And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.  (12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.  (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lust. 

The letter to the Romans was written to the Christians in Rome by the Apostle Paul. The verses we study today are metaphorical – the light is the revelation of divine truth and the good news of the gospel. Christians are no longer ignorant of God’s completed plan for salvation through Christ Jesus and they no longer are blind andi insensible as are those who sleep in the night. The day of salvation  is not approaching but it has appeared.

Paul exhorts the Christians to renounce their former lives because they are new men and women in Christ. We yet sojourn as strangers on earth – we Christians are no longer in darkness and should not sleep but be alert.  We are certain of the final salvation for all who believe but uncertain of the time – all we can be sure of is it will come like a thief in the night.

Paul is calling for us to walk in holiness but more important he urges us to put on the armor of Christ –  to be fortified on every side of the power of the Spirit for alone we cannot live in light.  Paul tells his readers that there should be great contrast between believers in Christ Jesus and those who are of this world in darkness.  In Romans Paul tells us that man is NOT basically good and that the world lives in ignorance about our true treasure; about death, eternity and judgment.  In Romans chapter 1, verse 16, Paul writes “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…..”.

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  (13) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  (16) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.   (17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  (18) And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

The letter to the Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul.  Paul is dealing with heresy in Colosse and seeking to show that the solution to false doctrine is a fuller knowledge of Christ Jesus.

Our verses today tell us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God – and implicit is that Christ Jesus is the essence of God – that He is God.  God is invisible to the eye of man and also to the understanding of man.  God is revealed to us in Christ alone.  And in Christ, this Son of love, we are loved. All parts of our salvation are in Christ, who through His blood made the perfect sacrifice for our redemption – Christ Jesus paid the SOLE price for mans reconciliation with the Father.  Man has passed from death to life, from darkness to the light because of this sacrifice and God’s grace. There is nothing we could ever do to earn this.  In doing my research I came across this quote from Calvin that “wherever His grace is not, darkness is.”

Christ is all in all.  All creatures were created by Him – and because this is so, He is not one of the creatures.  Paul writes that He is the firstborn meaning Christ has sovereignty – preeminence over all creaction in heaven or on earth – that heavenly creatures and spiritual creatures also have been created by the Son of God.  All fullness dwells in Christ because it pleases the Father.  God shows Himself through Christ and those who detract from Christ are trying – in vain – to overturn God’s eternal counsel.  Paul tells us that we are blessed through Christ alone – He is our connection to God – the blood of the cross is the blood of acceptable sacrifice.

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; (8)  nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, (9) not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.  (10) For even when we were with you, we commanded you this:  If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.  (11) For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.  (12) Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

The 2ND letter to the THESSALONIANS was written by the Apostle Paul.  Paul and the gospel teach that work is essential to the Christian character and that idleness leads to being “busybodies”.   Meddlesome interference, showing lack of character and living off others is a very dangerous path. This is hardly the brotherly love Paul preached – and the freeloaders Paul is writing about here are the Christians.  He is telling his readers that no work leads to an undiscliplined life and meddling in the lives of others is hindering others

In Genesis, even before the fall, God decreed that man must work  and after the fall man received the curse of hard labor and toil. Paul reminds the Thessalonians  that he was entitled to be supported as an Apostle and in his ministry but he chose not to exercise that right. Paul practiced what he preached in regard to work to be an example of Christian living.

He gave very specific instructions as to work and focused on those who were idle in the context of the believers sanctification.  Paul writes that they must imitate him –  he uses the word command in regard to work ethics.  Paul considers this such a serious problem that later in chapter three he urges Christians in Thessalonica to withhold fellowship with  those Christians who refuse to work – but in this disassociation they are to still regard them as brothers, not the enemy.  He feared they were walking a very dangerous path and were in urgent need of correction.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (3:1) finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, (2) and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.  (3) But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.  (4) And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.  (5) Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 

The 2nd letter to the THESSALONIANS was writte by the Apostle Paul. The main part of the letter was finished – Paul has completed his teaching about the end times and the second coming of Christ Jesus, and now he reminds the Thessalonians that salvation is God’s choice and that they have been elected to it.  The Apostles and their companions were but God’s messengers  and they sought and needed the prayers of the faithful to endure and spread this good news –  Paul wanted to preach the gospel and the word of the power of God to save men who received it.

Paul expresses confidence that a small group of new Christians would continue to live in the Lord – that they would endure in not only a pagan world but also in the face of the corruption efforts of the Judaizers who followed Paul wherever he evangelized. This gentle reminder of the truth that they have embraced was that the Lord is always with all who trust in Him.  God is faithful.

Paul began this letter with his declaration of praying without ceasing for the Thessalonians which gives us a glimpse of the importance of his prayer life – to have prayer be the undercurrent of all he did.  This constant prayer should be foundational for daily Christian living – without it we are adrift – physically and mentally confused. God is always with us but it is our responsibility and joy to accept His grace and seek Him in everything we think, feel and do.