SONS OF THE LIGHT

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.  You are all sons of the light and sons of the day.  We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.  1 Thessalonians 5: 4, 5, and 6 NIV

Paul is addressing the Thessalonians, and you and me as brothers.  He calls us all sons of the light and sons of the day.  Paul, I believe, is saying to them and to us, "If only you could get a grasp of who you are in Christ Jesus, then you would, as he says  … not grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope”.   James 4: 13 NIV

James, the Lord’s half-brother says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures”.  James 1:17 and 18 NKJV

You were born of woman and reborn of the Spirit.  If you were just born of woman, then you would be like the rest of men and have reason to grieve.  But, you are much more than your mother’s child.  Since you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, could not be killed but gave up his life for you, was raised from the dead, and sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for you, then you are born of the Spirit and, therefore, have no reason to grieve. 

Man was created in right standing with God, chose his own way and fell out of right standing with God.  

God gave man the law, but man transgressed the law. 

God sent prophets to man, but man would not heed their word. 

God sent the “true Light” John 1: 9 NKJV into the world so that, “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”.  John 1: 12 and 13 NKJV

Paul and James are saying to you that you are now a child of God.  You are a new creation the same as Adam who was born of both the earth and the Spirit of God.  And You are a new creation the same as Jesus who was born of woman and the Spirit of God, for you are a kind of “firstfruit” born of woman and the Spirit of God through “the Anointed One, Jesus”.   You are a brother with Jesus, a child of the living God, a child of the Light, a child of the day, adopted into God’s family through Christ Jesus.

Father God, help us to realize that we are your children and that we need to start acting like it.  Help us to stand tall with humility and unconditional love.  Help us to not grieve but celebrate our adoption into Your family.  Help us to allow the “Light that has come into the world” to shine forth through us.  In the name of Jesus, we ask these things and give You the glory for them.  Amen and so be it.  Amen and so be it.