Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
Paul's advice to the Thessalonians was given to them in the light of the belief that Jesus was coming back very soon indeed. That being so, it's fascinating to see how measured and balanced it is. From time to time, 'prophets' predict the end of the world. In AD 1000, many Christians thought Christ would return based on Revelation 20. Rich people gave their possessions away and there was a rush to the churches. Just a few years ago, followers of an American evangelist gave up their jobs and spent their savings promoting his belief that the world would end in 2011.
Paul doesn't encourage that sort of behaviour. Instead, he tells the Thessalonians to be 'sober' (verses 6, 8). The 'Day of the Lord' will come unexpectedly (there are echoes of Amos 5.18), so Christians ought always to be ready. This is practical wisdom. His closing instructions are low-key, almost as though he's damping down their enthusiasm rather than firing it up. Respect your teachers, help each other, be joyful, pray, do good and avoid evil: these are all basic standards for Christian living.
Perhaps, then, we should pay more attention to them. For Paul, this is how you live if you know Christ could return at any moment. Not many of us would be entirely comfortable with the state of our souls in the light of that thought. So the challenge is, can we make these standards normal in our lives? We're called to be 'free from every fault' at the coming of Christ (verse 23).
God, help me live in the light of Christ's return, ready and waiting for the coming of the king.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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