Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
Scholars, pastors and nearly everyone under the sun have theories about when Jesus will return. In our present times, this question is being raised. We see governments controlling their people, telling them what they can and cannot do, where they can and cannot go, what they can and cannot buy or grow. And the question is raised. Is this the end?
But, Paul’s final instructions to the church were not concerning about when or how this will happen, for we know the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). Instead, Paul focuses on what we should be doing with the time we have left, whether it is short or many more years.
Paul begins by reminding us to live peacefully with each other (1 Thessalonians 5:13). If Jesus came back tomorrow, would He find our relationships at peace or riddled with conflict?
He challenges us to see that there are people desperate for the healing power and love of Jesus. If we are lazy or timid in sharing our faith and using the gifts God has given us, they may never meet Him. But, if we use our time and energy to, as Paul urges us – to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all (1 Thessalonians 5:14), we will be living out our calling to invite as many people as possible into a relationship with Jesus before He returns.
Lastly, Paul asks us to consider our relationships. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:15). If there are relationships to make right, or sin we know we need to turn from, then the time to do it is now!
If we have a relationship with Jesus, we don’t have to be scared about Jesus’ return, but we should be prepared. It’s not as much about how or when Jesus will return, but about how we can best use the time we have left to live for Him, and bring as many people to Him as possible.
And there is no time to waste. Let us be about our Father’s business.