There are few metaphors more powerful to describe spiritual living than "light" versus "darkness." 1 Thessalonians Chapter Five is an admonishment concerning preparation for the "Day of the Lord," which is the season of Jesus' return and judgment of a sinful world.

We are "children of the light." It is the nature of light to be separate from darkness, because darkness is the absence of light. Paul writes, "We don't belong to darkness and night." Think about that statement and look at your life. What are you doing? Where are you doing it?

Sometimes, believers fall asleep in the light. Sometimes, we stumble around like drunk people who have no clear direction or purpose. We need to be alert and sober and all times. I don't want to be under the influence of anything more than the Spirit and Word of God: Not on personalities, not on sports, not on technology, not on music, not on "bigness" or "smallness," not even on teaching/preaching styles. Sometimes we just get caught up in things, but are not really doing the Word or work of the Lord.

As Paul said, it is time for us to "think clearly," stay clothed in the "armor of faith and love," and protect (as with a helmet) our confidence in God's saving power.