian race by myself. My confidence needs to be in the finished work of the cross. That's why I put on that helmet of salvation, knowing my salvation is secure. I'm fighting from a place of victory, because victory is mine in Jesus Christ. "Let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation."
